Adding the Arabic Keyboard on Android and iPhone

Updated: July 16, 2026 · Reading time: 4 min

Adding the Arabic keyboard on your phone is easier than you think and needs no third-party app. This guide covers Android (Gboard and Samsung) and iPhone. On someone else's device? Just type with the online Arabic keyboard instead.

Android (Gboard)

  1. Open any typing app (Messages) to bring up the keyboard.
  2. Long-press the comma or tap the ⚙️ icon.
  3. Languages → Add keyboard.
  4. Search for Arabic, keep the default layout, tap Done.
  5. Switch with the 🌐 icon or by swiping the spacebar.

Samsung Keyboard

  1. Settings → General management → Samsung Keyboard settings.
  2. Languages and types → Manage input languages.
  3. Enable Arabic (one small download).
  4. Switch by swiping left or right on the spacebar.

iPhone and iPad (iOS)

  1. Settings → General → Keyboard.
  2. Keyboards → Add New Keyboard…
  3. Choose Arabic.
  4. While typing, tap 🌐 to switch (long-press for the list).

Common Issues

Arabic doesn't appear in the language list?

Update your keyboard app from the store (Gboard updates separately from the OS).

Need to type Arabic on someone else's device?

Don't change their settings — open the online Arabic keyboard, type, copy, close.

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