Best Alternative Keyboards for iOS

By Kelly Sapergia, 8 June, 2015

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Hi,

While I have no problem using the regular keyboard that comes with iOS, I understand that you can also use third-party keyboards. I was just curious as to which ones are the best to use along with Voiceover? I have Fleksy on my system, including the old version specifically for VO, but have heard there are some issues using it as an alternative keyboard. Is this true?
Also, how do you switch to a different keyboard?

Thanks.

Yours Sincerely,
Kelly Sapergia

Options

Comments

By sockhopsinger on Thursday, June 25, 2015 - 05:15

Kelly, there are several options you can use for your keyboard. If you want to download @Fleksy and try that, it is a somewhat decent keyboard. If you know braille, however, I would suggest using @MBraille for your keyboard. Those are the two most popular ones. As far as accessing them, you must first enable them in your iPhone settings. To do this, from your phone's home screen, go to settings, general, keyboards. Near the top of that screen, you will see an option that says "keyboards" followed by a number. Double tap there. It will then display the current active keyboards followed by an option to add a keyboard. Go into the add option. There you should see the list of available keyboards to add. Pick the one you want. Then go back to the main keyboards page that shows you which keyboards are available. You should see the one you just enabled. You need to double tap on that keyboard and look for an option that says "allow full access". Make sure that is turned on. That's it for adding. Then, the next time a keyboard pops up, look on the bottom of the screen, second button from the left. It should say "switch keyboard" followed by the name of the next available keyboard. For me, the EmoteIcon keyboard is second. After that, the next time it shows me my MBraille keyboard. That's it. Hope this helps a little.

By Kelly Sapergia on Thursday, June 25, 2015 - 05:15

Thanks for letting me know about those keyboards. I'm going to give Fleksy a try since I already have the app, but am also considering buying the MBraille Keyboard add-on once I get used to typing on it in the app itself.

By sockhopsinger on Thursday, June 25, 2015 - 05:15

If it wasn't so clunky, and if you could somehow set it as the default keyboard, I might be more inclined to use the native braille app. As it is, the functionality and speed of MBraille is unmatched by any other keyboard that I've tried, even Fleksy for me. It might take a little bit of getting used to, so make sure you try out the typing with the free version first before you purchase it. I believe that is an option, being able to try out the keyboard before unlocking all of its features. Good luck.

By Tarbaby on Thursday, June 25, 2015 - 05:15

could somebody briefly explain how and why fleksy is better than the stock ios keyboard?

By splyt on Thursday, June 25, 2015 - 05:15

I have the free mBraille and it works as a keyboard. If unlocked what else do I get with it regarding the keyboard add-om * other features are not of interest to me only the keyboard.

By Chuck on Thursday, June 25, 2015 - 05:15

Hi,

With Fleksy you do not have to type the actual letters, you only need to be in the approximate area of where it sits on a QWERTY keyboard.
also, spaces and punctuation are entered by swipeing, as apposed to searching all over the keyboards.

Although the stand alone app and Fleksy V.O. are no longer supported, the integrated Fleksy keyboard works well with voice over. Be sure you have the latest update.

It took me awhile to understand the keyboard, but after a couple of hours, I can now use the integrated Fleksy keyboard as well as Fleksy V.O.

Some of the gestures have changed so read the users guide...a little homework will go a long way to understanding this keyboard.

You can start here:

http://feedback.fleksy.com/knowledgebase/topics/54319-fleksy-keyboard-for-ios

Good luck!