Customizable Open‑Source Keyboard with Privacy Focus

HeliBoard is a privacy‑centered, open‑source Android keyboard that emphasizes customization and secure offline typing. Based on AOSP/OpenBoard code, it avoids any internet permissions ensuring user data never leaves the device. In contrast with many mainstream keyboards, HeliBoard respects your privacy by running entirely offline, making it a compelling source code solution for those concerned about data collection.

A powerful set of features closely tied to the source code supports developers and enthusiasts alike:

• Dictionary integration: Import custom .dict files, use community dictionaries (including emoji and scientific symbols), and enable suggestion and spell‑check in multiple languages. Language support and compilation tools are covered in detail in the code and docs.
• Theme and layout customization: Modify colors, backgrounds, themes, and even dynamic Android 12+ Material You styling. Advanced users can adjust keyboard layouts, special keys, and toolbar icons by editing layout XML or code files.
• Advanced typing modes: Supports clipboard history, one‑handed mode, split keyboard layout, and a number pad—all controlled via source code or runtime settings. Programmers can integrate these features or disable them through configuration.
• Gesture typing (swipe): While the core keyboard remains open‑source, glide/swipe typing requires an optional closed‑source library. Users can extract or sideload the swypelibs binary into HeliBoard via advanced settings. The UI code checks SHA‑256 on the library to verify integrity.
• Backup and restore: Preserve settings, learned words, and layout configurations using coded backup functions.

For developers exploring or contributing to the codebase:

git clone https://github.com/Helium314/HeliBoard.git
cd HeliBoard
./gradlew assembleDebug

Build and test using Android Studio or command‑line, and customize via Gradle, layout .xml, and Kotlin/Java source files. The repository includes layouts.md to guide custom keymap creation.

HeliBoard is licensed under GPL‑3.0 for app code, carrying strong copyleft protections. It also includes an Apache‑2.0 license (from AOSP base) and a CC‑BY‑SA‑4.0 license for app icons. Contributors must follow license terms, preserve notices, and release modifications under compatible licenses. Source code use is bound by copyleft and patent‑grant requirements.

Tap into a growing open‑source community with 3.4k+ GitHub stars, 154 forks, continuous releases (latest v3.2 on Jun 11, 2025), and active contributions. This keyboard is ideal for developers and users who value source‑code security, offline privacy, and rich customization in a keyboard engine.

Additional Info
Author: Helium314
Programming Languages: Java, Kotlin, C++
License: GPL‑3.0 (app), Apache‑2.0 (base code), CC‑BY‑SA‑4.0 (icon)
License Use Limits: Copyleft requires modifications and redistributed apps to use the same license; must preserve copyright and license notices; glide typing binary is proprietary and optional.
Repository Link: https://github.com/Helium314/HeliBoard