WARNING when using mobile device wallets (Android, iOS)

[logfiles]

Definitely no other way but to stick to original apps within our smartphones OR lets just switch to the Hardware Wallet and Paper Wallets. Best on the market so far. 

I don't think sticking to the default or stock keyboard app of the smartphone would be the best piece of advice. For example, Google also collects all kinds of data. That's why those keyboard apps can even try to predict the word you wanted to type but misspelled it, and what you might type next.

I would rather suggest one only chooses to use software wallets that have their own virtual keyboards for typing in passwords, seeds...

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[libert19]

Definitely no other way but to stick to original apps within our smartphones OR lets just switch to the Hardware Wallet and Paper Wallets. Best on the market so far.  

I don't think sticking to the default or stock keyboard app of the smartphone would be the best piece of advice. For example, Google also collects all kinds of data. That's why those keyboard apps can even try to predict the word you wanted to type but misspelled it, and what you might type next.

I would rather suggest one only chooses to use software wallets that have their own virtual keyboards for typing in passwords, seeds...

Keyboard can collect and share data if it's granted Internet access, block it using firewall app like NetGuard [1] (some android skins have this functionality built-in). Of course this will restrict the functionality and some keyboard apps might even refuse to open until you grant Internet access.

Or you may use barebone keyboard apps like Simple Keyboard [2] which doesn't require Internet acess in first place.


[1] NetGuard

[2] Simple Keyboard

[Cricktor]

I would rather suggest one only chooses to use software wallets that have their own virtual keyboards for typing in passwords, seeds...

This is important and preferable as long as the software wallet itself is also open-source. Electrum does this on Android devices. I haven't checked other common and reputable software wallet apps for Android like Bluewallet or Unstoppable with respect to private virtual keyboard usage yet. (I try to avoid having a hot wallet on my mobile phone for more than pocket money amounts).

Or you may use barebone keyboard apps like Simple Keyboard [2] which doesn't require Internet acess in first place.

[2] Simple Keyboard

Here's the open-source code on Github for Simple Keyboard and the app is also available on F-Droid.

On mobile devices that use some sort of input method apps, aka keyboard apps, it's crucial to have a secure keyboard app that doesn't spread input data all over the manufacturer's cloud or backend (or Google's/Apple's). Probably every current modern mobile phone has a too fancy keyboard apps that likely don't respect your input's privacy at all. I wouldn't want to enter any important and valuable wallet's mnemonic words for setup/recovery with any pre-installed keyboard app that has typing correction or swipe features.
(Yes, such features can all be implemented locally and securely, but can or do you trust big companies?)

[NotATether]

Or you may use barebone keyboard apps like Simple Keyboard [2] which doesn't require Internet acess in first place.

[2] Simple Keyboard

Here's the open-source code on Github for Simple Keyboard and the app is also available on F-Droid.

On mobile devices that use some sort of input method apps, aka keyboard apps, it's crucial to have a secure keyboard app that doesn't spread input data all over the manufacturer's cloud or backend (or Google's/Apple's). Probably every current modern mobile phone has a too fancy keyboard apps that likely don't respect your input's privacy at all. I wouldn't want to enter any important and valuable wallet's mnemonic words for setup/recovery with any pre-installed keyboard app that has typing correction or swipe features.
(Yes, such features can all be implemented locally and securely, but can or do you trust big companies?)

That would be the ideal solution for wallets that do not utilize their own keyboards. But the only problem at this point would be, how do you remember to use the simple keyboard for the wallet, if you were using the default keyboard for the past two hours inside other apps? Let's assume there are no other 3rd party keyboards. As far as I know, the default keyboard can't be disabled, so maybe if there was the ability to change the color of this simple keyboard, which should be possible since it's open source, then it would be easier to remember which one to use it for wallets.

[libert19]

But the only problem at this point would be, how do you remember to use the simple keyboard for the wallet, if you were using the default keyboard for the past two hours inside other apps? Let's assume there are no other 3rd party keyboards. As far as I know, the default keyboard can't be disabled, so maybe if there was the ability to change the color of this simple keyboard, which should be possible since it's open source, then it would be easier to remember which one to use it for wallets.

By clicking 'keyboard' icon at bottom right, this icon will appear whenever you are in text input field [1]. You can disable default keyboard, I have Google keyboard in my device but it's disabled, so it doesn't appear in keyboard list [1].

Simple keyboard supports themes [2].


[1] https://www.talkimg.com/image/MEflf

[2] https://www.talkimg.com/image/MEJ6Z

[Cricktor]

But the only problem at this point would be, how do you remember to use the simple keyboard for the wallet, if you were using the default keyboard for the past two hours inside other apps? Let's assume there are no other 3rd party keyboards. As far as I know, the default keyboard can't be disabled, so maybe if there was the ability to change the color of this simple keyboard, which should be possible since it's open source, then it would be easier to remember which one to use it for wallets.

I can only speak for myself here and I don't think I would have to remember it to switch to a privacy oriented keyboard app when I have to enter some sensitive data. My mobile phone makes it easy to switch between installed keyboards and I'm used to do it, too. If you care about confidentiality of sensitive data, then it should be a no-brainer to switch to the proper keyboard.

As libert19 said, you can color Simple Keyboard mostly to your liking.