Top 8 Android iPhone Keyboards Number Row Features Comparison
For users who frequently type numbers, having a dedicated number row on their keyboard can significantly enhance their typing experience. Here are the top keyboards for Android and iPhone that offer this feature, along with detailed instructions on how to enable it.
Keyboards for Android with a Number Row
1. Gboard
Gboard, formerly known as Google Keyboard, is a popular choice among Android users. To add a number row at the top of Gboard, follow these steps:
- Launch Gboard in any app.
- Tap on the “Settings” icon in the toolbar or hit the three-dot icon and tap on the “Settings” icon to open the Gboard settings.
- Go to “Preferences” and enable the toggle next to “Number row”.
2. Samsung Keyboard
If you own a Samsung Galaxy phone, the Samsung Keyboard also allows you to add a number row. Here’s how:
- Open Samsung Keyboard in any app.
- Tap the three-dot icon in the keyboard’s toolbar and select “Settings.”
- Go to “Layout” and enable the toggle next to “Number keys”.
3. Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard
SwiftKey from Microsoft is another popular keyboard that supports a number row. To enable it:
- Launch the SwiftKey keyboard and tap on the three-dot icon in the toolbar.
- Press the “Settings” icon in the icon panel that appears.
- Go to “Layout & keys” and enable the toggle for “Number row”.
4. Chrooma Keyboard
Chrooma Keyboard offers extensive customization options, including a number row. Here’s how to add it:
- Open the Chrooma Keyboard app.
- Tap on the “+” icon in the keyboard’s toolbar, and press the “Settings” icon in the icon toolbar that appears.
- Tap on the second “Settings” button in the icon grid to view the keyboard settings.
- Make sure you are in the “Skins” tab. Scroll down and tap on “Layout basic.”
- Enable the toggle next to “Action Row,” and tap on “Configure Action Row.”
- Enable the toggle next to “Number row” on the next screen. Keep it at the top by holding the two-bar icon next to “Number row” and dragging it to the top.
5. Fleksy Keyboard
Fleksy is a minimalist keyboard that also supports a number row. To add it:
- Open the Fleksy app on your Android phone. Note that you need to open the actual app and not the keyboard while in another app.
- Tap on “Extensions” at the top.
- Press the “Number Row” option and tap on the “Add” button. The number row will be added to the keyboard. Swipe on the top row of the keyboard to see the number row.
Keyboards for iPhone with a Number Row
While the number of keyboards available for iPhone is limited compared to Android, there are still some options that offer a dedicated number row.
1. Gboard
Gboard is available on both Android and iPhone, and it supports a number row on iOS as well. To enable it:
- Launch Gboard in any app.
- Tap on the “Settings” icon in the toolbar or hit the three-dot icon and tap on the “Settings” icon to open the Gboard settings.
- Go to “Preferences” and enable the toggle next to “Number row”.
2. SwiftKey
SwiftKey also offers a number row on iPhone. Here’s how to enable it:
- Launch the SwiftKey keyboard and tap on the three-dot icon in the toolbar.
- Press the “Settings” icon in the icon panel that appears.
- Go to “Layout & keys” and enable the toggle for “Number row”.
3. Fleksy
Fleksy is available on iPhone as well and supports a number row. To add it:
- Open the Fleksy app on your iPhone. Note that you need to open the actual app and not the keyboard while in another app.
- Tap on “Extensions” at the top.
- Press the “Number Row” option and tap on the “Add” button. The number row will be added to the keyboard. Swipe on the top row of the keyboard to see the number row.
Additional Features to Consider
When choosing a keyboard with a number row, it’s also important to consider other features that might enhance your typing experience.
Gesture Typing
Keyboards like Gboard and SwiftKey offer gesture typing, which can significantly speed up your typing. Gboard’s gesture typing is particularly accurate and is known as “glide typing”.
Customization Options
Chrooma Keyboard stands out for its extensive customization options. You can tweak everything from the color and layout of the keyboard to the different symbols on the secondary page.
Voice Dictation
For users who prefer voice dictation, TalkType is a great option. It opens the microphone by default and includes punctuation marks for easier dictation.
Symbol Placement
If you need specific symbols associated with numbers, Hacker's Keyboard is a good choice. It allows you to long press numbers to get symbols like "!" or "@".
By choosing the right keyboard with a number row and considering these additional features, you can tailor your typing experience to your specific needs and preferences.