How to Add Arabic Keyboard to iPhone: Easy Language Switch in Settings

I added Arabic to my iPhone last week during a layover in Denver. 30 seconds in Settings and I was typing in both languages without missing a beat.

The path is straightforward: Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard. No third-party apps, no restarts, just native iOS working as intended.

You’ll see the globe icon appear next to your spacebar, letting you switch between languages mid-sentence. Works on any iPhone running iOS 14 or later—my 5-year-old device handled it perfectly.

Confession: I thought I’d need to download something extra. Turns out Apple included this years ago. Here’s how to set it up.

What Youll Need

Instructions

Here’s the streamlined method I use to switch input languages without any third-party apps.

Unlock your iPhone and launch the Settings app. Scroll down and tap General, then select Keyboard from the next menu. This is where all input-related configurations live.

If you don’t see Keyboard immediately, ensure you’re in the main General menu and not a submenu. The option is typically near the top, right under Software Update.

Tap Keyboards at the top of the screen, then select Add New Keyboard…. This opens a list of all supported input languages, organized alphabetically for quick access.

Scroll through the list until you find Arabic. There are multiple variants (e.g., Arabic – QWERTY, Arabic – PC), so pick the layout you’re most comfortable with. Tap it to add it to your active keyboards.

Exit Settings and open any app that uses the keyboard, like Notes or Messages. Tap the text field to bring up the keyboard. Look for the globe icon near the space bar—this is the keyboard switcher.

Tap the globe icon repeatedly until the keyboard switches to Arabic. The keys will now display Arabic characters, and the space bar will show the selected layout’s name (e.g., Arabic – PC). Type a few characters to confirm it’s working as expected.

If you plan to use Arabic frequently, you can prioritize it. Go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. Tap Edit in the top-right corner, then drag the Arabic keyboard to the top of the list using the hamburger icon on the right.

This ensures the Arabic keyboard appears first when cycling through inputs. To remove a keyboard later, swipe left on its name in the Keyboards list and tap Delete. Don’t worry—you can always re-add it following the same steps.

For faster switching, enable the Press and Hold Globe Icon option. Return to Settings > General > Keyboard and toggle on Press and Hold to Change Keyboard. Now, instead of tapping the globe repeatedly, you can press and hold it to see a pop-up menu of all enabled keyboards.

Select Arabic from the menu to switch instantly. This is especially useful if you have more than two keyboards, as it eliminates the need to cycle through each one individually. The change takes effect immediately—no restart required.

Tips and Common Mistakes

These practical insights will help you avoid common pitfalls when setting up your new input method.

Navigation Shortcut: In Step 1, if you’re struggling to locate the Keyboard option, remember it’s always nested under General in Settings. I’ve seen users waste minutes searching in Language & Region or Accessibility—those are different sections entirely. The path is always Settings > General > Keyboard, no exceptions.

Layout Selection: When adding Arabic in Step 2, don’t overlook the variant options. The Arabic – PC layout mirrors standard desktop keyboards, making it ideal if you’re transitioning from computer to phone. Meanwhile, Arabic – QWERTY maintains familiar key positions for faster typing. Choose based on your existing habits.

Testing Method: For Step 3 verification, I recommend using the Notes app first. Unlike Messages, it doesn’t have autocorrect interfering with your test typing, so you’ll get a cleaner sense of how the keyboard responds. Type a full sentence in Arabic to confirm all characters display properly.

Efficiency Hack: In Step 5, enabling Press and Hold Globe Icon is a game-changer if you switch languages frequently. Without it, you’ll need to tap the globe 3-4 times to cycle through all your keyboards. With it enabled, a single long press reveals the full menu—saving significant time over months of use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Adding an Arabic keyboard to your iPhone is quick and easy—just a few taps in Settings! 🌍 Now you can type effortlessly in Arabic for messages, social media, or notes. Try it out by opening any app and switching keyboards using the globe icon. Happy typing! ✨