How to Translate As You Type in Any App with the LingoAI Keyboard

TL;DR

The keyboard translates with Apple's on-device translator and needs Full Access for that, nothing else. It has no network code and stores nothing. It covers seven typing layouts (including Pinyin) and fewer translation languages than the app, and password fields always use the system keyboard.

The problem

You’re chatting with someone in another language. Copy the message, switch to a translator, paste, translate, copy, switch back, paste: for every line. It breaks the flow of a conversation and it’s easy to send the wrong thing.

What the keyboard does

The LingoAI Keyboard sits in any app. You type, paste or dictate your message, and it shows a translation above the keys. You can then replace your text with it, append it, or copy it. If you type in the target language, it translates back to your partner’s language, which is handy for reading replies.

Set it up

  1. Settings ▸ General ▸ Keyboard ▸ Keyboards ▸ Add New Keyboard ▸ LingoAI.
  2. Open LingoAI ▸ Settings ▸ LingoAI Keyboard and follow the setup.
  3. In the keyboard’s settings, turn on Allow Full Access. Without it, the keyboard still works as a plain keyboard.
  4. In a text field, tap the 🌐 key to switch to LingoAI.

What to expect

  • Typing layouts: English, Chinese (Pinyin), Spanish, French, German, Russian and Korean. Switch with the language key, hold it to choose one, and long-press letters for accents.
  • Translation uses Apple’s on-device translator, so it works offline once the language is downloaded, but covers fewer languages than the LingoAI app. A language may need a one-time download in iOS settings, and the keyboard tells you when it does.
  • Some apps only share the text near the cursor, so a very long message may be translated in part.
  • Password fields always use the system keyboard.
  • Key clicks and haptics need Full Access too, because iOS only allows them there.

Privacy

The keyboard contains no network code. Nothing you type leaves the device, and nothing is stored.

Tips

  • Translate short messages; long ones lose context.
  • Check the translation before you tap replace, since a wrong word goes out under your name.

FAQ

Why does the keyboard ask for Full Access? Apple’s on-device translator only answers keyboards that have Full Access. That is the only reason, and the keyboard has no network code.

Is what I type sent anywhere? No. The keyboard contains no network code and nothing you type is stored.

Which languages can I type in? English, Chinese (Pinyin), Spanish, French, German, Russian and Korean, with accents on long press.

Why are fewer languages available than in the app? The keyboard uses Apple’s translator. The LingoAI model and Cloud are only in the app.

Does it work in password fields? No. iOS always uses the system keyboard there.

The app LingoAI Translate →