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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.

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.