Microsoft today released an update for SwiftKey that includes a handful of new features including emoji prediction and enhancements to 3D Touch gestures.

Users who tap on the emoji key will now see a new prediction panel that automatically suggests up to 18 relevant emoji depending on what they type, saving them the trouble of searching through the entire list.

ios new themes fan SM B
The update also includes eight new "Oxygen" themes adding up to a spectrum of vibrant colors for SwiftKey keyboards. The new hues can be found in the Design section of the app and include Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Light Blue, Blue, Purple, and Pink.

In addition, Microsoft said it had made substantial improvements to the responsiveness of 3D Touch gestures in SwiftKey on supporting iPhones, including those that trigger cursor control and cursor movement. Haptic feedback has also been implemented for some keyboard actions, such as opening the emoji panel.

Lastly, SwiftKey added support for 15 new languages including Egyptian Arabic, Tanglish, Bambara, Wolof, Mossi, Greenlandic, and Northern Sami. See here for the full list.

SwiftKey is a free download for iPhone and iPad on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

69Mustang Avatar
101 months ago
Yes it is currently listed as a warning under Third Party Keyboards setting under General settings on iOS.

There's no way in hell im using a third party keyboard, specially from Microsoft or Google, who value my privacy like pedophiles value innocence...
Wouldn't it serve you better to know what Swiftkey does instead of perpetuating an unsubstantiated idea that using it opens you up to a nefarious privacy plot by Microsoft? I assume you to be an intelligent person who values knowledge over speculation. I mean, why guess when you can easily find out exactly what they do?
https://support.swiftkey.com/hc/en-us/articles/201466641-Why-does-SwiftKey-need-Full-Access-
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tgara Avatar
101 months ago
If my understanding is correct, Once using a third party keyboard, one opens up a security hole.
That's my question too, it used to be the developer had acces to all what you typed on this keyboard, is this still the case?
Yes it is currently listed as a warning under Third Party Keyboards setting under General settings on iOS.

There's no way in hell im using a third party keyboard, specially from Microsoft or Google, who value my privacy like pedophiles value innocence...
Each keyboard you add will have a switch in the settings that either allow or deny "Full Access". In some cases, Full Access returns what you've typed to the developer. I've turned those off for the several keyboards I've added to my iPad and iPhone.

My biggest gripe about all these third party keyboards is that Apple does not allow access to the microphone when using these apps. This is an Apple problem, not a developer problem. I use dictation all the time, so that is a big let down for me.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cronbo Avatar
101 months ago
That's my question too, it used to be the developer had acces to all what you typed on this keyboard, is this still the case?
Yes it is currently listed as a warning under Third Party Keyboards setting under General settings on iOS.

There's no way in hell im using a third party keyboard, specially from Microsoft or Google, who value my privacy like pedophiles value innocence...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wide opeN Avatar
101 months ago
Firstly, thanks for the article and news update, as this is the keyboard I use.

Secondly, am I reading this right!? Microsoft!? Since when do they own SwiftKey!?

Thirdly, I've had SwiftKey installed since 3rd party keyboards were allowed and love it!!! This seems like it makes the app even better!!!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
101 months ago
Yeah because Microsoft hasn't put in back doors on their software before... And of course they're going tell you they did and put it on a webpage if they did?
In their own words:
"That warning message (which is displayed before a user allows Full Access) is there to make sure you are aware of what is technically possible before making a decision about whether to trust the developer of a keyboard extension."

You can trust whomever you want, but the FACT remains, it's a security hole. Good luck with that... make sure to type all your passwords using a third party keyboard....


Pretty sure if Swiftkey was doing anything close to what you imply Apple would kick them out of the App Store forthwith. But hey, it makes more sense for me to believe your unsupported accusations instead of trusting Apple to ensure devs are doing what they claim.

By your definition of security hole, every app on the App Store is a security hole since they can all hypothetically change things behind the scene. Security consciousness is a good thing. Unfounded and unsubstantiated implications under the guise of security is not.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jhfenton Avatar
101 months ago
Meh. I was excited when I saw emoji prediction, but it still requires you to switch to an emoji keyboard to see their predictions. Until they offer inline emoji prediction (e.g. xoxo = blowing kiss emoji) like the Apple keyboards, Swiftkey's few advantages aren't enough.

Apple and Swiftkey both need to figure out how to handle 3 simultaneous languages (e.g. English, French, and Spanish), ideally with context recognition.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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