GOOGLE PIXEL
How to add a keyboard language on Android (Gboard)
In short
Open Gboard settings (Settings, System, Keyboard, Keyboard apps, Gboard), tap Languages, then Add keyboard. Pick the language, choose a layout and tap Done. The space bar then shows both languages, for example EN • DE; tap the language key to switch.
If you text family in one language and work in another, swapping keyboards all day gets tiring fast. The good news is that 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.
7 of 7 steps show a real screenshot from our Pixel 10a.
Steps
- 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.
- 2
Tap Languages
It shows your current language and layout; ours was English (US) (QWERTY).
- 3
Tap Add keyboard
It is under your current languages.
- 4
Pick the language
Use Search language or the list. Suggested languages come first; ours suggested Deutsch (Deutschland).
- 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.
- 6
Tap Done
The language appears in your Languages list.
- 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.
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.
- Suggestions in the wrong language? If Gboard keeps helpfully finishing your words in the other language, switch Multilingual typing off on that language's page (step 5) to type one language at a time.
- No language key on your keyboard? Google says you can touch and hold the space bar to switch languages. To get a separate key, touch and hold the comma at the bottom left, open Settings, then Preferences, and turn on Show language switch key.
- Show language switch key is greyed out? Google says to turn off Show emoji switch key first, then try again.
Good to know
More Gboard settings: change Gboard settings on a Google Pixel or on a Xiaomi phone.
Google says talk-to-text doesn't work with all languages, so voice typing may not support every keyboard language you add. Make sure you glance at the space bar before you start typing, because it shows the active language and is the quickest way to check. For dictation, see turn on voice typing on Android.
About this guide
- 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
Sources
Links checked October 2026. Menus and features can change with updates.Did this guide work for you?
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