How to add a keyboard language on Android (Gboard)

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-add-a-keyboard-language-on-android/ · Checked October 2026 · build CP3A.261005.005 · Google Pixel 10a, Android 17

7 of 7 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › System › Keyboard › Keyboard apps › Gboard › Languages › Add keyboard

Real screenshots

7 of 7 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Gboard settings

   On a Pixel: Settings, System, Keyboard, Keyboard apps, then Gboard. Or search Settings for "Gboard". On the Redmi: Settings, Additional settings, Languages and input, Manage keyboards, Gboard.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Languages

   It shows your current language and layout; ours was English (US) (QWERTY).

   Done

3. 

   Tap Add keyboard

   It is under your current languages.

   Done

4. 

   Pick the language

   Use Search language or the list. Suggested languages come first; ours suggested Deutsch (Deutschland).

   Done

5. 

   Choose a layout

   Swipe through the layouts. German offered QWERTZ and Handschrift (handwriting); QWERTZ was picked. Multilingual typing was On, so Gboard suggests words in both languages.

   Done

6. 

   Tap Done

   The language appears in your Languages list.

   Done

7. 

   Switch language on the keyboard

   Open the keyboard. Ours said "German (Germany) is now installed. Tap the language key to switch" and the space bar read EN • DE. The Redmi showed EN • DE too, and had a globe key as well.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• No Gboard in Keyboard apps? Your phone uses another keyboard. Samsung phones use Samsung Keyboard; install Gboard from the Play Store if you want these steps. Source: Type in a different language
• Language not suggested? Type its name in Search language at the top of Add keyboard. Source: Type in a different language

If this does not work

• Remove a language again? In Languages, tap EDIT, tick the language and tap REMOVE. Ours went back to English (US) only. Source: Type in a different language
• Suggestions in the wrong language? Switch Multilingual typing off on that language's page (step 5) to type one language at a time. Source: Type in a different language

About this guide

Gboard can hold several languages at once and switch between them on the space bar. Pixels use Gboard, and so does our Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G (HyperOS 3.0.308.0, Android 16).

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), in Dark mode, taken on 18 October 2026. We added German (Deutsch) and removed it again.

Good to know

More Gboard settings: change Gboard settings on a Google Pixel or on a Xiaomi phone.

In short: Gboard settings, Languages, Add keyboard, pick a language and layout, Done. Tap the language key or the space bar to switch.