How to add the Arabic keyboard on Mac

1. 01

   Open System Settings

   Click the Apple menu in the top-left, then System Settings. (On older macOS versions this is called System Preferences.)

2. 02

   Go to Keyboard

   Scroll down in the sidebar and click Keyboard.

   Screenshot · System Settings → Keyboard

3. 03

   Open Input Sources

   Find the Input Sources section and click Edit.

4. 04

   Add Arabic

   Click the + button in the bottom-left. Scroll down to Arabic, or type "Arabic" in the search box. You'll see a few options — Arabic, Arabic – PC, Arabic – AZERTY, and so on. Pick Arabic – PC if you want the same layout used on Windows (this is what most learners want, and what arabictyper.com uses).

   Screenshot · Input Sources dialog with Arabic – PC selected

5. 05

   Add and done

   Click Add. You're done.

The fastest way: press Control + Space to switch between your input sources. You can also click the input menu in the menu bar (the small flag or letter icon at the top right) and pick the language. If you don't see the input menu, go back to Keyboard settings and turn on Show Input menu in menu bar.

Arabic – PC uses the standard Arabic 101 layout, the same one used on Windows. Your physical keys still show English letters, so it helps to keep a layout reference handy while you learn.

Set up Arabic on…