Alex Ruben
How To Set Up and Use Multiple Keyboards on Your Google TV Streamer 4K
Adding multiple keyboards on your Google TV Streamer 4K might seem like a hassle at first, but once you get the hang of it, switching languages becomes way easier — especially if you’re juggling multiple langs or just hate the default keyboard setup. The tricky part is that Android TV (or Google TV, whatever they’re calling it these days) doesn’t make it super obvious how to add and toggle these little guys. You might find yourself constantly fighting with settings or live with the wrong language layout. This quick-and-dirty guide should help you set up and switch between multiple keyboards without pulling your hair out. It’s one of those things that makes your typing life way smoother, especially if you’re multilingual or use different input languages often. Plus, it’s probably gonna save a lot of frustration in the long run.
How to Fix Keyboard Language and Multi-Keyboards on Google TV Streamer 4K
Access the Settings Menu Properly
- First, head over to the Settings menu. You can usually find this by clicking on the gear icon in the top right corner of the home screen or by holding the Home button on the remote and choosing Settings.
- On some setups, you might need to go into Device Preferences or System depending on the Android TV version. Not totally obvious, I know. For example, in Android TV 14, it’s typically Settings > Device Preferences > System.
This is the first step because the default keyboard options are tucked away in these submenus, not in the main menu. Expect to spend a few seconds digging around if it’s your first time, and yes, sometimes the menus are a little inconsistent — of course, because Google likes to keep us guessing.
Navigate to System > Keyboard Settings
- In the Settings menu, find and open System. Then, look for Keyboard & Input Methods. Sometimes, it’s called Input & Accessibility, so keep an eye out.
- Here’s where the stuff actually happens. You’ll often see your default keyboard listed, like Gboard or whatever you’ve installed. If you don’t see it right away, scroll around, or check if you need to run the keyboard app directly for some extra setup options.
Because of how Android TV is built, sometimes it doesn’t display options as fully as on a phone or tablet. If you want to really dig, pulling up the keyboard app’s settings directly can sometimes help. For Gboard, you can do that by going into Settings > Apps > See all apps > Gboard.
Adjust Gboard Language Settings — Turn Off the ‘Use System Languages’ Option
- Within the Keyboard & Input Methods menu, tap on your current keyboard (like Gboard). Then, find Languages or Language Settings. Sometimes, you might need to open Gboard Settings — for that, hold down the keyboard icon or go into the app directly.
- Look for an option called Use System Languages. This is usually enabled by default, which restricts you to one language or a limited set. Disable it to unlock the ability to add multiple languages. In simple terms, this thing is what’s blocking you from having a bunch of options available.
This part is key — because on a lot of setups, Google’s default is to prohibit multiple language switches unless you disable that toggle. Not sure why it’s hidden or enabled by default, but that’s just Android TV being annoying.
Add Multiple Keyboard Languages
- Once you’ve turned off Use System Languages, go back to the Languages menu inside Gboard settings. You should see options to add new languages — think of it as choosing your favorite dialects or scripts.
- Select the languages you regularly use, like Arabic, Chinese, or French. In some cases, you’ll have to download the language pack, so give it a moment to fetch the necessary files. On newer versions, you might see a plus button or an “Add language” option.
Pro tip: don’t just add everything under the sun unless you really need it; it can slow down your keyboard and make it more cluttered than necessary. But on one setup it worked, and on another, not so much — sometimes it’s just a matter of waiting for the system to catch up.
Test and Switch Between Keyboards
- Now, head back to the home screen or any app that has a text input — like Google Search or YouTube comments. Pull up the keyboard, and look for a language switch button. On Gboard, it’s typically a globe icon or a dedicated language button.
- On some remotes, or if you’re using a physical keyboard connected via Bluetooth or USB, you might need to switch languages using hardware shortcuts or the on-screen switcher. Some folks also press and hold the OK button while on the keyboard to bring up a language menu.
Be aware that switching languages sometimes fails on the first try—kind of weird, but re-entering the input field or restarting the app can make it work. Since Android TV can be flaky, it’s worth trying a few different methods if it’s not switching smoothly.
Revert the Changes if Necessary
- If things get messy, or if you want to go back to default: go into Settings > System > Keyboard & Input Methods again.
- Enable Use System Languages to restore the original setup. This will limit your language options back to whatever Google TV defaults are, but sometimes this is necessary if multi-keyboard setup causes problems.
Hey, sometimes Google’s menus are weird, and resetting is the easiest fix. Just keep in mind, toggling this setting back on might make language switching go back to being a chore.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
- Check if your Google TV is running the latest software version. Sometimes updates improve keyboard support or fix bugs.
- If switching still doesn’t work, double-check you actually added the keybords in the correct spot — it sounds obvious, but sometimes you’re adjusting the wrong settings.
- Consider installing third-party keyboards like AnySoftKeyboard or SwiftKey if Gboard is giving trouble. Sometimes they handle switching better in Android TV environments.
Wrap-up
Getting multiple keyboards working on Google TV Streamer 4K isn’t ridiculously complicated once you figure out where the settings hide. The main hurdle is disabling Use System Languages because that toggle’s hidden deep down or enabled by default. After that, it’s mostly about selecting your languages, testing, and switching smoothly. Expect some trial and error — Android TV is kinda inconsistent that way — but in the end, it’s worth it if you need to type in multiple languages regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can third-party keyboards support multiple languages on Google TV?
In many cases, yes. You just need to install the app, set it up in the Keyboard & Input Methods menu, and turn off Use System Languages. Just keep in mind, compatibility varies, and some third-party keyboards might handle language switches better.
What do I do if the language switch button isn’t showing up?
Make sure you’ve added multiple languages in the keyboard settings, and that Use System Languages is turned off. Sometimes, a quick restart of the device or re-entering the keyboard helps reset it.
Are there limits to how many keyboards or languages I can add?
There’s generally no strict limit, but your device’s storage and performance might suffer if you add too many. Also, some apps aren’t great with certain languages or layouts, so test out what works well for you.