How to add the Arabic keyboard on iPhone

1. 01

   Open Settings

   Tap the Settings app.

2. 02

   Go to General → Keyboard

   Tap General, then Keyboard, then Keyboards at the top.

   Screenshot · Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards

3. 03

   Add New Keyboard

   Tap Add New Keyboard…

4. 04

   Pick Arabic

   Scroll down to Arabic. You'll see a few options:

   —Arabic — the standard layout most people want

   —Arabic (Najdi) — Saudi dialect variations

   —Arabic (PC) — matches the Windows/Mac PC layout

   If you're using arabictyper.com, pick Arabic (PC) so the layout matches what you're learning. Otherwise Arabic is fine.

   Screenshot · Add New Keyboard with Arabic options

5. 05

   Done

   That's it. Tap the keyboard you added to confirm.

Open any app where you can type — Notes, Messages, anywhere. Tap the keyboard to bring it up, then tap and hold the globe icon (🌐) at the bottom-left. Choose Arabic from the list. Quick tap on the globe icon cycles through your keyboards if you only have a few installed.

When you switch to Arabic, your cursor automatically moves to the right side of the text field — that's correct. Arabic reads right-to-left, so this is how it should look.

iOS uses a touch-optimised Arabic layout — the keys are larger and there are fewer of them than on desktop. If you also type Arabic on a laptop, the desktop keyboard layout reference will look familiar.

Set up Arabic on…