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iPhone Q&A
Update Published February 8, 2021
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What is the best external keyboard for the iPhone and iPod touch? Is it even possible to use an external keyboard with these devices?
Plug And Play Keyboard
All modern iPhone and iPod touch models support an external keyboard.
More precisely, all iPhone models starting with the iPhone 3GS and all iPod touch models starting with the iPod touch 3rd Gen -- both released in 2009 -- can support external Bluetooth keyboards.
Although effectively any Bluetooth keyboard will work, including Apple's own Magic Keyboard (available from site sponsor Adorama and elsewhere), and this keyboard is not particularly large.
However, for the iPhone and iPod touch devices, an external keyboard designed to cradle a smaller device is ideal to support it without the need for a separate stand and a folding keyboard is ideal to save space while on the go.
Best External iPhone & iPod touch Keyboards
Three iPhone and iPod touch compatible keyboards of potential interest include the Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480, iClever Portable Folding Keyboard, and Geyes Foldable Wireless Pocket Keyboard.
Logitech Multi-Device Keyboard
Photo Credit: Logitech (Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480)
Usb Keyboard Plug
The Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 doesn't fold, so it takes up more space than folding keyboards, but because it is more rigid it is ideal to type with it placed balanced on your lap. It has a built-in slot to hold the device at a comfortable angle, as well.
iClever Portable Folding Keyboard
Photo Credit: iClever (Portable Folding Keyboard)
The iClever Portable Folding Keyboard is a tri-fold design so it is particularly compact and it does not have gaps between the keys. Keys are of uniform size and it is made of high quality aluminum, which gives it a relatively sturdy feel for a folding keyboard. It does not have an integrated stand, though, so you will have to use another stand to hold your iPhone or iPod touch or place it flat on a desk or table.
Geyes Foldable Wireless Pocket Keyboard
Photo Credit: Geyes (Foldable Wireless Pocket Keyboard)
The Geyes Foldable Wireless Pocket Keyboard folds between rows of keys rather than across them which provides a more uniform feel than keyboards that have a henge or henges across the rows of keys. This product is effectively a knockoff of an earlier keyboard from ZAGG, but because the ZAGG product no longer is available, this is a decent substitute. It's a lot cheaper than the original, too.
Of these three, EveryiPhone.com is quite partial to the design of the Geyes, because it both has a built-in stand and folds to save space, which makes it ideal for on the go use. It even will fit in the interior pocket of a coat. However, each of these keyboards have advantage and disadvantages and you may prefer a particular feature of one or another for your particular needs.
iPhone & iPod touch External Keyboard Summary
Regardless of which keyboard you choose, if you haven't tried using your iPhone or iPod touch with an external keyboard, give it a try. An external keyboad definitely can make you far more productive while on the go than just typing with the onscreen keyboard.
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Custom Keyboards
You can provide a custom keyboard by creating a keyboard extension that replaces the standard keyboard. After people enable your custom keyboard in Settings, they can use it for text entry within any app, except when editing secure text fields and phone number fields. People can enable multiple custom keyboards, and switch between them at any time.
Make sure you really need a custom keyboard. Custom keyboards make sense when you want to expose unique keyboard functionality systemwide, such as a novel way of inputting text or the ability to type in a language not supported by iOS. If you want to provide a custom keyboard for people to use only while they're in your app, consider creating a custom input view instead. See Custom Input Views.
Provide an obvious and easy way to switch between keyboards. People know that the Globe key on the standard iOS keyboard, which replaces the Emoji key when you have multiple keyboards enabled, quickly switches to other keyboards. They expect a similarly intuitive experience in your keyboard. Note that the Globe key replaces the Emoji key when multiple keyboards are installed.
Don't duplicate system-provided keyboard features. On some devices, the Emoji/Globe key and Dictation key automatically appear beneath the keyboard — even when using custom keyboards. Your app can't affect these keys, so avoid causing confusion by repeating them in your keyboard.
Consider providing a keyboard tutorial in your app. People are used to the standard keyboard, and learning a new keyboard takes time. Make the onboarding process easier by providing usage instructions in your app — not in the keyboard itself. Tell people how to enable your keyboard, activate it during text entry, use it, and switch back to the standard keyboard.
For developer guidance, see Creating a Custom Keyboard.
Custom Input Views
Apple Keyboard Plug In Keyboard
A custom input view replaces the standard keyboard with a custom keyboard, but only in your app, rather than systemwide. Use a custom input view to provide a unique and efficient method of data entry. Numbers, for example, implements a custom input view for entering numeric values while editing a spreadsheet.
Make functionality obvious. The controls on a custom input view should make sense in the context of your app. Data entry should be clear and intuitive, so additional instruction isn't necessary.
Play the standard keyboard click sound during typing. The keyboard click sound provides audible feedback while the user is tapping keys on the keyboard. Tapping custom controls in your input view should produce this sound too. Note that this sound is only available to visible custom input views, and people can disable the sound systemwide in Settings > Sounds. For developer guidance, see the playInputClick method of UIDevice.
Provide an input accessory view if necessary. Some apps implement an additional custom input accessory view, which appears above the keyboard. In Numbers, an input accessory view helps people enter standard or custom calculations.
