I have had a hell of a time finding a decent keyboard app for my Graphene Pixel 7. Recently I installed Gboard through Obtanium. It's a patched version of Google's keyboard. It really is light years better than anything else I have tried, but I would like to ask SN security experts what if any privacy issues I should be aware of before committing to it?
Make sure to turn off network and any other permissions. I'm not sure about the obtainium version, you may need to audit that code base a bit or judge based on the GitHub repo, but if it has no permissions I believe it's relatively okay. I think some privacy influencers, like the new oil, also say this but check on their blogs too to confirm.
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Thanks for the info.
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153 sats \ 1 reply \ @final 27 Jan
It's 3 years outdated of the real one and is based off of the GBoard built into Google's stock OS rather than the independent app. Using a genuine GBoard APK and turning off network access as what @TonyGiorgio said would be better.
The only place on Obtainium supporting downloading Gboard while tracking updates is APKpure. The site is garbage and full of ads, and the safest way is directly from the PlayStore or another client. Although, it does work if you are adamant to avoid google!
In Obtainium you can add this URL: https://apkpure.net/gboard-the-google-keyboard/com.google.android.inputmethod.latin - copy it, saves you going on the website.
Aptoide is supported on Obtainium but it appears the keyboard is out of date.
FlorisBoard is also getting updates but you need to specify beta/alpha (latest stable is years old) but could be missing features.
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Thanks for the heads up. I'll look now. I agree apkpure sucks, but I sort have gotten used to locating the actual apk I want rather than their crapware. Yes, I am adamant about avoiding the play store, although I know it's a little ridiculous since I use a Google phone!
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