You can swap iPad keyboards in Settings, or physically replace a hardware keyboard

The method depends on what you mean by "change." If you want to switch between different software keyboards — the on-screen typing interface — you do this in Settings and takes seconds. If you have a physical keyboard case or external keyboard connected to your iPad, you can unpair it and connect a different one. If your iPad's built-in keyboard is physically broken, you'll need to contact Apple or visit a repair shop, since the keyboard is soldered to the screen assembly.

Most people who ask this question want to switch between keyboard layouts (like QWERTY to Dvorak) or add a new language keyboard. That's the easiest fix and happens entirely in the Settings app.

Key Takeaways

  • To add a new keyboard layout or language, open Settings, tap General, then Keyboard, then Keyboards, and select "Add New Keyboard."
  • You can switch between installed keyboards by tapping and holding the globe icon on the on-screen keyboard, or by tapping the space bar and swiping left or right.
  • If you have a physical keyboard case or Bluetooth keyboard, you unpair it from Settings under Bluetooth, then pair a new one the same way.
  • The built-in iPad screen keyboard cannot be physically replaced — if it's broken, Apple will replace the entire screen assembly.

Adding a new software keyboard layout or language

Open the Settings app on your iPad. Tap General in the left sidebar, then scroll down and tap Keyboard.

Tap Keyboards (not "Hardware Keyboard" — that's for external keyboards). You'll see a list of keyboards you already have installed. Tap Add New Keyboard at the bottom. A list of available keyboards appears, organized by language. Tap the language or layout you want — for example, "French," "Spanish (Spain)," or "English (Dvorak)." The keyboard is now installed and ready to use.

If you install multiple keyboards, you can delete one by tapping Edit in the Keyboards list, then tapping the red minus button next to the keyboard you want to remove, and confirming the deletion.

Switching between keyboards you've already installed

When you're typing on the on-screen keyboard, look for a globe icon at the bottom left (on most iPad models) or bottom right. Tap and hold it — a menu appears showing all your installed keyboards. Tap the one you want to switch to.

Alternatively, you can tap the space bar and swipe left or right to cycle through your keyboards one at a time. This is faster if you only use two keyboards regularly.

The keyboard you were just using is always the default when you open a new text field, so you may need to switch each time if you use multiple keyboards in one session.

Disconnecting and replacing a physical keyboard case or Bluetooth keyboard

If your iPad has a keyboard case attached or a separate Bluetooth keyboard paired, you can disconnect it and connect a different one. Open Settings and tap Bluetooth. You'll see a list of connected devices. Find your keyboard in the list and tap the i icon next to it, then tap Forget This Device. The keyboard is now unpaired.

To connect a new keyboard, put it in pairing mode (the method varies by model — check the keyboard's manual). Go back to Settings > Bluetooth, and your new keyboard should appear in the "Available Devices" list. Tap it to pair. Once paired, it will connect automatically whenever it's turned on and in range.

If your keyboard case is physically attached to your iPad (like a folio case with an integrated keyboard), you don't unpair it — you simply replace the case itself. Remove the iPad from the old case and insert it into the new one.

What to do if your iPad's built-in screen keyboard is broken

The on-screen keyboard is part of the iPad's display and cannot be replaced separately. If it's physically damaged — cracked, unresponsive, or not appearing at all — the entire screen assembly must be replaced. This is not a user-serviceable repair.

Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to arrange a repair. If your iPad is under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, the cost may be covered. Out-of-warranty screen replacement typically costs between $300 and $500 depending on the iPad model, though prices vary by location and retailer.

If the keyboard is unresponsive but the screen itself is fine, try restarting your iPad first — sometimes a software glitch disables the keyboard temporarily. Hold the top button and one volume button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds and turn it back on.

Changing keyboard settings like autocorrect and predictive text

You can adjust how your keyboard behaves without changing which keyboard you use. Open Settings, tap General, then Keyboard. You'll see toggles for Auto-Correction, Predictive, Smart Punctuation, and others. Turn any of these on or off depending on your preference.

These settings apply to all your installed keyboards. If you want different settings for different languages, you'll need to adjust them each time you switch keyboards — iPad doesn't support per-keyboard settings.

Using an external keyboard with your iPad

An external Bluetooth keyboard works alongside your iPad's on-screen keyboard, not instead of it. When you pair a keyboard, the on-screen keyboard still appears when you tap a text field — you can use either one. If you want to hide the on-screen keyboard while typing on an external one, tap the keyboard icon (looks like a keyboard with a down arrow) in the bottom right corner of the on-screen keyboard.

External keyboards are useful for longer typing sessions, but they don't replace the on-screen keyboard for tasks like searching or entering passwords in apps that don't support external keyboards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a keyboard from a different brand with my iPad?

Yes. Any Bluetooth keyboard works with iPad — Apple, Logitech, Microsoft, and others all pair the same way. Some keyboards are designed specifically for iPad and include special keys for iPad functions, but standard Bluetooth keyboards work fine. Check the keyboard's manual for pairing instructions, as the process varies slightly by model.

Why does my keyboard keep switching back to English?

iPad defaults to the keyboard you used most recently in each app. If you switch to French in one app, then open another app, it may revert to English. You can change this by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and dragging your preferred keyboard to the top of the list — it will become the default. You'll still need to switch manually within each app if you use multiple keyboards.

Is there a way to type faster on the iPad keyboard?

The on-screen keyboard itself doesn't have speed settings, but you can enable Predictive text in Settings > General > Keyboard to see word suggestions as you type. You can also turn on Smart Punctuation to automatically add periods and other marks. An external keyboard is the fastest option if you do a lot of typing.

What if my Bluetooth keyboard won't pair with my iPad?

Make sure the keyboard is in pairing mode — most have a button you hold for a few seconds. Check that Bluetooth is turned on in Settings. Restart both the keyboard and iPad. If it still won't pair, forget the device in Settings > Bluetooth and try again. If the keyboard is very old, it may not be compatible with your iPad's version of iPadOS — check the keyboard's manual for system requirements.

Can I change the keyboard size on the on-screen keyboard?

The on-screen keyboard size adjusts automatically based on your iPad's orientation and whether you're in split-screen mode. You cannot manually resize it. If you find it too small, an external keyboard is a better option, or you can increase your iPad's text size in Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size, which makes some text larger but not the keyboard itself.