How to change your keyboard mode on Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard

How to change your keyboard mode on Microsoft SwiftKey for Android

1. Keyboard modes

• Full (traditional)
• One-handed mode
• Float/undock keyboard
• Thumb/split keyboard mode
• Tablet layout

1 - Keyboard modes

You can customize your keyboard mode from your Toolbar.

• Tap the three dots ...
• Tap the 'Modes' option

Microsoft SwiftKey offers a variety of different keyboard modes, namely: Full (default), One-handed (compact), Float (undocked mode), Thumb (split keyboard), and Tablet.

The screenshots below provide further detail:

Full (Traditional)

This is set as default and presents a traditional keyboard layout.

One-handed mode

A compact keyboard that squeezes itself into the extremes of your screen. Pressing the arrow icon will snap the keyboard either to the left or right.

Float/undock keyboard

A simple tap and drag is all it takes to 'float' or 'undock' your keyboard and manoeuvre it to where you like.

Learn more about float mode/undocking your keyboard

Thumb/split keyboard mode

Thumb mode splits the keyboard in half and is perhaps most useful for typing on larger devices (Surface Duo, Tablets etc.) or in landscape.

Tablet layout

Microsoft SwiftKey offers an extended layout toggle on tablet's used in landscape mode. This option augments your Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard with left/right arrow keys.

Tablet users can enable the setting by:

1. Open the Microsoft SwiftKey app
2. Tap 'Layout & keys'
3. Tapping to enable 'Extended layout'

It's also possible to display a central numeric keypad. Just select the option for 'Thumb layout numpad'.

• Looking to change your language layout (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY) instead? Please see this article.
• Learn how to resize your Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard

At this time we don't offer an option to change keyboard modes on your Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard on iOS.

If you're using an iPhone [except iPhone SE (1st generation)], it is however possible to take advantage of the feature with:

1. Full (traditional) mode
2. One-handed mode

Full Traditional mode

This is set as default and presents a traditional keyboard layout.

Tap One-handed mode

A compact keyboard that squeezes itself into the extremes of your screen. Pressing the arrow icon will snap the keyboard either to the left or right.

To make it easier to type with one hand, you can move the keys closer to your thumb—on all iPhone models except iPhone SE (1st generation).

1. Touch and hold, Emoji :) 
2. Tap One-handed mode.

To center the keyboard again, tap the right or left edge showing the expand key[] of the keyboard.

FAQ

• Thumb mode for iOS is not currently supported.
• Floating mode for iOS is not currently supported.