How to change the keyboard on Android to a standard one: 5 working methods

Changing the keyboard on Android is one one of the most common operations that users encounter after installing third-party applications like SwiftKey, Fleksy or Chroom. However, not everyone is comfortable using alternative layouts: some are used to the standard one Gboard from Google, for some, full integration with services is important Samsung or Xiaomi, and some simply want to get rid of unnecessary functions that eat up battery power. In this article, we will look at how to return the factory keyboard on any smartphone - from budget Redmi to flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra.

The problem is complicated by the fact that manufacturers often hide system keyboards deep in the settings, and after deleting a standard application (for example, when clearing memory), it may completely disappear from the list of available ones. We will look at not only the basic methods through the menu, but also advanced methods - from resetting settings to manually installing APK files. We will pay special attention to typical errors due to which the keyboard does not change, and we will provide a checklist for diagnosing problems.

Why the standard keyboard disappears and when it needs to be returned

A standard keyboard can disappear from the system for several reasons, and this is not always related to user actions. Here are the most common scenarios:

• 📱 Removing a system application. Many "memory optimizers" (for example, Clean Master or built-in utilities MIUI) offer to remove "unnecessary" apps, including the keyboard. After that, it disappears from the list of available ones.
• ⚙️ Reset settings. After resetting to factory settings, some manufacturers (for example Huawei) do not automatically restore the keyboard if it was previously deactivated.
• 🔄 Android update. When switching to a new version of the OS (for example, from Android 12 to Android 13), system applications may be reset or replaced with lightweight versions.
• 🛠️ Manual disabling. Users often disable the standard keyboard in the menu Settings → Applicationsto save space, not realizing that later it will be difficult to return it.

Returning the factory keyboard is worth the following cases:

• 🔋 Battery saving. Third-party keyboards (especially with animation and cloud synchronization) can consume up to 15-20% additional charge per day.
• 🔒 Security. Some alternative keyboards (for example, Chinese applications) require access to messages and passwords, which creates risks of data leakage.
• 🎯 Operation stability. Standard solutions (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard) are optimized for specific firmware and are less likely to cause lags or errors.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using a keyboard from the manufacturer (for example, Huawei Swype or Xiaomi Keyboard), removing it may lead to failures in the operation of system applications, such as Messages or Mail. In some cases, recovery will require a complete reset of the smartphone.

Method 1: Enabling the standard keyboard through Android settings

The easiest method is to activate the factory one keyboard in the control menu. The instructions are suitable for most devices on Android 9 and newer, including smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme and Google Pixel.

Open Settings and follow these steps:

1. Go to section System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard (on some devices the path may differ: Advanced → Language and input).
2. Click on Keyboard management (or Current keyboard).
3. In the list of available keyboards, find the standard one:
   • 📱 Gboard (for "pure" Android and Pixel)
   • 📱 Samsung Keyboard (for Galaxy)
   • 📱 Mi Keyboard or POCO Launcher Keyboard (for Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO)
   • 📱 Huawei Swype (for Huawei/Honor)

If the standard keyboard is not in the list, this means that it has been removed or disabled at the system level. In this case, proceed to Method 3 (recovery via APK) or Method 4 (factory reset).

Method 2: Removing a third-party keyboard as an alternative

If the goal is to get rid of from an alternative keyboard (for example SwiftKey or GO Keyboard), you can simply remove it. After that, Android will automatically offer to return the standard one or another available one.

How to remove a third-party keyboard:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Find the keyboard application in the list (for example, Microsoft SwiftKey).
3. Click Delete (or Disableif it is a system application).
4. Confirm the action. After removal, Android will offer to select another keyboard from the available ones.

If, after removing the alternative keyboard, the standard one does not appear, follow these steps:

• 🔄 Restart your smartphone.
• 📥 Install the standard keyboard manually from Google Play (for example, Gboard).
• ⚙️ Go back to Settings → System → Language and input and activate it manually.

⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers (for example, Samsung) block the removal of the standard keyboard through the app menu. In such cases, you can only disable it, but not completely remove it.

Method 3: Restoring the standard keyboard via APK

If the standard keyboard has been deleted, you can install it manually by downloading the original APK file. This method is suitable for devices where. the keyboard is not part of the firmware (for example, Gboard on most smartphones).

Installation instructions:

1. Download the APK file of the standard keyboard from a reliable source:
   • 📱 For Gboard: official page in Google Play or website APKMirror.
   • 📱 For Samsung Keyboard: search by device model on the forums XDA Developers or Sammobile.
   • 📱 For Mi Keyboard: firmware archive for your model Xiaomi (you can extract the APK using MIUI Downloader).

If after installation the keyboard does not appear in the list, try the following:

• 🔄 Restart the device.
• 📦 Clear the application cache Settings (in menu Settings → Applications → Three dots → Show system).
• 🔧 Check whether the installation is blocked by an antivirus or built-in protection (for example, Knox on Samsung).

⚠️ Attention: Installing APK files from untrusted sources can lead to your smartphone becoming infected with malware. Always check file hashes (MD5/SHA-1) and reviews from other users before installation. For Samsung Keyboard and other proprietary keyboards, it is recommended to download files only from the official resources of the manufacturer.

Method 4: Reset the keyboard settings to factory settings

If a standard keyboard is in the system, but does not work correctly (for example, languages do not switch or emoji disappear), resetting its settings will help. This will not remove the application, but will return all settings to the “as after purchase” state.

How to reset the keyboard settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Find the standard keyboard in the list (for example, Gboard or Samsung Keyboard).
3. Click on it, then select Storage → Clear data and Clear cache.
4. Confirm the action All. user settings (dictionary, themes, gestures) will be deleted.
5. Restart your smartphone.

If resetting does not help, try the following additional steps:

• 🔧 Disable and re-enable the keyboard in the menu Settings → System → Language and input.
• 📥 Update the keyboard application via Google Play (if available).
• 🔄 Reset all smartphone settings (without deleting data): Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset application settings.

Method 5: Manual activation via ADB (for advanced users)

If the standard keyboard is disabled at the system level and does not appear in the list of available ones, it can be activated using the commands ADB (Android Debug Bridge). data-i="207">Instructions:

Instructions:

1. Enable Developer mode on your smartphone:
   • Go to Settings → About phone.
   • Click 7 times on the item Build number (or MIUI version for Xiaomi).
   • Return to Settings → System → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.

adb devices
adb shell pm enable com.sec.android.inputmethod/.SamsungKeypad
adb shell ime enable com.sec.android.inputmethod/.SamsungKeypad

adb shell pm enable com.google.android.inputmethod.latin/com.android.inputmethod.latin.LatinIME
adb shell ime enable com.google.android.inputmethod.latin/com.android.inputmethod.latin.LatinIME

If the commands did not work, try the following alternatives:

• 🔧 Replace com.sec.android.inputmethod with your keyboard identifier (can be found through adb shell pm list packages | grep keyboard).
• 📱 To Xiaomi use the package com.miui.miuikeyboard.
• 🔄 If the keyboard does not activate, first try disabling all third-party keyboards with the command:

adb shell ime disable com.touchtype.swiftkey/com.touchtype.KeyboardService

⚠️ Attention: Using ADB requires caution. Incorrect commands can lead to system malfunctions. If you are not sure of your actions, skip this method or seek help on the relevant forums. (for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

Problem solving: the keyboard does not change or disappears after a reboot

Sometimes even after all the manipulations the standard keyboard refuses activate. Let's look at typical errors and how to resolve them.

Problem 1: The keyboard does not appear in the list of available

• 🔍 Cause: The application has been deleted or disabled at the system level.
• 🔧 Solution:
  • Try installing the keyboard via APK (see Method 3).
  • For Samsung and Xiaomi you may need firmware via Odin or Mi Flash.

Problem 2: Keyboard resets after reboot

• 🔍 Cause: Conflict with memory optimizer or power saving mode.
• 🔧 Solution:
  • Add the keyboard to list of auto-clean exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery optimization → All applications.
  • Disable the function Adaptive battery in the power settings.

Problem 3: The keyboard works, but without the Russian language

• 🔍 Cause: The language pack is not installed or reset.
• 🔧 Solution:
  • Open the keyboard settings (icon ⚙️ in the input panel) and add the Russian language.
  • For Gboard download the language pack in Google Play.

Problem 4: The keyboard lags or does not appear in some applications

• 🔍 Cause: Conflict with the application cache or incompatibility with the Android version.
• 🔧 Solution:
  • Clear the cache of the problematic application (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram).
  • Update the keyboard and application via Google Play.
  • Try another keyboard for the test (for example, Simple Keyboard).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about changing the keyboard on Android