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Switching Layouts

Switch between installed keyboard layouts using key actions or swipe gestures.

Quick Summary

WhatDescription
PurposeChange active keyboard layout
MethodsAssigned key swipes, Shift key swipe
LayoutsBetween all enabled layouts

Switching Methods

Method 1: Shift Key Swipes (Default)

On the default layout, the Shift key has layout switching:

  1. Swipe right on Shift → Next layout (switch_forward)
  2. Swipe left on Shift → Previous layout (switch_backward)

[!NOTE] The exact swipe directions depend on your layout. Check the subkeys on your Shift key.

Method 2: Custom Key Assignment

Assign layout switching to any key via Per-Key Customization:

  1. Go to Settings > Per-Key Customization (in Activities section)
  2. Select any key
  3. Assign switch_forward or switch_backward to a swipe direction
  4. Save your customization

Method 3: Extra Keys

Add dedicated layout switching keys:

  1. Go to Settings > Extra Keys (in Activities section)
  2. Add switch_forward or switch_backward to your extra keys row
  3. Tap the key to switch layouts

Layout Indicator

When you switch layouts, the current layout name appears briefly on the spacebar.

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  ┌───┐ ┌───┐ ┌───┐ ┌───┐ ┌───┐     │
│  │ Q │ │ W │ │ E │ │ R │ │ T │     │
│  └───┘ └───┘ └───┘ └───┘ └───┘     │
│           ...                       │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────┐│
│  │         QWERTY EN               ││ ← Layout shown on spacebar
│  └─────────────────────────────────┘│
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

Managing Layouts

Enable/Disable Layouts

Control which layouts appear in rotation:

  1. Go to Settings and scroll to Multi-Language section
  2. Configure your enabled languages/layouts
  3. Only enabled layouts are included in switching

Immediate vs Delayed Switching

SettingBehavior
ImmediateLayout switches instantly on key action
DelayedLayout changes after releasing the key

Configure in Settings under the layout/input behavior options.

Tips and Tricks

  • Two languages: If you only use 2 layouts, switching always toggles between them
  • Learn your subkeys: Check Shift key subkeys for default switch actions
  • Custom placement: Put switch keys where they’re most convenient for you
  • Visual feedback: Watch the spacebar for current layout confirmation

[!TIP] For bilingual typing, consider using Multi-Language mode instead of switching layouts. It suggests words from both languages simultaneously.

Multi-Language Alternative

Instead of switching layouts, you can type in multiple languages on one layout:

  1. Go to Settings > Multi-Language section
  2. Enable a Secondary Language
  3. Both language dictionaries work simultaneously
  4. See Multi-Language for details

Available Actions

ActionDescription
switch_forwardSwitch to next layout
switch_backwardSwitch to previous layout
switch_textSwitch to text keyboard

Settings

SettingLocationDescription
Primary LanguageMulti-Language sectionMain language
Secondary LanguageMulti-Language sectionAdditional dictionary
Switch Input ImmediateInput settingsInstant vs delayed switch

Common Questions

Q: How do I quickly switch between two languages?

A: If you only have 2 layouts enabled, any switch action toggles between them. Alternatively, enable Multi-Language mode for simultaneous bilingual typing.

Q: Where are the layout switch keys?

A: By default, check the Shift key subkeys (swipe to see). You can also assign switch actions to any key via Per-Key Customization.

Q: Can I have different layouts per app?

A: Per-app layouts are not currently supported. The active layout is global across all apps.

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