---
title: Android Keyboards
author: 
  - KemoNine
publishDate: 2024-09-02
lastMod: 2024-09-02
toc: true
draft: false
categories:
  - tips
  - tech
tags:
  - android
changelog:
  - date: 2024-09-02
    text: "Initial creation"
---

## Attribution
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This tip is a syndicated copy of part of KemoNine's [blog post](https://blog.kemonine.info/blog/2024-09-01-android-tuning/) about tuning Android.

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## What?
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This page outlines a number of different keyboards that can make using an Android device less frustrating. It's a simple list and it's assumed you can sort which keyboard you prefer based trying the options that look most compelling (or all of them).

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## Good Android Keyboards, A List
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-   [Unexpected Keyboard](https://github.com/Julow/Unexpected-Keyboard)
    -   full blown qwerty keeb implementation
    -   if you use termux/juicessh/connectbot/other terms you want this keeb
    -   has a lot of good features and tunables
    -   can have custom layouts (there are docs and a web based layout editor)
    -   kemonine implemented a messagease layout for unexpected [here](https://gist.github.com/mcrosson/15cad13789e0ec83c3373a4baba04d7a)
    -   if you use this keeb and are considering thumb key or flickboard, consider using kemo's messagease layout for this keeb instead
-   [HeliBoard](https://github.com/Helium314/HeliBoard)
    -   basically a std android keep with the usual features
    -   qwerty / bog std for what youd expect these days
-   [Florisboard](https://github.com/florisboard/florisboard)
    -   boring qwerty with spell check/auto-correct/etc 'under development'
    -   qwerty / ultra boring
    -   what kemonine uses for a 'standard / normie using their phone keeb'
-   [Thumb Key](https://github.com/dessalines/thumb-key)
    -   a novel one handed layout with speed in mind
    -   one handed and fast once you learn the layout
    -   is a spiritual successor to messagease
    -   includes messagease layouts (use the messagease ones, not thumb-key ones)
    -   has good blend of features but not 'all' ive seen asked for
    -   this or flickboard will be a win for most
-   [Flickboard](https://github.com/nightkr/flickboard)
    -   novel one handed layout with speed in mind
    -   uses std messagease layouts
    -   was created because messagease moved to a subscription model to use
    -   has good blend of features but not 'all' ive seen asked for
    -   this or thumb-key will be a win for most
-   [8VIM](https://github.com/8VIM/8VIM)
    -   if youre into swiping to type, this is the keeb for you
    -   has a novel approach thats faster than the qwerty swiping keebs
    -   highly regarded as 'good' and definitely worth investigating if swiping is your thing
-   [Grafitti](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.access_company.graffiti_pro)
    -   literal palm grafitti on android
    -   works with s pen and adonit styluses and others
    -   install on any device where pen may be used

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