How do you change the keyboard language?
Step-by-step ways to add a keyboard language and switch between layouts in seconds on Windows, macOS, Android and iPhone.
Short answer
On Windows, go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Add a language and install the one you need, then press Windows key + Space to switch. On macOS, open System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input > Edit > + to add it and use Control + Space. On Android and iPhone, tap the globe key or hold the space bar to change languages.
What you need
Step by step
Decide which layout you need
Many languages ship in more than one physical layout, such as Turkish Q (letters in QWERTY order, by far the common one) and Turkish F (the old typewriter arrangement). Look at the top-left letter key on your hardware: if it shows Q, pick the Q layout; if it shows F, pick the F layout. The wrong layout means the keys will not type the letters printed on them.
Add the language on Windows
Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then go to Time & language > Language & region. Under Preferred languages, click Add a language, pick your language from the list (for example Turkish or English (United States)), then choose Next and Install. The download usually takes 1-3 minutes.
Add a second layout on Windows
Still in Language & region, click the three dots next to the language and open Language options. Under Keyboards, click Add a keyboard and select the layout you want, such as Turkish Q or Turkish F. One language can hold several layouts at the same time.
Switch layouts on Windows
Press Windows key + Space. A small list appears near the clock and each press moves to the next keyboard in the row. Alt + Shift does the same job. You can also click the TRK or ENG abbreviation next to the clock and pick a layout with the mouse.
Add a keyboard language on macOS
Open the Apple menu in the top-left corner, choose System Settings, then go to Keyboard. Under Text Input, click Edit next to Input Sources, then click the + button at the bottom left of the window, pick your language and layout, and click Add.
Set the switching shortcut on macOS
Click the flag icon that appears in the menu bar to choose a language with the mouse. For a keyboard shortcut, use Control + Space. If nothing happens, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Input Sources and enable Select the previous input source.
Add a keyboard language on Android
Go to Settings > System > Languages and input > On-screen keyboard > Gboard > Languages > Add keyboard, choose the language and layout (QWERTY for most cases), then tap Done. While typing, tap the globe icon beside the space bar, or hold the space bar and pick a language from the list.
Add a keyboard language on iPhone
Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard and select the language you need. While typing, tap the globe icon at the bottom left to cycle through keyboards, or hold that icon to jump straight to a language in the list.
Tips
Watch out
Changing the display language and changing the keyboard layout are not the same thing on Windows. Switching the display language moves every menu and app into that language and requires you to sign out and back in. If you only want the right letters when you type, use Language options > Add a keyboard and leave the display language alone.
Frequently asked questions
+What is the difference between the Turkish Q and Turkish F layouts?
Turkish Q follows the standard QWERTY order and covers almost every keyboard sold in Turkey. Turkish F is the older typewriter arrangement with completely different letter positions, and it mostly appears on specialist keyboards.
+The letters ı, ğ and ş will not type. What should I do?
Your active layout is probably still English (US). Press Windows key + Space to move to the Turkish Q layout. If it is not in the list, add it as a keyboard from Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
+Why is Windows key + Space doing nothing?
Usually because only one keyboard layout is installed, so there is nothing to switch to. The shortcut starts working once you add a second keyboard. Alt + Shift is a good alternative to test.
+It reverts to the old language after a restart. Can I make it permanent?
Yes. Go to Settings > Time & language > Typing > Advanced keyboard settings and pick your preferred layout under Override for default input method. That choice survives every restart.
+Does changing the phone keyboard language also change spellcheck?
Yes. Gboard and the iPhone keyboard use the dictionary and autocorrect of whichever language is active. If you mix two languages, add both so the keyboard suggests words from each.
Sources and verification
Last verified: 13 Eylül 2026. tell us. Menu names follow the English (US) interface on Windows 11, macOS 13 or later, Gboard on Android, and iOS.
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