Keyboard

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HeliBoard is an open-source, privacy-respecting keyboard that offers enhanced customization and functionality beyond the default option. In this guide, we’ll show you how to set up HeliBoard and make the most out of its features.

These features include: emoji support, voice-to-text dictation, advanced tips and tricks, toolbar enhancements, and optional glide/swipe typing for a faster and more personalized typing experience.



Setting Up HeliBoard

Opening HeliBoard for the first time

Opening HeliBoard for the first time


  1. Open the HeliBoard app from your App Drawer.

  2. Tap Get Started on the welcome screen.

  3. When prompted, HeliBoard will request access to Language & Input settings. Tap Enable in Settings to be taken directly to the correct settings page, where you can grant the necessary permissions.

  4. Enabling HeliBoard Permissions

    Enabling HeliBoard Permissions

    You’ll be taken to a screen labeled On-screen keyboard. Tap the toggle next to HeliBoard to allow it to be used for typing across your device.

  5. A popup will appear with a standard warning about granting keyboard access. HeliBoard is fully offline and safe to use, so tap OK to proceed.

  6. HeliBoard will briefly show as enabled, then you’ll be redirected back to the HeliBoard setup page to continue.

  7. Switching Input Method to HeliBoard

    Switching Input Method to HeliBoard

    Next, set HeliBoard as your default keyboard. Tap Switch input methods.

  8. From the list that appears, tap HeliBoard to select it. You’ll be redirected back to the setup page once it’s set.

  9. Tap Finished to complete the setup and start using HeliBoard.

  10. To customize features like voice-to-text, multiple languages, or glide typing, tap Configure the keyboard.






Enable Emojis


  1. From the HeliBoard settings page, tap Preferences.

  2. Scroll down to the bottom and find the Emoji Key option.

  3. Turn the toggle on to enable emoji access directly from the HeliBoard keyboard.

HeliBoard brings Android-style emojis to your fingertips.




Configure speech-to-text (STT) Input

Enabling Futo Voice within Heliboard

Enabling Futo Voice within Heliboard


  1. Within HeliBoard settings, tap on Toolbar

  2. Tap Select pinned toolbar keys

  3. Enable Voice Input

  4. Once Voice Input is activated, tap OK in the bottom right corner of the popup window.

  5. Setting up Futo Voice

    Setting up Futo Voice

    Tap the Home button to exit the HeliBoard application.

  6. Swipe up to open the App Drawer.

  7. Open the FUTO Voice Input application.

  8. On the welcome screen, tap Open Input Method Settings

  9. Enable FUTO Voice Input by toggling it on

  10. Granting microphone permissions

    Granting microphone permissions

    Read the attention warning and tap OK twice to proceed.

  11. FUTO Voice Input is now enabled. Tap the back arrow to return to the FUTO welcome screen.

  12. To enable microphone access, tap Enable Microphone

  13. When prompted, select While using the app to grant microphone permission.

  14. Downloading additional language packs

    Downloading additional language packs

    If you only speak English and don't need additional languages, you're all set — setup is complete.

  15. If you would like to configure more languages, proceed.

  16. To add another language, tap Languages.

  17. Find and select the language you want to add.

  18. Tap to download the language pack.

  19. Testing dictation within a text document

    Testing dictation within a text document

    Once the download finishes, the language will be enabled and setup is complete.

  20. To test the new feature, open the keyboard in any app (like NotallyX) and tap the microphone icon in the top-right corner.

  21. Speak your message clearly, then tap the icon again to stop when you're finished.

  22. Review the transcribed text to ensure accuracy in both words and punctuation.


Configure Glide (Swype) Input

Glide typing allows to directly swipe over letters to form words. This is a feature that requires a closed source library, which can be downloaded and imported into HeliBoard to enable this feature.

  1. Download the file called libjni_latinimegoogle.so - here is the link in form of a QR code:

    Use the QR Scan feature in the default Camera app to de-code the link

    Use the QR Scan feature in the default Camera app to de-code the link

















  1. Once on the website, look for 3 horizontal dots next to Code and Blame, which will open a menu giving you the Download option.




  1. Proceed to download the file by tapping on Download


  1. A prompt will come up to save this file onto your phone - tap on Download


  1. Now that the file is downloaded, it can be imported inside of Heliboard > Advanced > Load gesture typing library

  2. Tap on Load library

  3. The file manager should pop up and usually show you the Downloads folder, which is where you’d find this file libjni_latinimegoogle.so

    Note: If you need to navigate through the file system, tap on the ☰ three bars top left > select your Pixel device in the sidebar > Downloads


  4. You’re done and ready to swipe! Try it out the next time your keyboard pops up.

Note that HeliBoard makes absolutely no connections to the internet, so importing a closed-source library does not negatively affect privacy.










Above Phone Guide: Customize your keyboard