SwiftKey Beta update brings incognito mode, text expansion and more

The high level of customization is one of the things I love about Android. That includes the ability to change the default keyboard to SwiftKey. A new update to the beta version of the third-party keyboard is bringing a number of new features intended to help users modify their Android experience even further.

SwiftKey Beta debuts an Incognito mode, a privacy feature that hides the words you type in from the keyboard’s memory. By opting to prevent SwiftKey from learning your input, you can maintain a certain level of privacy and security for sensitive data such as passwords and banking credentials. You can activate the Incognito mode from the keyboard’s quick settings, which will then change the color of the background to a dark theme with a mask.

Another important and useful addition to SwiftKey Beta is the text shortcut, designed to let users store a string of texts in the keyboard’s memory for later use. This feature helps you save time when frequently typing the same phrases – for instance, if you often type “Android Authority” you could assign it the shortcut “aa.” Next time, just type “aa” and the keyboard will offer “Android Authority” as a suggestion.

There’s also an option to switch to the Latin layout when in an email or password field. Furthermore, tablet users can now access all arrow keys on the main layout. The update also supports Android 7.0 Nougat. SwiftKey Beta brings bug fixes to address the red underline issue encountered by some users.

As a beta version, SwiftKey Beta v6.4.5 may not be super stable, so expect to encounter a few problems every now and then. If you want to give it a shot, head over to Google Play Store by clicking the link below and let us know in the comments your impression of the beta update.