Microsoft to Kill Off SwiftKey for iOS and Delist From App Store on October 5

[Shirasaki]

Get an Android if you want options. I really don't understand why you'd bother with an iPhone.

How exactly are they locking you out of getting an android phone?

Exactly what is going to break in your world if you don’t have an iPhone? Maybe your Apple Watch won’t work but then you buy the matching watch if you want to.

Comments like this show a sheer and utter lack of understanding of each individual’s migration cost, mostly time, and money. Yes, nothing stops those people to also buy an android phone and use android instead. But no. To make android similarly useable for said individual, it would take days or even weeks of constant struggle for apps, contacts, calendars etc to get migrated, if it is at all possible. Apple Watch, AirPods and other smaller things are just icing on the cake.

One would not migrate to another system the individual is not familiar with unless situation calls For it. And to them, voicing frustration on the bad part of iOS and iDevices is way cheaper than going for android.

 

[genovelle]

You mean access like them extracting every keystroke to figure out how to market to you in secret. They didn’t want to comply with the transparency requirements.

 

[svish]

Extremely disappointed. SwiftKey is my default keyboard. Saved IPA using iMazing. Hopefully this will allow me to use it in an iPhone which I purchase in the future.

 

[genovelle]

Siri (multilingual support) is here from iPhone 4S: 2011.
11 yrs later most of its services in English aren’t disposable yet in other countries. “We can’t innovate anymore my ass! (2013?)” 🤦🏽
We got Dinamic Gimmick.

They are slow to roll out to other countries because the legal climate they have to navigate in many of those countries make it not worth the effort or at least really difficult to accomplish.

 

[einsteinbqat]

The thing is, Apple DOES make a number row. I’ve seen it on a friend’s iPhone (stock, no jailbreak). I just wonder why they don’t make it available to all languages.

[EDIT] Forgot to mention, the keyboard layout is Vietnamese VNI.

 

[kasakka]

Those saying this isn't a big blow, congratulations you speak a majority language.

There would be no need for things like Swiftkey if Apple's own keyboard wasn't such a subpar experience for many languages where even things like prediction are not available and the auto-correct cannot in any way sensibly handle the language's particularities while Swiftkey could.

This is all on Apple who in 2022 does not support prediction for my language when I had that on an Android keyboard back in 2013 already.

Apple should get the blame here for dropping the ball on their own keyboard functionalities as well as support for custom keyboards. Having to roll your own prediction from scratch meant that it was pretty impossible for smaller developers to do.

 

[russell_314]

You're right, Apple's move is worse. They removed Dark Sky from the Play store and they are shutting it down completely on 1/1 so you can't even use it if you still have it (which I do). At least MS is letting you still use it as long as you have it on your device. Also, they are only integrating it (poorly IMO) into their native weather app so they can only take advantage of it while MS just said it's not worth keeping it there because they can't improve it the way they'd like with Apple's restrictions.

Well, I guess if you really love Microsoft, that’s a way to look at it. The way I look at it is they shut it down only on their competitors product but kept it on someone’s product they work with. Again just a typical anti-competitive move for Microsoft.

 

[russell_314]

Comments like this show a sheer and utter lack of understanding of each individual’s migration cost, mostly time, and money. Yes, nothing stops those people to also buy an android phone and use android instead. But no. To make android similarly useable for said individual, it would take days or even weeks of constant struggle for apps, contacts, calendars etc to get migrated, if it is at all possible. Apple Watch, AirPods and other smaller things are just icing on the cake.

One would not migrate to another system the individual is not familiar with unless situation calls For it. And to them, voicing frustration on the bad part of iOS and iDevices is way cheaper than going for android.

No, I’m not going to buy the whole oh I’m stuck on the apple ecosystem and I can’t leave argument. Sure, at this very moment, you may not be able to afford another phone but at some point you bought the phone that’s in your hand. At some point in the future you’re going to buy another phone. At that point you can decide you want to do something different. instead of acting like you’re incapable of switching to a different brand.

If you’re unhappy with the brand or product, it’s costing you money and frustration keeping something that you don’t like. As I said, you may not be able to do it today, but when it comes down to phone replacement time which everyone does buy a new phone at some point, that’s the time to switch. I think with most people they could do this anytime they want if they really wanted to. I’m sure some people have a really tight budget where they couldn’t afford to buy another phone.

What I think is going on for a lot of people is I’m stuck in the iOS ecosystem means there isn’t something else better. I could go to android and be completely under Google or I can stay on iOS. in that sense. I’m also stuck in the iOS ecosystem. I think there could be major improvements, but the alternative is much worse.

 

[laszlo182]

can’t they just give it back to who they bought it from?

 

[chatin]

Them mac programmers are spensive.

 

[solq]

No, I’m not going to buy the whole oh I’m stuck on the apple ecosystem and I can’t leave argument. Sure, at this very moment, you may not be able to afford another phone but at some point you bought the phone that’s in your hand. At some point in the future you’re going to buy another phone. At that point you can decide you want to do something different. instead of acting like you’re incapable of switching to a different brand.

If you’re unhappy with the brand or product, it’s costing you money and frustration keeping something that you don’t like. As I said, you may not be able to do it today, but when it comes down to phone replacement time which everyone does buy a new phone at some point, that’s the time to switch. I think with most people they could do this anytime they want if they really wanted to. I’m sure some people have a really tight budget where they couldn’t afford to buy another phone.

What I think is going on for a lot of people is I’m stuck in the iOS ecosystem means there isn’t something else better. I could go to android and be completely under Google or I can stay on iOS. in that sense. I’m also stuck in the iOS ecosystem. I think there could be major improvements, but the alternative is much worse.

Often iPhone owners invest in Apple-only related things such as the Apple Watch or some AirPlay music playback or perhaps some printer that only works well with AirPrint and they don't want to lose that functionality or buy replacements for those things too, on top of replacing the phone and whatever apps you might have bought. Leaving the iPhone can turn out to be a costly proposition and this is by Apple's design, they can practically write the manual on vendor lock-in.

It's technically true that nobody is "stuck", you can always switch. But it can be much harder than merely replacing a phone.

 

[Annv]

It's entirely Apple's fault that 3rd party keyboard developers are leaving the platform:

If you’re wondering why SwiftKey is being discontinued on iOS but not on Android, look no further than Apple’s absolutely, insanely terrible 3rd-party keyboard APIs.

Michael Tsai - Blog - Microsoft Discontinuing SwiftKey for iOS

mjtsai.com

It's with a heavy heart today that we're announcing the discontinuation of our award-winning iPhone keyboard for blind users. Apple has thrown us obstacle after obstacle for years while we try to provide an app to improve people's lives, and we can no longer endure their abuse.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1427292830523744257

 

[russell_314]

Often iPhone owners invest in Apple-only related things such as the Apple Watch or some AirPlay music playback or perhaps some printer that only works well with AirPrint and they don't want to lose that functionality or buy replacements for those things too, on top of replacing the phone and whatever apps you might have bought. Leaving the iPhone can turn out to be a costly proposition and this is by Apple's design, they can practically write the manual on vendor lock-in.

It's technically true that nobody is "stuck", you can always switch. But it can be much harder than merely replacing a phone.

It sounds like that was a choice by the person buying the products and not a conspiracy by Apple to lock them into a brand. I’m not sure what printer only works well with Apple but that’s a weird choice. I’ve had no problems with Cannon and HP printers with printing on both Windows, Mac and iOS. The only Apple product that I could say might be considered locked in is the Apple Watch. Every other Apple product will work with non-Apple devices. Of course, there’s going to be limitations, but the same can be for other brands.

Also, the implication that you can’t have non-Apple devices just because you have Apple devices is just ridiculous. Most people with an iPhone don’t even have a Mac or other Apple device. I have a friend with an android phone that’s “locked in” to the Apple ecosystem with Apple Music. I prefer Spotify, but that’s her choice. I personally have several Chromebooks, a Windows PC, android TV, Amazon Kindle and at one point I had an android tablet. Someone failed to tell Tim Cook that I escaped from being locked in to the Apple ecosystem 😂

 

[solq]

It sounds like that was a choice by the person buying the products and not a conspiracy by Apple to lock them into a brand. I’m not sure what printer only works well with Apple but that’s a weird choice. I’ve had no problems with Cannon and HP printers with printing on both Windows, Mac and iOS. The only Apple product that I could say might be considered locked in is the Apple Watch. Every other Apple product will work with non-Apple devices. Of course, there’s going to be limitations, but the same can be for other brands.

Also, the implication that you can’t have non-Apple devices just because you have Apple devices is just ridiculous. Most people with an iPhone don’t even have a Mac or other Apple device. I have a friend with an android phone that’s “locked in” to the Apple ecosystem with Apple Music. I prefer Spotify, but that’s her choice. I personally have several Chromebooks, a Windows PC, android TV, Amazon Kindle and at one point I had an android tablet. Someone failed to tell Tim Cook that I escaped from being locked in to the Apple ecosystem 😂

I think it's more fuzzy. There's more than Apple Watch - for example HomePod products that only work with Apple, because they only have AirPlay and no other protocol.

Then for other products, like AirPods for example, they do technically work with non-Apple devices but do so badly or without being able to fully utilize their capabilities.

Nobody's saying anything about a "conspiracy". It's just often very hard and expensive to leave Apple and this is very much by design, not necessarily because the products themselves are amazing or unbeatable.

A person would have to be quite deliberate, like you (and me), in choosing their tech to avoid feeling trapped.

It's sad that iPhone users will have one less keyboard option, it's not like there were many to begin with. It is unkind and rather thoughtless of you to say "put up with it or switch to Android".

 

[russell_314]

I think it's more fuzzy. There's more than Apple Watch - for example HomePod products that only work with Apple, because they only have AirPlay and no other protocol.

Well, to be honest, if you’re buying a HomePod, then you put yourself in the Apple ecosystem. That’s like I think the last thing people buy if they’re really trying to be all Apple. I bought one just as a speaker and I don’t like Google or Amazon but it’s not very good. I think that’s a deliberate choice to make yourself into the Apple ecosystem especially since other devices will work just fine even if you have an iPhone and iMac. Most of my friends with Apple stuff have an Alexa because they say it’s better. I haven’t tested it but I’m tempted.

Then for other products, like AirPods for example, they do technically work with non-Apple devices but do so badly or without being able to fully utilize their capabilities.

The same could be said with Samsung or Google buds. They have unique features that work with their brands. Most of these features are just convenience. Everyone talks about how amazing AirPods pair, but seriously how often do people pair their Bluetooth devices? I pair them once and then they’re good to go.

Nobody's saying anything about a "conspiracy". It's just often very hard to leave and expensive to leave Apple and this is very much by design, not necessarily because the products themselves are amazing or unbeatable.

By conspiracy I mean, people are acting like Apple is purposely making it difficult for people to buy other brands of products. With the Apple Watch, you might be able to say this, but not with any of the other products.

A person would have to be quite deliberate, like you (and me), in choosing their tech to avoid feeling trapped.

A person would have to be quite deliberate in choosing their tech to make themselves trapped. You have people that go out and buy the entire Apple Store then complain oh no, Apple has trapped me in their ecosystem. Also, if you buy out the Apple Store you can always sell your Apple stuff and go by the Samsung or Google store out. I have three Apple watches right now so I think I’m in that category if you want to say I’m trapped with iPhone. I can put these things for sale and buy that new Pixel watch easily. It does look nice 🤤

It's sad that iPhone users will have one less keyboard option, it's not like there were many to begin with. It is unkind and rather thoughtless of you to say "put up with it or switch to Android".

I wasn’t the one that said that and I don’t agree with that. I think that person was trying to poke someone into responding. I used SwiftKey for a while, but recently switched to the original keyboard mainly because I didn’t like the fact that Microsoft bought it. I knew that was going to be bad and I was right. I think Apple needs to do something about this. Maybe they can just dump some cash into developers so they will make keyboards. I would love to see more third party keyboards like they have on android.

I think I mentioned in another post or maybe it’s another thread, I’m not sure, that I think the reason why there are so few third party keyboards is because there isn’t money in it. Nowadays, app devs love subscriptions, so other than Grammarly how would they make a keyboard with a subscription, and who would buy it? Initial one time purchases just aren’t as profitable. Then of course there’s ads, but even if they could put some crazy ads in your keyboard, which I don’t think they can do, who would want a keyboard with ads popping up? Even if it was a better keyboard, that would be super annoying.

 

[_Spinn_]

I've never even bothered to try out a third-party keyboard.

 

[bruno7]

I've gotten into the habit of backing up the apps I like - just in case something like this happens.

I already have quite a few .ipa files in a special folder and use iMazing to install on any iPhone, old or new.

Sure, the app will probably stop working one day but until this day comes, I can still enjoy it.

Take Spark for iOS, for example - they messed up the latest version so much that I've been using the old one 2.3 ever since and without any problems.

Nevertheless it is just so stupid how these companies shut down great products and apps every now and then.
Maybe they're bored and they just want to p**s us off.

 

[Janichsan]

Those saying this isn't a big blow, congratulations you speak a majority language.

There would be no need for things like Swiftkey if Apple's own keyboard wasn't such a subpar experience for many languages where even things like prediction are not available and the auto-correct cannot in any way sensibly handle the language's particularities while Swiftkey could.

Even if you do use what you call "majority languages" is Apple's keyboard just inferior. In my experience does SwiftKey's multilanguage support and prediction run circles around Apple's. It's simply better.

 

[manonfire]

I mean the main reason why these third party keyboards are failing is because of the incredibly restrictive memory allocations apple allows for 3rd party keyboards vs their own. Here is a previous reddit discussion regarding manipulation of the memory limit and improved performance going back to iOS 12. I can confirm that these issues and crashes were fixed by simply doubling the limit from 64 -> 128 on iOS 14.5 on both my M1 iPad Pro and iPhone 11 Pro.

https://www.reddit.com/r/jailbreak/comments/c2sco4

It's a shame because increasing the memory limit would allow for such a better experience with many apps considering how much a keyboard is used daily.

 

[xyz01]

Also: This functionality is built into iOS now

Nah. The ios native keyboard sucks - a lot. E.g. it doesn't support swipe for more than a couple of languages. It doesn't support Norwegian, to list the one that matters most to me.

I'll be missing SwiftKey - it's so much better than the native one. Apple has prioritized worthless junk like shareplay and memojis over working on the keyboard.

 

[xyz01]

It only works for a few languages, actually.


Swiping yes, multi-language not really.

Swiping also only works for a couple of languages.

 

[AsherN]

Th iOS keyboard is such trash. No option for a number row. No easy way to add punctuation besides periods. Apple needs to spend resources on fixing existing problems instead of adding gimmicks.

I use SwiftKey almost exclusively for the multi-punctuation of the "." key.

 

[russell_314]

Nah. The ios native keyboard sucks - a lot. E.g. it doesn't support swipe for more than a couple of languages. It doesn't support Norwegian, to list the one that matters most to me.

I'll be missing SwiftKey - it's so much better than the native one. Apple has prioritized worthless junk like shareplay and memojis over working on the keyboard.

Apple prioritizes what prioritizes what they think most people will want. What’s worthless to you isn’t worthless to someone else. Typing in Norwegian is completely worthless to me. Now that I think about it, SharePlay and memojis are pretty worthless to me as well 🤦‍♂️😂

 

[brijazz]

Saved IPA using iMazing

Like you, I want to save my SwiftKey IPA. I've just installed iMazing but can't figure out how to save the IPA! In 'Manage Apps' there's an option to Back Up App Data but that doesn't save the IPA - how do you do that?

 

[bruno7]

Like you, I want to save my SwiftKey IPA. I've just installed iMazing but can't figure out how to save the IPA! In 'Manage Apps' there's an option to Back Up App Data but that doesn't save the IPA - how do you do that?

In the Manage Apps window you can see status of each app on the right side - you need to download the app to the Library first, using either command or the cloud icon. When it's in the Library, you can then export it wherever you wish.

Then, when you have a new device or you accidentally delete the app, you can just import .IPA file back to the Library and install.