How to Install a Japanese Keyboard (Windows/Mac/iOS/Android)

If you’re learning Japanese with Kotoba Kards, you’ll need to type in hiragana or katakana—not romaji. Good news: every major device already includes a Japanese keyboard! Setting it up only takes a minute, and once you do, you can easily switch between English and Japanese whenever you’re practicing vocabulary or chatting with friends.

Table of Contents

Apple iOS

These instructions are applicable for iOS 15+.

 

Installing the keyboard:

  1. Open Settings → General → Keyboard.
  2. Tap Keyboards → Add New Keyboard…
  3. Scroll down and select Japanese.
  4. Choose Kana (recommended for beginners).
  5. Tap Done.

To switch keyboards while typing, tap the 🌐 globe icon and then select the Japanese keyboard.

Android

These instructions are applicable for Android 12+.

Google Pixel and Similar

Installing the keyboard:

  1. Open Settings → System → Languages & Input → On-screen Keyboard → Gboard.
  2. Tap Languages → Add Keyboard.
  3. Find and select Japanese.
  4. Choose Kana or Romaji input style and tap Done.

To switch keyboards while typing, tap the 🌐 globe icon and then select the Japanese keyboard.

Samsung

Installing the keyboard:

  1. Settings → General Management → Language & input
  2. Then select On-screen keyboard or Samsung Keyboard (the default keyboard)
  3. Tap Languages and types → Manage input languages → enable Japanese.

To switch keyboards while typing, tap the 🌐 globe icon and then select the Japanese keyboard.

MacOS

These instructions are applicable for macOS Monterey and newer.

Installing the keyboard:

  1. Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Input Sources.
  2. Click Add ( + ), then select Japanese.
  3. Choose Hiragana (for most typing) or Katakana, and click Add.

Use the menu-bar input icon (flag or character symbol) to switch between English and Japanese whenever you’re typing.

Windows

These instructions are applicable for Windows 10 and newer.

Installing the keyboard:

  1. Open Settings → Time & Language → Language & Region.
  2. Click Add a language, search for Japanese, then select it and click Next → Install.

Once installed, click the Language bar (or press Windows + Space) to switch between English and Japanese.

 

You can also open the IME settings (right-click the “A/あ” icon in your taskbar) to toggle between Hiragana, Katakana, or Romaji input.

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