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Many people give up writing Taiwanese because their phone can't type it
You want to reply to a Taiwanese message at night, or jot down what an elder just said. You open the keyboard, type a few sounds, but all the candidates are Mandarin. After a few tries, you just switch back to Mandarin and finish.
It's not that you typed wrong—it's that the keyboard simply doesn't have Taiwanese input logic.
This article covers three Taiwanese input methods currently available from official sources. It explains download methods, input methods, candidate word performance, and suitable scenarios. You can directly compare your device and habits, and pick one to install.
The 3 Taiwanese input methods compared
First, the basics:
| Tool | Developer | Download source | Main input method |
|---|---|---|---|
| FHL Taiwanese & Hakka Input Method | FHL | Official website (currently version 3.4.0) | Taiwanese, Hakka input |
| PhahTaigi Taiwanese Input Method | Developer Jiaming Wu | App Store (iOS) | POJ, Ministry of Education Han characters, phonetic |
| Ministry of Education Taiwanese Input Method | Ministry of Education | App Store (iOS) | Voice, phonetic |
Next, I'll compare them across five dimensions: download and devices, input methods, candidate words and dictionary, offline use and cost, and updates and maintenance.
Dimension 1: Download method and supported devices
FHL Taiwanese & Hakka Input Method is the only one whose name explicitly says "Taiwanese + Hakka." Installation information is available from its official website, and the current version is 3.4.0. If you need both languages, this one is the most direct fit.
PhahTaigi is a mobile app available on the App Store. It explicitly supports iPhone and iPad, in both portrait and landscape orientations.
Ministry of Education Taiwanese Input Method is also on the App Store, developed by the Ministry of Education. Official descriptions say it can be installed on smartphones and tablets.
→ For this dimension: Mobile users should start with the latter two; if you want installation info from an official website and need both Taiwanese and Hakka, look at FHL.
Dimension 2: Input method—what determines whether you stick with it
PhahTaigi offers three input methods: POJ, Ministry of Education Han characters, and phonetic. You can use whichever you know, without learning a new writing system first.
Ministry of Education Taiwanese Input Method focuses on voice and phonetic input. The official description says it's "convenient for those unfamiliar with Taiwanese writing"—you speak and it writes, making it the lowest barrier for elders or those new to Taiwanese writing. This app also provides dictionary lookup.
FHL Taiwanese & Hakka Input Method mainly focuses on Taiwanese and Hakka input. According to discussions about Taiwanese input software, it's worth checking your device and system version before installation.
→ For this dimension: The three input routes correspond to three types of people. Typing enthusiasts choose PhahTaigi; voice enthusiasts choose the Ministry of Education version.
Dimension 3: Candidate words and dictionary—the key to typing speed
PhahTaigi has the clearest design here: for single syllables and multi-syllable words, you don't need to type tones. Candidate words are ordered by tone. For multi-syllable words, just type the first letter of each syllable, e.g., type "sbh" to find "sam-bûn-hî". Its dictionary is continuously updated; version records mention incorporating data from the Taiwanese-Japanese Dictionary and Ministry of Education dictionaries.
Recent updates for the Ministry of Education version mention updating the input method core module, optimizing candidate word processing and input flow, and fixing known issues.
FHL's public information mainly consists of version numbers and download pages. For dictionary details, check the official page.
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→ For this dimension: If you want to type fewer keys and rely on candidate words to finish a sentence smoothly, PhahTaigi's tone-free mechanism is the most effortless.
Dimension 4: Offline use and cost
PhahTaigi is marked as free and works offline after installation. It is supported by the "Tâi-bûn Ke-si-mī" crowdfunding project.
Ministry of Education Taiwanese Input Method is developed by the Ministry of Education. Its official positioning is to promote heritage and daily use of local languages. The app includes built-in dictionary lookup and other features.
FHL Taiwanese & Hakka Input Method provides version information directly from its official website.
→ For this dimension: If you don't want to be tied to the internet and want to type during commutes or in poor signal areas, PhahTaigi's offline design is the most practical.
Dimension 5: Updates, maintenance, and support
PhahTaigi v2.2.0 adjusted the position of the Taiwanese-English switch, restored the "globe" key to its original function of switching system input methods, updated the candidate word dictionary, and fixed an issue with automatic capitalization.
Recent updates for the Ministry of Education version include adjusting accessibility interface design, improving operation flow in assistive use scenarios, updating the core module, and enhancing system stability. The official site has also announced system adjustment periods for voice services, during which voice input and voice translation may be temporarily unavailable, but phonetic input, candidate words, and dictionary lookup are not affected.
FHL currently lists version 3.4.0.
→ For this dimension: All three are actively maintained. If you rely heavily on voice, pay attention to official service announcements.
Who is each of the 3 for?
- Want to type Taiwanese directly on iPhone and don't want to type tones → PhahTaigi Taiwanese Input Method
- Not familiar with Taiwanese writing and want to speak → Ministry of Education Taiwanese Input Method
- Need both Taiwanese and Hakka → FHL Taiwanese & Hakka Input Method
- Want to use official dictionary resources → The "Related Resources" page of the Ministry of Education Taiwanese Common Word Dictionary provides downloadable electronic files such as character analysis, with lists and formats indicated
Tutorial: 3 steps to start typing Taiwanese (using PhahTaigi as an example)
Step 1: Download the app Search for PhahTaigi Taiwanese Input Method on the App Store, verify the developer is Jiaming Wu, and install it.
Step 2: Add the keyboard After installation, go to iPhone "Settings" → "General" → "Keyboard" → "Keyboards" → "Add New Keyboard" and add the Taiwanese keyboard to the list.
Step 3: Switch and start typing Open any text field, long-press the "globe" key to switch input methods, and select the Taiwanese keyboard. For multi-syllable words, just type the first letter of each syllable, and candidate words will appear.
FAQ
Q1: Do Taiwanese input methods cost money? PhahTaigi is marked as free and is supported by the "Tâi-bûn Ke-si-mī" crowdfunding project. Ministry of Education Taiwanese Input Method is developed by the Ministry of Education. FHL Taiwanese & Hakka Input Method is available from its official website. Actual costs and versions are subject to official pages.
Q2: Can I use it on iPhone? PhahTaigi and Ministry of Education Taiwanese Input Method are both on the App Store. The former explicitly supports iPhone and iPad, in both portrait and landscape orientations.
Q3: I don't know POJ. Can I still type? Yes. PhahTaigi supports POJ, Ministry of Education Han characters, and phonetic input. The Ministry of Education version offers voice and phonetic input, so you can use it even if you're not familiar with Taiwanese writing.
Q4: Can I use it without internet? PhahTaigi works offline after installation. For other tools' connectivity requirements, refer to official instructions.
Q5: What if candidate words are always wrong? First check if you've switched to the wrong input method or keyboard. PhahTaigi's multi-syllable candidate words appear when you type the first letter of each syllable and are ordered by tone. Check if your first letters are correct.
Q6: Where is it safe to download? FHL Taiwanese & Hakka Input Method is on its official website. PhahTaigi and Ministry of Education Taiwanese Input Method are on the App Store. Verify official sources and developer names to avoid installing unknown versions.
References
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