iPhone Keyboard Apps You'll Want to Download

When we asked PCMag staffers what they wanted in iOS 8, a popular request was support for third-party keyboards.

"Apple needs to loosen the controls over some of those things and realize they did NOT make the perfect on-screen keyboard for all fingers," Features Editor Eric Griffith said at the time. "Some personalization is overdue."

Android users have had a number of options for alternative keyboards for some time, but Apple has long controlled the look and feel of its mobile OS, including the keyboard: until now. With iOS 8, which arrived today for older iOS devices, Apple has added predictive typing. "As you type, you’ll see choices of words or phrases you’d probably type next, based on your past conversations and writing style," Apple says. "iOS 8 takes into account the casual style you might use in Messages and the more formal language you probably use in Mail." It will also consider whether you're talking to your boss or best friend.

But what if you still don't want to use Apple's keyboard? Well, iOS 8 finally includes support for third-party keyboards, meaning you can download apps from digital keyboard makers for a more customized typing experience. A handful of those apps went live today, and we'll likely see more in the months to come. Check out some of your options in the slideshow.

For more on iOS 8, see How to Get iOS 8 and Before and After iOS 8: What's Different?

Swiftkey Keyboard

SwiftKey for iOS offers two themes: Nickel Dark and Nickel Light. It's largely similar to the Android version of the app, with a style few tweaks. "We redesigned the icons for Shift, Return, and Backspace. We changed the spacing between the keys to more support the ‘muscle memory’ of iPhone users," said Scott Weiss, VP of Design at SwiftKey. The SwiftKey logo also appears on the spacebar and brightens when tapped. (Free)

Swype

Swype, from Nuance, promises built-in gestures for punctuation and symbols, next-word prediction, five theme options (pictured), and language support for English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. For more, check out PCMag's review of the Android version. ($0.99)

Fleksy

Fleksy promises support for over 40 languages and over 800 emojis, as well as colored themes and customizable keyboard sizes and badges that are earned as you type. ($0.99)

TouchPal Keyboard

"Slide through letters without lifting your finger," according to TouchPal, which also offers customized themes and emoji. English and Spanish are supported for now, with 40 more languages on the way. (Free)

Adaptxt Keyboard

Adaptxt features auto correction, dismiss and undo, missing space correction, and the familiar glide feature for easy typing. There's also shortcuts (typing H = Hi, how are you?) and theme options. (Free)

Ginger

Ginger Keyboard from Ginger Software also offers a number of themes, with more coming soon. But Ginger also allows you to create your own theme by choosing a background and button style that you like best and uploading an image that acts as a background to your keyboard. You can then share your custom keyboards on social networks. There's also word prediction and the option to review grammar by tapping into Ginger Page, a writing solution, and support for 40+ languages. Ginger Keyboard arrives on iOS at the end of September.

About Our Expert

Chloe Albanesius

Executive Editor, News

My Experience

I started out covering tech policy in DC for The National Journal, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. I later covered Wall Street trading tech before switching gears to consumer tech. I now lead PCMag's news coverage.

My Areas of Expertise

Getting my start in DC means I still have a soft spot for tech policy; Congressional hearings can sometimes be as entertaining as a Bravo reality show, for better or worse. But PCMag is all about the technology we use every day, as well as keeping an eye out for the trends that will shape the industry in the years ahead (or flop on arrival). I've covered the rise of social media, the iOS vs. Android wars, the cord-cutting revolution that's now left us with hefty streaming bills, and the effort to stuff artificial intelligence into every product you could imagine. This job has taken me to CES in Vegas (one too many times), IFA in Berlin, and MWC in Barcelona. I also drove a Tesla 1,000 miles out west as part of our Best Mobile Networks project. Of late, my focus is on our hard-working team of reporters at PCMag, guiding and editing their robust coverage.

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