How to install HTC keyboard Step-by-step

[CuBz]

Please Note: This guide was made when the X10 was on 1.6/2.1 - It's now on 2.3 so some steps may be out of out date!


Alot of people seem to have continuous problems installing the HTC keyboard, so last week rosered asked me to write a fool-proof step-by-step guide for those users. So after getting back from my short vacation I decided to write a step-by-step guide which also includes screenshots to make it easier for you

First of all I will explain how to install the original HTC keybaord, then I will tell you where to customize your own HTC keyboard for those of you that prefer it customized

How to install the HTC keybaord on your Xperia X10

Before you start, make sure your phone is set to allow apps from unknown sources. To enable this, go to Settings > Applications and make sure Unknown Sources is checked

1. Download the HTC Keyboard here

Keyboard for Gingerbread HERE​

2. Open the zip archive and copy the files to your desktop

AT&T users will not be able to install this keyboard using steps 3-8 as they cannot side load apps. If you are an AT&T user, scroll down to see the instructions at the bottom of this guide explaining how to install the HTC keyboard. When you have done that, go to step 9

3. Connect your phone to your computer using the USB cable, drag down the notification bar on your Xperia and tap "USB COnnected" then tap "Mount". Alternatively, some people prefer to slide the SD card into a Memory Card slot on your computer

4. Copy the HTC Keyboard files from your desktop, into a directory on your phone that you will remember (in my example I will use the 'downloads' directory

5. Disconnect your phone from the usb cable (or put the SD card back into your phone if you used a memory card slot)

6. Open your file manager. If you do not have one, download ASTRO from the market, it is completely free and in my opinion, it's the best on the market (it must be a file manager than is capable of handling .apk files)

7. Locate to the directory you saved the keybaord files (in my example it is the 'downloads' folder)

8. Open the HTC_IME.apk & Clicker.apk files, and install them. I have included some screenshots below, for those using ASTRO

9. The keyboard should now be installed. You now need to active it. To do this, go to the home screen, press MENU, choose Settings, then choose Locale & Text. Ensure 'HTC_IME mod' is ticked (see image below) Please note in 2.1 look for Language and Keyboard

10. Now long press on any text input box, and choose 'Input Method', then choose 'HTC_IME mod'.

You now have the HTC Keyboard

If you prefer a customized HTC keyboard, with your own colors and the option of having an image on your space bar, go to http://www.gimpsta.com/themer/

AT&T users cannot sideload apps so steps 3-8 will not work for you. Just follow the instructions below to install the keyboard to your phone, then go back to step 9 above and continue from there For this to work you must make sure you've installed the Windows USB driver for your phone and make sure that .NET 4 is installed on your computer

1. Make sure USB debugging is enabled on your phone. If it is not, go to Settings, tap 'Applications' then 'Development' and make sure 'USB debugging' is checked

2. Download the Android Sideload Wonder Maching here. Extract the 'AC-SWM' folder to a folder on your computer that you will easily remember.

3. Connect your USB cable to your phone and the computer.

4. Open the 'AC-SWM' folder and double click 'AndroidCentral-SWM.exe' to run the program

5. Click 'Choose a file' and browse the files you saved for the HTC Keyboard. Load one at a time, and click 'Go'. Repeat for each of the 2 Keyboard files

6. Follow any instructions in the command window then your Keyboard will be successfully installed

You can also see an instruction video here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzs_1DeSgWI
​

This software can also be used to sideload other apps to your AT&T android phone

Now go back up to the top to step 9 and continue from there



I hope this little tutorial helps many people

 

[WifeofShrek]

OMGosh. Why don't Sony do their manual like that...for dummies like me!!

Thank you so much.

 

[rosered]

Beautiful Cubz! Thank you. You have now also been added to the sticky X10 thread too so hopefully lots of people can access this. It sounds complicated but in truth its really easy.

Small Warning: AT&T users will not be able to use this keyboard as they cannot side load apps.

You can also change the qwerty to an old keypad style keyboard which I like if I have to text one thumbed...

Menu>Settings>Locale & Text>HTC_IME Mod settings>Gestures and I have the swype right function set to cycle keyboard and then scroll down further and you can select what keyboards you want, qwerty, compact qwerty and phone keypad.

If anyone has any other great tips for this keyboard then feel free to add them.

 

[CuBz]

Thanks rosered I forgot about the AT&T users, but I have now added a small guide at the bottom, explaining how AT&T users can install it too .

If i've missed anything else, let me know and I will edit it

 

[charlyee]

Thanks rosered I forgot about the AT&T users, but I have now added a small guide at the bottom, explaining how AT&T users can install it too .

If i've missed anything else, let me know and I will edit it

Great idea CuBs, thank you.

Couple of pointers on the AC - SWM, the app file needs to be in the SWM folder or it will not find it. Also the device should be connected with USB debugging enabled before turning on the computer or the computer may not find it, at least with Windows XP.

 

[CuBz]

Great idea CuBs, thank you.

Couple of pointers on the AC - SWM, the app file needs to be in the SWM folder or it will not find it. Also the device should be connected with USB debugging enabled before turning on the computer or the computer may not find it, at least with Windows XP.

The youtube video does not say that so I've just tried it myself without putting the app file in the SWM folder, and it worked fine, also I did already explain that Debugging must be on

 

[slugpace]

Thanks for that CuBz, that is a really good guide and worked flawlessly for me.

I am not trying to steel your thunder here, but I just wanted to post a couple of hints about customised skins that I have discovered whilst (successfully) installing one.

First, your link takes you to a site that you have to register with, easy peasy

Second, creating your personal skin is very simple. click "create custom skin from scratch" then pick a version, I chose V27 hi res, choose background, key colour, text on keys colour etc. You can upload an image for the space bar, but it must not exceed 100 px wide by 62px high. You can do a google image search and specify image size, I found searching for 60 by 60 images seems to generate most results.

Third, when you have made all your choises, you can preview you new keyboard, and if you like it, generate it. when you hit the generate button you will be given a QR code. Scan this (with barcode scanner) and open in browser.
This will download the skin.

Fourth, open up your file explorer, go to download, find the gimpsta file you have just downloaded, long press and "extract to", click ok, and when the files have extracted you will have a new folder in your download folder, click on this (gimpsta) folder and install.

Fifth, go and send someone a text on your fancy new keyboard.

I know some of you wont like this, but I just made myself a rather snazzy Manchester City FC (Gods own football team) keyboard.

 

[CuBz]

Thanks for that slugpace

 

[rosered]

I know some of you wont like this, but I just made myself a rather snazzy Manchester City FC (Gods own football team) keyboard.

Hi-jack alert! One of the very few football songs I know is about your team, but as it was taught to me by my husband who is a supporter of the other major team in your great city I won't repeat it here!

Back to topic... Nice description Slugpace of how to do the gimpsta modification. This thread is shaping up nicely! Good team work.

Cubz, maybe you could just put a small note to say refer to post #7 for fuller instructions next to the Gimpsta bit.

 

[CuBz]

Hi-jack alert! One of the very few football songs I know is about your team, but as it was taught to me by my husband who is a supporter of the other major team in your great city I won't repeat it here!

Back to topic... Nice description Slugpace of how to do the gimpsta modification. This thread is shaping up nicely! Good team work.

Cubz, maybe you could just put a small note to say refer to post #7 for fuller instructions next to the Gimpsta bit.

Your husband is a very smart man haha

 

[s1225m]

Anyone else have a problem with ASWM? My computer simply does not detect my sony ericsson. Im running windows 7 64 bit. I checked on the ASWM forums and other people are having the same problem and have yet to find a fix.

 

[charlyee]

Anyone else have a problem with ASWM? My computer simply does not detect my sony ericsson. Im running windows 7 64 bit. I checked on the ASWM forums and other people are having the same problem and have yet to find a fix.

Have you tried plugging your phone in prior to turning on your computer?

If it still doesn't work, try downloading SDK tools and getting your device recognized by SDK first.

Death Star aka at & t sure likes to make life difficult

Off Topic, I just figured out the the magnifying glass symbol below the volume control is camera zoom - where have I been, geez!

 

[s1225m]

Have you tried plugging your phone in prior to turning on your computer?

If it still doesn't work, try downloading SDK tools and getting your device recognized by SDK first.

Death Star aka at & t sure likes to make life difficult

Off Topic, I just figured out the the magnifying glass symbol below the volume control is camera zoom - where have I been, geez!

Thanks! Updating the SDK tools worked. But now i have another problem.. I am trying to install the files with astro but it says the install has been blocked, " For security, your phone is set to block installation of applications not sourced in Android Market"

 

[charlyee]

Thanks! Updating the SDK tools worked. But now i have another problem.. I am trying to install the files with astro but it says the install has been blocked, " For security, your phone is set to block installation of applications not sourced in Android Market"

Yes that is ATT blocking side loading. You can not load with Astro, you have to use SWM to load any app that is not in the Market.


It is a pain but you will eventually either get used to it or give up sideloading apps.

 

[s1225m]

AHHH im stupid. I was suppose to skip step 8..Hhaha, THanks Cubz and charlyee. it worked!

 

[charlyee]

AHHH im stupid. I was suppose to skip step 8..Hhaha, THanks Cubz and charlyee. it worked!

Glad it worked for you.

Hope all you non - ATT people are feeling sorry for us *under privileged* ones

 

[MrWomble]

i know i have posted about this keyboard before - but just so users can see what can be done with this keyboard via http://www.gimpsta.com/themer/ here we go - (i will delete/remove if requested)

**EDIT**

Sorry guys - photobucket deleted my pics - i'm elsewhere with my keyboard

 

[mlm122]

Great guide Cubz, thank you... wouldn't have tried this mod without your guide. It's too bad that as an ATT user I had to debrand to be able to sideload apps.. the SDK workaround worked *one time* with Sideload Wonder Machine, then for some reason, Windows reloaded its it own (incorrect) ADB drivers again the next time I plugged my phone in, so SWM did not identify my phone.. But I am lovin the HTC keyboard with the skins I created over at gimpsta's site.

Thanks again!

 

[rosered]

i know i have posted about this keyboard before - but just so users can see what can be done with this keyboard via

Nooooooooooo Mr Womble we don't want to see St James Park again. Be careful or I will put a picture up of our local ground, Priestfields.... eat your heart out

 

[CuBz]

Nooooooooooo Mr Womble we don't want to see St James Park again. Be careful or I will put a picture up of our local ground, Priestfields.... eat your heart out

The only ground I want to look at is Old Trafford Unless people have a picture of Manchester United's ground, they might as well have their background image as dog poop

 

[MrWomble]

The only ground I want to look at is Old Trafford Unless people have a picture of Manchester United's ground, they might as well have their background image as dog poop

Do you want me to change it for the theatre of dreams for you and send it over ?

hehehe

 

[CuBz]

Do you want me to change it for the theatre of dreams for you and send it over ?

hehehe

I'm fine with the plain old HTC keyboard the customized ones seem smaller to me, they're probably not but they seem to be to me haha

 

[spikeithard]

wow thanks, finally downloaded it! really needed that step by step!

 

[Merolas]

This is Sticky worthy!!

 

[dgiaffe]

Hey, I just tried to install it, it went smooth looks really nice. However, the minute I put my locale in french (I'm french canadian), the keyboard swaps to an AZERTY one which sucks lol. There is no option to put it in QWERTY if I have my locale in french. And even if I put it to english, the keyboard that is QWERTY is only the english one so I can't do any accent and dictionary gets english as well. Any ideas of what I could do?