How to Change the Keyboard on Your Huawei Phone: A Comprehensive Guide

Changing the keyboard on your Huawei phone can drastically improve your typing experience. Whether you’re tired of the default keyboard, looking for better prediction, gesture typing, or simply prefer a different layout, Huawei makes it relatively easy to switch to a keyboard that suits your needs. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps of changing your keyboard, troubleshooting common issues, and explore some of the best alternative keyboards available for your Huawei device.

Why Change Your Keyboard?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s consider why you might want to change your keyboard in the first place.

* **Improved Typing Speed and Accuracy:** Different keyboards offer different layouts, key sizes, and prediction algorithms. Finding one that matches your typing style can significantly boost your speed and reduce errors.
* **Enhanced Features:** Some keyboards come with features like gesture typing (swiping), built-in GIF search, customizable themes, and advanced clipboard management. These features can streamline your communication and make typing more enjoyable.
* **Language Support:** If you frequently type in multiple languages, a keyboard with robust multilingual support can be invaluable. It can automatically detect the language you’re typing in and offer accurate predictions.
* **Personalization:** Changing your keyboard is a great way to personalize your phone and make it feel more like your own. Many keyboards offer customizable themes, fonts, and key sounds.
* **Accessibility:** Some keyboards offer accessibility features like larger keys, voice typing, and support for external keyboards, making them easier to use for people with disabilities.

Methods for Changing the Keyboard on a Huawei Phone

There are several methods you can use to change the keyboard on your Huawei phone. We will cover the most common and straightforward ways.

Method 1: Using the Settings Menu

This is the most direct way to change your keyboard.

**Step 1: Download and Install Your Preferred Keyboard App**

Before you can change your keyboard, you need to download and install a new keyboard app from the Google Play Store. Some popular options include:

* **Gboard (Google Keyboard):** A free, feature-rich keyboard with excellent prediction, gesture typing, and Google integration.
* **SwiftKey Keyboard:** A highly customizable keyboard that learns your typing style and offers personalized predictions.
* **Fleksy Keyboard:** Known for its speed and accuracy, Fleksy uses gestures to perform various actions.
* **Grammarly Keyboard:** If you prioritize grammar and spelling, Grammarly’s keyboard can help you write error-free text.

To download a keyboard app:

1. Open the **Google Play Store** app on your Huawei phone.
2. Search for the keyboard app you want to install (e.g., “Gboard”).
3. Tap the **Install** button.
4. Wait for the app to download and install.

**Step 2: Access the Language & Input Settings**

There are several ways to access the Language & Input settings on your Huawei phone.

* **Option A: Through the Settings App**

1. Open the **Settings** app on your Huawei phone.
2. Scroll down and tap on **System & updates** or **Advanced settings** (the exact wording may vary depending on your EMUI version).
3. Tap on **Language & input**.
* **Option B: Through the Search Bar**

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification shade.
2. Tap the **Settings** icon (gear icon).
3. Tap the search bar at the top of the Settings app.
4. Type “language” or “input”.
5. Tap on **Language & input** in the search results.

**Step 3: Select the Default Keyboard**

1. In the Language & input settings, look for the **Default keyboard** option.
2. Tap on **Default keyboard**.
3. A list of installed keyboards will appear. Select the keyboard you want to use as your default.

* **Important:** You may see a warning message about the keyboard app collecting your data. This is a standard warning that appears for all third-party keyboard apps. Ensure you trust the developer of the keyboard app before proceeding.
* If the keyboard you want to use is not listed, make sure it’s installed correctly and enabled (see the troubleshooting section below).

**Step 4: Grant Permissions (if necessary)**

When you select a new keyboard for the first time, you may be prompted to grant certain permissions, such as:

* **Full access:** This allows the keyboard to access everything you type, including passwords and credit card numbers. While this sounds alarming, it’s necessary for the keyboard to learn your typing style and offer accurate predictions. However, you should only grant this permission to keyboard apps you trust.
* **Storage access:** This allows the keyboard to store themes, dictionaries, and other data on your phone.

Carefully review the permissions requested and grant them only if you’re comfortable.

**Step 5: Test Your New Keyboard**

1. Open any app where you can type text, such as a messaging app, email app, or note-taking app.
2. Start typing. Your new keyboard should appear.
3. Experiment with the keyboard’s features and settings to customize it to your liking.

Method 2: Using the Keyboard Icon on the Navigation Bar

Some Huawei phones display a keyboard icon on the navigation bar (the bar at the bottom of the screen with the back, home, and recent apps buttons) when the keyboard is active. You can use this icon to quickly switch between keyboards.

**Step 1: Ensure the Keyboard Icon is Enabled**

Not all Huawei phones have the keyboard icon enabled by default. To enable it:

1. Go to **Settings** > **System & updates** > **System navigation**.
2. If you’re using gesture navigation, switch to **Three-key navigation**.
3. Tap on **Settings** (the gear icon next to Three-key navigation).
4. Enable the **Keyboard key** option.

**Step 2: Switch Keyboards Using the Icon**

1. Open any app where you can type text.
2. Tap on the text field to bring up the keyboard.
3. Look for the keyboard icon on the navigation bar (it usually looks like a keyboard). If you do not see the keyboard icon, tap the back arrow key to hide the keyboard and bring it up again. It should appear this time.
4. Tap the keyboard icon.
5. A list of installed keyboards will appear. Select the keyboard you want to use.

Method 3: Using the Keyboard Notification

In some cases, when you have multiple keyboards installed, a notification might appear when the keyboard is active, allowing you to quickly switch between them.

**Step 1: Check for the Keyboard Notification**

1. Open any app where you can type text.
2. Tap on the text field to bring up the keyboard.
3. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification shade.
4. Look for a notification that says something like “Choose input method” or “Select keyboard”.

**Step 2: Switch Keyboards Using the Notification**

1. Tap on the keyboard notification.
2. A list of installed keyboards will appear. Select the keyboard you want to use.

Troubleshooting Common Keyboard Issues

Sometimes, you may encounter issues when changing or using a new keyboard. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.

* **The Keyboard I Want to Use Isn’t Showing Up in the List:**

* **Solution 1: Ensure the Keyboard App is Installed Correctly:** Go to the Google Play Store and check if the keyboard app is installed. If it’s not, install it. If it is, try uninstalling and reinstalling it.
* **Solution 2: Enable the Keyboard in Settings:** Go to **Settings** > **System & updates** > **Language & input** > **Virtual keyboard** (or **Manage keyboards**). Make sure the keyboard you want to use is enabled. If it’s not, toggle the switch next to it to enable it.
* **The Keyboard is Not Responding or is Lagging:**

* **Solution 1: Restart Your Phone:** A simple restart can often resolve temporary software glitches.
* **Solution 2: Clear the Keyboard App’s Cache:** Go to **Settings** > **Apps** > **Apps**. Find the keyboard app in the list. Tap on **Storage** > **Clear cache**. Do not clear data, as this might reset your keyboard settings.
* **Solution 3: Update the Keyboard App:** Make sure you have the latest version of the keyboard app installed. Check the Google Play Store for updates.
* **Solution 4: Free Up Storage Space:** If your phone is running low on storage space, it can affect the performance of apps, including the keyboard. Delete unnecessary files and apps to free up space.
* **The Keyboard is Displaying the Wrong Language:**

* **Solution 1: Check the Keyboard’s Language Settings:** Open the keyboard app’s settings and make sure the correct language is selected. Most keyboards allow you to add multiple languages and switch between them easily.
* **Solution 2: Check Your System’s Language Settings:** Go to **Settings** > **System & updates** > **Language & input** > **Language & region**. Make sure your preferred language is set as the default.
* **I’m Seeing a Warning About the Keyboard Collecting My Data:**

* This is a standard warning that appears for all third-party keyboard apps. It’s important to understand that the keyboard needs to access your typing data to learn your typing style and offer accurate predictions. However, you should only grant full access to keyboard apps you trust. Read the keyboard app’s privacy policy to understand how your data is being used.
* **The Keyboard Icon is Not Showing Up on the Navigation Bar:**

* **Solution:** Go to **Settings** > **System & updates** > **System navigation**. If you’re using gesture navigation, switch to **Three-key navigation**. Tap on **Settings** (the gear icon next to Three-key navigation). Enable the **Keyboard key** option.

Choosing the Right Keyboard for You

With so many keyboard apps available, it can be tough to choose the right one. Here are some factors to consider:

* **Features:** Think about the features that are most important to you. Do you need gesture typing, GIF search, clipboard management, or advanced customization options?
* **Language Support:** If you type in multiple languages, choose a keyboard that supports them all.
* **Privacy:** Read the keyboard app’s privacy policy to understand how your data is being used. Choose a keyboard from a reputable developer that you trust.
* **User Reviews:** Read user reviews on the Google Play Store to get an idea of the keyboard’s performance, reliability, and user-friendliness.
* **Personal Preference:** Ultimately, the best keyboard for you is the one that feels most comfortable and intuitive to use. Try out a few different keyboards and see which one you like best.

Here’s a quick recap of some popular keyboard options:

* **Gboard (Google Keyboard):** A great all-around keyboard with excellent prediction, gesture typing, and Google integration. Free and reliable.
* **SwiftKey Keyboard:** Highly customizable and learns your typing style. Offers personalized predictions and a wide range of themes. Free with in-app purchases.
* **Fleksy Keyboard:** Known for its speed and accuracy. Uses gestures to perform various actions. Free with in-app purchases.
* **Grammarly Keyboard:** Ideal for those who prioritize grammar and spelling. Helps you write error-free text. Requires a Grammarly subscription for full functionality.

Customizing Your Keyboard

Most keyboard apps offer a wide range of customization options. Here are some common settings you can adjust:

* **Themes:** Change the keyboard’s appearance with different themes.
* **Key Sounds and Vibrations:** Adjust the sounds and vibrations that occur when you press keys.
* **Key Layout:** Customize the layout of the keys to suit your typing style.
* **Text Correction:** Configure the keyboard’s autocorrect and prediction settings.
* **Gesture Typing:** Enable or disable gesture typing (swiping).
* **Clipboard:** Manage your clipboard history.

To access the keyboard’s settings, open the keyboard app directly or tap on the keyboard icon in the system tray and select “Settings”.

Using Hardware Keyboards with Your Huawei Phone

If you prefer to type on a physical keyboard, you can connect a Bluetooth keyboard to your Huawei phone.

**Step 1: Enable Bluetooth**

1. Go to **Settings** > **Bluetooth**.
2. Turn on Bluetooth.

**Step 2: Pair the Keyboard**

1. Put your Bluetooth keyboard in pairing mode (refer to your keyboard’s manual for instructions).
2. Your Huawei phone will scan for nearby Bluetooth devices.
3. Select your keyboard from the list of available devices.
4. You may be prompted to enter a pairing code. If so, enter the code on your keyboard and press Enter.

**Step 3: Select the Hardware Keyboard in Settings**

1. Go to **Settings** > **System & updates** > **Language & input**.
2. Tap on **Physical keyboard**.
3. Select your connected keyboard.
4. Configure settings like keyboard layout and language.

Once connected, you can use your hardware keyboard to type in any app on your Huawei phone.

Conclusion

Changing the keyboard on your Huawei phone is a simple way to improve your typing experience and personalize your device. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily switch to a keyboard that suits your needs and preferences. Remember to explore the different keyboard apps available and customize them to your liking. With the right keyboard, you can type faster, more accurately, and more comfortably on your Huawei phone.