Typing in Macedonian requires setting up a Cyrillic keyboard layout on your device.

This allows you to write the unique letters of the Macedonian alphabet without relying on tedious copy-and-paste methods.

Adding a new keyboard language is completely free and takes only a minute on any modern operating system.

Once installed, you can quickly switch back and forth between English and Macedonian at any time.

If you want to practice using your new keyboard, I highly recommend completing the interactive writing exercises on Talk In Macedonian.

Before we look at the exact steps for your specific device, you need to understand the two different Macedonian keyboard layouts available to you.

Standard vs. phonetic Macedonian keyboards

When you install a Macedonian keyboard, you’ll often see two distinct choices.

The first option is the standard layout.

This is the exact layout based on the physical keyboards sold in the Balkans.

The second option is the phonetic layout.

This layout matches the Macedonian Cyrillic letters to their English QWERTY equivalents.

If you’re an English speaker, the phonetic layout is incredibly easy to learn.

Pressing the letter “A” types “А”, and pressing the letter “V” types “В”.

Mac devices offer an excellent built-in phonetic option called Macedonian QWERTY.

Windows currently only provides the standard layout by default.

Because many people are forced to use the standard layout, I’ve included a helpful typing cheat sheet at the bottom of this guide.

How to install a Macedonian keyboard on Windows

Adding a new language layout in Windows 10 and Windows 11 only takes a few clicks.

1. Open your Start menu and click on the Settings gear icon.
2. Click on Time & Language from the main settings menu.
3. Select Language & Region from the sidebar.
4. Click the Add a language button under the Preferred languages section.
5. Search for Macedonian in the search bar.
6. Select Macedonian from the list and click Next, then click Install.

Once installed, you can easily switch between English and Macedonian.

Simply hold down the Windows Key and press the Spacebar to cycle through your installed keyboards.

How to install a Macedonian keyboard on Mac

Apple makes it very easy to add both standard and phonetic Macedonian keyboards.

1. Open System Settings from your Apple menu.
2. Scroll down and click on Keyboard in the left sidebar.
3. Under the Text Input section, click the Edit button next to Input Sources.
4. Click the small plus (+) icon at the bottom left of the window.
5. Search for Macedonian in the search bar.
6. Select your preferred layout (I highly recommend Macedonian - QWERTY) and click Add.

To switch languages while typing, you can press the fn (Globe) key or use the Control + Space shortcut.

How to install a Macedonian keyboard on iPhone and iPad

Installing the Cyrillic keyboard on iOS will allow you to send texts and emails in Macedonian.

1. Open the Settings app on your home screen.
2. Tap on General.
3. Tap on Keyboard, and then tap Keyboards again at the top of the screen.
4. Select Add New Keyboard from the list.
5. Search for Macedonian and tap it to add it to your active keyboards.

When you bring up your keyboard in any app, tap the globe icon in the bottom left corner to switch to Cyrillic.

How to install a Macedonian keyboard on Android

If you use an Android device with Gboard, you can add Macedonian in the app settings.

1. Open any app where you can type to bring up your keyboard on the screen.
2. Tap the gear icon located just above the keyboard to open your Settings.
3. Tap Languages, and then tap Add keyboard at the bottom.
4. Scroll or search for Macedonian and select it.
5. Tap Done to save your changes.

To change languages while typing, simply swipe your spacebar to the left or right.

Macedonian keyboard layout cheat sheet

If you’re using the standard layout on Windows, some of the letters are hidden in confusing places.

The standard letters like A, O, E, and K are generally where you expect them to be.

However, the unique Macedonian letters are mapped to the punctuation keys and the edges of the keyboard.

Use the table below to find exactly where the hardest Cyrillic letters are located on a physical US English keyboard.