[<img src="https://fdroid.gitlab.io/artwork/badge/get-it-on.png" alt="Get it on F-Droid" height="80">](https://f-droid.org/packages/helium314.keyboard/)
[<img src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/663460/26973090-f8fdc986-4d14-11e7-995a-e7c5e79ed925.png" alt="Get APK from GitHub" height="80">](https://github.com/Helium314/HeliBoard/releases/latest)
[<img src="https://gitlab.com/IzzyOnDroid/repo/-/raw/master/assets/IzzyOnDroid.png" alt="Get it on IzzyOnDroid" height="80">](https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/helium314.keyboard)
<li>Add dictionaries for suggestions and spell check</li>
<ul>
<li>build your own, or get them <ahref="https://codeberg.org/Helium314/aosp-dictionaries#dictionaries">here</a>, or in the <ahref="https://codeberg.org/Helium314/aosp-dictionaries#experimental-dictionaries">experimental</a> section (quality may vary)</li>
<li>additional dictionaries for emojis or scientific symbols can be used to provide suggestions (similar to "emoji search")</li>
<li>note that for Korean layouts, suggestions only work using <ahref="https://github.com/openboard-team/openboard/commit/83fca9533c03b9fecc009fc632577226bbd6301f">this dictionary</a>, the tools in the dictionary repository are not able to create working dictionaries</li>
<li>Customize keyboard themes (style, colors and background image)</li>
<ul>
<li>can follow the system's day/night setting on Android 10+ (and on some versions of Android 9)</li>
<li>can follow dynamic colors for Android 12+</li>
</ul>
<li>Customize keyboard <ahref="https://github.com/Helium314/HeliBoard/blob/main/layouts.md">layouts</a> (only available when disabling <i>use system languages</i>)</li>
<li>library not included in the app, as there is no compatible open source library available</li>
<li>can be extracted from GApps packages ("<i>swypelibs</i>"), or downloaded <ahref="https://github.com/erkserkserks/openboard/tree/46fdf2b550035ca69299ce312fa158e7ade36967/app/src/main/jniLibs">here</a></li>
</ul>
<li>Clipboard history</li>
<li>One-handed mode</li>
<li>Split keyboard (only available if the screen is large enough)</li>
<li>Number pad</li>
<li>Backup and restore your learned word / history data</li>
* __Add a dictionary__: First download the dictionary file, e.g. from [here](https://codeberg.org/Helium314/aosp-dictionaries#dictionaries). Then go to language settings, click on the language, then on `+` next to _dictionary_ the _add_ and select the file. Alternatively you can open a `.dict` file in a file explorer with HeliBoard and then select the language. Note that the latter method does not work with all file explorers.
* __Emoji search__: You can get addon dictionaries for emoji suggestions in the [dictionaries repo](https://codeberg.org/Helium314/aosp-dictionaries). An actual search function does not exist yet.
* __Cannot switch choose layout__: This is only possible when _use system languages_ is disabled. You can select the layout when tapping on the language.
* __How to customize layout__: Go to layout selection and use the `+` button, then you can add a custom layout, either from a file or you can copy and edit an existing layout.
* __No suggestions for some language__: Check [dictionaries repo](https://codeberg.org/Helium314/aosp-dictionaries) whether a dictionary is available. If there is one, download it and add it in the language settings for this language.
* __No suggestions in some app / text field__: This app respects the [no suggestions flag](https://developer.android.com/reference/android/text/InputType#TYPE_TEXT_FLAG_NO_SUGGESTIONS) set by some input fields, i.e. the developer does not want you to see suggestions here. Best do in issue report for that app if you think this behavior is wrong. Alternatively you can enable the _always show suggestions_ setting that overrides the _no suggestions_ flag.
* __Multilingual typing__ (type in multiple languages without switching manually): Enable in _Languages & Layouts_, select the main language and tap the `+` button next to _multilingual typing_ to add a language. Note that the selection is limited to languages with the same script as the main language, and to languages that have a dictionary (see above for how to add).
* __How to enable glide typing__: There is no glide typing built into this app, but you can load compatible libraries: Go to advanced settings -> _load gesture typing library_ and point to a file (setting not available in _nouserlib_ version). You can extract the file from GApps packages ("_swypelibs_"), or download one [here](https://github.com/erkserkserks/openboard/tree/master/app/src/main/jniLibs). Make sure to use the correct version (app will tell you in the dialog to load the library).
* __Glide typing is not working after loading a library__: Possibly the download was corrupted, or you downloaded the wrong file. If you get a "_unknown file_" confirmation popup, it is likely you are not using the correct file (or you might be using a different version of the library). In rare cases, there might be crashes when the file is not in internal storage, or some [Samsung-specific problems](https://stackoverflow.com/a/75286899).
* __German layout with / without umlauts__: _German (Germany)_ layout has umlauts, _German_ layout doesn't
* __Spell checker is not checking all languages in multilingual typing__: Make sure you actually enabled HeliBoard spell checker. Usually it can be found in System Settings -> System -> Languages -> Advanced -> Spell Checker, but this may depend on Android version.
* __Words added to Gboard dictionary are not suggested__: Gboard uses its own dictionary instead of the system's personal dictionary. See [here](https://github.com/Helium314/HeliBoard/issues/500#issuecomment-2032292161) for how to export the words.
* __What is the _nouserlib_ version?__: The normal version (_release_) allows the user to provide a library for glide typing, while the _nouserlib_ version does not. Running code that isn't supplied with the app is _dynamic code loading_, which is a security risk. Android Studio warns about this:
> Dynamically loading code from locations other than the application's library directory or the Android platform's built-in library directories is dangerous, as there is an increased risk that the code could have been tampered with. Applications should use loadLibrary when possible, which provides increased assurance that libraries are loaded from one of these safer locations. Application developers should use the features of their development environment to place application native libraries into the lib directory of their compiled APKs.
The app checks the SHA256 checksum of the library and warns the user if it doesn't match with known library versions. A mismatch indicates the library was modified, but may also occur if the user intentionally provides a different library than expected (e.g. a self-built variant).
Note that if the the app is installed as a system app, both versions have access to the system glide typing library (if it is installed).
* __App crashing when using as system app__: This happens if you do not install the app, but just copy the APK. Then the app's own library is not extracted from the APK, and not accessible to the app. You will need tp either install the app over itself, or provide a library.
* Sliding key input: Swipe from shift or symbol key to another key. This will enter a single uppercase key or symbol and return to the previous keyboard.
* Hold shift or symbol key, press one or more keys, and then release shift or symbol key to return to the previous keyboard.
* When using debug APK, you can find _Debug Settings_ within the _Advanced Preferences_, though the usefulness is limited except for dumping dictionaries into the log.
* For a release APK, you need to tap the version in _About_ several times, then you can find debug settings in _Advanced Preferences_.
* When enabling _Show suggestion infos_, suggestions will have some tiny numbers on top showing some internal score and source dictionary.
* For users doing manual backups with root access: Starting at Android 7, some files and the main shared preferences file are not in the default location, because the app is using [device protected storage](https://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/Context#createDeviceProtectedStorageContext()). This is necessary so the settings and layout files can be read before the device is unlocked, e.g. at boot. The files are usually located in `/data/user_de/0/<package_id>/`, though the location may depend on the device and Android version.
Whether you encountered a bug, or want to see a new feature in HeliBoard, you can contribute to the project by opening a new issue [here](https://github.com/Helium314/HeliBoard/issues). Your help is always welcome!
- **Does the issue already exist?** Make sure a similar issue has not been reported by browsing [existing issues](https://github.com/Helium314/HeliBoard/issues?q=). Please search open and closed issues.
- **Did you use the issue template?** It is important to make life of our kind contributors easier by avoiding issues that miss key information to their resolution.
Note that issues that that ignore part of the issue template will likely get treated with very low priority, as often they are needlessly hard to read or understand (e.g. huge screenshots, not providing a proper description, or addressing multiple topics).
If you're interested, you can read the following useful text about effective bug reporting (a bit longer read): https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/bugs.html
Translations can be added using [Weblate](https://translate.codeberg.org/projects/heliboard/). You will need an account to update translations and add languages. Add the language you want to translate to in Languages -> Manage translated languages in the top menu bar.
There will not be any further dictionaries bundled in this app. However, you can add dictionaries to the [dictionaries repository](https://codeberg.org/Helium314/aosp-dictionaries).
To create or update a dictionary for your language, you can use [this tool](https://github.com/remi0s/aosp-dictionary-tools). You will need a wordlist, as described [here](https://codeberg.org/Helium314/aosp-dictionaries/src/branch/main/wordlists/sample.combined) and in the repository readme.
HeliBoard project is based on Gradle and Android Gradle Plugin. To get started, you can install [Android Studio](https://developer.android.com/studio), and import project 'from Version Control / Git / Github' by providing this git repository [URL](https://github.com/Helium314/HeliBoard) (or git SSH [URL](git@github.com:Helium314/heliboard.git)).
- **Is actually wanted**. Best check related open issues before you start working on a PR. Issues with "PR" and "contributor needed" labels are accepted, but still it would be good if you announced that you are working on it.
If there is no issue related to your intended contribution, it's a good idea to open a new one to avoid disappointment of the contribution not being accepted. For small changes or fixing obvious bugs this step is not necessary.
- **Is only about a single thing**. Mixing unrelated contributions into a single PR is hard to review and can get messy.
- **Is finished or a draft**. When you keep changing the PR without reviewer's feedback, any attempt to review it is doomed and a waste of time. Better mark it as a draft in this case.
- **Has a proper description**. What your contribution does is usually less obvious to reviewers than for yourself. A good description helps _a lot_ for understanding what is going on, and for separating wanted from unintended changes in behavior.
- **Uses already in-place mechanism and take advantage of them**. In other terms, does not reinvent the wheel or uses shortcuts that could alter the consistency of the existing code.
- **Does not bring any non-free code or proprietary binary blobs**. This also applies to code/binaries with unknown licenses. Make sure you do not introduce any closed-source library from Google.
> Permissions of this strong copyleft license are conditioned on making available complete source code of licensed works and modifications, which include larger works using a licensed work, under the same license. Copyright and license notices must be preserved. Contributors provide an express grant of patent rights.
Since the app is based on Apache 2.0 licensed AOSP Keyboard, an [Apache 2.0](LICENSE-Apache-2.0) license file is provided.
The icon is licensed under [Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). A [license file](LICENSE-CC-BY-SA-4.0) is also included.
