# Modality Keyboard

> Four-button input keyboard for efficient one-handed typing and accessibility. (iPhone/iPad app by Ian Hanson.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modality-keyboard/id1124238169 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Ian Hanson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1124238168)
- Category: Utilities, Productivity
- Price: $0.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 12 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.3 · 22 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2016-06-26
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modality-keyboard/id1124238169/reviews.md

## What is Modality Keyboard?

By typing with only four buttons, Modality allows for limited movement and works great with one hand.

We want to thank you for being among the first to try out Modality 2, and we invite you to respond directly with ideas for future development at support@joyfulmachines.com

It seems that even Christopher Sholes, the "forward-thinking creator of the original Qwerty typewriter," would have found his own system incorrect for phones.

We released Modality, Version 1 in 2016. At that time, there were a good number of people who got on board and understood its potential for better typing.

But Modality Version 1 needed some updates to run more smoothly. It basically took fourteen months and another 150-200 iterations to get it right.

And those fourteen months were worth it, because Modality Version 2 is incredible! And perhaps the best part of all, it works great on Apple Watch as well.

Some of the features of Modality Version 2 are:

- Word selection near the letter buttons. 
- Letters arranged by shape to make it faster to learn and memorize (patent pending: Red is straight lines with diagonals, Yellow is straight and curvy lines, Blue is curvy lines, and Green is straight lines at 90-degree angles)
- A number pad that makes all 10 numbers an easier reach from one another.
- A "Super Delete" key to remove full words at once.
- Right-handed, Left-handed, and two-handed arrangements to match your preference.
- All the typing in a very small area for ease of access and comfort.
- Punctuation directly on the home screen.

To install Modality, go to your phone's Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard > MODALITY. Then, in any app, switch to Modality by pressing the World button on your phone's keyboard. 

To use Modality, each letter key (red, yellow, blue, green) represents one of the letters shown. Press the series of keys until you see your word, then pick the word you need when you see it. Example: To write "Another," tap red-red-blue-green-green-green-yellow, then tap the word "another." It's super comfortable because your thumb is always moving in circular paths. 

To add a word ending, such as "er," press green-yellow, then select "er/" from the list. A "/" after a word means that those letters will join to the end of the previous word. 

To add a new word to the dictionary, press the "+Word" button and write your new word, then press the "Tap to Add" key. The "Tap to Add" key can also move existing words higher on the list.

If you like, you can also write a single letter by tapping the letters with a * after them. The * means that there will be no space after the letter. 

To shift from right-handed use to either left-handed or both-handed use, press the Gear (Settings) button in the lower left corner. 

To return to the slow, uncomfortable Qwerty keyboard that was meant for ten fingers, press the World button in the upper right corner. 

Thank you again for choosing Modality! We want to hear from you at support@joyfulmachines.com

## Key features

- Four-button input system
- Letters grouped by shape
- Word selection near buttons
- Number pad
- Super Delete key
- Right/Left-handed modes
- Punctuation on home screen

## Recent user reviews (10 of 12)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modality-keyboard/id1124238169/reviews.md

### 5/5 — On the right path, could be amazing

*2019-01-23, version 2.3*

Not there yet for iPad.  For the iPad, I’d like a option to place the main buttons on the left or right edge for thumb input.  The middle limits input to finger taps.  Also, I often have to enter urls and I could not figure out how to type a full url without a lot of extra taps to create symbols and backspace to remove spaces.

### 5/5 — Great keyboard App

*2018-11-01, version 2.1*

The latest version of this keyboard app is easy to use and the interface is very intuitive!

### 3/5 — Interesting concept...

*2016-12-11, version 1.2*

Interesting concept with lots of place for improvement. The most glaring omission is the inability of going back to other keyboards. Interface should be more streamlined and in line with the whole iOS feel. There's no reason for the landscape keyboard to look so subpar to the system keyboard. The same goes for the keyboard for inputting user's own words. All these changes make the implementation of the main concept look worse than it is. As far as that implementation goes, user interface us too cluttered and keys above and below The D-pad, are way too small for error free access. My advice would be to remove all those hints, and to find another way to teach users how to use the app. That would give you so much needed extra room. At least make them optional. Overall, app is not advantageous on iPhone SE in comparison with the system keyboard, but it has a lot of potential. I hope it'll be fulfilled.

### 5/5 — The real review

*2016-08-14, version 1.1.1*

Although it was hard to use at first, modality lets me type faster than I ever have with qwerty. Because of the new updates and tutorials, it is much more compatible with personalized words and social media terms. Modality is my main keyboard and I recommend it for all devices.

### 5/5 — In with the new

*2016-08-13, version 1.1.1*

Modality looks like an app on the cutting edge of typing.

### 5/5 — Just the beginning

*2016-07-10, version 1.0.1*

Modality has a learning curve to it but you quickly see why they made this app and how much potential this idea has for improved mobile typing. -- This company is on to something big. They have recognized that the majority of the population has been using the same keyboard layout since typewriters. 150 years have gone by since QWERTY was invented and we now live in a digital age filled with little touch screens. Times have changed. Maybe our keyboards should change too.

### 5/5 — Take the time

*2016-07-02, version 1.0.1*

Watch the quick videos on how to use. They reveal All Sorts of Hidden Gems and take learning Modality from frustrating to FANTASTIC. Thank you for such a great app.

### 5/5 — Communications

*2016-06-29, version 1.0.1*

This is great. I would recommend it to everyone

### 5/5 — Truly revolutionary! Fun and smart!

*2016-06-28, version 1.0.1*

Love it!

### 5/5 — Genius!!

*2016-06-28, version 1.0*

love it!!

## Frequently asked questions about Modality Keyboard

### What is Modality Keyboard?

Modality Keyboard is a unique input method that allows users to type using only four buttons. It's designed for efficient one-handed use and accessibility, with letters arranged by shape for easier memorization.

### How does Modality Keyboard work?

You tap a series of four buttons, and the app suggests words based on your input. You then select the correct word from the suggestions. This method is designed to be comfortable for your thumb's natural circular motion.

### Is Modality Keyboard available for free?

No, Modality Keyboard is a paid application. It is priced at $0.99, offering a one-time purchase for access to its features.

### What devices support Modality Keyboard?

Modality Keyboard is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. It also works on Apple Watch, offering a convenient typing experience across multiple Apple platforms.

### How often is Modality Keyboard updated?

The latest version, 2.41, was released on February 19, 2020. While the app has a history of iterative updates, the provided data indicates its last update was in 2020.

### What is the age rating for Modality Keyboard?

Modality Keyboard has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for children and adults, with no mature content.

### Can I customize the layout of Modality Keyboard?

Yes, Modality Keyboard offers different arrangements to match your preference, including right-handed, left-handed, and two-handed modes. You can switch between these by accessing the Settings (Gear) button.

### Does Modality Keyboard have ads?

Based on the provided information, there is no indication that Modality Keyboard contains advertisements. It is a paid application, suggesting an ad-free experience.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 2.41 — 2020-02-19

Updated a display problem for the iPad 7th Generation.

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## More apps by Ian Hanson

- [Modality Type](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modality-type/id1432298400)
- [Modality Type 8](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/modality-type-8/id1440036886)

All apps by Ian Hanson: https://appshunter.io/developer/1124238168

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*