SmartKeyboardApple Intelligence keyboard: on-device AI writing, right where you type
Apple Intelligence brought on-device AI writing to iPhone. With iOS 26, Apple also made its on-device model available to third-party apps — which means a keyboard can now offer AI rewrites that run on your iPhone instead of on someone else’s server. That’s what people usually mean by an “Apple Intelligence keyboard”.
This guide explains what that is, how it relates to the Writing Tools Apple already includes, what your device needs, and when a keyboard is the more convenient option.
What is an Apple Intelligence keyboard?
It’s a third-party keyboard that uses Apple Intelligence as its AI engine. You switch to it with the globe key like any other keyboard, select some text, and pick an action — make it more professional, fix the spelling, summarise it. The text is processed by Apple’s on-device model, and the result replaces your draft for you to review.
The difference from most AI keyboards is where the work happens. Many AI keyboards send your text to a cloud service. With an Apple Intelligence keyboard, rewrites can happen on the device, with no AI account to create and no API key to paste in.
SmartKeyboard is one example: with Apple Intelligence selected and available, your writing is processed on your device. Cloud providers (OpenAI and Gemini) are optional and only used if you choose them.
How is that different from Apple’s Writing Tools?
Apple Intelligence already includes Writing Tools, which you reach by selecting text in a supported app. They cover common jobs such as proofreading, rewriting in a different tone and summarising. If those built-in options do what you need, you may not need anything else — and they’re worth trying first.
A keyboard approaches the same on-device model from a different angle:
- It lives where you type. The actions are on the keyboard itself, so the flow is type → select → tap, without going through the text-selection menu.
- It can remember your instructions. If you keep asking for the same thing — “keep it under 50 words, use British English, skip the corporate language” — a keyboard with custom prompts lets you save that once and reuse it in any app.
- It can offer a choice of AI. Some keyboards, SmartKeyboard included, let you switch to a cloud provider when you want a different model, while keeping on-device as the default.
Neither is “better” in general. Writing Tools are built in and need no setup; a keyboard is worth it if you want reusable prompts or one consistent place for AI writing across apps.
What your iPhone needs
An Apple Intelligence keyboard can only use Apple Intelligence if your device can. For SmartKeyboard, that means:
- iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 or later. The app requires it.
- A device that supports Apple Intelligence, with a supported language and region. Apple keeps the current requirements up to date — check there rather than relying on a list in a blog post.
- Apple Intelligence turned on, in Settings → Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- The model downloaded. After you turn it on, iOS may need time to download what it needs. Rewrites won’t work until that finishes.
Running iOS 26 alone doesn’t guarantee on-device AI. If your device doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, SmartKeyboard’s optional cloud providers (OpenAI or Gemini, on the Basic or Pro plans, with your own API key) are the alternative.
How to set one up
- Download the keyboard app and open it once.
- Add the keyboard in Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard.
- In any text field, switch to it with the globe key.
- Select a short draft and choose an action. Review the result before sending.
Our step-by-step guide to adding an AI keyboard on iPhone covers each step in detail, including when Full Access is needed and what to do if the keyboard doesn’t appear.
Privacy: what stays on your device
On-device processing is the main reason to choose Apple Intelligence as your keyboard’s AI. In SmartKeyboard, when you choose an action the keyboard uses your selection — or the available text around the cursor if nothing is selected. With Apple Intelligence, that text is processed on-device. If you switch to a cloud provider, the text you submit goes to the provider you chose.
Whichever keyboard you pick, read its privacy policy before you start: it should say plainly what text is processed and where. Here is SmartKeyboard’s privacy policy.
Limits worth knowing
- Text length. iOS limits how much text a keyboard can access, so work on a paragraph or a message at a time.
- Where it works. Third-party keyboards work in apps and text fields that allow them. Password fields and some apps always use the system keyboard.
- Always review. AI rewrites can change meaning. Read the result before you send it.
What it costs
SmartKeyboard is free to download. On a supported device, the Free plan includes unlimited Apple Intelligence transforms, five built-in prompts (Email, Summarize, Formal, Casual and Explain) and one custom prompt — no subscription needed. Paid plans add more built-in prompts, unlimited custom prompts and optional cloud providers; see pricing on the homepage.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Apple Intelligence keyboard made by Apple?
No. It’s a third-party keyboard that uses Apple’s on-device Apple Intelligence model. Apple’s own Writing Tools are built into iOS and reached from the text-selection menu.
Does it work without an internet connection?
With Apple Intelligence selected and available, SmartKeyboard processes your writing on the device. Cloud providers such as OpenAI and Gemini need an internet connection.
What if my iPhone doesn’t support Apple Intelligence?
On-device rewrites won’t be available. In SmartKeyboard, the Basic and Pro plans can use OpenAI or Gemini with your own API key instead; provider usage charges are separate.