iOS Custom Keyboard Megathread

[Shawzborne]

Hi Everyone,

This will be the thread which we together will keep updated with the list of companies/apps/links of the custom keyboards available for iOS 8.

You can read here, how to install a keyboard.
This and this are the limitations of third party keyboards.

Some important things you need to know:

1) Apple currently does not make the Siri dictation feature available to developers, so unless the developers develop their own dictation technology/feature. See also the keyboard developers page.

Since iOS8.1 there is a new “Enable Dictation toggle” in Settings > General > Keyboards. This allows you to toggle dictation for the Apple keyboards that you have enabled in the Settings.
Third-party keyboards gain a dictation option to use a third-party service (e.g. Google Voice Dictation, Dragon Dictation from Swype (which already has a separate iOS app) as opposed to Siri.

2) Apple currently does not allow split keyboard feature (iPad, larger iPhones) to be used by 3rd party keyboard developers. See also the keyboard developers page.

3) Some keyboards like SwiftKey ask for Full Access, others like Swype don't need it to be able to use it. 3rd party keyboards do not have access to personal information (passwords, bankaccount) which is entered in fields where this is needed, this is why the Apple keyboard kicks in when you need to enter such info within an app/website. Apple does not allow them too. In order to make predictive text suggestions, sometimes these keyboards need to send what you're typing to their cloud engine (e.g SwiftKey). Be sure to read their privacy policies to make sure you're comfortable with how they use your data. See also a good article about 3rd party keyboards and full access rights here, here and also this great article.

4) To get the best experience with a 3rd party keyboard please change the order/default keyboard in keyboard settings. Go into Settings -> General -> Keyboard and click edit.. it will let you drag the keyboards from top to bottom. Put the one you want first at top so e.g. 'Path Input' and then the Apple keyboard. It's best to reboot your iDevice to take effect. Then from that point on the first keyboard is the default before the Apple keyboard.

5) Please check the website and/or app description if your language is supported in the app you would like to use/buy.

6) Some 3rd party keyboards do not work correctly in apps. Swype gives this response:

Why can’t I see the text I am entering in some applications?

In some applications text fields are not correctly responding to the height of the keyboard (like the App Store review text field, arg!). This is an iOS 8 platform constraint and we are working with Apple to get it resolved.

7) At present there is an incompatibility in iOS 8 (8.0.2) between Guided Access and third party keyboards. To use third party keyboards you need to turn off Guided Access in the Settings app.

Go to the Settings app > Go to General > Scroll to Accessibility > Select Accessibility > Go to Guided Access and turn it OFF

8) Apple did say that a bug was fixed in iOS8.1 beta 1 related to third party keyboards

Third-party keyboards work with Guided Access enabled

(source: topic here at macrumors)

This is on Apple release notes page for 8.1 Beta in regards to the keyboard(s):

Fixed in iOS 8.1 Beta
Network access gets disabled after adding a new keyboard from the same bundle.
Custom Keyboards may go blank after app switching.
Known Issue
3rd party keyboards may not appear in Safari, Maps or 3rd party apps on the Simulator.

Workaround: Keyboards should be testable in Calendar, Spotlight, Contacts, and Photos.

source: Apple.com)

Known issues still in 8.1 beta 2:

* Deleting an Apple Keyboard and having only a 3rd party one results in only the Apple keyboard coming up.
* Still have been able to get the keyboard to not show. Spotlight just did it to me.

(source: topic here at macrumors)

Swipe/Gesture complete words Keyboards:

Swype | Swype app 0,99 dollar | 29 languages supported (5 in the app, rest of languages need to be downloaded | Does not need full access rights | you temporary need to give 'full access' to download and select your language, you can turn it off again after that and still swipe words. | optional full access rights (link), you can reject and still use, although the word prediction won't 'learn' your word use, you need to give full access if you use Guided Access accessibility mode | offers language-specific layouts (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY)

Microsoft Word Flow keyboard | Word Flow keyboard app, free (register for beta) | currently only in English (more languages expected) Does not need full access rights to swipe words | for some feat needs full access rights| unknown if it will offer language-specific layouts

Google GBoard | Gboard app, free | currently supports (only) 21 languages | doesn't need full acess rights to swipe words (also for other languages). For GIF, Google, voice dictation you need full access.

GO Keyboard | GO Keyboard app free | 36 languages supported | Does not need full access rights if your using the English keyboard | You temporary need to give 'full access' to download and select another language then English, you can turn it off again after that and still swipe words. Please note that for some features you still need to turn on full access to use it. | offers language-specific layouts (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY)

Path Input | Path Input iPhone app, 3,99 dollar | Path Input iPad app, 3,99 dollar | Path Input+ 5,99 dollar (iPhone and iPad) - Input+ only has feature to support two languages at once | 37 languages supported | does not need full access rights | optional full access rights, you can reject and still use, although the word prediction won't 'learn' your word use | offers language-specific layouts (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY)

|

Nintype Keyboard | Nintype Keyboard app | 4,99 dollar | 14 languages supported | Type in up to two languages at once, without changing any settings. | does not need full access rights | offers language-specific layouts (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY)

TouchPal | TouchPal app free | 13 languages supported | does not need full access rights if your using the English keyboard | needs full access rights if your using another language e.g. Dutch | optional full access rights (link) - not needed, although many features like language switching and themes need the full access to read the language data and themes from the settings app | supports typing shortcuts if the case matches (e.g., "zzsd" expands properly while "Zzsd" doesn't)

Swiftkey | Swiftkey app free | 30 languages supported | Type in up to two languages at once, without changing any settings. | needs full access rights (link) - mandatory, full access is needed to use, requires Full Access for all functionality beyond very basic typing, including its word prediction technology and SwiftKey Flow input method. Its cloud back-up and profile sync product also clearly require Full Access.

Slash Keyboard | Free | official website | needs full access rights - mandatory also for word swiping

ReBoard: Revolutionary Keyboard | Free, with in-app purchases | By Gursimranjeet Singh | official website | swipe typing expected, currently in beta, needs full access rights - mandatory

Adaptxt | Adaptxt app (currently not in App Store 22/9/16), free | 90+ languages supported | needs full access rights (link) - mandatory | offers language-specific layouts (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY and more)

Swipe keyboard | Swipe keyboard app, Free | 1 language supported (English) | unknown if it needs full access rights

Gesture keyboard | Gesture keyboard app, 1,99 dollar | 1 language supported (English) | no full access rights needed

======================================================

Other keyboards:

Microsoft Hub Keyboard | Hub Keyboard app | free (no swiping yet) | English only | no full access rights needed, only for additional features

Ai.type | ai.type keyboard app, free (no swiping yet) | ai.type keyboard Plus, 2,99 dollar (should have swiping / gesture type but not yet found how to turn on?) | 29 languages supported | no full access rights needed |

Next Keyboard | Next Keyboard app, free | does not offer swiping feature yet in iOS app | official website | supported languages: only English for now | no full access rights needed |

Thingthing Keyboard | Thingthing Keyboard app free | needs full access rights - mandatory

Crimson Keyboard | Crimson Keyboard app 1,99 dollar | optional full access rights - you temporary need to give 'full access' to download and select your language (if other then English), you can turn it off again after that | 11 languages supported | offers language-specific layouts (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY)

Fleksy | Fleksy app 99 Cents | optional full access rights, you can reject and still use it except for personalizing predictions, social accounts, downloading additional language packs | offers language-specific layouts (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY) | two languages at once | supports typing shortcuts

Type Nine | Type Nine app 1,99 dollar | 29 languages supported | no full access rights needed

Markdown Keyboard | 4,99 dollar | by Lau Brothers LLC | official website | 1 language supported: English (for now) | needs full access rights - mandatory

For image see here (limitation of amount of images to show here).

ProType | 2,99 dollar | by NCDOX | official website | optional full access rights, you only need to turn it on if you are an Enterprise users, which intend to use ProType with their MDM managed apps | 12 languages supported

For image see here (limitation of amount of images to show here).

Minuum | Minuum app (temporary) 1,99 dollar | optional full access rights, you can reject and still use it except for audio and to remember user keyboard customization preferences it needs full access

MyScript Stack keyboard | MyScript Stack app, free | needs full access rights - mandatory | 7 languages supported (for now)

TextExpander | TextExpander 3 app 4,99 dollar | needs full access rights (read here) - mandatory, needed for: to expand a text snippet, it needs to be able to look the snippet up in its database and to play sounds, such as key clicks and the expansion sound | 14 languages supported (for now) | offers language-specific layouts (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY and more)

Clips Keyboard (and widget) | Clips app, Free, in-app purchase | needs full access rights | article

For image see the App Store.

ThickButtons | ThickButtons app, 1.99 dollar | 32 languages supported | | optional full access rights, you can reject and still use if you want to use English language, for other languages you need to give full access |

Phraseboard | Phraseboard app, free | needs full access rights - mandatory

My Phrases Keyboard | My Phrases Keyboard app, free | needs full access rights - mandatory
For image see the App Store.

KuaiBoard | KuaiBoard (formerly QuickBoard) app 1,99 dollar | needs full access rights - mandatory, Allow Full Access is required for the KuaiBoard keyboard to insert your text clips and to get your current location, with your permission, when using LocationBoard

OftenType | OftenType app 1,99 dollar | needs full access rights - mandatory | 1 language supported (English)
For image see the App Store.

Crisp Email Template keyboard free, Pro in-app 1,99 dollar

WordBoard Keyboard 1,99 dollar

iKeywi | iKeywi app 0,99 dollar | needs full access rights - mandatory, Allow Full Access is required for the app to save and load your keyboard settings | also available in the Cydia store | 1 language supported (English)

Simple Keyboard | Simple Keyboard app free | optional full access rights - not needed

Translator Keyboard | Translator Keyboard app 1,99 dollar | translation keyboard

Interpreter | Interpreter app 0,99 dollar | translation keyboard

For image see the App Store.

Trype Keyboard | Trype Keyboard app 0,99 dollar | translation keyboard

For image see the App Store.

Slated | Slated - translation keyboard app 2,99 dollar | 80 languages supported | translation keyboard | needs full access rights - mandatory, Allow Full Access is required for the app

For image see the App Store.

Viskey | Viskey app, 4,99 dollar

Calcboard - Calculator keyboard | Calcboard - Calculator keyboard app Free

Ginger Keyboard + Page | Ginger Keyboard app, free

Blink Keyboard | Blink Keyboard app, free | one hand only | supports shortcuts

Squishkey | Squishkey app, free | one hand only

For image see the App Store.

One Handed Keyboard | One Handed Keyboard app, 1,99 dollar | one hand only

For image see the App Store.

KeySonic - Rock your Keyboard | KeySonic app free

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

Glyf: Unicode keyboard | Glyf: Unicode keyboard app, 0,99 dollar

Type | Type app, 0,99 dollar

Assistive wares Keedogo | Keedogo iPad only app, 1,99 dollar | Keedogo Plus iPad only app, 2,99 dollar | optional full access rights (link) - not needed

Roxie | Roxie app, free

For image see here

BrightKey | BrightKey app, free | needs full access rights - mandatory, Allow Full Access is required for the app to use keyboard sound and change color |

Kiwi | Kiwi app, free (in-app purchases)

Color Keyboards | Color Keyboards app, 99 Cents

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

Color Keyboard | Color Keyboard app, free

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

Colorful Keyboard Pro | Colorful Keyboard app, 1,99 dollar

Color Keyboard Extension | Color Keyboard app, free

For image see the App Store.

MyKees Keyboard | MyKees Keyboard app, 0,99 Cents

For image see the App Store.

Custom Keyboard | Custom Keyboard app, free

For image see the App Store.

Swipe Cursor | Swipe Cursor app, 0,99 dollar

For image see the App Store.

Morse Code Telegraph | Morse Code Telegraph app, 0,99 dollar

For image see the App Store.

Morse Keyboard Typer | Morse Keyboard Typer app, 0,99 dollar

For image see the App Store.

CooolApp | Coool app, 99 Cents

FunKeyboard | Fun KeyBoard app, 99 Cents

One Keyboard | One Keyboard app, free

Jot Keyboard | Jot Keyboard app, 0,99 dollar | needs full access rights - mandatory

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

Keymoji | Keymoji app, free

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

Emoji iKeyboard | Emoji iKeyboard app, free

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

GIF Keyboard | GIF Keyboard app, free | needs full access rights - mandatory

Popkey | Popkey app, free | needs full access rights - mandatory

100 Fonts keyboard | 100 Fonts keyboard app, free

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

Better Fonts Free | Better Fonts Free app, free

For image see App Store.

Emoji> | Emoji> app, free

For image see see App Store.

Emojiyo | Emojiyo app, free

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

EmoticonKeyboard | EmoticonKeyboard app, 0,99 dollar

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

Emoji++ | Emoji++ app, 0,99 dollar

For image see the App Store link.

Pimp My Keyboard Pro | Pimp My Keyboard Pro app, 1,99 dollar

For image see the App Store link.

K8 American keyboard | K8 American keyboard app, 0,99 dollar

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

Animated keyboard | Animated keyboard app, 0,99 dollar

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

ScribbleBoard | ScribbleBoard app, free

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

Snipskey | Snipskey app, free

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

Snipboard | Snipboard app, free

For image see the App Store. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

Themeboard | Themeboard app, free, in-app purchases needs full access rights - mandatory | multiple keyboards in 1 app

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

Big keyboard | Big keyboard app, free

no image available

FarsiKeys (Persian keyboard) | FarsiKeys app, 0,99 dollar

For image see the App Store.

Dvorak Keyboard | Dvorak Keyboard app, 0,99 dollar

For image see the App Store.

Sangam Keyboards (Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu) | Sangam Keyboards app, free

For image see the App Store.

Georgian Keyboard | Georgian Keyboard app, free

For image see the App Store.

Nepali Keyboard Pro | Nepali Keyboard Pro app, 0,99 dollar

For image see the App Store.

Kaomoji | Kaomoji app, free

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

AltKeyboard 2 - AKB (Coming Soon) / more info | already available in Cydia store

SwipeSelection Pro (Coming Soon) / more info | already available in Cydia store

Hodor (Coming Soon)

Gifmojis (Coming Soon)

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

Emoji Type (Coming Soon)

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

ScribbleKey (Coming Soon)

For image see here. Forum doesn't allow more then 40 images in a post.

TipType (Coming Soon)

Custom Keyboard Theme Extension | Custom Keyboard Theme Extension, 190+ Themes in one app. Special Price for Halloween $0.99

Nice website with iOS keyboards in overview (only short list for now): Keyboards.club

 

[Intell]

Why didn't you make your post a wiki post?

 

[DiscoMcDisco]

Why didn't you make your post a wiki post?

Most people probably still don't realise it exists, almost everyone I've seen has been in response to someone requesting it... plus not everyone can be trusted to keep it well formatted and clean.#controlfreak

Thanks for the thread Shawzborne!

 

[Shawzborne]

Most people probably still don't realise it exists, almost everyone I've seen has been in response to someone requesting it... plus not everyone can be trusted to keep it well formatted and clean.#controlfreak

Thanks for the thread Shawzborne!

You are welcome, and Yes I know you can make it a Wiki post.

But I didnt want someone coming in and deleting everything or something.

Im going to possibly make an iOS 8 Extension and possibly a iOS 8 widget thread maybe.

 

[Stuke00]

You are welcome, and Yes I know you can make it a Wiki post.

But I didnt want someone coming in and deleting everything or something.

Im going to possibly make an iOS 8 Extension and possibly a iOS 8 widget thread maybe.

You can always restore previous versions if someone does that.. Report it to a mod too.

 

[FSMBP]

You are welcome, and Yes I know you can make it a Wiki post.

But I didnt want someone coming in and deleting everything or something.

Im going to possibly make an iOS 8 Extension and possibly a iOS 8 widget thread maybe.

Thanks for starting this - very beneficial to see what will be initially offered!

 

[Shawzborne]

Thanks for starting this - very beneficial to see what will be initially offered!

I will be getting my hands on QuickBoard my first custom keyboard sometime today they are currently compiling a build for my devices



Edit: Im using Quickboard right now and its outstanding the world is gonna love it!

 

[Am3r1ca16]

I'm using the textexpander beta.

still buggy. Has no auto-correction.

 

[Shawzborne]

I'm using the textexpander beta.



still buggy. Has no auto-correction.

Ya to me it seems kind of lame I like QuickBoard better so far

 

[Am3r1ca16]

Ya to me it seems kind of lame I like QuickBoard better so far

Yeah. I'm just waiting for the Swype Keyboard.

 

[phositadc]

Yeah. I'm just waiting for the Swype Keyboard.

Ditto can't wait for swype!

 

[Shawzborne]

I'm looking forward to trying some of the themed keyboards like themeboard

 

[gigtome]

FYI -- Minuum has a bit more details here:
http://minuum.com/minuum-for-ios-preview/

 

[phositadc]

Do we know when any non-beta (I.e., final/stable) custom keyboards will actually be available to install?

Particularly interested in Swype and swiftkey. I'm hoping we don't have to wait too long after iOS 8 comes out!

 

[Shawzborne]

Do we know when any non-beta (I.e., final/stable) custom keyboards will actually be available to install?

Particularly interested in Swype and swiftkey. I'm hoping we don't have to wait too long after iOS 8 comes out!

Sometime after around the end of sept when ios 8 releases to the public. Then they will be allowed to submit those features to the App Store

 

[gigtome]

Sometime after around the end of sept when ios 8 releases to the public. Then they will be allowed to submit those features to the App Store

Sept 17th iOS 8 comes, so hopefully these keyboards will be more middle of sept than the tail end!

 

[Shaqq]

Can't wait for Swype and Swiftkey.

 

[fivedots]

I am quite disappointed that third party keyboards do not appear to be able to offer a dictation button. Would love Swiftkey or Swype but not being able to quickly access iOS's built in dictation is a deal breaker for me.

 

[aziatiklover]

I hope there will be a stock keyboard but with numbers on top.

 

[robmadden1]

I would love to see ikeywi brought out of the jailbreak world and into third pary keyboard usage where you don't need to be jailbroaken to use it.

 

[phillytim]

I got an email update from SwiftKey, who is targeting a September 17th launch.

Shame those of us with iOS 8 can't have it beforehand tho.

 

[Padmini]

Anything released yet? Nothing stopping these from being submitted to Apple/released now. Some will invariably come out before the 17th.

 

[SeanR1]

I would love to see ikeywi brought out of the jailbreak world and into third pary keyboard usage where you don't need to be jailbroaken to use it.

This is what I'm using on my ipad 3.

 

[phositadc]

I am quite disappointed that third party keyboards do not appear to be able to offer a dictation button.

Source? A huge disappointment if true.

 

[saxon48]

I am quite disappointed that third party keyboards do not appear to be able to offer a dictation button. Would love Swiftkey or Swype but not being able to quickly access iOS's built in dictation is a deal breaker for me.

Seriously? Wow. F-that.