Messaging
Write to friends, family, customers, or colleagues without leaving the conversation to translate each draft. LingoKey can be selected from the globe-key menu in compatible message fields.
The keyboard is not reading the whole conversation. You choose the text in the current field and start a translation action yourself.
Email and work
Draft a short reply, choose Professional mode when wording matters, and review the translated result before sending. Specialized or contractual language should still receive human review.
Social apps
Translate posts, comments, captions, and direct messages where third-party keyboards are permitted. A social writing style can help the result fit a shorter, more conversational format.
Browser and forms
Use LingoKey in compatible search boxes and web forms. Password fields and some sensitive inputs intentionally use the system keyboard instead.
Incoming text
When text cannot be edited directly, copy it and use LingoKey’s clipboard translation. Clipboard access is an explicit action and is separate from normal keyboard typing.
Why compatibility varies
LingoKey is an iOS keyboard extension, not a collection of separate integrations. A compatible app gives the extension access to an ordinary text field. The same app can still use different keyboard rules for different inputs.
You may see Apple’s keyboard instead when:
- The field is for a password or another secure value
- The app developer has disabled third-party keyboards
- The input uses a specialized phone, payment, or system interface
- Device-management policy restricts keyboard extensions
Those cases do not mean the LingoKey keyboard was removed. Test in a normal field in Notes or Messages, then check Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards if it is still missing.
What you need in every app
Translation requires Full Access, a network connection, selected source and target languages, and text to translate. Your language pair, translation mode, and writing style travel with the keyboard, so you do not have to configure them separately for each compatible app.