How to Add Arabic Keyboard on iPhone & iPad (iOS / iPadOS)
Set up the Arabic 101 layout in under 2 minutes — and learn the shortcut to switch back and forth.
Last updated: May 2026
Practice this now
Move from reading to hands-on typing with Arabic Typing 101.
Adding the Arabic keyboard on iPhone or iPad takes about 30 seconds in Settings. iOS offers two Arabic layouts — the standard Arabic layout and Arabic - QWERTY (phonetic). Pick the one that matches how you want to learn.
Quick facts
- Layout to pick
- Arabic (standard) or Arabic - QWERTY (phonetic)
- Switch keyboards
- Tap the globe icon 🌐 (long-press to pick a specific keyboard)
- Time required
- About 2 minutes
- Cost
- Free (built into iPhone / iPad)
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Open Settings
Tap the Settings app icon (gear) on the Home Screen.
- 2
Go to General → Keyboard
Scroll down to General, tap it, then tap Keyboard near the top.
- 3
Tap Keyboards → Add New Keyboard
On the Keyboard screen tap Keyboards. Then tap Add New Keyboard… at the bottom of the list.
- 4
Scroll to find Arabic
The list is alphabetical. Tap Arabic. (Don't confuse with Arabic (Najdi), Arabic - QWERTY, or Egyptian Arabic — these are separate entries.)
- 5
Pick a layout if prompted
Some iOS versions offer Arabic and Arabic - QWERTY. Pick Arabic for the standard iOS Arabic keyboard, or Arabic - QWERTY if you prefer letters mapped to their English-sound positions (alif on A, ba on B, etc.).
- 6
Switch by tapping the globe
On any keyboard, tap the 🌐 globe icon near the spacebar to cycle keyboards. Long-press the globe to jump straight to Arabic from a menu.
Troubleshooting
I added Arabic but I don't see a globe icon on my keyboard.
iOS only shows the globe icon when you have more than one keyboard installed. You should now have English + Arabic, which should display the globe. If it still doesn't appear, tap and hold the emoji 😀 button — that opens the same keyboard switcher.
The Arabic keyboard appears upside-down / typing left-to-right.
iOS detects RTL automatically. If a third-party app shows Arabic left-to-right, the issue is in the app, not your keyboard. Try Notes or Messages first to confirm the keyboard is working correctly.
How do I type Arabic diacritics on iPhone?
Long-press a letter to see diacritic options for that letter — for example long-press ا to access different alif variants. For free-standing diacritic marks (fatha, kasra, damma, etc.), long-press a letter then drag to the mark you want, or use the Predictive bar above the keyboard.
Keyboard ready — what next?
Now that iPhone / iPad can type in Arabic, the next step is muscle memory. Most learners reach 25 WPM in a few weeks with our structured course.
Frequently asked questions
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pick "Arabic" or "Arabic - QWERTY" on iPhone?
"Arabic" matches a physical Arabic keyboard's layout — best for users who type in Arabic regularly or use Arabic keyboards on other devices. "Arabic - QWERTY" maps Arabic letters onto QWERTY positions phonetically (alif on A key) — easier for beginners and bilingual users who don't want to learn a new layout. You can install both and switch between them with the globe.
Does the iPhone Arabic keyboard support autocorrect and predictive text?
Yes — iOS includes Arabic autocorrect, predictive text, and spellcheck. Both standard and QWERTY layouts get the same intelligence.
I want to remove the Arabic keyboard. How?
Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Edit → tap the red minus next to Arabic → Delete → Done.
Setting up Arabic on a different device?
Or see the all-platforms overview.