How it works
Three steps
- 1
Pick 手寫
Settings › 中文輸入法 › 手寫, or hold the keyboard's language key and pick 手. The first time, a recognition model of about 17 MB downloads
- 2
One character per box
Write the first character in the left box; its readings show in the candidate row at once. ↶ undoes a stroke, ⌫ takes the last one
- 3
Keep writing in the other box
The last character goes in and stays faded where you wrote it. For the final one, tap a reading, space or a punctuation mark
Why it is faster
Most handwriting keyboards make you stop and pick after every character. Two-box writing turns picking into writing the next character: your finger never leaves the writing area
- Two boxes
Write on to enter
Write 我, then start 哋 in the other box: 我 goes in by itself. No tap, no wait
- Box follows the ink
Over the middle is fine
Write across the middle and the box grows round your character; strokes touching it stay with it, and a left part like 氵 or 亻 waits for its right half
- No timer
Write at your own pace
Pause as long as you like: nothing goes in on a timer. Only writing on, a tap on a reading, space or punctuation puts a character in
- Hong Kong Traditional
Never Simplified
Every reading is shown in Hong Kong Traditional, like Jyutping and Cangjie; the next word is suggested after, such as 哋 after 我
To be clear
- One character at a time. Each box takes one character; it does not read a whole sentence at once
- Internet once. Picking 手寫 downloads a recognition model of about 17 MB; after that, recognition runs on your phone offline
- Very spread-out characters may need ↶. Written very wide, 八 or 川 is sometimes taken as two; ↶ takes the last stroke back
FAQ
How do I turn on handwriting?
In OmuType's settings, pick 手寫 under 中文輸入法, or hold the keyboard's language key and pick 手. The first time, the handwriting model (about 17 MB) downloads; then it is ready.
Does handwriting need the internet?
Only to download the model the first time. After that, recognition runs on your phone, offline.
How does a character go in?
Keep writing the next character in the other box and the last one goes in (its first reading). To choose another reading, tap it in the candidate row; space, punctuation and return also put in the character you are writing.
Is what I write sent anywhere?
No. Your ink and the text it becomes stay on your phone. Recognition uses Google ML Kit, which sends Google usage metrics (device and app information, an installation identifier, performance), never what you write. See the privacy policy.
Will it give Simplified characters?
No. Every reading is converted to Hong Kong Traditional before it shows, as with every OmuType input method.
Is handwriting free?
Yes. Like typing, handwriting is free and unlimited.
Read next
- FeatureCantonese voice typingHold the mic, speak Cantonese with English mixed in, and AI tidies it upRead more
- FeatureHong Kong Traditional, never SimplifiedVoice, AI and every candidate in Hong Kong TraditionalRead more
- HomeEverything OmuType doesMixed Cantonese and English, lazy Jyutping, Cangjie, Quick and swipe to deleteRead more
Write a whole sentence
without stopping
Free to download; pick 手寫 to start