I'm using Heliboard, because I love swipe typing.
this post was submitted on 11 Feb 2026
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I like Heliboard for the swiping aspect also. I just want to add that to enable it I had to download the Google swipe engine and add it after installing the app. I'm not the biggest idiot on this planet and I managed. So it's doable. Works with German too.
I don't want to use anything Google if I can help it, so I'm using the FOTO keyboard which has its own swipe engine.
It's... Work in progress. But the keyboard overall is pretty good.
I looked at them too. I opted for Heliboard because FOTO's management made the news last year or maybe '24. I don't remember the details but it was enough to overcome the Google hurdle for me.
Thanks for the tip. This really seems like a good option. I will give it a try.
I personally use Unexpected Keyboard (github link).
It's lightweight, very customizable and it works completely offline. It doesn't have any AI or autocorrect/word suggestions.
It's also designed for use in termux and has all the symbols you could ever need. It can also have a compose key, if you come from Linux and are used to it.
The main gimmick is that you type symbols by swiping to a corner of the key with the symbol, instead of changing to the symbols keyboard or long pressing a character. When you get used to it, it's faster than gboard.
It's available on F-Droid, too.
I'm also very happy with this option. It does have a (brief) learning curve.
Wow, this keyboard is great. Thanks for the recommendation!
Yeah, this keboard really is unexpected. Nice idea with the swipe for symbols. And it works better t han I thought.
https://lemmy.world/post/42575623
Extensive recommendations in the comments.
My personal favourite:
https://github.com/dessalines/thumb-key
Though I'm typing this on
https://github.com/klausw/hackerskeyboard
Which used to be my favorite and which I still prefer for use with termux, if I want more space for termux.
Both support scores of languages, thumb key several different layouts for most languages.
Thank you for the tip. I like the idea of thumb key. I think it will take some time to get used to it. But I will also give it a try and see if it sticks.
Florisboard! honestly best keyboard I've used so far https://github.com/florisboard/florisboard
me too I'm using FlorisBoard, their clipboard management and actions toolbar (select all, copy, cut, paste, undo, redo...) is great
It was better when it had gesture typing.
I like FUTO Keyboard, sponsored by the same people sponsoring Immich
I still use Gboard with internet access disabled (Graphene). I tried them all, this is the one that seems to work the best for swiping.
I'm probably paranoid but I don't trust google apps to not be reporting usage back via play services even if internet access is disabled for the individual keyboard application. If you don't have play services then no problem ... but bank apps 🙄 🙁
Unexpected keyboard