Ever felt like your iPad keyboard is stuck in a time warp? The QWERTY layout, while familiar, isn't always the most efficient or comfortable, especially when you're trying to quickly type something on your tablet. But what if I told you there's a way to break free from the QWERTY tyranny and explore other keyboard options on your iPad?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about ditching the traditional QWERTY keyboard on your iPad. Whether you're looking for a more ergonomic solution, a different language layout, or simply a way to personalize your typing experience, we've got you covered.
Step 1: Discovering Your iPad Keyboard Options
First things first, let's explore what's currently available on your iPad. Did you know your iPad likely has more than one keyboard built-in, even if you've never used them? Before we dive into adding new keyboards, it's good to see what you're already working with.
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1.1 Accessing the Keyboard Settings:
- Open the Settings app on your iPad. It's the grey icon with gears.
- Scroll down and tap on General.
- Within General, find and tap on Keyboard.
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1.2 Exploring Your Current Keyboards:
- Under the "Keyboard" section, you'll see Keyboards. Tap on this.
- Here, you'll see a list of all the keyboards currently active on your iPad. You might be surprised to see keyboards for different languages or even emoji keyboards already listed!
Step 2: Adding a New Keyboard (Beyond QWERTY)
Now for the exciting part – adding a new keyboard layout that isn't QWERTY! While QWERTY is the default for most languages, there are alternatives like AZERTY (common in French-speaking regions) or QWERTZ (used in Germany and Central Europe). You can also add keyboards for different languages, which will inherently have different layouts.
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2.1 Initiating the Addition Process:
- From the Keyboards screen (where you saw your current keyboards), tap on Add New Keyboard....
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2.2 Selecting a Language/Layout:
- You'll be presented with a vast list of languages. Each language often comes with its own default keyboard layout.
- Scroll through the list and select the language you'd like to add. For instance, if you want an AZERTY layout, you'd typically choose a French-speaking region's keyboard.
- Pro Tip: If you're looking for a non-QWERTY English layout, you might be out of luck with Apple's default keyboards, as QWERTY is standard for English. In this case, you'd need to explore third-party keyboards (Step 3).
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2.3 Choosing the Specific Layout (If Applicable):
- After selecting a language, some languages will present you with multiple layout options. For example, for "French (France)", you might see "AZERTY" and "QWERTY" as choices. Select the non-QWERTY option that suits your needs.
- Once selected, the new keyboard will be added to your list of active keyboards.
Step 3: Embracing Third-Party Keyboards for True Customization
If Apple's built-in options don't quite cut it, or you're looking for a truly unique typing experience (like a Dvorak layout or a highly customizable keyboard), third-party keyboards are your best friend. These are apps you download from the App Store that offer alternative keyboard layouts and features.
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3.1 Finding Your Ideal Keyboard in the App Store:
- Open the App Store on your iPad.
- Tap on the Search tab (magnifying glass icon) at the bottom.
- Type in search terms like "custom keyboard," "alternative keyboard," "Dvorak keyboard," "ergonomic keyboard," or even specific keyboard names if you know them (e.g., "Gboard," "SwiftKey").
- Browse the results and read reviews to find a keyboard that fits your requirements. Look for reputable developers and good ratings.
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3.2 Downloading and Installing the Keyboard App:
- Once you've chosen a keyboard app, tap Get (or the price if it's not free) to download and install it.
- Follow any on-screen instructions the app provides during its initial setup. Some apps might require you to grant them certain permissions.
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3.3 Enabling the Third-Party Keyboard:
- After the app is installed, go back to your iPad's Settings app.
- Navigate to General > Keyboard > Keyboards.
- Tap on Add New Keyboard....
- Under the "THIRD-PARTY KEYBOARDS" section, you should see the name of the keyboard app you just downloaded. Tap on it.
- The keyboard will now be added to your active keyboard list.
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3.4 Granting Full Access (Important for Some Features):
- For some third-party keyboards to function fully (e.g., for features like autocorrect, word prediction, or custom themes), you might need to grant them "Full Access."
- On the Keyboards screen, tap on the name of the third-party keyboard you just added.
- Toggle on Allow Full Access.
- Be aware: Granting full access means the keyboard can send information back to its developer. Only enable full access for keyboards from developers you trust. Apple provides a warning about this, and it's good to be cautious.
Step 4: Switching Between Keyboards
Now that you have multiple keyboards installed, how do you actually switch between them when you're typing? It's incredibly simple!
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4.1 The Globe Icon:
- Whenever the on-screen keyboard is active (e.g., when you're typing in a message, email, or browser), look for the globe icon () in the bottom left corner of the keyboard.
- Tap the globe icon to cycle through your installed keyboards. Each tap will switch to the next keyboard in your list.
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4.2 Holding the Globe Icon (For Quick Selection):
- If you have many keyboards installed, repeatedly tapping the globe icon can be tedious. Instead, tap and hold the globe icon.
- A list of your active keyboards will pop up. Simply slide your finger to the keyboard you want to use and release. This is a much faster way to select a specific keyboard.
Step 5: Managing and Removing Keyboards
Over time, you might accumulate keyboards you no longer use. Keeping your keyboard list clean can make switching faster and less cluttered.
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5.1 Reordering Your Keyboards:
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards.
- Tap on Edit in the top right corner.
- You'll see three horizontal lines next to each keyboard. Tap and drag these lines to reorder your keyboards. The order here dictates the order in which they appear when you cycle through them using the globe icon.
- Tap Done when you're finished reordering.
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5.2 Deleting Unwanted Keyboards:
- From the same Keyboards screen, tap on Edit in the top right corner.
- You'll see a red circle with a minus sign next to each keyboard. Tap the red circle next to the keyboard you want to remove.
- Then, tap Delete that appears to the right.
- Tap Done when you're finished deleting.
By following these steps, you can completely customize your iPad typing experience, moving beyond the standard QWERTY layout and finding a keyboard that truly works for you. Enjoy your newfound typing freedom!
How to Get Rid of QWERTY Keyboard on iPad: FAQs
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about managing your iPad keyboards, all starting with "How to":
How to remove the QWERTY layout for a specific language? Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap "Edit," then the red minus sign next to the language's QWERTY option, and tap "Delete."
How to set a non-QWERTY keyboard as my default? Your iPad will remember the last keyboard you used. To make a non-QWERTY keyboard default, simply switch to it using the globe icon before closing your app. The next time you open the keyboard, it should appear.
How to find a Dvorak keyboard for my iPad? You'll likely need to download a third-party keyboard app from the App Store that specifically offers a Dvorak layout. Search for "Dvorak keyboard" in the App Store.
How to add a foreign language keyboard without QWERTY? Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard, select the desired language, and then choose a non-QWERTY layout option (e.g., AZERTY for French) if available.
How to switch between my installed keyboards quickly? Tap and hold the globe icon () on the keyboard to bring up a list of your keyboards, then slide your finger to the one you want to select.
How to make my third-party keyboard work properly? Ensure you've enabled "Allow Full Access" for the third-party keyboard in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards (tap the keyboard name), and follow any in-app setup instructions.
How to reorder the sequence of my keyboards when I cycle through them? Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap "Edit," and then drag the three horizontal lines next to each keyboard to reorder them.
How to know if a third-party keyboard is safe to use? Always download keyboards from reputable developers with good reviews in the App Store. Be cautious about granting "Full Access" unless you trust the developer.
How to disable keyboard clicks or sounds on my iPad? Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics (or Sounds for older iPads) and toggle off "Keyboard Clicks."
How to delete all but one keyboard on my iPad? Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap "Edit," and then delete each keyboard you don't want by tapping the red minus sign and "Delete," leaving only your preferred keyboard.
