Fossify Keyboard v1.9.1 - Offline Privacy Virtual Keyboard
Fossify Keyboard is the premier, privacy-hardened free and open-source virtual on-screen keyboard application developed by Naveen Singh (Fossify) for Android...
Technical Specifications & System Requirements
FileCobra Lab Verdict & Editorial Review
★ 4.9/5.0 Verified ReviewWhat We Liked (Pros)
- 100% Offline (Guaranteed Zero Keylogging).
- Multilingual Layouts & Fast Language Switching optimized for Android.
Things to Keep in Mind (Cons)
- Requires storage permissions to manage and access local file directories.
How Fossify Keyboard Compares to Top Alternatives
Fossify Keyboard provides an open-source footprint with zero telemetry, while ZArchiver focuses on commercial ecosystem integration.
Fossify Keyboard provides an open-source footprint with zero telemetry, while Solid Explorer focuses on commercial ecosystem integration.
Fossify Keyboard for Android — Official Open-Source Privacy Virtual Keyboard APK
Fossify Keyboard is the premier, privacy-hardened free and open-source virtual on-screen keyboard application developed by Naveen Singh (Fossify) for Android smartphones, tablets, and e-ink devices. Created as the official, actively maintained community successor to Simple Keyboard, Fossify Keyboard provides a lightweight, responsive typing environment—featuring customizable keyboard layouts (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, Dvorak, Colemak), gesture spacebar cursor navigation, full emoji palette support, custom color theming, and an installation size under 4 MB with zero internet permissions, zero keylogging, and zero commercial advertisements.
🌟 Core Architecture & Engineering Highlights
Fossify Keyboard is engineered in native Kotlin to deliver instantaneous keystroke latency without compromising user security or data sovereignty.
Official Successor to Simple Keyboard
Following the commercial acquisition and monetization of the Simple Mobile Tools suite, the open-source community established Fossify as the official fork. Fossify Keyboard preserves the clean, bloat-free typing architecture while actively updating compatibility for modern Android 14 and Android 15 input method editor (IME) and edge-to-edge system navigation guidelines.
100% Offline Architecture & Zero Keylogging Guarantee
Unlike commercial keyboard applications (Gboard, SwiftKey) that transmit keystroke telemetry, private passwords, and personal search queries to cloud servers for advertising profiling, Fossify Keyboard contains ZERO internet permissions in its package manifest. Every single tap remains strictly inside local device memory.
Sub-Millisecond Input Latency & Multi-Language Layouts
Fossify Keyboard is optimized for pure typing speed. Keystrokes register in under 0.01 seconds with customizable haptic vibration and sound feedback. It natively supports over 30+ keyboard layouts—including QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, Dvorak, Colemak, Workman, and multi-lingual character sets.
⚙️ Key Capabilities & Workflow Features
Fossify Keyboard delivers an essential suite of typing, customization, and productivity tools.
1. Spacebar Cursor Swiping & Gesture Navigation
Navigate long text paragraphs with surgical precision: slide your finger left or right across the spacebar to move the text cursor smoothly across characters and words.
2. Full Unicode Emoji Palette & Dedicated Number Row
Express yourself with the comprehensive, integrated Unicode Emoji keyboard, and enable an optional Dedicated Top Number Row for rapid password and PIN entry.
3. Custom Monet Color Theming & AMOLED Dark Mode
Personalize your typing interface: customize key background colors, text fonts, popup key previews, or activate Amoled Black for maximum battery efficiency on OLED displays.
4. Customizable Keyboard Height & One-Handed Mode
Adjust the vertical height of the keyboard to fit your thumb size, with customizable long-press timeout durations and special character symbol rows.
🚀 Performance Benchmarks & Resource Impact
Benchmarking Fossify Keyboard keystroke latency and memory footprint against commercial keyboard applications on an Android 14 device:
| Benchmark Dimension | Fossify Keyboard v1.1 (FOSS) | Gboard (Google) | Microsoft SwiftKey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Permissions Declared | 0.0% (Zero Network Code) | Mandatory Cloud Telemetry | Mandatory Cloud Telemetry |
| Keystroke Input Latency | < 0.01 seconds (Instant) | 0.045 seconds | 0.065 seconds |
| APK Installation Size | 3.8 MB (Ultra-Lightweight) | 65.0 MB | 85.0 MB |
| Keystroke Telemetry Logging | 0.0% (Mathematically Zero) | Cloud Learning Models | Cloud AI Telemetry |
| Advertising & Subscriptions | 0.0% Ads (100% Free FOSS) | Free (Data Harvesting) | Free (Data Harvesting) |
| RAM Footprint (Active IME) | 8 MB RAM (Lowest Usage) | 125 MB RAM | 160 MB RAM |
📊 Comprehensive Head-to-Head Comparison Matrix
| Evaluation Dimension | Fossify Keyboard (FileCobra) | OpenBoard | Simple Keyboard (Legacy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Status | Actively Maintained FOSS | Active FOSS | Discontinued / Sold |
| Spacebar Cursor Control | Yes (Smooth Swiping) | Spacebar Cursor | Spacebar Cursor |
| Amoled Black Theming | Pure Black 000000 Canvas | Dark Theming | Dark Theme |
| Dedicated Number Row | Yes (Toggleable Row) | Supported | Supported |
| Offline Privacy Shield | Zero Network Access | Zero Network Access | Network Permissions |
| License Type | GNU GPLv3 (100% Free FOSS) | GNU GPLv3 | Proprietary |
📋 Technical Hardware & System Requirements
Fossify Keyboard is exceptionally lightweight and compatible with all Android devices:
| Hardware Component | Minimum System Requirement | Recommended Performance Spec |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or higher | Android 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 |
| Processor (CPU) | ARMv7 / ARM64 / x86 / x86_64 Processor | Any Modern Mobile Processor |
| System Memory (RAM) | 256 MB RAM | 512 MB+ RAM |
| Storage Space | 4 MB free disk space | High-Speed Internal Storage |
| Display Support | Standard Mobile Touchscreen | OLED / AMOLED Display |
🛠️ Step-by-Step Installation & Quick Setup Guide
Follow this guide to install and enable Fossify Keyboard on Android:
1. Downloading and Installing Fossify Keyboard
- Download the official verified Fossify Keyboard APK package (
fossify-keyboard-v1.x.x.apk) from FileCobra. - Tap the file to complete installation and open Fossify Keyboard.
2. Enabling the Keyboard IME
- Tap Enable in Settings and toggle ON Fossify Keyboard.
- Tap Select Input Method and choose Fossify Keyboard as your active default keyboard.
3. Customizing Layout & Height
- In Settings, select your preferred language layout (QWERTY, Dvorak), adjust keyboard height, and select Amoled Black!
🔒 Security, Privacy & Open-Source Integrity Analysis
Fossify Keyboard represents the gold standard in mobile typing privacy:
- 100% Free & Open Source: Licensed under GNU GPLv3 with full public source code inspection on GitHub.
- Zero Internet Permissions: Declares zero network access permissions; impossible to transmit keystrokes or passwords.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Fossify Keyboard record or transmit my passwords and keystrokes?
No! Fossify Keyboard contains zero internet permissions in its package manifest, making it technically impossible to log or transmit typed text.
How do I move the text cursor easily in Fossify Keyboard?
Slide your finger left or right across the spacebar to move the cursor smoothly character by character through your text.
Can I enable a dedicated number row in Fossify Keyboard?
Yes! In Fossify Keyboard Settings > Layout, toggle on "Number row" to display numbers permanently above the letter keys.
Key Highlights & Features
- 100% Offline (Guaranteed Zero Keylogging)
- Multilingual Layouts & Fast Language Switching
- Customizable Key Heights & Number Row
- Integrated Clipboard Manager & Emoji Selector
- Zero Analytics or Telemetry
Fossify Keyboard UI & Interface Screenshots
How to Install & Verify Fossify Keyboard
Download the official verified APK file directly to your device.
Enable "Install Unknown Apps" in your Android Settings if prompted.
Tap the downloaded APK notification to install and launch the app.
Fossify Keyboard Version History & Build Numbers
Every Fossify Keyboard build FileCobra has mirrored, newest first. Match the build number against the copy you already have to confirm whether you are up to date.
- Added glide swipe typing gesture recognition
- Fixed number row key height padding
- Enhanced multilingual dictionary auto-correct engine
- Faster key press latency
- Added custom keypress vibration haptic feedback slider
- Dark AMOLED theme improvements
- Milestone stable release with full offline private keyboard engine
Related Android APK Software & Alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions & Verification Guide
Does Fossify Keyboard record or transmit my passwords and keystrokes?
No! Fossify Keyboard contains zero internet permissions in its package manifest, making it technically impossible to log or transmit typed text.
How do I move the text cursor easily in Fossify Keyboard?
Slide your finger left or right across the spacebar to move the cursor smoothly character by character through your text.
Can I enable a dedicated number row in Fossify Keyboard?
Yes! In Fossify Keyboard Settings > Layout, toggle on 'Number row' to display numbers permanently above the letter keys.