If you're multilingual, a single language keyboard probably won't cut it for you. Fortunately, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS all support multiple languages and multiple language keyboards. Here's how to set up and use them.
The instructions in this article apply to all modern Android and iOS devices, as well as both Windows and Mac computers.
How to Add a Language to a Keyboard on Android
If you use a phone that doesn't have a standard version of Android running on it, the options here may appear in slightly different places, but the general process is similar. You can also change the system language on Android.
These instructions were developed with a device running Android 9 with the Gboard keyboard installed.
To add a language to an Android keyboard:
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Tap Settings on your Android device.
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System > Languages & input > Languages.
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Tap + Add a language.
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Either scroll to the name of the language you want to add or search for it.
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Tap the language you want to add.
In some cases, you are prompted to select the version of the language you want to add. For example, if you choose French, you must choose the language as it is spoken in either Canada or France.
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After you enable other languages on your Android keyboard, it's easy to switch between them depending on your needs. Long-press the spacebar in Gboard and then tap the language keyboard you want to use.
How to Add and Switch Language Keyboards in iOS
Follow these instructions on Apple iOS devices—iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch devices—running iOS 9 through iOS 13 to add keyboard support for additional languages.
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Open the iOS device's Settings app and tap General > Keyboard > Keyboards.
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Tap Add New Keyboard.
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Scroll through the languages and tap the one you want to add to your keyboard options.
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Switch between installed keyboards on iOS by long-pressing the globe icon on the iOS keyboard and then tapping the language you want to use. If you have several languages installed, tap lightly on the globe to toggle through them. As you do, the name of the language appears briefly on the space bar.
How to Add and Use Different Language Keyboards on Windows
Follow these instructions on any computer running Windows 10 to add keyboard support for additional languages.
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Press Windows Key+I to open Windows Settings.
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Select Time & language.
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Select Language in the left pane.
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Under the Preferred Languages section, select + Add a preferred language.
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Scroll through the list of languages and select a language or enter a language in the search field to jump to the language you want and choose it.
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After you add the language or languages you want to use, switching between them is easy. Select the language icon in the system tray in the lower right portion of the screen and choose the one you want to use.
How to Add and Use Language Keyboards on macOS
Follow these instructions on Apple computers running macOS to add keyboard support for additional languages.
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Select the Apple menu and choose System Preferences in the drop-down menu.
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Select Keyboard.
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Select the Input sources tab.
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Check the box next to Show Input menu in the menu bar. This action adds an indicator to the menu bar that displays the current keyboard language selected, along with a drop-down menu to let you switch to other installed languages.
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Select the + icon in the lower left corner.
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Choose a language from the list in the left pane to add it. Depending on the language, you may see variations to choose from in the window to the right of the language list. Choose the variation you want to use. Click Add.
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To switch between installed language keyboards on macOS, select the Input menu in the menu bar and choose the language you want to use.
How to Add Language Keyboards on Chrome OS
Follow these instructions on devices running Chrome 76 (or newer) to enable keyboard support for additional languages in Chrome OS.
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Select the three vertical dots typically found in the upper right corner.
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Select Settings.
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Select Advanced from the left menu to expand the menu. Then, select Languages and Input.
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Select the current language.
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Select Add languages.
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Scroll to the name of the language you want to add and place a check mark in front of it. Select Add.
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Select the current input method keyboard.
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Select the Show input options on the shelf slider to enable it.
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Select Manage input methods.
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Select the check box next to every language keyboard you want to use.
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Switch the language for the installed keyboard and enable input methods on Chrome OS devices by selecting the Input options from the shelf (typically in the lower right corner) and then choosing the language you want to use.
