The standard VKontakte keyboard on Android often irritates users: it works slowly, offers inconvenient prompts, or simply does not match the style of your smartphone. The good news is that it can be replaced with any alternative keyboard from Google Play, be it Gboard, SwiftKey or even specialized layouts for messengers. But there are nuances here: VK uses its own input system, which does not always interact correctly with external keyboards.

In this article you will find 5 proven methods how to change the keyboard in VKontakte, including bypassing restrictions for older versions of the application. We will also look at why sometimes the new keyboard is not displayed in dialogs, and what to do if emoticons or voice input disappear after the change. All instructions are relevant for Android 10-15 and the latest versions of VK (including VK Messenger).

Before you start, make sure that at least one alternative keyboard is installed on your device. If not, download it from Play Market (we recommend Gboard from Google or Fleksy for speed dialing). Also check that you have the latest version of VKontakte - in older builds (before 2023) there could be bugs with displaying third-party keyboards.

📊 What keyboard do you use in VK?
Standard from VKontakte
Gboard
SwiftKey
Fleksy
Another
I don’t know which one I have

1. Standard method: changing the keyboard through Android settings

This is the most reliable method that works on 90% of devices. It does not require root access or additional apps, but may differ depending on the version of Android and shell (for example, MIUI on Xiaomi or One UI on Samsung).

Open Android Settings and go to the section System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard. Here you will see a list of all installed keyboards. Activate the one you want to use (the switch should turn blue). Then click on Default keyboard and select the one you need from the list.

Now open VKontakte and try to write a message. If the keyboard has not changed, follow these steps:

  • 📱 Restart the application: close VK through the multitasking menu and open it. again.
  • 🔄 Clear cache: go to Settings → Applications → VKontakte → Memory → Clear cache.
  • 📲 Check permissions: some keyboards (for example, SwiftKey) require access to contacts for autofill.
💡

If the list of keyboards is not the one you need, check if it is disabled in the security settings on some phones (for example, Huawei) Third-party keyboards are blocked by default as “unsecure.”

2. Quickly change the keyboard directly in the VK dialog

Not everyone knows, but in most versions of VKontakte you can change the keyboard directly while typingwithout going into the Android settings. To do this:

  1. Open any dialog and tap the message input field to make the keyboard appear.
  2. In the lower right corner of the keyboard, find the 🌐 icon (globe or keyboard icon). Press and hold it for 1-2 seconds.
  3. A list of available keyboards will appear - select the one you need.

This method works even if another default keyboard is selected in the Android settings. Important: on some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy S22 s One UI 5.1) this method may not work due to the peculiarities of the shell.

If there is no 🌐 icon:

  • 🔍 Check if the alternative keyboard is enabled in the Android settings (see section 1).
  • 📱 Try swiping with your finger on space left or right - on some keyboards this switches layouts.
  • 🔄 Reinstall the keyboard from Play Market - sometimes it helps.
Why may not an alternative keyboard be displayed in VK?

VKontakte uses its own input system (VK Keyboard SDK), which conflicts with some third-party keyboards. This happens especially often:

- On devices with Android 9 and below (outdated input API).

- When using keyboards with extended themes (for example, Chrooma or Go Keyboard).

- If the "Traffic Saving" mode is enabled in the VK settings (it blocks the loading of external modules).

3. Resetting the VKontakte keyboard settings

If the standard methods did not help, try reset keyboard settings within the VK application itself. This method often solves problems with displaying alternative layouts.

Instructions:

  1. Open VKontakte and go to Settings → General → Reset settings.
  2. Find the item Reset keyboard settings (or Reset chat settings in new versions).
  3. Confirm the action and restart application.

After the reset:

  • ✅ The default keyboard will be reset to the system one.
  • ✅ Custom words will disappear from the VK dictionary.
  • ⚠️ Attention: this method does not delete the message history, but can reset the settings notifications.

Save important phrases from the user dictionary (if any)

Check that an alternative keyboard is installed and activated in Android

Close all background applications (especially other instant messengers)

Get ready for the fact that you will have to set up autocorrect again -->

4. Using VK Messenger instead of the main application

If the keyboard does not change in the main VKontakte application, try using VK Messenger a separate messenger from VK with a simplified interface. It often works better with third-party keyboards.

Steps:

  1. Install VK Messenger from Play Market (if not already installed).
  2. Open any dialog and tap the input field.
  3. Click on the 🌐 icon in the lower right corner of the keyboard and select the one you need.

Advantages of VK Messenger:

  • 🚀 Works faster on weaker smartphones.
  • 🎨 Supports themes better and emoticons.
  • 🔒 Fewer conflicts with alternative keyboards.

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Some functions of the main application are missing (for example, news or groups).
  • ❌ On Android 12+ may request additional permissions.
💡

VK Messenger is the best choice if the main VK application does not see your keyboard. It uses a different input mechanism that is less likely to conflict with third-party layouts.

5. Solving problems: the keyboard does not change or functions disappear

Sometimes after changing the keyboard on VKontakte, bugs arise: emoticons disappear, voice input does not work, or the keyboard does not appear at all. Here's how to fix it:

Problem Cause Solution
Keyboard does not appear Conflict with Android shell Install Gboard and make it the default keyboard
No emoticons Third-party keyboard does not support VK stickers Use the emoticons icon in VK itself (next to the field input)
Voice input does not work No access to microphone Check permissions in Settings → Applications → Keyboard
Keyboard lags Weak processor or low memory Disable animations in the developer settings

If the problem persists, try roll back the VKontakte update:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → VKontakte → Three dots → Uninstall updates.
  2. Restart the application and check the keyboard.
💡

On Xiaomi, Huawei i Samsung sometimes disabling “Battery Optimization” for the VK application helps. Find this item in the battery settings.

6. Alternative methods for experienced users

If none of the methods worked, you can try advanced solutions. They take more time, but often solve even the most complex cases.

Method 1: Using ADB (for Android 10+)

This method will reset all input settings at the system level. Suitable if the keyboard does not change in any application. 

adb shell settings put secure default_input_method com.google.android.inputmethod.latin/.LatinIME

After executing the command, restart the phone.

Method 2: Installing the keyboard via APK

Some keyboards (for example, Hacker's Keyboard) are not available in Play Market for all regions. They can be installed manually:

  1. Download the APK file from the official website (for example, F-Droid).
  2. Allow installation from unknown sources in the security settings.
  3. Install the APK and activate the keyboard in the Android settings.
⚠️ Attention: Installing APK from unverified sources can harm your device. Always download files only from official sites or F-Droid.

7. The best keyboards for VKontakte in 2026

Not all keyboards work equally well with VK. 10 popular layouts and selected the best in terms of speed, stability and integration with emoticons:

  • 🥇 Gboard — the most stable, supports voice input and VK GIFs.
  • 🥈 SwiftKey — the best autocorrect and word prediction (ideal for long messages).
  • 🥉 Fleksy — minimalistic design and gestures (for example, swipe to delete words).
  • 🎨 Chrooma — if themes and customization are important to you (but may conflict with older versions of VK).
  • 🔒 AnySoftKeyboard — open source, no ads, supports encryption.

Comparison of key functions:

Keyboard Voice input VK emoticons Autocorrect Size (MB)
Gboard ✅ ✅ ✅✅✅ 45
SwiftKey ✅ ❌ ✅✅✅✅ 60
Fleksy ❌ ✅ ✅✅ 25
⚠️ Attention: On Android 14+ some keyboards (for example Go Keyboard) may request access to notifications. This is not necessary for work, but is needed for the “quick response” function.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about changing the keyboard in VK

Is it possible to return the standard VK keyboard after the change?

Yes, go to this in Android Settings → System → Language and input → Default keyboard and select VKontakte Keyboard. If it is not in the list, reinstall the VK application.

Why did the keyboard reset after updating VK?

In new versions of VKontakte (especially VK Messenger), input settings are sometimes reset. This is a bug that will be fixed in future updates. Clearing the cache or reinstalling the keyboard helps.

How can I make stickers appear in VK when using Gboard?

Gboard does not support VK stickers directly. To insert a sticker:

  1. Click on the emoticon icon in VK itself (next to the input field).
  2. Select the desired sticker - it will be inserted regardless of the keyboard.

Does this method work on Android tablets?

Yes, the instructions are also relevant for tablets (for example, Samsung Tab S8 or Lenovo Yoga). The only difference is that on some tablets the keyboard may be tied to the shell by default (for example, One UI on Samsung), and you will have to disable it manually.

Is it possible to use a keyboard from iOS to Android in VK?

No, keyboards for iPhone (for example, standard Apple Keyboard) are not compatible with Android. However, you can install keyboards with a similar design, for example iKeyboard or SwiftKey with the "iOS" theme.