Microsoft's SwiftKey is a popular mobile virtual keyboard, at least on Android. However, on iOS the app has been mostly neglected and has been without updates since back in 2021. When that happens the axe is inevitable. Well, Microsoft is today swinging that axe and says it will kill SwiftKey on iOS.
Specifically, the company has it will remove the keyboard from the App Store starting from October 5. Most users probably knew this day was coming considering SwiftKey has been an example of abandonware for over a year.
A Microsoft spokesperson spoke to ZDNet and confirmed that the company will delist the app soon. However, the that same official says that the current versions of the app will continue to work on iPhone and iPad hardware:
“As of October 5, support for SwiftKey iOS will end and it will be delisted from the Apple App Store. Microsoft will continue support for SwiftKey Android as well as the underlying technology that powers the Windows touch keyboard. For those customers who have SwiftKey installed on iOS, it will continue to work until it is manually uninstalled or a user gets a new device. Please visit Support.SwiftKey.com for more information.”
No Reason
This statement is backed up on the official SwiftKey website. It provides a specific cutoff date, saying Microsoft will remove the app officially on October 5, 2022.
Microsoft does not say why it is removing the keyboard. It is likely SwiftKey is not as popular on iOS as it is on Android. Most Android OEMs have frankly awful native keyboards. Users are quick to change to a third-party alternative such as SwiftKey. Over on iOS, the stock keyboard is generally better.
Of course, the removal may also be due to Microsoft's dislike of Apple's restrictions.
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