How to Switch Between Arabic and English Keyboards on Windows, Mac and Linux

Bilingual typing is its own skill — knowing the Arabic keyboard doesn't help if you can't switch to it quickly mid-sentence. Here's how to set up and switch between Arabic and English (or any Latin-script layout) on every major operating system.

Windows

1. Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & region.
2. Under "Preferred languages," click Add a language and select Arabic.
3. Once added, confirm the keyboard layout is Arabic (101) — Windows usually selects this automatically.
4. Switch between installed languages with Alt+Shift, or click the language indicator in the taskbar.

If you want a dedicated shortcut instead of cycling through all installed languages, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & region > Language options for your Arabic install and configure a direct hotkey.

macOS

1. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources.
2. Click the + button, search for "Arabic," and add Arabic – PC (this matches the Arabic 101 layout most learners want).
3. Switch input sources with Control+Space by default, or customize the shortcut in Keyboard Shortcuts > Input Sources.
4. The menu bar input indicator lets you switch by clicking directly if you prefer not to memorize a hotkey.

Linux (GNOME/KDE)

1. Open Settings > Region & Language (GNOME) or System Settings > Input Devices > Keyboard (KDE).
2. Add Arabic as an input source, selecting the standard layout (often labeled simply "Arabic" or "ar").
3. Switch with Super+Space on most GNOME distributions, or your configured shortcut on KDE.

Mobile (Android and iOS)

Both platforms let you add Arabic as a keyboard under system keyboard settings, then switch by tapping the globe icon on the on-screen keyboard. See our dedicated mobile Arabic typing guide for platform-specific tips.

Practical tips for fast switching

• Memorize the shortcut, don't rely on clicking. Alt+Shift or Control+Space becomes automatic within days and saves real time over reaching for a mouse or trackpad.
• Watch for accidental language switches. A common beginner frustration is hitting the switch shortcut by accident mid-sentence — if your text suddenly turns to gibberish, check your active input language first before assuming you mistyped.
• Set up Arabic Phonetic separately if you use it. An IME-based phonetic method (Arabizi input) is a different system from the Arabic 101 physical layout — see our Arabic Phonetic guide — so you may need both configured if you use each in different contexts.

FAQ

Why does my keyboard show English key labels but type Arabic? Because Arabic 101 is a software layout mapped onto your existing physical keys — unless you own a keyboard with Arabic characters printed on it, the physical keys stay labeled in Latin script while producing Arabic characters. This is completely normal and is exactly what touch typing training solves: you stop needing to see the labels at all.

Can I have more than two languages installed at once? Yes, on every major OS — Alt+Shift (Windows) and Control+Space (macOS) typically cycle through all installed languages in order, or open a language picker if you hold the shortcut.

Does switching languages lose my cursor position or formatting? No — switching input language only changes what characters your keystrokes produce; it doesn't affect anything else in your document or app.

Related reading

• Arabic 101 Keyboard Layout Explained
• Typing Arabic on Mobile
• Best Free Tools and IMEs for Typing Arabic Online