Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • AI
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • VPN
  • More
    • Cameras
    • Home
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
    • Best
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • ChatGPT
  • Best laptop
  • Best VPN
  • NYT Wordle today

Recommended reading

A young man working on laptop in office writing notes
Software & Services Best note-taking app for Android of 2025
A close-up of a person typing on the keyboard of their laptop
Software & Services Best typing tutor software of 2025
A person using dictation with a smartphone.
Software & Services Best dictation software of 2025
Full view of the Cherry KW 7100 Mini BT
Pro I tested the Cherry KW 7100 Mini BT - see what I thought of this travel keyboard
The Satechi SM3 mechanical keyboard against a blue background.
Keyboards I used the Satechi SM3 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard and was surprised by how light it is for a full-sized board
Someone using dictation s on a laptop.
Software & Services Best speech-to-text app of 2025
Cherry KW 9200 Mini main image
Pro I tested the Cherry KW 9200 Mini - see what I thought of this travel keyboard
  1. Computing
  2. Peripherals & Accessories
  3. Keyboards

How to install a third party keyboard on Android

How-to
By James Rogerson published 2 July 2015

Finding the right keys

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

How to install a third party keyboard on Android

How to install a third party keyboard on Android

Your Android device could have come with any number of different keyboards. It might be the best one around or it could be absolutely awful, it's all down to the whims of the manufacturer.

But Android thrives on freedom and you needn't be stuck with the keyboard your device shipped with. There are dozens of alternatives and installing a new one is simple.

So whether your current keyboard auto-corrects the sense out, of your messages or you're simply wondering what else is out there, you're just a few steps away from something shiny and new.

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Step 1 - See what's out there

Step 1 - See what's out there

There are loads of keyboards available and a quick search for 'keyboard' on Google Play will give you plenty to choose from.

Finding the right one can be trickier. Your best bet is to take a look at the reviews and screenshots and see if it looks like a good fit. If you can identify exactly what you dislike about your current one it could be easier to filter through them too.

However we'll kick you off with two suggestions. There's SwiftKey for one, which is highly customisable, lets you swipe-to-type and learns from you for more accurate auto-correct. Or there's Google Keyboard, which has many of the same features, a clean interface and the might of Google behind it.

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Step 2 - Install and enable it

Step 2 - Install and enable it

Once you've picked a keyboard, you'll want to download and install it from Google Play. Then you need to enable it. In many cases launching the app will guide you through the process, asking you to first enable the keyboard and then set it as your default one.

However if you're not prompted you can manually do it from your device's settings screen. Head to the 'Language & keyboard' section, then tap 'Current Keyboard'. If you see the one you want in the list tap it to set it as your default. If you don't see it tap the 'Choose Keyboards' option, enable the one you want and try again.

Note that the exact wording of these screens may differ based on your handset and what version of Android you're running, but they'll be along those lines.

You can also achieve the same thing by going onto any screen where you'd enter text so the keyboard pops up. You'll then see a keyboard icon at the top of the screen. Swipe down the notifications shade and tap that to get to the change keyboard screen.

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Step 3 - Get to grips with it

Step 3 - Get to grips with it

Congratulations, you now have a new keyboard! You'll want to test it out thoroughly to make sure it's the one you want. Some keyboards have extra tabs and buttons which allow you to customise them, while others will display customisation options when you enable them or tap on them in the settings screen.

What and how many options you'll get depend on the keyboard, but they can cover everything from the appearance, size and layout of the keyboard to gestures, voice input and more.

Not happy with it? Then just head back to Google Play and try another. There's bound to be one out there with your name on it.

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Step 4 - Switching back

Step 4 - Switching back

If after all that you've decided that actually you miss your original keyboard it's easy to switch back. Just head back to the 'Language & keyboard' section of the settings screen or tap the keyboard icon on the notifications screen when the keyboard is visible and reselect your old one.

If you're fairly sure you won't want to return to the one you've downloaded then you might as well delete it too, so it doesn't clog up your storage.

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
TOPICS
Google
James Rogerson
Social Links Navigation

James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a love for everything ‘smart’, from watches to lights, and can often be found arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk and has written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV.

See more Computing How Tos
Read more
A young man working on laptop in office writing notes
Best note-taking app for Android of 2025
A close-up of a person typing on the keyboard of their laptop
Best typing tutor software of 2025
A person using dictation with a smartphone.
Best dictation software of 2025
Full view of the Cherry KW 7100 Mini BT
I tested the Cherry KW 7100 Mini BT - see what I thought of this travel keyboard
The Satechi SM3 mechanical keyboard against a blue background.
I used the Satechi SM3 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard and was surprised by how light it is for a full-sized board
Someone using dictation s on a laptop.
Best speech-to-text app of 2025
Latest in Keyboards
Gamakay TK75HE V2 on desk with pink wall in background
I used the Gamakay TK75HE V2 for gaming and typing, and its analog switches are precise and satisfying – but I wish its software was easier to use
Logitech Pro X TKL Rapid on table with pink background
I admired the quality of the Logitech Pro X TKL Rapid, but I found it hard to wrangle its analog switches
The Satechi SM3 mechanical keyboard against a blue background.
I used the Satechi SM3 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard and was surprised by how light it is for a full-sized board
Corsair K70 Pro TKL gaming keyboard resting on a desk
I replaced my main gaming keyboard with the Corsair K70 Pro TKL for two weeks - here's my verdict
Logitech Pro X 60 on table with pink background
I like the snappy performance of the Logitech Pro X 60 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Keyboard, but it’s expensive considering its limitations
The Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX keyboard
I’ve fallen in love with the Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX 65% keyboard because of its brilliant touch bar and Hall effect keys
Latest in How Tos
WBO junior lightweight champion Emanuel Navarrete during a junior lightweight title fight in 2023
Watch Navarrete vs Suarez online: how to live stream boxing tonight; fight card and ringwalks, weigh-in results
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display the January 22, 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event.
How to watch the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge launch live
Jumbo-Visma's Slovenian rider Primoz Roglic celebrates on the podium with the race's winner's "Trofeo Senza Fine" (Endless Trophy) after winning the Giro d'Italia cycling race in Rome (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
How to watch Giro d'Italia online (it's free)
This photograph shows a cardinal with a red zucchetto as skullcap during the Eight Novemdiale mass, following the funeral of the pope and ahead of the conclave, at the St Peter's Basilica in The Vatican, on May 3, 2025. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP) (Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)
How to watch the Conclave online for free - Pope Leo to appear on Vatican balcony
RuPaul in a promotional image for RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 10
How to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 10 online and from anywhere
Juan Ayuso of Spain and UAE Team Emirates - Green Leader Jersey and Primoz Roglic of Slovenia and Team Red Bull- BORA - Hansgrohe - Blue Points Jersey prior to the 104th Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2025 in March 2025
Giro d'Italia 2025: live stream: How to watch cycling online, Day 1, start time
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    Google Messages is getting another wave of updates – here are 7 you can expect to see soon
  2. 2
    FTC and DOJ push for data protection in Google antitrust case
  3. 3
    Gamakay TK75HE V2 review: serious analog performance for the price – but its software isn’t the easiest to use
  4. 4
    Memorial Day is 2 weeks away - here are 6 sales that are worth shopping for right now
  5. 5
    German consumer protection group calls on Meta to halt its AI training in the EU – will other countries follow suit?

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...