AI Keyboard Privacy: Questions to Ask Before You Type
Learn how to evaluate an AI keyboard’s network access, processing, storage, permissions, and purchase services.
“AI keyboard” does not describe one privacy model
Some writing tools send text to a company server. Others use models available on the device. Some store history in an account, while others keep selected content locally. The important question is not whether a product uses AI; it is where each operation happens and what data leaves the device.
Five questions worth asking
- Does message content go to the developer’s server for generation?
- Does the keyboard request Full Access, and why?
- Are screenshots and recognized text uploaded or processed locally?
- Where are favorites, history, and preferences stored?
- Which outside services still receive technical or purchase information?
What on-device processing changes
Apple’s Foundation Models framework gives apps access to language models associated with Apple Intelligence. Apple’s Vision framework can recognize text in images on the device. When an app uses these on-device paths, the developer does not need to receive the conversation merely to perform the language or OCR task.
On-device does not mean that the entire phone operates without network services. App Store downloads, StoreKit purchases, update checks, support email, and any links you open can still involve Apple or another service under its own privacy terms.
What Charmingo stores
Charmingo does not operate a server that receives conversation text, selected screenshots, keystrokes, or generated replies. Content you intentionally save—such as history or favorites—stays in Apple-provided storage on your device. The app and keyboard share limited preferences and verified access state through their private App Group.
Charmingo does not include advertising, behavioral analytics, or third-party crash-reporting SDKs. If you contact support by email, the information you choose to include is delivered through your email provider.
Privacy still includes your choices
- Review selected screenshots before processing them.
- Avoid including passwords, financial credentials, or unnecessary identifiers.
- Protect the device and Apple Account with a passcode and appropriate security settings.
- Delete saved conversations or favorites you no longer need.
- Read the current privacy policy when a major feature changes.