General
Why is there an empty rectangle or diamond with a question mark showing up when I try to type a letter?
Sometimes when typing in your language you will see an empty rectangle (⬚)or a diamond with a question mark in the center (�). This happens when the font you are using does not have the character you are trying to type. If this occurs while writing in a program such as Word or an Email, you can fix this by changing the font you are using. Some popular options that are compatible with Indigenous languages are Arial, Times New Roman, Aboriginal Sans and Aboriginal Serif.
If this occurs anywhere you cannot change the default font, such as a social media website, school website, or a smartwatch, unfortunately you will not be able to type the letter.
Mobile
What are the keys with green text on my mobile keyboard?
The mobile keyboard you use may have some keys with green text, as shown in the example below from the Sahtúgot'ı̨nę́ Yatı̨́ keyboard:
These green keys are combining keys. This means that they don’t output a letter or character like a normal key, but they work in combination with other keys. When pressed after a vowel, they create accented vowels:
Which combining keys work with which letters will change depending on which accents your language uses and the combinations needed to write your language. If you’re not sure, check out the keyboard’s help page! If you’re not sure how to do that, see Where do I find the help page for my mobile keyboard? below.
Where are the punctuation marks on my mobile keyboard?
Punctuation can be accessed through pressing and holding (also known as a long press) on the period key. A menu will pop up, and, while keeping your finger on the screen, slide it over to the punctuation mark you want. Remove your finger from the screen to type the selected punctuation mark.
How do I swap between mobile keyboards?
Android
There are two methods that can be used to switch between mobile keyboards.
One method is by pressing and holding the little globe key, usually located to the left of the space bar. Holding this key will bring up your input method menu, where you can select which keyboard you wish to use.
Tapping the globe key allows you to switch between multiple languages if you have more than one installed on your keyboard.
Note: This no longer works on Samsung devices. Please see I can’t swap my keyboard (Samsung) for further instructions on how to set up your device.
The other method is by tapping the Keyboard Button in your navigation bar. Tapping it brings up the input method menu, where you can select the keyboard you want.
Note: This button is only visible if you have enabled it. If you would like to enable it, see Setting up the FirstVoices Keyboard App in the installation guide.
Note: The location of the Keyboard Button has recently changed on Samsung devices from the right side of the screen to the left side . Regardless of which side, the function works the same.
iOS
To swap between keyboards, pressing and holding the little globe key, usually located to the left of the space bar. Holding this key will bring up your keyboard menu, where you can select which keyboard you wish to use.
Don’t worry that the FirstVoices Keyboard option doesn’t have your language’s name! By default, the FirstVoices Keyboard option says “Multiple Languages” regardless of how many language keyboards you have or which language keyboard you have added.
Tapping the globe key allows you to switch between multiple languages if you have more than one installed on your keyboard.
Where do I find the help page for my mobile keyboard?
The help page for each keyboard is linked on the Keyboard Installation Guide on this knowledge base.
In the FirstVoices Keyboards app, there is a question mark button ( 
) beside each keyboard name. Tapping the question mark will open the help page in your browser.
Android
iOS
What are the light gray dots in the top right corner of certain keys?
The light gray dots in the top right corner of a key denote that it is a long press key. Pressing and holding on these keys will open up a menu with additional characters or punctuation. Keeping your finger on your screen, slide over to the option you would like and remove your finger from the screen to type the chosen letter.
On newer Samsung phones, the default keyboard will only allow users to swap between different languages added to the Samsung keyboard instead of between any keyboards users may have installed. The best way to swap keyboards is to toggle on the Keyboard Button in your settings. This will save you from needing to go into your settings every time you need to swap your keyboard!
In your phone’s settings, you will need to scroll down to General Management, then Keyboard List and Default. Toggle on the last option, Keyboard button on navigation bar. There will now be a small keyboard icon in the bottom left corner of your screen when your keyboard is active. When this button is pressed and held, a menu with the keyboards you have installed will appear. Here, you can select which keyboard you would like active.
Note: If you have Voice Input active, you may see a small microphone instead of a keyboard icon. If you regularly use Voice Input and would like to keep this active, you can press and hold the microphone icon and swap it with the keyboard icon as needed, like in the below clip.
If you do not use Voice Input, you can turn this feature off so that the Keyboards Button is always showing. Return to your settings, and once again scroll down to General Management. Tap on Samsung Keyboard Settings, then Voice Input, and select None from the options listed. Now the microphone option will not be shown. If you wish to turn this feature back on, follow the same steps but select Samsung voice input.
Desktop
Where do I find the help page for my desktop keyboard?
The help page for each keyboard is linked in the Keyboard Installation Guide on this knowledge base.
If you are on the Keyman page for your keyboard, you can click on the Keyboard Help link beside Documentation towards the bottom of the page.
If you have Keyman Configuration open, in your Keyboard Layouts tab, clicking on your keyboard brings up a menu with several options - one of them being help. Clicking that will bring you to the help page on Keyman’s website.
On Mac, the Help will be available by clicking the small question mark () to the right of the 
icon. This may be difficult to see, but it is there!
If you have your on-screen keyboard open, there is a small question mark in a circle. Clicking here will open the help page for your keyboard in a new window.
How do I switch between keyboards on my computer?
Mac
You can swap between keyboards by pressing on the input menu button in the top right side of your screen.
Alternatively, you can swap between a Keyman keyboard and an English keyboard by holding Ctrl and tapping Spacebar.
Note: You cannot switch between two Keyman keyboards using this method, only Keyman and another keyboard. You must switch keyboards by going into the Keyman menu.
Windows
You can swap the keyboard you’re using by pressing on the input methods button in the bottom right corner of your screen and selecting the keyboard you want in the menu that pops up. The icon shown on your input methods button will vary depending on what keyboard you currently have active.
Alternatively, you can press windows key + tap the space bar to quickly swap between keyboards. You can navigate down the menu that pops up by tapping the space bar again.
I installed Keyman but the keyboard isn't showing up? (Windows)
Sometimes when installing Keyman on Windows, the keyboard it’s downloaded with doesn’t appear as an input method (image 1). The solution is pretty simple!
In the Keyman Configuration page, under the Keyboard Layouts tab, you should see the keyboard you installed. Select the Uninstall option.
Right after Uninstall is clicked, there will be a pop-up asking if you are sure you would like to uninstall the keyboard - select OK to continue.
Immediately after clicking Ok, there will be the same security pop-up as when you installed Keyman asking permission to make changes (uninstalling the keyboard). Select Ok to continue uninstalling.
The keyboards uninstall fairly quickly. Once that’s complete, your Keyman Configuration window should look like this:
Now you need to redownload the keyboard you just uninstalled. Click Download keyboard… - this will bring up another window with Keyman’s search bar.
From here, you can follow our instructions to search for and re-install the keyboard you just uninstalled by clicking here: Installing Additional Keyboards
Reinstallation should resolve this issue!
If your keyboard still is not showing up after re-installing, please contact hello@firstvoices.com
How do I open my on-screen keyboard?
Mac
To open your on-screen keyboard, you will need to open your Keyman menu. First, switch to a Keyman keyboard. Then click again on your input menu button to open the Keyman drop down, and scroll down to On-Screen Keyboard. The on-screen keyboard will open momentarily.
Your on-screen keyboard will stay in front of any other windows you open, and can be dragged anywhere. It’s a great resource to use when first using a keyboard since it shows you the keymap, and changes if you are pressing on any modifying keys (shift, alt, ctrl, and combinations of those keys).
Windows
To open your on-screen keyboard, you will need to open your Keyman menu. Click on the little arrow (^) to access the hidden icon menu, and click on the Keyman icon. In the Keyman menu, click on On-Screen Keyboard at the top of the right column. The on-screen keyboard will pop up momentarily.
Your on-screen keyboard will stay in front of any other windows you open, and can be dragged anywhere. It’s a great resource to use when first using a keyboard since it shows you the keymap, and changes if you are pressing on any modifying keys (shift, alt, ctrl, and combinations of those keys).
Another way that you can open the on-screen keyboard is by pressing Shift + right-Alt + K. This shortcut will only work if click off of whatever screen you are working in, and tends to work much more consistently in Windows 11.
How do I open Keyman Configuration / settings?
Mac
To open Keyman Configuration, you will need to open your Keyman menu. First, switch to a Keyman keyboard. Then click again on your input menu button to open the Keyman drop down, and scroll down to Configuration…. Keyman Configuration will open momentarily.
Windows
To open Keyman Configuration, you will need to open your Keyman menu. Click on the little arrow (^) to access the hidden icon menu, and click on the Keyman icon. Once in the Keyman menu, click on Configuration… in the middle of the right column. Keyman Configuration will open momentarily.
Why are some letters autocapitalising in the middle of a word when using Microsoft Word?
Microsoft Word has a feature that automatically replaces words and letters with an alternate, such as replacing an ‘i' without a preceding letter with a capital I. Sometimes, due to how a special character is formed, it will automatically capitalise the 'i’ in the middle of a word. This can become quite annoying after a while!
Mac
To turn it off, open up Word and select Tools, then click on AutoCorrect Options….
In the options menu, click the check next to Replace text as you type to turn it off. You can change any other autocorrect features that may have an effect on writing your language, like Capitalise the start of each sentence, here as well.
Alternatively, if you want to remove only replacing the lowercase i with a capital I, you can scroll down the list of replacements, select it, and click Delete.
Windows
To turn it off, open up Word. On the right side of the Home Screen, select Options.
Once Options is open, click on Proofing. In Proofing, click on the AutoCorrect Options… button.
n the options menu, click the check next to Replace text as you type to turn it off. You can change any other autocorrect features that may have an effect on writing your language, like Capitalise the start of each sentence, here as well.
Alternatively, if you want to remove only replacing the lowercase i with a capital I, you can scroll down the list of replacements, select it, and click Delete.
If this is happening to you in another program besides Microsoft Word, try looking in the settings to see if you can turn the feature off.
Keyman is selected but the keyboard is working like an English one? (Windows 11)
Sometimes a keyboard works like an English keyboard even though one of the Keyman keyboards is selected on Windows 11. The first thing you should check is that the keyboard is enabled. Sometimes it’s accidentally turned off.
Open up Keyman Configuration (see here if you’re not sure how to do this), and click on the keyboard you want to use.
Hint: if the keyboard’s name is greyed out, the keyboard is disabled
In the drop down menu, click Enable and your keyboard should work as it should!
If your keyboard still is working like an English keyboard, you will need to un-hide the Keyman icon. This is a pretty simple fix!
Right click anywhere on your task bar, and select Taskbar settings from the pop-up menu. Your settings window will open on taskbar settings.
Scroll down to and click on Other system tray icons. In the options here, toggle on Keyman Engine x86. Keyman will now always be visible on the bottom left hand side of your screen. The keyboard should now work as it should!
My keyboard keeps disappearing when I restart my computer! Do I need to reinstall it? (Windows)
Don’t worry! Your keyboard is still there and you do not need to reinstall it or Keyman! Keyman needs to be opened to work, much like your browser or Microsoft Word. Find the Keyman icon in the Start Menu or Programs on your computer, and double click to start it again. Your keyboards will now be able to be selected again.
There is a way to prevent this happening in the future. Open your hidden icon menu by clicking the small arrow (^) in your taskbar, then click on the Keyman icon.
In the menu that pops up, select Configuration. This will open in a new window.
In configuration, select Options from the icons on the right. Then, click on the box next to Start when Windows starts. Now Keyman will automatically start each time your computer is booted.
How do I keep the Keyman icon from disappearing?
Right click anywhere on your task bar, and select Taskbar settings from the pop-up menu. Your settings window will open on taskbar settings.
Scroll down to and click on Other system tray icons. In the options here, toggle on Keyman Engine x86. Keyman will now always be visible on the bottom left hand side of your screen.
I installed Keyman to my Mac, but it's not showing up as an input source?
Sometimes Keyman does not automatically appear in your Input Sources and needs to be added manually. In your system settings, scroll to the bottom and click on Keyboard. Under Text Input, click on Edit…. A new window with your Input Sources will open.
At the bottom of your Input Sources window, click on the plus sign (+) in the bottom left corner. This will open another window.
In the search bar on the bottom left of this window, type Keyman. Select Keyman on the right side of the screen, then click the Add button in the bottom right corner. This window will automatically close.
Keyman should now be seen in your Input Sources.
