# ⌨️ Keyboard **<— Return to:** @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/customization-PsQPcZtbMZ](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/customization-PsQPcZtbMZ) --- **—> Next lesson:** @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/home-screen-customization-6hiSsQL4ZQ](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/home-screen-customization-6hiSsQL4ZQ) [HeliBoard](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/helium314.keyboard) 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. [https://iframe.mediadelivery.net/embed/158816/1ae49789-a51f-4105-8497-8847316d14be?autoplay=false&loop=false&muted=false&preload=true&responsive=true](https://iframe.mediadelivery.net/embed/158816/1ae49789-a51f-4105-8497-8847316d14be?autoplay=false&loop=false&muted=false&preload=true&responsive=true) ### **Setting Up HeliBoard** ![Opening HeliBoard for the first time](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzRkYmE5Yjc3LTJlZGYtNDRkZi05OGU3LWUzNmM5NDdiNWYyYy80YmUwMDkzMy03ODg5LTRjYzUtOGYyYS1kNzEzMzk0ZWYxMjQvU2V0dGluZyB1cCBIZWxpYm9hcmQgMS5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzUyNDUwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNjEwOTAwfQ.xytgTCvKbPXPipMfM_4dAfoh8HHLr1QOG7gu50CCB5I "right-50 =385x278") 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](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzRkYmE5Yjc3LTJlZGYtNDRkZi05OGU3LWUzNmM5NDdiNWYyYy85MjVkZmViOC0wMWM0LTQzYzYtODRkZS03MmU2MDY1OTI5YWQvU2V0dGluZyB1cCBIZWxpYm9hcmQgMi5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzUyNDUwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNjEwOTAwfQ.cdLuadMLSiXT0UYpkKofYPCzlGXEUB30ragmC0r2Mc0 "right-50 =385x278")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](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzRkYmE5Yjc3LTJlZGYtNDRkZi05OGU3LWUzNmM5NDdiNWYyYy9mZGRmYzU0My0xMTAzLTQ2ODgtYTVkZC04OTM1ZjE4OWU4ZTcvU2V0dGluZyB1cCBIZWxpYm9hcmQgMy5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzUyNDUwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNjEwOTAwfQ.CuOkF_nnBG6DVzQ7JhDTuMyaD-PryQEUtcXdRTqsDj8 "right-50 =385x278")Next, set *HeliBoard* as your default keyboard. Tap ***Switch input meth*ods**. 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** ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzRkYmE5Yjc3LTJlZGYtNDRkZi05OGU3LWUzNmM5NDdiNWYyYy9mNTI4OWRhMC01YWIzLTRkNTgtOTU4Ni0zNDdkNGQxZWU2OWEvRW5hYmxlIGVtb2ppcyBzY3JlZW5zaG90cyAxLnBuZyIsInR5cGUiOiJhdHRhY2htZW50IiwiaWF0IjoxNzkzNTI0NTAwLCJleHAiOjE3OTM2MTA5MDB9.4cSRnoC9TVEG6BAkZxwX1lnRQJ6_ttpfYSTr97_qn9g "right-50 =385x278") 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. :::info *HeliBoard* brings Android-style emojis to your fingertips. ::: *** ### **Configure speech-to-text (STT) Input** ![Enabling Futo Voice within Heliboard](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzRkYmE5Yjc3LTJlZGYtNDRkZi05OGU3LWUzNmM5NDdiNWYyYy84YjVhYjk1Ni0zNzQ5LTQ2ZmMtOTNiNy1hNmFiNDViMTllNjUvVm9pY2UgSW5wdXQgU2NyZWVuc2hvdHMgMS5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzUyNDUwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNjEwOTAwfQ.yJYYvqH18oZYCi8dMx1HFUSDsWIsqFtIdOkoIZvwGEs "right-50 =385x209") 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](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzRkYmE5Yjc3LTJlZGYtNDRkZi05OGU3LWUzNmM5NDdiNWYyYy9lMjdjNjI0Yi01MjE1LTQzYTgtYTc0OC0zYzI4ODMzZmU1ZGEvVm9pY2UgSW5wdXQgU2NyZWVuc2hvdHMgMi5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzUyNDUwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNjEwOTAwfQ.Vs0zFpm2ZBmIR100GI0oK8q2Y5lgMWgD4qReb2xD7hM "right-50 =385x209")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](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzRkYmE5Yjc3LTJlZGYtNDRkZi05OGU3LWUzNmM5NDdiNWYyYy9kNjU2OGY1MS01OWFmLTRlYmQtYjczMC1kZmJiMWM5OTc5YjkvVm9pY2UgSW5wdXQgU2NyZWVuc2hvdHMgMy5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzUyNDUwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNjEwOTAwfQ.aZeY0TP56EIYc0nabMzGdldzZIfkTWWb7UXrrAywrp8 "right-50 =385x209")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](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzRkYmE5Yjc3LTJlZGYtNDRkZi05OGU3LWUzNmM5NDdiNWYyYy8xZDA3ZTBkYS1hMThjLTQ1NzMtOGY2NS0yZTQ3ZWFhMjk2ZjIvVm9pY2UgSW5wdXQgU2NyZWVuc2hvdHMgNC5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzUyNDUwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNjEwOTAwfQ.D1SK3kSTXV_iGlFYQb3p00eC9-sKzZBbR8ehXHX6Hi8 "right-50 =385x209")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](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzLzRkYmE5Yjc3LTJlZGYtNDRkZi05OGU3LWUzNmM5NDdiNWYyYy81NjM2M2IzNy05ODJhLTRhNjgtODI2ZC03MDNjN2QxNDZhNDMvVm9pY2UgSW5wdXQgU2NyZWVuc2hvdCA1LnBuZyIsInR5cGUiOiJhdHRhY2htZW50IiwiaWF0IjoxNzkzNTI0NTAwLCJleHAiOjE3OTM2MTA5MDB9.w713xOeApbR_GCTdzp6Lhzna0RMaOMOiPFr18vzgRU0 "right-50 =385x278")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*](https://github.com/erkserkserks/openboard/blob/46fdf2b550035ca69299ce312fa158e7ade36967/app/src/main/jniLibs/arm64-v8a/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](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My9hMjVkOTIwYi02OGI4LTRlZmItYWRkYy05ODQ3ZjMzOGFlNDgvcXJfbGliam5pLnBuZyIsInR5cGUiOiJhdHRhY2htZW50IiwiaWF0IjoxNzkzNTI0NTAwLCJleHAiOjE3OTM2MTA5MDB9.Kwa5xYieH0zv8OL5DU3eZ5u5B_tL5PHOcWq7_Cb76BM "left-50 =385x385") ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My83NmU4YmY5MC05YmJkLTRiMWMtYTAwZC1lNzAxMzUwZmJmNjcvU2NyZWVuc2hvdF8yMDI1MTIyMy0xMDU5MTEucG5nIiwidHlwZSI6ImF0dGFjaG1lbnQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTM1MjQ1MDAsImV4cCI6MTc5MzYxMDkwMH0.rbUNdbq6Fh3qPh3Ngb7mcVz7oi6HxsFz5K6QBQaHzbM "left-50 =214x476") 2. Once on the website, look for **3 horizontal dots** next to *Code* and *Blame*, which will open a menu giving you the **Download** option. ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My8yYjhjM2EzZi05ZDlmLTQyMjQtOThjMS0wOWE1YzljN2VmMjEvMDIgaGVsaWJvYXJkIGRvd25sb2FkIGFycm93MS5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzUyNDUwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNjEwOTAwfQ.mtwnBlWG96DFXEb5loWSeNJrSS8PFOtjfvs7U1ecuz8 " =426x943") 3. Proceed to download the file by tapping on ***Download*** ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My81ZTcyZGI3Zi05MjYzLTQyMmQtYTUyMy05ZGNiNmExNTc3MDEvMDMgaGVsaWJvYXJkIGRvd25sb2FkIGFycm93Mi5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzUyNDUwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNjEwOTAwfQ.MknsM-zI14oR3LYZxQlAiCVHPV1EKTZXpquRUPOr4sc " =426x943") 4. A prompt will come up to save this file onto your phone - tap on ***Download*** ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My8yNDIzMzBjOC05MWQzLTRhZjItYTU4OC04NTlkY2ZmZmI5NzkvMDQgaGVsaWJvYXJkIGRvd25sb2FkIGFycm93My5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzUyNDUwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNjEwOTAwfQ.RVYdjYSOpa6_NlDs2tKFnvdetDjDkg_6REvYFsJM7Lg " =426x943") 5. Now that the file is downloaded, it can be imported inside of ***Heliboard > Advanced > Load gesture typing library*** 6. Tap on ***Load library*** 7. The file manager should pop up and usually show you the Downloads folder, which is where you’d find this file [*libjni_latinimegoogle.so*](https://github.com/erkserkserks/openboard/blob/46fdf2b550035ca69299ce312fa158e7ade36967/app/src/main/jniLibs/arm64-v8a/libjni_latinimegoogle.so) :::info 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*** ::: 8. You’re done and ready to swipe! Try it out the next time your keyboard pops up. --- :::tip 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](/doc/keyboard-1ZgAkmXaH8) --- **Documents** - [Getting Started](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/getting-started-2PIp21MpGq) - [Application Guides](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/application-guides-jAjlxuCIBy) - [Above Essentials](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/above-essentials-KkbCdqt7F7) - [Profiles](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/profiles-UiYjt5uT5E) - [Migrating from other devices](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/migrating-from-other-devices-h0cJeSFPOe) - [Backup & Restore](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/backup-restore-8eA0cmjC3G) - [FAQs](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/faqs-HUNU8JOych) - [Privacy Strategies](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/privacy-strategies-uHCZH7KxdC) - [Older Above Phones](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/older-above-phones-fG3zUVbYnS)