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iOS Custom Keyboard Megathread

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The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.
MyScript is again available in the App Store. See link in TS.
The AssistiveWare 'Keedogo' iPad apps are available and I added them to TS.
I also added a Jot Keyboard and the expected app TipType

I also added a link to a TechCrunch article in regards to full access. For all major apps i've included the details if they need full access and why. It's up to you to decide if you want to use such keyboards by allowing full access. I won't.
 
I added again a few keyboards like the Calcboard which is a calculator keyboard, Gesture keyboard (swipe app which is temporary free, normal 2,99), Ginger keyboard (free) and a Dvorak keyboard. I also added a few language keyboards like (Farsi, Nepali, and one with Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu in it).

I found a lot more keyboards but most of them are more like existing ones in the TS so e.g. color keyboards, emoji.

The Path Input keyboard apps were recently been updated to support iPhone 6 (Plus) also when you are in app which hasn't been updated to support 6 (Plus).
The iPad version is also free untill the 11th of October.


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
Click to expand...
(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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
(source: topic here at macrumors)
 
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The swype keyboard with a permanent numbers row is now available: ai.type (free) although it seems that it doesn't include much features yet (although mentioned on their website) maybe these can be expected in future versions.

I've also added two new translate apps called 'Trype' and 'Interpreter'.
There is also another keyboard which can be operated with one hand called 'One Handed Keyboard' ;)
There are also two Morse code keyboards added and another Phrases keyboard called 'My Phrases Keyboard' see all in the TS.
 
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I quickly fell in love with Swype-type keyboards, but the frustration of trying to use them in Messages consistently is driving me nuts. Hopefully all these bugs will be sorted out in a few days.
 
ericg301 said:
I quickly fell in love with Swype-type keyboards, but the frustration of trying to use them in Messages consistently is driving me nuts. Hopefully all these bugs will be sorted out in a few days.
Click to expand...


Agreed. Having to use stock keyboard only right now. Super frustrating coming back to iOS from Android and not being able to use this consistently yet.
 
iOS 8 update?

fishmd said:
Agreed. Having to use stock keyboard only right now. Super frustrating coming back to iOS from Android and not being able to use this consistently yet.
Click to expand...

Have you downloaded the latest update? If so, has that solved any of your issues? (I haven't yet upgraded.)
 
I tried Swype and flesky on my iPad. It's not working. Sometimes the keyboard comes up blank and sometimes rotating the iPad causes issues with they keyboard. Also flesky didn't show suggestions. Anyone have same issue?
 
iOS 8.1 update?

About to upgrade to 8.1 - hoping it fixes some of my keyboard headaches. Interested to see what everyone thinks.
 
*So far* - since updating to 8.1 release (was on 8.1b2) an hour ago - using SwiftKey, Messages and Hangouts now scrolls to the bottom of the message when I select the input field and the keyboard pops up.

Huge improvement. Hope it sticks.
 
ckisgen said:
*So far* - since updating to 8.1 release (was on 8.1b2) an hour ago - using SwiftKey, Messages and Hangouts now scrolls to the bottom of the message when I select the input field and the keyboard pops up.

Huge improvement. Hope it sticks.
Click to expand...

Nice. Do 3rd party keyboards now work on the lockscreen?
 
I just wish Swype would stay up as default, and not keep switching and disappearing. I don't think there's even been an update to Swype yet since it released :(
 
hpman247 said:
I just wish Swype would stay up as default, and not keep switching and disappearing. I don't think there's even been an update to Swype yet since it released :(
Click to expand...

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.

Swype hasn't been updated indeed since quite a while (22nd of September).
 
Can anyone confirm the below quote is also the case on your idevice with iOS8.1? Shortcuts are allowed according to the 3rd party keyboard developer page "Every custom keyboard (independent of the value of its RequestsOpenAccess key) has access to a basic autocorrection lexicon through the UILexicon class. Text shortcuts defined in the Settings > General > Keyboard > Shortcuts list" although it's probably a feature that needs to be build in the app in order to use it.

I'm sure I'm not alone in that I use shortcuts quite a bit on my iOS devices, was hoping that by some miracle Apple would open up third party keyboard access to shortcuts, especially as they appear to have added the ability to use Siri dictation.
Click to expand...

I also noticed the below in his message. Can someone confirm also that Siri is now allowed be available in a 3rd party keyboard? I don't think it is. According to the developers page this still isn't allowed "Custom keyboards, like all app extensions in iOS 8.0, have no access to the device microphone, so dictation input is not possible.".
If it would be allowed then the apps should still update their apps/keyboards to support it I think.

'm sure I'm not alone in that I use shortcuts quite a bit on my iOS devices, was hoping that by some miracle Apple would open up third party keyboard access to shortcuts, especially as they appear to have added the ability to use Siri dictation.
Click to expand...

source: a user on the iMore forum
 
I'm surprised Apple hasn't released their own dark keyboard for system wide use or a keyboard with a swipe option

Id Love to see the Android L Keyboard hit iOS
 
Foreman527 said:
I'm surprised Apple hasn't released their own dark keyboard for system wide use or a keyboard with a swipe option

Id Love to see the Android L Keyboard hit iOS
Click to expand...

That would indeed be great if Apple would release a dark keyboard to use system wide with swipe but then it should be included in a iOS release and not as an App:)

If they don't i think someone will create a keyboard like that.
There are already quite a few third party keyboards in the App Store with also options for a darker keyboard but then you still mis the dictation button like you have on the stock Apple keyboard and sometimes they even need full access (which i wouldn't give).

generalgeek said:
It seems this update has allowed dictation for all keyboards-has anyone tried it??
Click to expand...

I just read it for the first time just now:

Adds an option to enable Dictation in Settings for Keyboards, Separate from Siri
Click to expand...
source: MacRumors
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.
Click to expand...
source: MacStories
Keyboards gain a dictation option to use a third-party service as opposed to Siri.
Click to expand...
source: GigaOM

It seems it's still not allowed for a third-party keyboard to use Siri dictation but a third-party keyboard can use their own dictation feature within their keyboard (if you allow it).

dahauss said:
Where? I use Swype and no Mic icon
Click to expand...

Swype should release an update for their keyboard to support that and to either build their own dictation feature (Dragon Dictation - which already has a separate iOS app) or use an existing dictation (e.g. Google Voice typing) other then Siri.

I found this great article about a comparison of the major swipe keyboards and their voice dictation and quality on Android.
 
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Ah, yes I skimmed over the part about "enable Dictation in Settings for Keyboards" when I was reading the release notes. That's a bit irksome!
 
pacorob said:
Can anyone confirm the below quote is also the case on your idevice with iOS8.1? Shortcuts are allowed according to the 3rd party keyboard developer page "Every custom keyboard (independent of the value of its RequestsOpenAccess key) has access to a basic autocorrection lexicon through the UILexicon class. Text shortcuts defined in the Settings > General > Keyboard > Shortcuts list" although it's probably a feature that needs to be build in the app in order to use it.
Click to expand...

I can confirm the above; TouchPal and Blink keyboards both properly expand iOS keyboard shortcuts on iOS 8.1.

I'm a big shortcut user, both iOS and TextExpander (prior to the TE keyboard, which I haven't tried). I've tried and removed Adaptxt, Fleksy, Minuum, SwiftKey, and Swype as they don't have iOS shortcuts support. TouchPal currently only expands TE shortcuts if the case matches (e.g., "zzsd" expands properly while "Zzsd" doesn't) but I'm led to believe this problem will be addressed in a future release.
 
iOS 8 Custom Keyboard Megathread

8.1 fixed my keyboard glitches. If you've given up and since upgraded, give those trouble makers a second chance.

Main remaining issue, 3rd parties are on their own. Without Siri and even the globe menu for choosing the next keyboard.

Favorite 3rd party only feature is drag to move the cursor. No more dragging across the text with my finger!
 
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