How to put many more options at your fingertips
WE TAKE ON–SCREEN keyboards for granted but let’s pay tribute to Ken Kocienda, a software engineer at Apple for more than 15 years. He worked on the iPhone’s inaugural virtual keyboard and invented keyboard autocorrect. For those used to repeatedly pressing a physical key on a mobile phone until the required letter was shown, it felt like progress.
Today, most iPhone users remain faithful to Apple’s built–in keyboard, yet the App Store is packed with alternatives offering new ways to do things. Some allow access to AI or translate text. Others make apps easier to navigate or speed up typing, putting more power at your fingertips.
But before taking the plunge, a warning. Grant a third–party keyboard full access and developers can potentially view what you type. So always check the privacy policy of a keyboard before entering sensitive details, although many promise to only store information on your device.
HOW TO Change your keyboard
First, launch the App Store and download a third–party keyboard. Then open the Settings app and select General > Keyboard. You can also edit your keyboard preferences here — toggle the buttons next to each option.
Select Keyboards to see your current selection. The top entry is the one you’re using, tap to switch between different layouts (Qwerty, Azerty, Qwertz and Dvorak). For third–party alternatives, tap Add New Keyboard.
Select your pre–installed third– party keyboard — once added, you may need to tap it to grant full access. Now go to an app that uses a keyboard. Touch and hold the globe icon (bottom left) and select your alternative.
HOW TO Master Microsoft SwiftKey
Set up SwiftKey by tapping the Microsoft icon above the keyboard. Tap Settings, sign in, then choose Settings to perhaps add a number row or revert autocorrect when tapping backspace. Or tap Themes for a fresh look!
Want to type in a foreign language but don’t know the lingo? Tap the Translate icon! Select the language you want to translate to, type and tap the arrow. You can copy t
