Add a new keyboard language in Settings

Your iPhone lets you type in multiple languages by adding keyboard layouts to your device. The fastest way is to go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap Add New Keyboard at the bottom of the list. A menu appears showing every language your iPhone supports — scroll through and tap the one you want.

When you tap a language, you may see multiple keyboard options for that language. For example, Spanish offers both the standard layout and one optimized for one-handed typing. Pick whichever layout feels natural to you, then tap Done. The keyboard is now installed and ready to use.

You can add as many keyboards as you want. Most people add two or three languages they use regularly, then switch between them as needed. Each keyboard remembers your typing patterns separately, so your autocorrect and word suggestions stay accurate for each language.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to General > Keyboard > Keyboards, and tap Add New Keyboard to install a language you want to type in.
  • Some languages offer multiple keyboard layouts — pick the one that matches how you normally type.
  • When you type, hold down the globe icon on your keyboard to switch between installed languages instantly.
  • Your iPhone learns your typing habits separately for each language, so autocorrect works correctly in all of them.
  • You can remove a keyboard anytime by going back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, swiping left on the language, and tapping Delete.

Switch between keyboards while typing

Once you have added a second keyboard, a globe icon appears on your keyboard's bottom left, next to the space bar. Tap it once to switch to your next installed keyboard — the language name briefly appears at the top of the keyboard so you know which one is active. Tap the globe again to cycle to the next one, or keep tapping until you reach the language you want.

If you have many keyboards installed, holding down the globe icon shows a list of all of them at once. This is faster than tapping the globe multiple times. Release your finger on the language you want, and it switches immediately.

Use predictive text in multiple languages

When you type in a language you have installed, your iPhone's predictive text suggestions appear in that language. If you switch keyboards mid-sentence, the suggestions switch too. This means you can type a message that mixes two languages — your iPhone will suggest words correctly in whichever language you are currently using.

The first time you use a new keyboard, the suggestions may feel generic. As you type more, your iPhone learns the words and phrases you use most often in that language, and the suggestions become more accurate. This learning happens separately for each keyboard, so switching between languages does not confuse your autocorrect.

Remove a keyboard you no longer need

If you added a keyboard and no longer want it, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. Find the language you want to remove, swipe left on it with your finger, and tap the red Delete button that appears. The keyboard is removed immediately, and the globe icon on your keyboard will cycle through only your remaining languages.

You can also reorder your keyboards by tapping Edit in the top left corner of the Keyboards list. Drag the three horizontal lines next to each language to move it up or down. This changes the order they appear when you tap the globe icon, so you can put your most-used languages first.

Troubleshoot keyboards that are not showing up

If you added a keyboard but the globe icon is not appearing, or the language is not showing when you tap the globe, restart your iPhone. Hold down the power button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, swipe it to turn off your phone, wait a few seconds, then hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears. This fixes most keyboard glitches.

If restarting does not work, go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and check that the keyboard is still in your list. If it disappeared, add it again. If it is there but not working, delete it and add it a second time. Occasionally a keyboard fails to activate properly on the first install, and reinstalling fixes it.

Use keyboard shortcuts for faster switching

If you use the same two languages constantly, you can set up a keyboard shortcut to switch between them without tapping the globe. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement, tap the + button in the top right, and create a shortcut. For example, you could type "lang" and have it switch your keyboard — though this only works in some apps.

A simpler approach is just to get used to tapping the globe. Most people find it faster than remembering a shortcut, and it works everywhere on your phone. After a few days, switching keyboards becomes automatic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a default keyboard so one language is always active when I open a new message?

No. Your iPhone remembers which keyboard you were using last and starts with that one the next time you type. If you want a specific language to be default, switch to it before closing the app, and it will be active when you open a message next time.

What if my language is not in the Add New Keyboard list?

Your iPhone supports over 100 languages, but not every regional dialect. If you do not see your language, scroll through the entire list carefully — it may be listed under a different name than you expect. If it truly is not there, your device does not support that keyboard layout.

Will adding multiple keyboards slow down my iPhone?

No. Keyboards take up almost no storage space, and having several installed does not affect your phone's speed or battery life. You can safely add as many as you use regularly without any performance impact.

Can I use a different keyboard app instead of the built-in one?

Yes. The App Store has third-party keyboards that support multiple languages, often with different layouts or features. Download one, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard, and select the third-party app. You can use it alongside Apple's built-in keyboard.