How to Reset Your Phone’s Keyboard: A Comprehensive Guide for Android and iOS

Your phone’s keyboard is an essential tool for communication, browsing, and countless other tasks. However, like any piece of software, it can sometimes encounter glitches, become unresponsive, or develop unwanted behaviors. These issues can range from autocorrect acting up, predictive text getting stuck, to the keyboard simply not appearing. Fortunately, most of these problems can be resolved by resetting your phone’s keyboard. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to reset your keyboard on both Android and iOS devices, ensuring a smooth and efficient typing experience. We’ll delve into various methods, explore why these problems occur, and offer tips for preventing them in the future. So, if you’re struggling with a temperamental keyboard, let’s dive in and restore it to its optimal performance.

Why Reset Your Keyboard?

Before we get into the ‘how’, let’s understand why you might need to reset your keyboard in the first place. There are several common reasons why your keyboard might start acting up:

• Autocorrect Gone Wrong: The autocorrect feature, while generally helpful, can sometimes make frustrating and incorrect suggestions. Resetting can clear the learned words and start fresh.
• Predictive Text Issues: If your predictive text is consistently offering incorrect words or is slow and unresponsive, a reset can often resolve the issue.
• Keyboard Layout Problems: If your keyboard layout gets messed up or keys become unresponsive, a reset might be the answer.
• Lag or Freezing: If the keyboard is slow, lagging, or freezing frequently, resetting can clear any temporary cache or glitches causing this issue.
• Custom Settings Conflicts: Sometimes, custom keyboard settings can interfere with the overall functionality, and a reset can revert these to default settings.
• App Conflicts: Rarely, conflicts with other apps can affect your keyboard. Resetting might help in such cases by restoring the keyboard to a stable state.
• Persistent Glitches: Even if the cause isn’t apparent, a reset can be a good first step in resolving any general keyboard problems.

Methods to Reset Your Keyboard on Android

Android offers several methods to reset your keyboard, ranging from simply clearing the keyboard’s data to forcing a stop and changing your default keyboard. Let’s explore each one step-by-step.

Method 1: Clearing Keyboard Data and Cache

This method involves deleting the keyboard’s stored data and cache, effectively resetting its settings to default. This is often the first step to try when experiencing keyboard issues.

Step 1: Accessing Your Device Settings

First, you’ll need to open your device’s settings app. The icon usually looks like a gear or a set of sliders and is typically located on your home screen or in the app drawer.

Step 2: Navigating to Apps/Applications

Once you’re in settings, look for an option labeled “Apps,” “Applications,” or “Apps & notifications.” The exact wording might vary depending on your Android version and manufacturer. Tap on this option to proceed.

Step 3: Finding Your Keyboard App

In the apps section, you’ll see a list of all the apps installed on your device. The keyboard app will often be listed under the name of the keyboard you are using. Common examples include: “Gboard” (Google Keyboard), “Samsung Keyboard”, “SwiftKey Keyboard”, or something similar based on your specific keyboard app. You may need to select ‘See all apps’ to view the full list. Find your keyboard app in this list and tap on it.

Step 4: Accessing Storage and Cache

After selecting the keyboard app, you’ll be taken to the app’s information page. Look for the option labeled “Storage & cache” (or simply “Storage” on some devices) and tap on it.

Step 5: Clearing Storage and Cache

On the Storage & cache page, you’ll see two options: “Clear storage” (or “Clear data”) and “Clear cache.” First, tap on “Clear cache.” Then, tap on “Clear storage” or “Clear data.” A pop-up might appear asking you to confirm; tap “OK” or “Clear” to confirm. This action will remove all the keyboard’s data, including learned words, settings, and temporary files.

Step 6: Restart Your Device (Optional but Recommended)

After clearing the keyboard’s storage and cache, it’s a good idea to restart your device. This ensures the changes take full effect and helps eliminate any residual glitches. To restart, press and hold the power button and then tap on the restart/reboot option when it appears.

Method 2: Force Stopping Your Keyboard App

If clearing the data and cache doesn’t resolve your issue, you can try force stopping the keyboard app. This closes the app completely and then restarts it when you next use the keyboard.

Step 1: Access Your Device Settings

Go back to the “Settings” app on your Android device.

Step 2: Navigate to Apps/Applications

Again, locate and tap on “Apps,” “Applications,” or “Apps & notifications.”

Step 3: Find Your Keyboard App

Locate and tap on the keyboard app you are using, just like in the previous method.

Step 4: Force Stop the App

On the app info page, look for the option labeled “Force stop” (the exact wording might slightly vary across devices). Tap on this option. A prompt may ask you to confirm the action. Confirm this.

Step 5: Test the Keyboard

After force-stopping the keyboard app, try using the keyboard again. It should now start with a fresh instance.

Method 3: Changing Your Default Keyboard

If the problem persists, you can try changing your default keyboard to another one, and then switching back. This action forces the system to refresh the keyboard settings.

Step 1: Access Device Settings

Start by going to the “Settings” app on your device.

Step 2: Navigate to Language and Input or System

Look for an option called “Language and input,” “System,” or something similar. The exact name may vary slightly depending on your Android version and manufacturer. Tap on this option.

Step 3: Find Default Keyboard

Within “Language and input” or “System,” locate an option such as “Virtual keyboard,” “Current keyboard,” or “Keyboard.” Tap on this option.

Step 4: Select a Different Keyboard

You should see a list of keyboards installed on your device. Choose a keyboard other than your current default keyboard. For instance, if you are using Gboard, switch to the Samsung keyboard or vice versa. If you have only one keyboard installed, you can install another keyboard from Google Play Store for temporary use.

Step 5: Return to the Original Keyboard

After you’ve selected a different keyboard, go back to the “Keyboard” settings and switch back to your original keyboard. This action will reset the default keyboard selection.

Step 6: Test the Keyboard

After changing and reverting the default keyboard, try typing to see if the issues have been resolved.

Method 4: Updating Your Keyboard App

An outdated keyboard app can sometimes lead to bugs and issues. Ensure your keyboard app is up to date with the latest version available.

Step 1: Open the Google Play Store

Launch the Google Play Store app on your Android device.

Step 2: Search for Your Keyboard App

Use the search bar at the top of the screen to search for your keyboard app (e.g., Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, SwiftKey Keyboard).

Step 3: Check for Updates

On the app page, look for an “Update” button. If the button is there, tap it to install the latest update. If you see an “Open” button instead, it means your app is already up to date.

Step 4: Restart Your Device (Recommended)

After updating, restarting your device is recommended to make sure the updates are implemented correctly.

Methods to Reset Your Keyboard on iOS (iPhone/iPad)

iOS also provides several ways to tackle keyboard issues. Here’s how you can reset your keyboard on your iPhone or iPad.

Method 1: Resetting Keyboard Dictionary

iOS has a specific feature to reset the learned keyboard dictionary. This will remove all the custom words it has learned from your usage history.

Step 1: Access Your Device Settings

Go to the “Settings” app on your iOS device. This is usually depicted by a gear icon and is found on your home screen.

Step 2: Navigate to General Settings

In the settings menu, scroll down and tap on “General”.

Step 3: Find Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad

In the General settings, scroll down to find “Transfer or Reset iPhone” (or “Transfer or Reset iPad” on an iPad) and tap it.

Step 4: Tap Reset

On the “Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad” page, tap on “Reset”.

Step 5: Reset Keyboard Dictionary

A list of reset options will appear. Choose “Reset Keyboard Dictionary”. You will be asked for your passcode to confirm the reset action.

Step 6: Confirm Reset

Enter your device’s passcode when prompted and then tap the “Reset Dictionary” prompt. This action will clear the learned dictionary. Your keyboard will now revert to its original state regarding learned vocabulary.

Method 2: Restarting Your Device

A simple restart can often fix temporary glitches with your keyboard.

Step 1: Restart Your Device

To restart your iPhone, press and hold the side button (or top button for older models) and one of the volume buttons until the power-off slider appears. Then, slide the power-off slider and wait for your device to completely shut down. After a few seconds, press and hold the side/top button again to restart your device. On iPads with a home button, press and hold the top button until the slider appears and slide it to shut down and repeat the press and hold for restarting. On iPads without a home button, press and quickly release the volume up button, then press and quickly release the volume down button. Then press and hold the top button until the device restarts.

Step 2: Test the Keyboard

After your device restarts, try typing to see if the keyboard is working as expected.

Method 3: Checking for Software Updates

Keeping your device’s operating system up to date can prevent issues, including those related to the keyboard.

Step 1: Access Device Settings

Go back to the “Settings” app on your iOS device.

Step 2: Navigate to General Settings

Tap on “General”.

Step 3: Select Software Update

Tap on “Software Update”.

Step 4: Check for Updates

Your device will automatically check for updates. If an update is available, tap “Download and Install”. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the update process.

Step 5: Restart Your Device

After updating, your device might automatically restart. If not, restart your device manually as described in the previous step.

Method 4: Reset All Settings

As a last resort, you can reset all settings on your iPhone or iPad. This will not delete any data, but it will revert all your settings to their default values. This will impact your keyboard settings, as well as other device specific settings.

Step 1: Access Device Settings

Go to the “Settings” app.

Step 2: Navigate to General Settings

Tap on “General”.

Step 3: Find Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad

Scroll down and tap on “Transfer or Reset iPhone” (or “Transfer or Reset iPad” on an iPad).

Step 4: Tap Reset

Tap on “Reset”.

Step 5: Reset All Settings

Select “Reset All Settings”. You will be asked for your passcode. Enter it to proceed with the reset. This action will erase all settings, including keyboard settings. Note that you will have to setup Wi-Fi connections again, among other settings.

Step 6: Restart Device

After the settings reset, the device might restart or you may need to restart manually.

Tips for Preventing Keyboard Issues

While resetting your keyboard can fix immediate issues, it’s also important to take preventive steps to minimize future problems. Here are a few helpful tips:

• Keep Your Operating System Updated: Regularly update your Android or iOS operating system to the latest version. Updates often contain bug fixes and performance improvements that can affect the keyboard.
• Keep Your Keyboard App Updated: Just like the operating system, ensure your keyboard app (like Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, etc.) is also updated to the latest version.
• Avoid Overloading the Keyboard: Typing extremely long and complex sentences without pause might sometimes strain the keyboard’s resources. Try breaking up long text entries into multiple sentences or paragraphs.
• Be Mindful of App Conflicts: If you notice that keyboard issues are correlated with the use of a particular app, consider uninstalling or updating that app.
• Limit Custom Keyboard Settings: Too many custom settings can sometimes cause conflicts. Consider using default settings if you are noticing frequent issues.
• Regular Cache Cleaning: Periodically clear the cache of your keyboard app, as explained in the Android methods section above.
• Restart Your Device Regularly: Restarting your phone or tablet periodically (at least once a week) can help clear temporary files and prevent minor glitches from accumulating.
• Use a Quality Keyboard App: If you frequently experience keyboard issues with your default keyboard, consider trying a well-rated, reputable alternative available on the Play Store or App Store.

Conclusion

Having a well-functioning keyboard is vital for seamless communication and productivity on your smartphone. If you experience keyboard issues on your Android or iOS device, the methods outlined in this guide can help you reset it and get back to comfortable typing. Whether it’s simply clearing cache or performing a more comprehensive reset, there’s a solution for most keyboard glitches. By following the step-by-step instructions and implementing the preventative measures, you can minimize keyboard problems and enjoy a smoother mobile experience. Remember, consistency in updates and good app hygiene can go a long way in keeping your device and its keyboard running efficiently. If all else fails, consult official help guides for your specific device and keyboard app, or seek assistance from a tech professional.