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How to Build an AI Keyboard for iPhone with a Custom Keyboard Extension

An iPhone AI keyboard is a Custom Keyboard extension for use across supported apps. Learn when to use one, how text input and open access work, and how to keep typing usable without remote AI.
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Build an iPhone AI keyboard as a Custom Keyboard extension when people need it in other apps that support third-party keyboards. If the feature is only for your own app, use an app-specific custom input view instead. For a remote AI service, make the AI action optional: the keyboard must still work when users do not grant full access or the network is unavailable.

Choose the right input surface

A Custom Keyboard extension supplies text input at the active insertion point and can replace the system keyboard in supported contexts. It is not a standalone keyboard app that can override every iPhone text field: secure text fields and phone-number fields do not use third-party keyboards, and an individual host app can reject them. Apple recommends considering a custom input view when the feature belongs only in your own app. Apple’s custom keyboard documentation and its Virtual keyboards guidance describe these constraints.

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Approach Use it when Main trade-off
Custom Keyboard extension People need the AI-assisted input across apps that allow third-party keyboards. You must implement normal keyboard input and a way to switch keyboards; remote AI also raises open-access and sensitive-text obligations. Apple App Review Guidelines, 4.4.1 and 5.1
App-specific custom input view The feature is only for your own app. It is scoped to that app rather than replacing the keyboard in other apps. Apple’s custom keyboard documentation

Create the extension and configure it

  1. Add a Custom Keyboard target. In your iOS app project in Xcode, add a Custom Keyboard extension target. The extension has its own input view controller and runs as a separate, sandboxed process. Apple: Creating a custom keyboard
  2. Set the keyboard’s extension attributes. In the extension’s Info.plist configuration, identify its primary language with PrimaryLanguage. Set IsASCIICapable when appropriate for the characters your keyboard provides. Apple’s archived guide describes these attributes and the keyboard extension setup. Apple: App Extension Programming Guide—Custom Keyboard
  3. Request open access only if the design needs it. Set RequestsOpenAccess when the extension needs network resources, such as a remote AI service, or writable shared-container storage. Declaring this capability does not itself enable it for a user. Apple: Configuring open access for a custom keyboard

Make ordinary text entry work before adding AI

Implement the extension’s input view controller and use its textDocumentProxy to interact with the current text field. The basic text operations are insertText: for inserting characters and deleteBackward for deleting text, as described in Apple’s Custom Keyboard guide.

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// In the keyboard extension, use the active document proxy:
textDocumentProxy.insertText("Hello")
textDocumentProxy.deleteBackward()

Treat these as the foundation, not the whole keyboard. Provide actual keyboard input and a control that lets the person move to another keyboard. Apple’s review rules require keyboard extensions to provide keyboard functionality and a way to advance to another keyboard. App Review Guidelines, 4.4.1

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Put AI behind a deliberate user action

Make the AI feature a clear, optional action—such as rewriting text the user has selected or explicitly submitted—rather than silently sending typed content as the person types. Explain what text will be sent, where it goes, and what the keyboard will return before the first use. This interaction pattern follows from Apple’s access and privacy requirements; Apple does not mandate a particular AI button or screen design.

AI path What it means for the keyboard
On-device or otherwise non-network operation Can provide the operation without requesting network access for that feature. The model APIs and device compatibility depend on the implementation; the Apple sources cited here do not establish a particular model or supported-device list.
Remote AI service Requires open access for network use, user activation of Allow Full Access, and a clear explanation and permission flow if personal data is shared with a third-party AI service. Keep a usable non-remote path. Apple: Configuring open access; App Review Guidelines, 4.4.1 and 5.1

Handle full access as a user-controlled capability

Custom keyboards are sandboxed from network access by default. A remote AI request therefore needs both the extension’s RequestsOpenAccess setting and the user’s separate approval: the user must enable Allow Full Access in Settings. Check hasFullAccess at runtime before offering an operation that depends on that capability. Apple’s open-access documentation

Do not make granting full access a condition for basic typing or for using the extension. When access is off, explain that remote AI is unavailable and leave ordinary text entry usable; when the service or connection fails, handle the failure without blocking the keyboard.

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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Protect the text people type

Keyboard content can include private messages, credentials, health information, and work material. Send only the text needed for the action the person requested, and only for that purpose. Before sharing personal data with a third-party AI service, obtain explicit permission and disclose the recipient and purpose. Explain collection, use, sharing, retention or deletion, and available consent controls in the app’s privacy information. Apple says keystroke or voice data must not be retained beyond the time needed to return text or provide features explained to the user. Apple’s Custom Keyboard guide; Apple’s open-access documentation; App Review Guidelines, 5.1

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Do not imply that a particular AI provider will retain or delete submitted text unless you have verified that provider’s current terms and technical behavior. The keyboard’s own disclosure should accurately describe its data flow.

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Review the extension against Apple’s requirements

  • Confirm that it accepts and enters text and provides a way to switch to another keyboard.
  • Test ordinary keyboard use with full access disabled and while network service is unavailable. Apple’s requirement is that keyboard extensions “Remain functional without full network access and without requiring full access.” App Review Guidelines, 4.4.1
  • Make remote-only AI actions unavailable or explain their limitation when full access or connectivity is missing; do not disable core typing.
  • Do not use keyboard buttons to launch unrelated apps or repurpose them for unrelated behavior. Apple’s keyboard-extension rules limit launching apps to Settings. App Review Guidelines, 4.4.1
  • Test in the kinds of host fields your users care about, while accounting for secure fields, phone-number fields, and apps that disallow third-party keyboards. Apple Human Interface Guidelines: Virtual keyboards
  • Verify that the permission explanation, privacy policy, and actual data handling agree about what leaves the device and how long it is kept.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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