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Smart android keyboard respecting privacy? (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 year ago by BeatTakeshi@lemmy.world to c/privacy@lemmy.ml
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Hello, could someone recommended a keyboard for android that is a bit smart in predictive typing? I used to like swiftkeybefore it was bought by microsoft. Not that swiftkey itself was much better but I was not so privy conscious at that time.

I recall swiftkey would require access to your texts and emails to train itself to your predictions.

Is there some similar foss keyboard where all the data then remains local?

I know swiftkey has an incognito mode, but then it stops learning from your typing.

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[-] markkdark@lemmy.ml 51 points 1 year ago

I use a openboard + native library for flow typing. I was long time gboard user but open board is now best for me. https://github.com/Helium314/openboard

[-] SE_DeepFried@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 1 year ago

So helpful, I've been trying to find a replacement for gboard for so long that has the gliding functionality, plus clipboard and easily accessible microphone for speach to text typing (using Futo).

Can finally really consider replacing Gboard for good.

Than you!

[-] Ohh@lemmy.ml 6 points 1 year ago

Not sure I trust a random repo here. I dont have the skill to look through the code. In this regard I prefer - after all - gboard. The changes me login credentials get stolen by google are smaller than the chanches I am duped into installing a random keyboard from github. Just based on my threat model and my skillz.

[-] Bluefruit@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

Openboard is my go-to as well. I like how customizable it is as well. I need bigger keys otherwise i fat finger everything lol.

[-] simple@lemm.ee 4 points 1 year ago

Oh neat, I had no idea someone was upgrading Openboard. I thought it was abandoned.

[-] markkdark@lemmy.ml 10 points 1 year ago

Last update was 3.Nov.2023 but use OpenBoard debug from Helium 314 from github and use Optanium for upgrade on android. https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium

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[-] Undearius@lemmy.ca 41 points 1 year ago

Florisboard

The developer has hit a bit of a roadblock reworking a back-end system and is requesting help, but it has a great feature set already and is super customisable.

[-] just_another_person@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

I just had the time with it, honestly. So many things are broken, like spelling and dictionary integration. I know the dev is reworking some things, but even the last release doesn't work very well. Respects privacy, sure. Works well, naw.

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[-] Pantherina@feddit.de 25 points 1 year ago

On GrapheneOS ironically you can just use whatever keyboard and disable network permissions. Android is great

[-] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 4 points 1 year ago

Or you could just use software that is actually free/libre. Graphene os misses the point

[-] Pantherina@feddit.de 6 points 1 year ago

Yes of course, but for example people that dont know the language yet and need suggestions. What do you mean by that?

[-] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 5 points 1 year ago

The problem with graphene is that is shamelessly promotes proprietary software. They have build tools to try to make it safe to run non-free programs (proprietary software) but that entirely misses the point.

When you run non-free software you do not control the program, it controls you. There is no way to know what it really is doing and you can't make changes to it or even see what it is doing.

[-] Pantherina@feddit.de 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I agree and also avoid using their Sandboxed Play Services. Their values are security and "making sense". Its great to have the play services and store just working but as user apps. You can isolate them in a work profile without a problem.

There is no alternative, their point is that microG is not FOSS but a hacked together version of the proprietary play services parts, it may be verrry insecure as it needs to run as system app and often doesnt get updates. And it still talks to Google and actually sends lots of data.

Their approach is very economic. They ship regular play services, framework and store, but with a compatibility layer. This saves efford a lot and avoids breakages or blocking services (Aurora) over time.

Literally everyone can run GrapheneOS, thats the point. You dont need to use the sandboxed Play, but if you need it, it works.

It annoys me too that their preinstalled apps all suck.

  • AOSP filemanager is needed for portals ans USB, but it sucks
  • that gallery??
  • clock is old and damn blue
  • sms app uses very old runtime, showing a warning
  • aosp contacts

They promote Vanadium and literally installing binaries from some random Github release.

F-Droid basic uses the new libraries and should be preinstalled as user app. They have reproducible builds now.

And I wont use Vanadium, as it doesnt support Firefox Addons. It may be hardened in some way but without Noscript and Ublock in my eyes no browser is really hardened if it can run every Javascript or block all, breaking 90% of websites.

[-] Skimmer@lemmy.zip 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The problem with graphene is that is shamelessly promotes proprietary software.

How does GrapheneOS "shamelessly promote" proprietary software? I don't think I've ever seen them do this. Maybe you're referring to Sandboxed Play Services? But that isn't "shamelessly promoted" or recommended, it isn't even included in the OS, its just an optional app that can be installed for those who need it.

They have build tools to try to make it safe to run non-free programs (proprietary software) but that entirely misses the point.

I assume you mean Sandboxed Play Services again? That's far from the only feature or benefit that GrapheneOS gives. They do much more work than just Sandboxed Play Services or making it safe to run "non-free" programs. They make it safe to run ANY program, regardless of license.

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[-] Chamber7576@lemmings.world 12 points 1 year ago

I use AnySoftKeyboard

[-] grue@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I also use AnySoftKeyboard (installed from F-Droid, BTW) but IMO it kinda sucks. In particular, it often tries to autocorrect things to capitalized proper nouns, which is almost always exactly the wrong thing to do.

Frankly, I'm reading this thread in hopes of finding something else to replace it.

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[-] BeatTakeshi@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

Does it have a predictive function? Based on what?

[-] TeaEarlGrayHot@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago

I use AnySoft as well--it has a predictive word function that seems to work just as well as GBoard's (albeit I haven't used GBoard since 2017)

The interface is different (e.g. swype left on the entire keyboard for numbers), but give yourself a week or two to adjust--most things can also be fine-tuned from the settings app

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[-] partizan@lemm.ee 9 points 1 year ago

Best keyboard I ever used and need - Hacker's Keyboard: https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.pocketworkstation.pckeyboard

[-] LunchEnjoyer@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Sadly not a whole lot of good options, other than the other one already mentioned here.

However I've got my hopes up for the upcoming keyboard app by FUTO. (Louis Rossman announced it on his YT channel a few vids back )

[-] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 7 points 1 year ago

Go to F-droid and get your keyboard from there. (If you don't have F-droid installed you should)

[-] Zerush@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

There are good and save keyboards in F-Droid, but, well, the problem is Android itself. F-Droid is essential to obtain apps which respect privacy, but this only patch some holes when Google itself control the entire OS.

Mobile phones and privacy is an oximoron, because of this, I never use my phone for important data.

  • Review apps on Exodus Privacy
  • Desactivate GPS/Localisation service, at least if you dont use it
  • Review permissions of all installed apps and set them to desactivate after use in the app settings
  • Disconnect WiFi when you go offline
  • Don't use public WiFi, at least without VPN, even if it is only a free one (eg. like Calyx, FOSS, trustworthy, no account, encrypted, without datalimit, but only 1 server from the Calyx institute, anyway save enough for an occasional use, Techradar review).
  • Common sense (the user is the biggest privacy hole)
[-] BeatTakeshi@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I haven't installed something outside of it for ages. I used the foxy client for a long time, and recently droid-ify

[-] SomeBoyo@feddit.de 7 points 1 year ago

openboard

[-] glowie@infosec.pub 7 points 1 year ago

No update in over a year. Is the project still maintained?

[-] helpImTrappedOnline@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Does it have the option to have a separate number row? I didn't see it in the preview images.

Nevermind, I'm blind.

Added number row support to more languages

[-] tasankovasara@sopuli.xyz 6 points 1 year ago

https://github.com/dessalines/thumb-key/

The best, on F-Droid.

[-] Cethin@lemmy.zip 6 points 1 year ago

I tried thumb key and it just took too much effort to get used to. Not to mention it basically requires using one thumb instead of two, so it's possibly slower.

[-] aesopjah@lemm.ee 7 points 1 year ago

and also has no predictions, which really slows it way down since you have to type out each long word the whole way through instead of just getting it to the point of uniqueness and clicking the suggestion.

[-] Steamymoomilk@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 year ago

KryptEY is pretty secure

https://github.com/amnesica/KryptEY

[-] volleyballcrocodile@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

I use the last Swype apk with network access blocked in NetGuard, because I can't go without swipe typing. The personal dictionary still works.

I found with gboard and swiftkey the dictionary didn't save words without network connectivity.

[-] LollerCorleone@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago

I use OpenBoard and is very happy with it.

[-] GenEcon@lemm.ee 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I use Typewise. A swiss company, by far the best keyboard layout and they don't use any data from what you type.

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[-] FreshLight@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago

If your phone is rooted you can use any standalone keyboard app you like as long as you block it's internet access

[-] authed@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago

you dont need to be rooted to block app's internet access though

[-] FreshLight@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 year ago

This is depending on the OS one is using so I did not mention that it is possible on some operating systems

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[-] nfsu2@feddit.cl 3 points 1 year ago

Unexpected keyboard, was meant for termux but can be used for daily use. It’s difficult to get the habit of key positions though.

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this post was submitted on 15 Nov 2023
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