Hacker's Keyboard

39,243

Klaus Weidner Productivity

PEGI 3

Are you missing the key layout you're used to from your computer? This keyboard has separate number keys, punctuation in the usual places, and arrow keys. It is based on the AOSP Gingerbread soft keyboard, so it supports multitouch for the modifier keys.

This keyboard is especially useful if you use ConnectBot for SSH access. It provides working Tab/Ctrl/Esc keys, and the arrow keys are essential for devices that don't have a trackball or D-Pad.

HAVE FEEDBACK, QUESTIONS, OR BUG REPORTS? Please check https://code.google.com/p/hackerskeyboard/wiki/FrequentlyAskedQuestions or email me. It's difficult to track issues reported through review comments.

Completion dictionaries are provided by plug-in packages, see the "other applications by this developer" section for the currently available list. The keyboard also supports use of dictionaries (but not keyboard layouts) provided by AnySoftKeyboard language packs.

For more information, please see the documentation:
https://code.google.com/p/hackerskeyboard/wiki/UsersGuide
https://code.google.com/p/hackerskeyboard/wiki/FrequentlyAskedQuestions
https://code.google.com/p/hackerskeyboard/wiki/ReleaseNotes
https://code.google.com/p/hackerskeyboard/

In case an updated version is not working for you, you can download older releases here:
https://code.google.com/p/hackerskeyboard/downloads/list?q=label:Release&sort=-filename

Known issues include:

- Localization for the keyboard layout is incomplete, currently the Spanish, Finnish, Lao, Romanian, and Thai are only localized in 4-row mode and show the English QWERTY layout in 5-row mode.

- Some languages and layouts may not be usable on your phone if it lacks the necessary fonts.

- Right-to-left languages (Arabic, Hebrew) are apparently not fully supported on pre-Honeycomb devices. Your mileage may vary.

- Many applications don't react to additional keys since they aren't programmed to handle them.

The supported keyboard layouts include:
- Armenian (Հայերեն)
- Arabic (العربية)
- Bulgarian (български език)
- Czech (Čeština)
- Danish (dansk)
- English Dvorak (language "en_DV")
- English (QWERTY)
- English/British (en_GB)
- Finnish (Suomi)
- French (Français, AZERTY)
- German (Deutsch, QWERTZ)
- Greek (ελληνικά)
- Hebrew (עברית)
- Hungarian (Magyar)
- Italian (Italiano)
- Lao (ພາສາລາວ)
- Norwegian (Norsk bokmål)
- Persian (فارسی)
- Portugese (Português)
- Romanian (Română)
- Russian (Русский)
- Russian phonetic (Русский, ru-rPH)
- Serbian (Српски)
- Slovak (Slovenčina)
- Slovenian (Slovenščina)/Bosnian/Croatian/Latin Serbian
- Spanish (Español, Español Latinoamérica)
- Swedish (Svenska)
- Tamil (தமிழ்)
- Thai (ไทย)
- Turkish (Türkçe)
- Ukrainian (українська мова)

Reviews

4.4

39,243 total

5 28,557

4 5,250

3 2,133

2 907

1 2,396

Jayaraman Rajui

Full Credit to the developer for this wonderful app. toggle between language is a special feature available only in rare apps like this. The work that the developer puts is specially appreciable and also the layout given . I found ctrol and alt keys. I only ask the developer , whether the control and alt keys are working as combination keys. If he says that it works, then it is amazing keyboard. Probably not many knows about the value of the keyboard special characters. I also came across the size of keyboard changes from portrait and landscape. Kudos to efforts for humanity. Today , only i search for app like control keys and altkeys, left right up down arrows. Wow app

Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez

Some damn fine work. I'm a novelist, and this is by far the best keyboard for me. Took a second to figure out how to configure the settings to my liking but after that, it's perfect. I love how you can enable type writer sounds. A true work of art! I think I can text faster because of it! Has all the settings you could think of and more. A very clean look and it's all 100% free, with no ads. Thank you for just an overall great experience.

Richard Silverstein

There is so much that is wonderful about this app. The variety of display options is amazing. The infinite language options including Hebrew. The forward & back arrows...genius! It's a fabulous app. But it has one almost disqualifying feature: autocorrect only works while you're typing a word. After it's typed you can't place your cursor on a word and get it to offer spelling options. That means once you've typed a word, that's it. Wish they would correct this & I'd gladly give it a 5.

Malcolm Tan

Been using this keyboard for several months now, and still loving it! Responsive, minimal, neat yet offering plenty of configurable options. You can specifically tell this keyboard how to behave the way you exactly want! Allows you to select different keyboard layouts to suit screen size(s) and orientation. If you modify your DPI settings and want to show more keys (ie. numbers), this is one keyboard that can do it. If you need to enter commands on the terminal (ie. rooted devices), simply flip it around and you get a full keyboard functionality. If I can get give this app 10 stars I will! Bloody well done Devs!!

Charla Kay Conway

THIS KEYBOARD 'ROCKS'!!!! "IF", you learn how to use it correctly. You must download the FREE language user dictionary, to get better word selection variety. In settings... "IF", you don't understand the command settings... Look the commands up in Wikepedia or BING Search. There have been BUGS, however, the developer, seems to be stomping them out. I'm pleased with this App & HIGHLY recommend it to those that don't care about inserting graphic images or emoticans.

It's amazing, I love it. The only thing I would add would be a fourth layout that had the same keys as the 5-row, but with the numbers at the right, so there can be 4 rows with keys that are not so vertically short and horizontally long in landscape mode. Add that and I'll find a way to give you six stars ;P

User reviews

Jayaraman Rajui June 17, 2017

Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez December 16, 2016

Richard Silverstein December 5, 2017

Malcolm Tan May 25, 2017

Charla Kay Conway January 15, 2017

March 17, 2017

Blood Amplifier December 12, 2016

Definitely not standard. Hell yes, a lightweight keyboard that still manages to cram features in there. Some preset themes, a couple of different layouts and heck, even the ability to make it appear on command through the taskbar. Even if extended keyboards ain't your thing, it's still worth a look. Too bad it has seemingly been discontinued. Still, some things are best left at their prime. -EDIT: Never mind it's discontinuation, it's back. Hell yeah.

Nathaniel Rafferty August 21, 2017

When I can get a desktop keyboard like this, I am not interested at all with beautifully-made fancy keyboard out there. Editing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint docs is much easier. Also when editing HTML codes, until coding on an Android phone just feels exactly like in the PC. For use with Limbo PC Emulator, the PC keys work. P.S. I type this review using Hacker's Keyboard. I also press the "submit" button by using the page down key until it highlights "submit", the hit the enter key.

Jay Cai March 11, 2017

Awesome minimalist keyboard! It be nice to be able to hold main keys to get punctuations like latest gboard, but I can live w pressing the alt key as toggle still. The return key is a bit big (in 4row gingerbread style), so accidentally hit it often.

Brett Kelly January 24, 2017

This is the best keyboard if you need to type exactly what you want without the keyboard getting in the way. Still use Gboard as main keyboard but use this one with autocorrect turned off. Takes some getting used to, but it's truly a hacker's keyboard. Plenty of easy access to every symbol you'd ever want or need, and installing a dictionary gives you predictive text which makes it a lot easier to use as a general keyboard.

Nathan Khora December 1, 2017

Update to original review. .. Please create a Polish language dictionary to use in your keyboard!!!! The polish language is becoming more commonplace here in Chicago. Years ago, you did have one. Thank you kindly! Original review: I have been using this keyboard, along with my standard keyboards, for years. I install it on every new phone I get and also suggest it to friends. Overall, I love the features this app offers as a keyboard! It is PERFECT for DEVELOPERS and BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS!!! It would be nice to see the Polish (Polski) dictionary pack be added back into the list of available downloadable language packs once again. Years ago, that was available, but it no longer is. I do think it would be awesome if the option to type emoji on the keyboard were added! If those 2 requests could be met, that would be amazing! Regardless, I still rate this app 5 STARS! Thank you, Klaus Weidner, for creating one of the very best tools available in the Google Play Store!!!!

August 29, 2017

Thank you so much for such simple yet customizable keyboard without any unneccessary permission requests. Just one small minor thing - can you add dot on double space tap? It would save even more time. But then again - it is so minor that i will probably get used to it.

Michael Tanquary March 18, 2017

Using it right now. Grows on you real quick. For instance it displays forward slash / if it can fit it. Again if it fits arrow keys, \ [ ] = has autocorrect. I paid for ai.type and i like this better. ai.type has swype but it sucks anyways. Oh and no damn emoji popping up when you least expect it reminiscent of the ms word paper clip. Maybe should give it a new name like grown ups keyboard or maybe grups like that Star Trek episode.

Robert Branstetter January 1, 2017

Best Keyboard I've Ever Found! Great keyboard! Not perfect, but almost. It would be nice if we could adjust spacing on punctuation row. Even more important is ability to override other apps, etc., and keep fifth row open ALL the time! Thanks for making this! =^_^=

Suraj Sharma February 26, 2017

Has real potential but needs improvements. Improvements include arrows keys, ctrl, home, end keys in portrait mode. Other improvements could be cursor control by spacebar swipe, show additional common symbols such as @#$%&*+ on letter keys (access via long hold). Swipe features are currently difficult to use, and autocorrect suggestions conflict with symbol suggestions.

Joseph S Dino Duguay September 11, 2017

Great! Two suggestion... 1 - Would it be possible to have the settings option to enable the extension row by default? 2 - Is there a possibility to have emoticons for using in personal messaging? Thanks! These two features would make HK perfect for me and make me get rid of my alternate keyboard apps.

Evil Dave of Canada July 30, 2017

I think that this id THE BEST KEYBOARD available for someone who needs most if not all of the keys from a Standard PC Keyboard. I have it installed for those VERY infrequent times that I need those extra keys. I'm a retired programmer so I know the use of those keys when you need them. I had to try the rest BUT I came back to the best!

Wayne LeRoy December 24, 2017

THIS APP IMPOSES CENSORSHIP ON THE USER. I do not like the fact that the developer has baby-proofed this app by preventing the user from adding fowl language to the custom user dictionary. The app will store anything you want, even if it is slang or random sequence of letters and characters BUT WILL NOT STORE WORDS THAT THE DEVELOPER APPARENTLY FINDS OFFENSIVE. Sorry, but I do not like censoring of my own words and conversations.

Letty Mosby May 12, 2017

I have used the hacker's keyboard for a very long time over many different devices. I love it so much I show it to my friends as well. But in the last few days, it has been draining my battery in an extreme fashion. by itself it has reached 36.09% battery drain. its killing my battery so I have to find a new keyboard

Chris Smith August 22, 2017

While using Dcoder I was struggling with Google's PC keyboard layout. Although it was working it was NOT smooth. Got a hold of this keyboard and I'm in coder heaven. One thing I would change is that so far I don't see an easy 'delete' key. It would be cool if we could change 'backspace' to 'delete'. Either an option in settings or as a 'shift+' key. Most IDEs do auto-complete so your left either not typing the closing key and have to arrow around or deleting them.

Keyur Parikh April 20, 2017

This keyboard is awesome in ways that keyboard app are supposed to be. There is no swype input but its as best as typing on real keyboard. Being on android swype function is without a doubt extraordinary, it was the reason I came to android. But one button typing has merits as well. But forget one handed input need two thumbs. ;-)

Wlodek Laszcz December 29, 2016

Pretty good Quite good. For me the best one I have ever used. Yes, I know some people complain lack of this, or that. It's hard to please everyone. It is even impossible ;-) Maybe it's even better when people comment weak points, because the criticism shows the autor areas which should, or could be improved in future releases :-)) Best regards.

January 3, 2018

If you miss your hard keyboard, you WILL love this app. Type your passwords without having to Shift. Made a mistake in an article? No problem, you have your old friends, the cursor control keys. This may be called a hackers keyboard, I call it the best imitation of a hard keyboard you'll find.

Tristan Masangkay June 8, 2017

The App i've Been Looking For. I've been trying to Find an Advanced Keyboard app That Supports the PC Keys. I needed this app Because i was Installing Windows XP in my Phone and i Forgot that I Need some other Keys and I tried some other keyboard app. the Controls are Bad. But when i used this app. I Successfully Installed Windows XP in my Phone. I Recommend Developers to Download this app

samierage December 7, 2017

This keyboard will be way perfect if the next version has emoji feature added to it unlike other keyboards which has emoji for a user to apply emojis as he/she uses the keyboard, so pls... Developer do me a favour by adding emojis thanks. Nice keyboard though

Dee Luna June 19, 2017

Many other keyboards have access to way to many permissions where this only uses vibration and editing of the user defined dictionary. With that in mind, having access to anything more, such as accessing the internet or GPS, is suspicious. Also having a full keyboard is a nice touch. The only thing that is weird is just the name. Note, without a separate download, the autocorrect and and predictive typing will not work.

February 13, 2017

Best keyboard for programming. It works just like a PC keyboard. Thanks for giving it free. Also thanks for giving the option to change "Ctrl-a" (select all) to "Ctrl-Alt-a. I had deleted everything by mistake many times. This option is very helpful.

Michael Grieswald October 22, 2017

Some kind of a repeat-lock key (graphical display of the lock state via in-key led (like it is done with shift-lock key)) would be helpful. Otherwise 5* ... still no idea how this could be done. Think a timeout that fires, when resting with the touch on the display, after selecting a key (or a subkey in a key's micro-menu) is a way to go. What is also missing, is the possibility to enter e.g. TAB character as keycode via numpad - does not seem to work currently.

Daniel DePeau December 25, 2016

I got very used to the keyboard that originally came with my phone, and was disappointed when it changed after a system update - after trying a couple alternatives, I eventually found this one, and I love it! There are many customization options and a full featured keyboard that even includes Ctrl and Alt "keys" (in landscape mode), while still providing a clean, simple interface without all the useless clutter that so many other keyboards insist on including.

John T March 24, 2017

Love the keyboard but there is no / key on the 5 row compact mode. Developers, how are you supposed to type urls? Please ditch the :-) key and add /. Would rate 5 stars instead of 4 for this simple change. Please and thank you for the great app!

IVan jiBs October 27, 2017

This is the fastest and lightest keyboard on the store right now imo. Very low ram usage and very simple user interface. It does what a keyboard should do and that is to type words. It works well for older android versions too. if u are looking for a fancy stylish keyboard with many functionality, this keyboard is not for you. This app only need 3 app permissions and does not intrude privacy. Two thumbs up devs. Nicely done :D

rajarshi rit October 11, 2017

WTH AFTER TODAYS UPDATE, ALL DOUBLE SPACES TURN DOTS, STOP THIS NUISANCE This app brings to me ease, speed and accuracy. Firstly it provides arrow button. Beside it helps keep caps lock on. This keyboard is very easy to use and Keys are distinctly demarcated.

Basement Coals December 23, 2016

It Creates No Internet Connections to Cloud/External Servers. This Developer/Group Respects User's Privacy-Rights. This app creates NO Internet connections, typed-info is safe, typed text/words/suggestions are not transferred to cloud/external server stuff for analyzing/collection. Its an offline keyboard app, can also suggests words. Lots of features. THANKS. This review was done when i used v1.39.3. Hope the dev can manage time & resource for adding an offline spell checker for andro to mark words. i/we tested GO-kb & Ginger-kb, both creates super massive amount of cloud+external server connections, even when typing!

July 28, 2017

Very nice! Please add japanese layout (at least hiragana and katakana). Also it is uncomfortable to drag space bar that far to switch language, please reduce it a little, like -25%.

Thoth Of The XVth July 17, 2017

HKB is just about the best keyboard out there right now. It provides comically extensive customization to your ever whim, and includes keys that other keyboards may... omit. It doesn't track you, it doesn't have emojis (although it has a nice emoticon menu), and while it offers corrections, it never presumes to know better than you while you're typing (lookin' at you, Samsung). If you want to control your keyboard, rather than have your keyboard control you, this is the keyboard you want, melodramatic as that may sound.

Wall Fur February 3, 2017

A pretty good full keyboard. No invasive permissions. Autocorrect is a bit clunky sometimes. Key presses can be inaccurate, often get one from row above (have screenshot to prove it), but aiming for bottom of keys is enough to work around it. Would be nice to have an option to force suggestions without autocorrect on inputs that otherwise disable it (like a browser address bar).

October 8, 2017

What-you-type-is-what-you-get. Absolutely vital for remote console work. Size of the keys is managable on today's extra large phones. Those complaining about swype or emojis forget that texting isn't the only data entry activity for the mini-supercomputer in your pocket.

Joe Gibeau September 17, 2017

I would give this 5 stars. I love the keyboard but the spell check and word suggestion needs a lot of help. I usually end up having to go to Google to get a spelling or retype things to make it right. Other then that it's an awesome keyboard.

Abdul Wahab May 6, 2017

the best PC keyboard ever. I used it to insert a page break into a free microsoft word document by pressing ctrl+enter. This feature is actually unavailable for free microsoft word user unless you use this amazing keyboard to hack that. :-)

Silver Kasilag June 13, 2017

Practically the only keyboard that actually doesn't lag up my phone I have, so far, tried a lot of the more stylish and nicer looking keyboards out there but then again they lag up my phone and take up as much as 80+MB on my ram when this keyboard only takes up to 16mb. However has a down side. It ain't that stylish lol. So suggestions would be: custom styles, pop-up key fixed and a little more on the key customizing thing.