While we already have a list of open source Android apps, we’ll regularly highlight some interesting FOSS apps for Android.
Sound like fun? Don’t forget to suggest some awesome open source Android apps in the comments after reading the article 😉
So let’s start with the keyboard app, which is what we communicate with most on our Android phones.
We have private conversations, type in our credentials, and search for things using the keyboard app. In other words, if a keyboard app wanted to track us and collect our data, it would know almost everything, right? 🤯
You may or may not have thought about it…
But I think it’s very important that you choose a keyboard app that respects privacy and offers you a secure experience.
Keyboard Apps on Android: What Are Your Options?
Of course, there are popular keyboard apps that include Google’s Gboardand Microsoft’s SwiftKey from the Google Play store. And, if nothing else works, your manufacturer’s default system keyboard app does the job.
Unfortunately, we don’t have many options left now.
In the early days of Android, we had an impressive selection of keyboard apps, like Go Keyboard, Fleksi, Swype, and others.
SwiftKey was my favorite keyboard app back then (it is not open-source) until Microsoft took it over.
Well, it may be convenient and reliable to use popular keyboard apps, but it’s a shame to see innovation die in that space. So with limited options, how do you choose a keyboard app that’s secure and gets the job done?
Just choose a free, open source app that respects your privacy! And, everything is ready 😎
And, here, I have chosen one for you, ie. Simple keyboard.
📋
With an open source keyboard app, you can check the source code to make sure the app is doing what it’s intended to do and isn’t using any clever data collection techniques.
Simple keyboard: just what you need!
Of course, there are several open source keyboard apps, e.g AnySoftKeyboard. However, not all of them receive regular updates or are actively maintained.
To save you time, I did the research. And I found one keyboard app that I think would suit everyone.
Simple keyboard. It is versatile:
- Open source
- Regularly maintained and updated
- It offers all the essentials
- Don’t get in the way with fancy features
- It does not collect/store your data
- The perfect replacement for Gboard
I don’t think any user will want more than either of these, unless they’re looking for a very special feature in a keyboard app (or want special theming).
Simple keyboard is a free and open source application that offers a secure and private user experience.
It offers features like:
- Automatic capitalization
- Space bar moves the cursor
- Separate number line
- Adjusting the key pressure
- Material topics
- Custom keyboard color
This is what the keyboard app looks like in action:
Material theme vs default system color vs custom background color
If you’re switching from the SwiftKey keyboard, you’ll miss out on the prediction/autocomplete feature. But once you get the hang of it, it should be like Google’s Gboard without any problems.
Suggested reading 📖
40+ Best Open Source Android Apps
The best open source Android apps. Switch ownership options to enjoy a potentially better experience!
Download and install Simple Keyboard
You can get the keyboard app from the Google Play Store or F-Droid.
To explore more about it and the source code, you can go to its GitHub page.
💠What do you think about the Simple Keyboard app? Do you find any other app better than this one? Do you have any other suggestions for an open source app? Feel free to let me know!