Tired of Your Default Keyboard? Here's How to Change iPhone Keyboard Theme and Colour

The regular iPhone keyboard theme can become dull and lifeless over time. But there are a few ways to spruce it up with some colour and class and personalise it to your heart's content

Shashwat Khatri profile pictureby Shashwat Khatri
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Four iPhones side by side with colourful iPhone keyboard themes

Image Credit: Beebom Gadgets

Summary

  • The iPhone keyboard theme is tied to your iPhone's appearance; light mode turns the keyboard white, while dark mode turns it dark.
  • Microsoft SwiftKey and Gboard are third-party apps with several theme options to add colours to your iPhone keyboard
  • Then, there's the Pink Keyboard Ultimate Edition app that applies various shades of pink to the iPhone keyboard.

The iPhone keyboard is notoriously difficult to personalise. There's no easy option to change the keyboard theme, nor can you add any colours to breathe life into an otherwise dull keyboard. But you can still switch from the bland white iPhone keyboard theme to something with a bit more personality.

How to Change iPhone Keyboard Theme

Despite not having any easy customisation options, there are a few workarounds to get an iPhone keyboard theme of your preference. 

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Switch to Dark Keyboard Using iPhone Settings App

The iPhone keyboard switches colour based on the appearance of the iOS. That means you can flaunt a dark keyboard iPhone without having to install anything. All you need is to switch to dark mode. Here's how:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to Appearance.
  2. Here, select Dark under "Appearance" to switch to the dark theme.

This will apply the dark mode system-wide, including the keyboard. Once applied, go to any text field to see it in action.

White and Black themed iPhone keyboard side by side
White and Black themed iPhone keyboard side by side

Of course, being tied to the dark mode makes it a little harder to mix and match the light iOS theme with a dark keyboard (and vice versa). For that, you will have to look beyond the official settings and into some third-party apps.

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Change iPhone Keyboard Theme Using SwiftKey App

The best alternative to the default iPhone keyboard is Microsoft's SwiftKey. It's perfect for typing, is easily customisable, and comes with a host of themes that vibe well with iOS 27's Liquid Glass aesthetic. 

Here's how to check these out:

  1. Download and install the SwiftKey app from the App Store.
  2. Open the SwiftKey app and tap on Themes.
  3. Then select a theme you want to apply.
SwiftKey keyboard themes for iPhone
SwiftKey keyboard themes for iPhone

Some notable SwiftKey themes include Liquid Glass, Nickel, Cogs, Animals, and ZigZag, all of which come with light and dark iPhone keyboard themes. The Oxygen, Minimal, and Snowy Sky themes also change the iPhone keyboard colour.

Starry sky and dark SwiftKey keyboard themes for iPhone
Starry sky and dark SwiftKey keyboard themes for iPhone

Make sure to press and hold the globe icon on the iPhone keyboard and select SwiftKey to switch to it.

Switch iPhone Keyboard Colours Using Gboard App

With Gboard, you have a few more iPhone keyboard themes to choose from. Here's how to view and apply these Gboard themes:

  1. Download the Gboard app from the App Store and open it.
  2. Here, select Themes and tap on a theme to apply it instantly.

Apart from the basic white and black themes, you also get richer colour options, including those with a light and dark gradient.

Gboard light and dark gradient themes for iPhone's keyboard
Gboard light and dark gradient themes for iPhone's keyboard

If you want some colourful scenic vistas as your iPhone keyboard theme, there's a separate ‘Landscapes’ section too.

Beautiful Gboard landscape themes for iPhone's keyboard
Beautiful Gboard landscape themes for iPhone's keyboard

That’s not all. Both SwiftKey and Gboard also let you put a photo on your iPhone keyboard, which is similar to how you add pictures on Android keyboard. Look for the Design your theme section in the SwiftKey app and the Custom section inside Gboard. Then select a photo from the camera roll and add it to the iPhone keyboard.

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Using Pink Keyboard Ultimate Edition App

For those who prefer brighter colours, the Pink Keyboard Ultimate Edition app is in vogue. As the name suggests, the app imbues the iPhone keyboard with pink hues. As soon as you open the app, you'll be able to customise everything from background skins to the colour of the keys. 

Custom background skins on the Pink Keyboard Ultimate Edition app for iPhone's keyboard
Custom background skins on the Pink Keyboard Ultimate Edition app for iPhone's keyboard

Depending on your preference and style choice, you can have a completely pink iPhone keyboard that meshes well with the light and dark modes.

There’s no option to make custom themes here. But the app does let you change the font, key style and sound, and even lets you insert quick messages by holding a number.

These were some of the ways to change your iPhone keyboard theme. It's no secret that the iPhone keyboard is lackluster and uninviting. Even long-term Apple fanboys would concede. But if you want to customise the iPhone’s keyboard and add some colourful flair, only third-party apps do the trick.

FAQs

How to change the iPhone keyboard theme?

To apply a dark iPhone keyboard theme, go to the Settings app, select Appearance, and switch to Dark mode. 

Can you change the iPhone keyboard colour?

To change the iPhone keyboard colour, install third-party keyboard apps like Gboard, SwiftKey, and Pink Keyboard Ultimate Edition.

How do I turn my keyboard white again?

To turn your keyboard white again, go to the Settings app, select Appearance, and switch to Light mode. 

How do I customise my iPhone keyboard?

To customise your iPhone keyboard, go to the Settings app, select Keyboard and enable or disable keyboard options like auto-correction, smart punctuation, predictive text, etc.

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