Where to find the onscreen keyboard on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices
The onscreen keyboard is a tool built into your operating system that lets you type using your mouse, trackpad, or touch screen instead of a physical keyboard. It appears as a virtual keyboard on your screen — you click or tap the letters you need. Every major operating system includes one, though the name and location differ slightly depending on what device you use.
You do not need to download anything or change settings to use it. The keyboard is already there; you just need to know where to look. This guide shows you exactly how to open it on Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Android, and Chromebook.
Key Takeaways
- Windows 10 and 11 have an onscreen keyboard you can open by searching "osk" in the Start menu or by pressing the Windows key plus the period key.
- Mac users can turn on the Keyboard Viewer in System Settings under Accessibility, then click the Input Menu icon in the menu bar to display it.
- iPad and iPhone show the onscreen keyboard automatically when you tap a text field, and you can keep it visible by disabling auto-hide in Settings.
- Android devices display the onscreen keyboard whenever you tap to type, and you can switch between keyboards in Settings under Languages and Input.
- Chromebooks open the onscreen keyboard through Settings under Device, then Accessibility, then enable the On-Screen Keyboard option.
Opening the onscreen keyboard on Windows 10 and 11
The fastest way is to use the search box. Click the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom left), type osk, and press Enter. The On-Screen Keyboard window will open immediately. You can then click any letter, number, or symbol on the virtual keyboard to type.
If you prefer a keyboard shortcut, press the Windows key plus the period key (.) on your keyboard. This opens the emoji and symbols panel, but you can also access the onscreen keyboard from there. However, the search method is more direct.
Once the keyboard is open, you can resize it by dragging the edges of the window, and you can move it anywhere on your screen. If you want it to stay open while you work, leave the window visible. To close it, click the X button in the top right corner of the keyboard window.
Opening the onscreen keyboard on Mac
On Mac, the onscreen keyboard is called the Keyboard Viewer. To turn it on, go to the Apple menu in the top left, select System Settings, then click Keyboard in the left sidebar. Scroll down and check the box next to Show keyboard and emoji viewers in menu bar.
Once you enable this setting, a small flag or keyboard icon will appear in the menu bar at the top right of your screen. Click that icon and select Show Keyboard Viewer. The virtual keyboard will appear on your screen. You can click any key to type, and the keyboard will show which keys are active based on any modifier keys you hold down (like Shift or Option).
The Keyboard Viewer stays open until you close it. You can move it around your screen by dragging the title bar, and it will remember its position the next time you open it.
Using the onscreen keyboard on iPad and iPhone
iPad and iPhone display the onscreen keyboard automatically whenever you tap a text field — such as a search box, email compose window, or message thread. The keyboard appears at the bottom of the screen. Simply tap the letters you need to type.
By default, the keyboard hides itself when you are not actively typing. If you want to keep it visible on the screen at all times, you can change this in Settings. Open Settings, go to Keyboard, then toggle on Persistent Keyboard (on iPad) or look for similar options under Accessibility. The exact name varies depending on your iOS version.
To dismiss the keyboard manually, tap the down arrow in the bottom right corner of the keyboard, or tap anywhere outside the keyboard area. You can also swipe down from the top of the keyboard to collapse it while keeping the text field active.
Using the onscreen keyboard on Android
Android shows the onscreen keyboard automatically when you tap any text field — a search box, message, email, or any other place where you type. The keyboard appears at the bottom of your screen. Tap the letters, numbers, or symbols you need.
Most Android devices come with Google's Gboard keyboard, but other keyboards may be installed depending on your phone or tablet model. To switch between keyboards if you have more than one, open Settings, go to Languages and Input (or System > Languages and Input, depending on your version), and select Virtual Keyboard or On-Screen Keyboard. You will see a list of installed keyboards and can choose which one to use.
To hide the keyboard, tap the back button or the down arrow on the keyboard itself. The keyboard will reappear the next time you tap a text field.
Opening the onscreen keyboard on Chromebook
Chromebooks have a built-in onscreen keyboard that you can enable through Settings. Click the time in the bottom right corner of your screen, then click the Settings gear icon. In the left sidebar, select Device, then Accessibility. Scroll down and toggle on Enable on-screen keyboard.
Once enabled, a keyboard icon will appear in the system tray (bottom right corner). Click it to show or hide the onscreen keyboard. The keyboard will appear at the bottom of your screen and works the same way as on other devices — click the keys you need to type.
You can resize the keyboard by dragging its edges, and you can move it around your screen. The setting will stay enabled until you turn it off in Accessibility settings.
Troubleshooting: keyboard not appearing or responding
If the onscreen keyboard does not appear when you expect it, first check that you have actually opened it. On Windows, search for "osk" again. On Mac, verify that you enabled the Keyboard Viewer in System Settings and clicked the menu bar icon. On mobile devices, make sure you are tapping inside a text field — the keyboard only shows when the system detects that you are trying to type.
If the keyboard appears but does not respond to clicks, try closing and reopening it. On Windows, close the On-Screen Keyboard window and search for "osk" again. On Mac, close the Keyboard Viewer and click the menu bar icon again. On mobile devices, tap outside the text field to dismiss the keyboard, then tap the text field again.
If you are using an older device or operating system version, the onscreen keyboard may look different or have slightly different names, but the basic function is the same. Check your device's built-in help or support documentation if you cannot find the steps listed here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I customize the onscreen keyboard layout?
On Windows, the On-Screen Keyboard shows the standard QWERTY layout and does not allow customization of the key arrangement. However, you can resize the window and move it around. On Mac, the Keyboard Viewer shows your current keyboard layout and will change if you switch layouts in System Settings. On mobile devices, you can switch between different keyboard apps in Settings, which may offer different layouts or features.
Will the onscreen keyboard slow down my computer?
No. The onscreen keyboard uses very little system resources and will not noticeably affect your computer's performance. It is safe to leave open while you work, and closing it will not speed up your device.
Can I use the onscreen keyboard with a mouse and a physical keyboard at the same time?
Yes. You can click the onscreen keyboard with your mouse while also typing on a physical keyboard. Some people use both together — for example, clicking special characters on the onscreen keyboard while typing regular text on the physical keyboard.
Is there a way to make the onscreen keyboard larger on my phone?
Most phones do not have a built-in zoom for the keyboard itself, but you can enable larger text in your device's Accessibility settings, which may make some keyboard elements slightly larger. You can also try different keyboard apps from your app store that offer larger key sizes.
What if I cannot find the onscreen keyboard on my device?
Check that you are using a supported device and operating system version. Very old devices may not have an onscreen keyboard built in. If your device is current but you still cannot find it, restart your device and try the steps again. If the problem continues, contact your device manufacturer's support.