In case you didn't know, you can use third-party keyboards on your iPhone and iPad. You can add everything from GIFs to emoji and even Google search to your device
Below you will see how you can install and use third‑party keyboards on iPhone and iPad.
Because it's a system functionality, the process of installing a keyboard on iPhone and iPad is not as simple as installing an app.
First, you'll need to download a third-party keyboard from the App Store. Here are some suggestions:
- Gboard: This is an all-rounder keyboard from Google. Almost any feature you can think of is available in the Gboard app. You can search for GIFs, do Google translation, Google search, choose different themes, etc. And all of this is done directly from the keyboard.
- Keyboard Microsoft Swiftykey: An alternative to Gboard, which is quite good.
- GIF Keyboard: If you don't want to use GIPHY, GIF Keyboard by Tenor is the best alternative for sending GIFs directly from your keyboard.
How to install third‑party keyboards on iPhone and iPad
Once you have downloaded the keyboard app from the App Store, you will proceed with the installation process. You do not need to open the app . Go to “ Settings ” and tap on the “ General ” option .
Now, tap on the “Keyboard” option.
Here, tap the “Keyboards” button.
You will see all the keyboards you have installed (including keyboards for different languages and Emoji). Scroll down and tap the “Add new keyboard” button.
Now, you will see a large list of languages. Scroll down until you find the “Third-party keyboards” section. Select the keyboard app you downloaded.
You will now return to the “Keyboards” screen and see that the new keyboard has been installed and activated.
But we don't stop there. If you want to use features like GIF search, you'll need to allow full access keyboard. To do this, select the newly installed third-party keyboard from the keyboard list.
Enable the “ Allow full access ” option .
From the pop-up window, press the “Allow” button to confirm.
And now, your keyboard is ready for use.
How to use third‑party keyboards on iPhone and iPad?
You can install many third-party keyboards on your iPhone or iPad and switch between them easily using the Globe key on the virtual keyboard. You may be familiar with this if you've used the Emoji keyboard
Pressing the Globe button takes you to the next keyboard in the list. But if you want to switch to a specific keyboard, press and hold the “Globe” button. You will see a list of all available keyboards. Select the keyboard you just installed.
Immediately, you will switch to the new keyboard.
Thanks to the above procedure, you will be able to use your new keyboard and enjoy all the features that you do not have access through the default keyboard of your iPhone and iPad.
