We continue reviewing the applications that we can use to give our Android the look of a iPhone. In this case we're going to focus on the keyboard. And if there's one thing about iOS that I've always loved, it's the keyboard, and I still believe it's much faster than the stock Android keyboard. Let's see how to adopt it.
And no, I'm not speaking without knowledge of the facts, I'm speaking knowing perfectly well what I'm saying. I've used an iPhone keyboard for a long time and I've also an Android keyboard, and I can say that I still prefer the one from iOS. Even regarding the alternatives we can find for Google's operating system, some well-known ones like Swype, SlideIT, or SwiftKey. However, the best thing about an operating system like Android is that we can get precisely a keyboard like the one on the iPhone on our smartphone or tablet, in a way as simple as installing an application, nothing more and nothing less.
Why mimic the iOS keyboard on Android?
The biggest attraction is in the fluency and the consistent tactile feedback that many users associate with the iPhone keyboard. The precise feel, key spacing, and clean design help write faster with fewer bugs, something you can replicate on Android with a well-tuned app.
In addition to aesthetics, there are functions that add up such as predictive text intelligent, the contextual hints and a catalog of emojis Updated. Once activated and fine-tuned, these tools speed up the writing of messages, emails, and social media posts.
Another key section is the ergonomicsThe ability to adjust keyboard size, vibration, and per-key sound, along with an iOS-inspired layout, offers a comfortable experience without sacrificing the flexibility of Android.
And if you like customization, you can activate Topics inspired by iPhone, choose fonts and take advantage of the gesture writing and by voice, two perfect shortcuts for when you're in a hurry or on the move.
iKeyboard EX
The application that we are going to talk about may sound familiar to you. It has been developed by iPhone Style Studio. And if you have followed Android Help lately, and the articles related to the special to turn our Android into an iPhone, then surely you will know some applications that we have talked about previously, such as iPhone 5 Launcher, for example. Well, the same developers of that launcher are the ones who have created iKeyboard EX, where the objective is for the keyboard to look as close as possible to that of the Apple brand's smartphones. How can we use iKeyboard EX? Follow the next step by step:
- First, access this link or search iKeyboard EX on Google Play, the app store. Most likely, you will find several, including a Pro version of this application that is paid, and another that is also free that contains the dictionary in English. We select the one that is free and whose name is only iKeyboard EX.
- Once we have accessed the Google Play application, then we click on Install so that it begins to download and install on our Android smartphone.
- Let Settings. Once the app is installed, we have to go to configure it as the default keyboard. There are several ways to do this, but we are going to go to the most generic one. We go to the phone settings, that is, to Settings.
- Depending on the version of Android you have installed and if you have a Custom ROM or not, this step may vary somewhat, but you must locate Language and text input.
- Within that section we have the possibility to choose the language of the smartphone, something that we will ignore completely, going to the second block, where we can choose the keyboards. If iKeyboard has been installed correctly, we will find the option there IKeyboard keyboard.
- We mark IKeyboard keyboard and we disable all other keyboards, to make sure iKeyboard is left as the default keyboard.
- Next, we must configure the keyboard in question. To do this, click on the Settings icon located just to the right of the iKeyboard EX we have selected. This will open the configuration panel of the keyboard, which is different from that of Android.
- Now we configure all the Options Depending on what we want, we can choose from several different possibilities, just like on the Android keyboard.
- We configure the autocorrect and suggestions. At the bottom of the iKeyboard EX settings window, we find these options. Personally, I always have it disabled, but those users who always choose to use autocorrect and suggestions can also use them with iKeyboard EX.
Perhaps the biggest difference from the iPhone keyboard is that the letters aren't always capitalized. On Apple's smartphone, the letters on the keyboard are always capitalized, and the Shift key determines how they appear in text. In this case, the letters vary between uppercase and lowercase, just as they do on Android.
Google Play - iKeyboard EX.
Advanced iPhone-inspired features
To get even closer to the iOS experience, iKeyboard EX offers a set of options that are worth activating and tweaking. These include: Topics with iPhone style, the catalog of emojis most recent, the gesture writing (sliding your finger to form words) and the voice typing, perfect for dictating messages with your hands full.
- Smart predictive text: speeds up your typing by suggesting the next word based on your context and habits.
- Fonts and styles: possibility of varying fonts for a finish closer to the look & feel of iOS.
- Clipboard and shortcuts: copy/paste tools and shortcuts to common symbols.
- Multi-language support: Switch languages ​​without changing keyboards, keeping the same suggestions by language.
Personalization and aesthetics in detail
The key is in the customization. Once in the iKeyboard EX settings, adjust the keyboard size so the keys fit your thumb, activate or deactivate the vibration and the per key and adjusts the on-screen height to improve accuracy.
If you are looking for aesthetic fidelity, apply a theme iPhone-style, uses subtle edge keys and a light background. Activate the numbers on the top row if you frequently type passwords or ciphers, or hide them for a cleaner, iOS-style look.
In the entry section, take advantage of the gesture writing when you need speed and alternate to dictation by voice in times when you can't type. Adjust autocorrect so it's helpful without being intrusive, and turn on the suggestions of emojis to insert with one tap.
To round out the look & feel, you can complement the keyboard with a launcher iPhone style and a gallery of wallpapers inspired by iOS, so that the whole set (icons, folders and fonts) is consistent with the interface you are looking for.
Performance, ergonomics and pro tricks
To improve the speed and reduce errors, slightly raise the keyboard height if you tend to press two keys at once. If the app allows it, adjust the long press to access alternative signs or characters more quickly.
Activate a possible one hand mode If you're using larger phones, and when you sit down, go back to full mode to gain accuracy. Disable excessive animations if you notice lag, and check in settings that the personal dictionary Correctly save proper names or technical terms that you use daily.
If you write in two languages, turn on detection multilingual with independent suggestions. This way, you'll avoid incorrect corrections when switching between Spanish and English, for example.
Privacy & Security
Like any third-party keyboard, check the permits. Avoid granting access to unnecessary information and disable cloud features if you don't need them. Keep your keyboard updated to fix bugs, and if you're concerned about privacy, limit access. synchronization from the dictionary and uses only local storage.
Troubleshooting common problems
- Keyboard not appearing: Go back to Settings > Language & input > Default keyboard and select iKeyboard EX.
- Incorrect language: In the keyboard settings, add your languages ​​and sort them by priority.
- Slowness or lag: clear cache, disable vibration and animations, and close background apps.
- Emojis not visible: Make sure you are using the latest set and that the target app supports them.
- Voice dictation fails: checks connection, microphone permissions and the recognition engine.
With a quick installation, a few tweaks, and the right customization options, iKeyboard EX brings you closer to iOS style on Android without sacrificing system flexibility. You'll enjoy smoother typing, with prediction, gestures, voice and a careful aesthetic that turns your phone into a more comfortable and efficient space for writing every day.
