2026 Free Taiwanese Input Method Options for iOS: 4 Reviewed at a Glance

Why Do You Need a Taiwanese Input Method for iOS?

When you try to send a Line message or write a note in Taiwanese on your phone, have you discovered that the Zhuyin keyboard can't type characters like "𪜶" or "𨑨迌"? Or perhaps you know an elder who speaks Taiwanese fluently but isn't familiar with Zhuyin, so they get stuck typing? In recent years, awareness of written Taiwanese has been on the rise, and Apple has collaborated with Taiwan's Ministry of Education to include local language character lists in iOS, allowing the iPhone to natively display Taiwanese. However, the built-in keyboard still isn't intuitive enough. This article round up 4 free Taiwanese input method apps for iOS, ranging from voice input to pinyin and dedicated keyboards, so you can type in Taiwanese with ease.

Option 1: Taiwan's Taiwanese Input Method – Official App from the Ministry of Education, Most Feature-Complete

The "Taiwanese Input Method" app, released by the Ministry of Education, is an official input method that made its debut alongside the iOS system update in late 2025. It's more than just a keyboard; it's a complete Taiwanese input solution.

Key Highlights

• Voice-to-Text: Simply speak Taiwanese into your phone, and the app will automatically recognize and convert it into Chinese characters or romanization. Its accuracy is high, making it especially suitable for elders or users unfamiliar with pinyin.
• Text-to-Image Conversion: When encountering missing characters (often shown as tofu blocks) on your phone, the app can convert the text into an image for display, solving the display issue—a feature rarely found in other input methods.
• Keyboard Themes and Dark Mode: You can customize light, dark, or black keyboard themes, which automatically switch with the system, so typing at night isn't harsh on the eyes.
• MOE Character Database: It includes the MOE's reference character list for local languages, offering a comprehensive selection of Chinese characters and romanization, and it's continually updated.

Cost and Who It's For

Completely free with no in-app purchases. Suitable for all iPhone users who want to type in Taiwanese, especially elders, beginners learning Taiwanese, or those who need fast voice input.

Option 2: PhahTaigi – Supports POJ, Chinese Characters, and Pinyin

PhahTaigi is a highly rated Taiwanese input method on the App Store, maintained by the "Tâi-bûn Ke-si-mī" team. It emphasizes flexible input and sustainable operation through crowdfunding.

Key Highlights

• Multiple Input Modes: Supports POJ (Pe̍h-ōe-jī), MOE Chinese characters, and pinyin, so you can switch according to your preference.
• Smart Candidate Words: You don't need to enter tone marks to see candidate words arranged by tone order. For multi-syllabic words, just typing the first letter of each syllable can quickly select the word (e.g., typing "sbh" brings up "sam-bûn-hî").
• Offline Use: Once installed, no internet connection is needed; it works anytime.

Cost and Who It's For

Free, with crowdfunding support accepted. Suitable for users who already have a basic grasp of Taiwanese pinyin and like to customize their input habits. However, the app updates slowly and occasionally has compatibility issues.

Option 3: Lohankha – Expert in Tâi-lô Pinyin, Cross-Language Display

Lohankha is an input method focused on Tâi-lô pinyin and POJ, designed for advanced users of written Taiwanese.

Key Highlights

• Complete Tone Support: Supports rare tones like the sixth and ninth tones, making it very friendly for users who need precise phonetic notation.
• Cross-Language Hints: After selecting a word, it shows the pronunciation of the same Chinese character word in Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese, and you can even substitute Japanese or Korean kanji/Hanja fonts. This is great for language enthusiasts.
• Auxiliary Input: For Chinese characters you don't know how to type, you can switch to another input method to type them, and when you switch back to Lohankha, it will show the pronunciation.

Cost and Who It's For

This is a paid app (check the App Store for the current price). Suitable for Taiwanese language researchers, teachers, or those needing advanced pinyin functions. However, stability can occasionally be an issue, and updates may require waiting.

Option 4: Taiwanese Input Method (Dedicated Keyboard) – A Simple and Lightweight Choice

This app, simply named "Taiwanese Input Method," offers the most streamlined Taiwanese input experience as an iOS custom keyboard.

Key Highlights

• Pure Romanization Input: Supports Tâi-lô pinyin and POJ. The keyboard interface is clean, and typing romanization instantly displays Taiwanese candidate words.
• Lightweight and Ad-Free: It has a simple design, doesn't consume many resources, and is perfect for those who just want a no-frills input method.

Cost and Who It's For

Free. Suitable for users who don't need many extra features and just want to type Taiwanese quickly using pinyin. However, its features are basic, with no voice input or text-to-image conversion.

With So Many Options, How Do You Choose?

It depends on your needs. Here's a quick guide:

• If you want the most comprehensive official support, especially voice input or handling missing characters → Prioritize the "Taiwanese Input Method" for its high integration and elder-friendliness.
• If you're already familiar with POJ or pinyin and enjoy quick candidate-word input → Try "PhahTaigi" for its flexible operation.
• If you need academic-grade phonetic notation or cross-language features → Go straight for "Lohankha."
• If you just want a lightweight typing experience without extra frills → Install the dedicated "Taiwanese Input Method" keyboard.

Most readers would be best off starting with the MOE version—it's free and the most feature-complete. If you later want to increase your typing speed, consider PhahTaigi.

Before Using a Taiwanese Input Method, Keep These 3 Things in Mind

1. System Version: Some input methods require iOS 12 or later. For the Taiwanese Input Method from the MOE, it's recommended to update to the latest iOS to get the full character database support.
2. Keyboard Setup: After installation, go to "Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards" to add the new input method, and enable Full Access to use all features.
3. Missing Fonts: Even though iOS has improved, you may still encounter a few Chinese characters that don't display properly. In such cases, the text-to-image feature of the "Taiwanese Input Method" can come in handy, or you can switch to romanization.

Summary

In 2026, typing Taiwanese on an iPhone has more options than ever. From the MOE's highly promoted "Taiwanese Input Method" to the community-supported "PhahTaigi," you can easily send text messages, write notes, and convey your thoughts in Taiwanese. If you want to download just one, we suggest starting with the MOE version—its voice input and missing-character handling can solve the most pain points, and it's completely free. Head to the App Store now, search for an option, and pick a Taiwanese input method that suits you!

References

• Taiwanese Input Method App Tutorial: Voice Input, Missing Character Solutions, and Setup Guide - Mr. Mad
• PhahTaigi Taiwanese Input Method - App Store
• Lohankha Taiwanese Input Method App - App Store
• Taiwanese Input Method - App Store
• Taiwanese Input Method - Apps on Google Play