What Full Access means on iPhone
Apple keeps third-party keyboards in a restricted environment by default. Turning on Full Access allows the keyboard to communicate over the network and coordinate with its containing app. A cloud translation keyboard cannot return a translation without that connection.
Apple displays a broad warning because the permission applies to third-party keyboards in general. The warning describes what a keyboard could technically do; the product’s privacy policy and actual implementation describe what LingoKey does.
When LingoKey sends text
LingoKey sends text when you actively request a translation. The request includes the selected text and the language, mode, and style choices needed to generate the result. It does not proactively send every field you type into.
Normal typing is not a translation request. LingoKey also uses network access for actions such as authentication, subscription verification, and diagnostics needed to operate or troubleshoot the service.
Clipboard translation is a separate action
When you copy incoming text and open the clipboard translation panel, LingoKey reads the copied value for the action you requested. iOS may display a paste permission prompt. This workflow is separate from translating a draft in the current text field.
Account and service data
LingoKey may process information required to operate the service, including an email address if you create an account, authentication identifiers, subscription status, selected settings, and diagnostics used to investigate failures. The current app can also begin with a guest account.
What LingoKey does not need
Keyboard translation does not require access to your contacts, photos, location, microphone, or camera. LingoKey does not request those unrelated data sources for this feature.
Secure password fields generally use Apple’s system keyboard instead of third-party keyboards. Individual apps can also disable keyboard extensions for their own text fields.
Your practical privacy checklist
- Install keyboards only from a source you trust.
- Read the privacy policy before enabling Full Access.
- Request translation only for text you are comfortable sending to a translation service.
- Avoid placing highly sensitive secrets into any cloud translation product.
- Remove the keyboard or disable Full Access at any time in iOS Settings.
How to turn Full Access off
Open Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → LingoKey and turn off Allow Full Access. The keyboard can remain installed for ordinary local key input, but cloud translation and other network-dependent actions will not work until access is enabled again.
Read the complete LingoKey Privacy Policy.