Kotlin Keyboard Hides Input Field Fix

When developing Android applications using Kotlin, one of the most common user experience issues is the keyboard hiding the input field (EditText) when a user starts typing. This problem often happens when the activity layout is not properly adjusted to handle the appearance of the soft keyboard.

In this article, we will explain the causes, provide step-by-step solutions, and give you working Kotlin code examples to fix the issue where the keyboard hides input fields in Android apps.

Why Does the Keyboard Hide the Input Field?

By default, when the keyboard appears, Android tries to resize the activity layout to make space for the soft keyboard. However, sometimes due to layout settings or window configurations, the keyboard may overlap and hide the input field.

• Incorrect android:windowSoftInputMode configuration in AndroidManifest.xml
• Parent layout does not support resizing (e.g., using RelativeLayout without scroll handling)
• Missing ScrollView or NestedScrollView
• Full screen mode blocking keyboard adjustment

Step 1: Use windowSoftInputMode in Manifest

The simplest solution is to set the windowSoftInputMode property in your activity inside the AndroidManifest.xml.

<activity
    android:name=".MainActivity"
    android:windowSoftInputMode="adjustResize">
</activity>

This tells the system to resize the activity layout when the keyboard appears, ensuring your EditText remains visible.

Step 2: Use a Scrollable Layout

If you have multiple input fields or a complex layout, wrapping your content inside a ScrollView or NestedScrollView ensures that users can scroll to the hidden fields.

 <ScrollView
    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:fillViewport="true">

    <LinearLayout
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:orientation="vertical"
        android:padding="16dp">

        <EditText
            android:id="@+id/inputField1"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:hint="Enter your name" />

        <EditText
            android:id="@+id/inputField2"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:hint="Enter your email" />

        <EditText
            android:id="@+id/inputField3"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:hint="Enter your password" />

    </LinearLayout>
</ScrollView>

Step 3: Handle Keyboard Programmatically

Sometimes, adjusting the manifest is not enough. You might need to programmatically detect when the keyboard is open and adjust the UI accordingly.

Here is a Kotlin example to detect keyboard visibility:

import android.graphics.Rect
import android.os.Bundle
import android.view.ViewTreeObserver
import android.widget.EditText
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity

class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main)

        val rootView = window.decorView.findViewById(android.R.id.content) as android.view.View
        val inputField = findViewById(R.id.inputField1)

        rootView.viewTreeObserver.addOnGlobalLayoutListener {
            val rect = Rect()
            rootView.getWindowVisibleDisplayFrame(rect)
            val screenHeight = rootView.rootView.height
            val keypadHeight = screenHeight - rect.bottom

            if (keypadHeight > screenHeight * 0.15) {
                // Keyboard is open
                inputField.scrollTo(0, inputField.bottom)
            } else {
                // Keyboard is closed
                inputField.scrollTo(0, 0)
            }
        }
    }
}

Step 4: Example with adjustPan

Another approach is using adjustPan, which shifts the entire window up when the keyboard appears, instead of resizing the layout.

<activity
    android:name=".MainActivity"
    android:windowSoftInputMode="adjustPan">
</activity>

This ensures that the focused input field is always visible when the keyboard is open.

Comparison: adjustResize vs adjustPan

Final Recommendation

If you are facing the issue of Kotlin keyboard hides input field, the most reliable solution is:

1. Set android:windowSoftInputMode="adjustResize" in your manifest
2. Wrap your activity layout inside ScrollView or NestedScrollView
3. Use programmatic detection if your layout is very dynamic

Following these steps will greatly improve the usability of your app and prevent frustration for your users when typing in input fields.

Conclusion

The issue where the Kotlin Android keyboard hides input field is very common, but easy to solve with proper layout configuration. By understanding how Android handles the soft keyboard and applying the correct windowSoftInputMode, your app will deliver a smoother experience. Remember, user experience is crucial for app success, and fixing small issues like this will set your app apart.