Adding Layouts
Install new keyboard layouts to support different languages and keyboard styles.
Quick Summary
| What | Description |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Add new keyboard layouts |
| Access | Layouts are bundled or added via language packs |
| Options | QWERTY variants, language-specific layouts |
Built-in Layouts
CleverKeys includes several pre-installed layouts:
| Layout | Description |
|---|---|
| QWERTY | Standard US English layout |
| AZERTY | French keyboard layout |
| QWERTZ | German keyboard layout |
| Dvorak | Alternative English layout |
| Colemak | Ergonomic alternative layout |
Adding Language Layouts
Via Language Pack Import
To add layouts for other languages:
- Build or obtain a language pack (see Language Packs)
- Go to Settings > Activities > Backup & Restore
- Tap Import and select the language pack file
- The layout and dictionary are installed together
See Language Packs for details.
Bundled Languages
Some languages come pre-bundled:
| Language | Layout | Dictionary |
|---|---|---|
| English | QWERTY | Included |
| Spanish | QWERTY (ES) | Included |
| French | AZERTY, QWERTY (FR) | Included |
| German | QWERTZ | Included |
| Portuguese | QWERTY (PT) | Included |
| Italian | QWERTY (IT) | Included |
Managing Layouts
View Available Layouts
The keyboard uses the layout associated with your configured language:
- Go to Settings and scroll to Multi-Language section
- Your primary language determines the default layout
- Secondary language can use the same or different layout
Enabling Multiple Layouts
To switch between layouts:
- Configure languages in Multi-Language section
- Use
switch_forward/switch_backwardcommands to cycle - See Switching Layouts for details
Layout Types
Language Layouts
Optimized for specific languages:
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Latin | QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ |
| Extended | Nordic, Spanish, Portuguese accents |
| Alternative | Dvorak, Colemak |
Specialized Layouts
For specific use cases:
| Layout | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Number Pad | Numeric input |
| Emoji | Emoji keyboard |
Tips and Tricks
- Start simple: Enable 1-2 layouts maximum for easy switching
- Match language: Use layouts designed for your language’s characters
- Learn subkeys: Each layout has character subkeys for accents and symbols
- Multi-Language: For bilingual typing, consider Multi-Language mode instead of switching
[!TIP] You don’t need separate layouts for bilingual typing. Enable Multi-Language mode to get predictions from both languages on one layout.
Limitations
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| Custom layout creation | Not currently available |
| Layout import | Via language packs only |
| Per-app layouts | Not supported |
Common Questions
Q: How do I get layouts for my language?
A: Build a language pack using the provided Python scripts, then import via Settings > Activities > Backup & Restore. It includes both the layout and dictionary.
Q: Can I create custom layouts?
A: Custom layout creation is not currently available in the app. Layouts are provided via language packs.
Q: Why can’t I find my language’s layout?
A: Check if a language pack is available. If not, request it via GitHub issues or create one using the build scripts (see Language Packs).
Q: Do I need different layouts for different languages?
A: Not always. Many Latin-alphabet languages work on QWERTY with subkeys for accented characters. Multi-Language mode provides predictions for multiple languages on one layout.
Related Features
- Switching Layouts - Change between layouts
- Language Packs - Download language support
- Multi-Language - Type in multiple languages
- Backup & Restore - Save your configuration