Apple Warns About Third-Party Keyboard Issue in iOS 13 and iPadOS, Fix Coming Soon

Apple today released a support document warning users about a security issue affecting third-party keyboards in iOS 13 and iPadOS.

Third-party keyboards can be set to run standalone without access to external services or can request "full access" to provide additional features. A bug in iOS 13 and iPadOS can cause keyboard extensions to be granted full access even if full access hasn't been approved.

keyboardaccessbug
According to Apple, the bug does not affect Apple's built-in keyboards, nor does it impact keyboards that don't make use of full access.

Third-party keyboard extensions in iOS can be designed to run entirely standalone, without access to external services, or they can request "full access" to provide additional features through network access. Apple has discovered a bug in iOS 13 and iPadOS that can result in keyboard extensions being granted full access even if you haven't approved this access.

Apple says that the bug will be fixed in an upcoming software update. Third-party keyboards that you might have installed can be viewed by opening up the Settings app, and then going to General > Keyboard > Keyboards.

iOS users concerned about their data and the access granted to third-party keyboards can mitigate the issue by temporarily uninstalling third-party keyboards.

Related Forum: iOS 13

Top Rated Comments

Rychiar Avatar
46 months ago
People still have third party keyboards? I forgot that was even a thing years ago.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MagMan1979 Avatar
46 months ago
I always thought add-on keyboards were a bad idea on Android ripe for abuse (proven right over the years), and I have believed this to be an equally bad idea on iOS since the day it was introduced, and once again proven right.

The built-in iOS keyboard is second-to-none for accuracy and ease of use, why some one would want to infect their iOS device with a potentially keystroke-harvesting POS is beyond me.


Apple needs to be split up. They can’t get anything done remotely on time. Half of new iPhone’s features missing. iOS delayed (as is MacOS for years). Then .1 release. Oh sorry we forgot to add security patch. And and and

Too big to manage.

When small and nimble Apple was world class. now it’s just another IBM
Thank god people like you don’t run Apple.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JohnApples Avatar
46 months ago

This has got to be the most bug riddles release I've seen in a while. This version was definitely rushed, and the 13.1 release was equally as rushed for whatever reason. I've seen the Trump Tariffs given as a reason, but either way I'm sure Apple programmers will be happier when 13.1.x or 13.2 is out.
This is fairly buggy. But it’s nothing compared to iOS 11 *shudders*
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SoundJudgment Avatar
46 months ago
Now that Apple has Swipe in their keyboard... Swift-Key can go the way of the Dodo.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
deuxani Avatar
46 months ago

People still have third party keyboards? I forgot that was even a thing years ago.

I always thought add-on keyboards were a bad idea on Android ripe for abuse (proven right over the years), and I have believed this to be an equally bad idea on iOS since the day it was introduced, and once again proven right.

The built-in iOS keyboard is second-to-none for accuracy and ease of use, why some one would want to infect their iOS device with a potentially keystroke-harvesting POS is beyond me.
Till iOS 13 I was still using SwiftKey and loved it. You guys might be native English speakers, but for many languages in the rest of the world the default Apple keyboard was/is almost useless. Till iOS 13 my language didn’t even have word prediction, let alone being able to talk in two languages without changing the keyboard (which is very common in my country). SwiftKey had all of that for years, so obviously many people use third party keyboards if Apple is too lazy or just doesn’t prioritise a simple keyboard update for other than the big languages.

But only now I can finally switch. Even though many other people probably still can’t or won’t.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BootsWalking Avatar
46 months ago
It's bad enough third-party keyboards get to see everything you type but giving those apps access to network services (intentionally or not) lets them share that data with others. Very smart of Apple to compartmentalize the two and require users to grant network access - unfortunate about the bug which breaks the logic but they found it quick enough. If anything it'll raise awareness of the security issue when you do explicitly grant network access to these keyboard apps.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17 on Phone Feature

Gurman: iOS 17 to Provide Several 'Most Requested Features'

Sunday March 26, 2023 6:05 am PDT by
Apple changed the strategy for iOS 17 later in its development process to add several new features, suggesting that the update may be more significant than previously thought, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In January, Gurman said that iOS 17 could be a less significant update than iPhone updates in previous years due to the company's intense focus on its long-awaited mixed-reality...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:06 am PDT by
Following nearly six weeks of beta testing, iOS 16.4 is expected to be released to the public as soon as this week. The software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone 8 and newer. To install an iOS update, open the Settings app on the iPhone, tap General → Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions. Below, we have recapped eight new features and...
apple mixed reality headset concept by david lewis and marcus kane

Some Apple Employees Seriously Concerned About Mixed-Reality Headset as Announcement Draws Closer

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:25 am PDT by
Some Apple employees are concerned about the usefulness and price point of the company's upcoming mixed-reality headset, The New York Times reports. Apple headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane Initial enthusiasm around the device at the company has apparently become skepticism, according to eight current and former Apple employees speaking to The New York Times. The change of tone...
Steve Jobs Theater dusk

Apple Reportedly Demoed Mixed-Reality Headset to Executives in the Steve Jobs Theater Last Week

Sunday March 26, 2023 5:53 am PDT by
Apple showcased its mixed-reality headset to the company's top 100 executives in the Steve Jobs Theater last week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that the "momentous gathering" is a "key milestone" ahead of the headset's public announcement planned for June. The event was intended to rally Apple's top members of...
top stories 25mar2023

Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Design Leak, iOS 16.4 Coming Soon, and More

Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00 am PDT by
We're still almost six months away from the official unveiling of the iPhone 15 lineup, but it seems like every day we're learning more about what to expect from the next-generation models. Notably, this week gave us our clearest look yet at what appear to be some changes for the volume and mute control hardware. iOS 16.4 and associated releases are also right around the corner with some new ...
iOS 16

Apple Releases iOS 16.4 With New Emoji, Safari Web Push Notifications, Beta Changes, Voice Isolation for Calls and More

Monday March 27, 2023 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 16.4, the fourth major update to the iOS 16 operating system that initially came out last September. iOS 16.4 comes two months after the launch of iOS 16.3, an update that added Security Keys for Apple ID. iOS 16‌.4 and iPadOS 16.4 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take a few minutes...
Hero0009

Best Apple Deals of the Week: Samsung's Smart Monitor M8 Gets Massive $250 Discount, Along With Year's Best AirPods Prices

Friday March 24, 2023 10:23 am PDT by
We saw a lot of great deals on Apple products and related accessories this week, including Samsung's iMac-like Smart Monitor M8 for $250 off, a 30 percent off spring sale at Anker, and the year's best prices on numerous AirPods models. All of these deals are still available to purchase right now, so we're recapping them and more below. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these ...
dynamic island

iPhone 15 Dynamic Island to Include New Integrated Proximity Sensor

Friday March 24, 2023 12:27 am PDT by
This year, all iPhone 15 models will include Apple's Dynamic Island that unifies the pill and hole cutouts at the top of the display, but there will also be a material change to the feature that wasn't included in the iPhone 14 Pro models. According to a new tweet by Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the proximity sensor on the iPhone 15 series will be integrated inside the Dynamic Island ...