InputMethodService

public class InputMethodService
extends AbstractInputMethodService

java.lang.Object
   ↳ android.content.Context
     ↳ android.content.ContextWrapper
       ↳ android.app.Service
         ↳ android.inputmethodservice.AbstractInputMethodService
           ↳ android.inputmethodservice.InputMethodService


InputMethodService provides a standard implementation of an InputMethod, which final implementations can derive from and customize. See the base class AbstractInputMethodService and the InputMethod interface for more information on the basics of writing input methods.

In addition to the normal Service lifecycle methods, this class introduces some new specific callbacks that most subclasses will want to make use of:

An input method has significant discretion in how it goes about its work: the InputMethodService provides a basic framework for standard UI elements (input view, candidates view, and running in fullscreen mode), but it is up to a particular implementor to decide how to use them. For example, one input method could implement an input area with a keyboard, another could allow the user to draw text, while a third could have no input area (and thus not be visible to the user) but instead listen to audio and perform text to speech conversion.

In the implementation provided here, all of these elements are placed together in a single window managed by the InputMethodService. It will execute callbacks as it needs information about them, and provides APIs for programmatic control over them. They layout of these elements is explicitly defined:

  • The soft input view, if available, is placed at the bottom of the screen.
  • The candidates view, if currently shown, is placed above the soft input view.
  • If not running fullscreen, the application is moved or resized to be above these views; if running fullscreen, the window will completely cover the application and its top part will contain the extract text of what is currently being edited by the application.

Soft Input View

Central to most input methods is the soft input view. This is where most user interaction occurs: pressing on soft keys, drawing characters, or however else your input method wants to generate text. Most implementations will simply have their own view doing all of this work, and return a new instance of it when onCreateInputView() is called. At that point, as long as the input view is visible, you will see user interaction in that view and can call back on the InputMethodService to interact with the application as appropriate.

There are some situations where you want to decide whether or not your soft input view should be shown to the user. This is done by implementing the onEvaluateInputViewShown() to return true or false based on whether it should be shown in the current environment. If any of your state has changed that may impact this, call updateInputViewShown() to have it re-evaluated. The default implementation always shows the input view unless there is a hard keyboard available, which is the appropriate behavior for most input methods.

Candidates View

Often while the user is generating raw text, an input method wants to provide them with a list of possible interpretations of that text that can be selected for use. This is accomplished with the candidates view, and like the soft input view you implement onCreateCandidatesView() to instantiate your own view implementing your candidates UI.

Management of the candidates view is a little different than the input view, because the candidates view tends to be more transient, being shown only when there are possible candidates for the current text being entered by the user. To control whether the candidates view is shown, you use setCandidatesViewShown(boolean). Note that because the candidate view tends to be shown and hidden a lot, it does not impact the application UI in the same way as the soft input view: it will never cause application windows to resize, only cause them to be panned if needed for the user to see the current focus.

Fullscreen Mode

Sometimes your input method UI is too large to integrate with the application UI, so you just want to take over the screen. This is accomplished by switching to full-screen mode, causing the input method window to fill the entire screen and add its own "extracted text" editor showing the user the text that is being typed. Unlike the other UI elements, there is a standard implementation for the extract editor that you should not need to change. The editor is placed at the top of the IME, above the input and candidates views.

Similar to the input view, you control whether the IME is running in fullscreen mode by implementing onEvaluateFullscreenMode() to return true or false based on whether it should be fullscreen in the current environment. If any of your state has changed that may impact this, call updateFullscreenMode() to have it re-evaluated. The default implementation selects fullscreen mode when the screen is in a landscape orientation, which is appropriate behavior for most input methods that have a significant input area.

When in fullscreen mode, you have some special requirements because the user can not see the application UI. In particular, you should implement onDisplayCompletions(android.view.inputmethod.CompletionInfo[]) to show completions generated by your application, typically in your candidates view like you would normally show candidates.

Generating Text

The key part of an IME is of course generating text for the application. This is done through calls to the InputConnection interface to the application, which can be retrieved from getCurrentInputConnection(). This interface allows you to generate raw key events or, if the target supports it, directly edit in strings of candidates and committed text.

Information about what the target is expected and supports can be found through the EditorInfo class, which is retrieved with getCurrentInputEditorInfo() method. The most important part of this is EditorInfo.inputType; in particular, if this is EditorInfo.TYPE_NULL, then the target does not support complex edits and you need to only deliver raw key events to it. An input method will also want to look at other values here, to for example detect password mode, auto complete text views, phone number entry, etc.

When the user switches between input targets, you will receive calls to onFinishInput() and onStartInput(android.view.inputmethod.EditorInfo, boolean). You can use these to reset and initialize your input state for the current target. For example, you will often want to clear any input state, and update a soft keyboard to be appropriate for the new inputType.

Summary

Nested classes

class InputMethodService.InputMethodImpl

Concrete implementation of AbstractInputMethodService.AbstractInputMethodImpl that provides all of the standard behavior for an input method. 

class InputMethodService.InputMethodSessionImpl

Concrete implementation of AbstractInputMethodService.AbstractInputMethodSessionImpl that provides all of the standard behavior for an input method session. 

class InputMethodService.Insets

Information about where interesting parts of the input method UI appear. 

XML attributes

android:imeExtractEnterAnimation Animation to use when showing the fullscreen extract UI after it had previously been hidden. 
android:imeExtractExitAnimation Animation to use when hiding the fullscreen extract UI after it had previously been shown. 
android:imeFullscreenBackground Background to use for entire input method when it is being shown in fullscreen mode with the extract view, to ensure that it completely covers the application. 

Constants

int BACK_DISPOSITION_ADJUST_NOTHING

Asks the system to not adjust the back button affordance even when the software keyboard is shown.

int BACK_DISPOSITION_DEFAULT

Allows the system to optimize the back button affordance based on the presence of software keyboard.

int BACK_DISPOSITION_WILL_DISMISS

This constant was deprecated in API level 28. on Build.VERSION_CODES.P and later devices, this flag is handled as a synonym of BACK_DISPOSITION_DEFAULT. On Build.VERSION_CODES.O_MR1 and prior devices, expected behavior of this mode had not been well defined. In AOSP implementation running on devices that have navigation bar, specifying this flag could change the software back button to "Dismiss" icon no matter whether the software keyboard is shown or not, but there would be no easy way to restore the icon state even after IME lost the connection to the application. To avoid user confusions, do not specify this mode anyway

int BACK_DISPOSITION_WILL_NOT_DISMISS

This constant was deprecated in API level 28. on Build.VERSION_CODES.P and later devices, this flag is handled as a synonym of BACK_DISPOSITION_DEFAULT. On Build.VERSION_CODES.O_MR1 and prior devices, expected behavior of this mode had not been well defined. Most likely the end result would be the same as BACK_DISPOSITION_DEFAULT. Either way it is not recommended to use this mode

Inherited constants

Public constructors

InputMethodService()

Public methods

boolean enableHardwareAcceleration()

This method was deprecated in API level 21. Starting in API 21, hardware acceleration is always enabled on capable devices

final void finishStylusHandwriting()

Finish the current stylus handwriting session.

int getBackDisposition()

Retrieves the current disposition mode that indicates the expected back button affordance.

int getCandidatesHiddenVisibility()

Returns the visibility mode (either View.INVISIBLE or View.GONE) of the candidates view when it is not shown.

InputBinding getCurrentInputBinding()

Return the currently active InputBinding for the input method, or null if there is none.

InputConnection getCurrentInputConnection()

Retrieve the currently active InputConnection that is bound to the input method, or null if there is none.

EditorInfo getCurrentInputEditorInfo()
boolean getCurrentInputStarted()
int getInputMethodWindowRecommendedHeight()

This method was deprecated in API level 29. the actual behavior of this method has never been well defined. You cannot use this method in a reliable and predictable way

LayoutInflater getLayoutInflater()
int getMaxWidth()

Return the maximum width, in pixels, available the input method.

static final Duration getStylusHandwritingIdleTimeoutMax()

Returns the maximum stylus handwriting session idle-timeout for use with setStylusHandwritingSessionTimeout(java.time.Duration).

final Duration getStylusHandwritingSessionTimeout()

Returns the duration after which an ongoing stylus handwriting session that hasn't received new MotionEvents will time out and finishStylusHandwriting() will be called.

final Window getStylusHandwritingWindow()

Returns the stylus handwriting inking window.

Object getSystemService(String name)

Return the handle to a system-level service by name.

CharSequence getTextForImeAction(int imeOptions)

Return text that can be used as a button label for the given EditorInfo.imeOptions.

Dialog getWindow()
void hideStatusIcon()
void hideWindow()
boolean isExtractViewShown()

Return whether the fullscreen extract view is shown.

boolean isFullscreenMode()

Return whether the input method is currently running in fullscreen mode.

boolean isInputViewShown()

Return whether the soft input view is currently shown to the user.

boolean isShowInputRequested()

Returns true if we have been asked to show our input view.

void onAppPrivateCommand(String action, Bundle data)

Not implemented in this class.

void onBindInput()

Called when a new client has bound to the input method.

void onComputeInsets(InputMethodService.Insets outInsets)

Compute the interesting insets into your UI.

void onConfigurationChanged(Configuration newConfig)

Take care of handling configuration changes.

void onConfigureWindow(Window win, boolean isFullscreen, boolean isCandidatesOnly)

Update the given window's parameters for the given mode.

void onCreate()

Called by the system when the service is first created.

View onCreateCandidatesView()

Create and return the view hierarchy used to show candidates.

View onCreateExtractTextView()

Called by the framework to create the layout for showing extracted text.

InlineSuggestionsRequest onCreateInlineSuggestionsRequest(Bundle uiExtras)

Called when Autofill is requesting an InlineSuggestionsRequest from the IME.

AbstractInputMethodService.AbstractInputMethodImpl onCreateInputMethodInterface()

This method is deprecated. Overriding or calling this method is strongly discouraged. A future version of Android will remove the ability to use this method. Use the callbacks on InputMethodService as InputMethodService#onBindInput(), InputMethodService#onUnbindInput(), InputMethodService#onWindowShown(), InputMethodService#onWindowHidden(), etc.

AbstractInputMethodService.AbstractInputMethodSessionImpl onCreateInputMethodSessionInterface()

This method is deprecated. Overriding or calling this method is strongly discouraged. Most methods in InputMethodSessionImpl have corresponding callbacks. Use InputMethodService#onFinishInput(), InputMethodService#onDisplayCompletions(CompletionInfo[]), InputMethodService#onUpdateExtractedText(int, ExtractedText), InputMethodService#onUpdateSelection(int, int, int, int, int, int) instead.

View onCreateInputView()

Create and return the view hierarchy used for the input area (such as a soft keyboard).

void onDestroy()

Called by the system to notify a Service that it is no longer used and is being removed. If you override this method you must call through to the superclass implementation.

void onDisplayCompletions(CompletionInfo[] completions)

Called when the application has reported auto-completion candidates that it would like to have the input method displayed.

boolean onEvaluateFullscreenMode()

Override this to control when the input method should run in fullscreen mode.

boolean onEvaluateInputViewShown()

Override this to control when the soft input area should be shown to the user.

boolean onExtractTextContextMenuItem(int id)

This is called when the user has selected a context menu item from the extracted text view, when running in fullscreen mode.

void onExtractedCursorMovement(int dx, int dy)

This is called when the user has performed a cursor movement in the extracted text view, when it is running in fullscreen mode.

void onExtractedSelectionChanged(int start, int end)

This is called when the user has moved the cursor in the extracted text view, when running in fullsreen mode.

void onExtractedTextClicked()

This is called when the user has clicked on the extracted text view, when running in fullscreen mode.

void onExtractingInputChanged(EditorInfo ei)

This is called when, while currently displayed in extract mode, the current input target changes.

void onFinishCandidatesView(boolean finishingInput)

Called when the candidates view is being hidden from the user.

void onFinishInput()

Called to inform the input method that text input has finished in the last editor.

void onFinishInputView(boolean finishingInput)

Called when the input view is being hidden from the user.

void onFinishStylusHandwriting()

Called when the current stylus handwriting session was finished (either by the system or via finishStylusHandwriting().

boolean onGenericMotionEvent(MotionEvent event)

Override this to intercept generic motion events before they are processed by the application.

void onInitializeInterface()

This is a hook that subclasses can use to perform initialization of their interface.

boolean onInlineSuggestionsResponse(InlineSuggestionsResponse response)

Called when Autofill responds back with InlineSuggestionsResponse containing inline suggestions.

boolean onKeyDown(int keyCode, KeyEvent event)

Called back when a KeyEvent is forwarded from the target application.

boolean onKeyLongPress(int keyCode, KeyEvent event)

Default implementation of KeyEvent.Callback.onKeyLongPress(): always returns false (doesn't handle the event).

boolean onKeyMultiple(int keyCode, int count, KeyEvent event)

Override this to intercept special key multiple events before they are processed by the application.

boolean onKeyUp(int keyCode, KeyEvent event)

Override this to intercept key up events before they are processed by the application.

void onPrepareStylusHandwriting()

Called to prepare stylus handwriting.

boolean onShowInputRequested(int flags, boolean configChange)

The system has decided that it may be time to show your input method.

void onStartCandidatesView(EditorInfo editorInfo, boolean restarting)

Called when only the candidates view has been shown for showing processing as the user enters text through a hard keyboard.

void onStartInput(EditorInfo attribute, boolean restarting)

Called to inform the input method that text input has started in an editor.

void onStartInputView(EditorInfo editorInfo, boolean restarting)

Called when the input view is being shown and input has started on a new editor.

boolean onStartStylusHandwriting()

Called when an app requests stylus handwriting InputMethodManager#startStylusHandwriting(View).

void onStylusHandwritingMotionEvent(MotionEvent motionEvent)

Called after onStartStylusHandwriting() returns true for every Stylus MotionEvent.

boolean onTrackballEvent(MotionEvent event)

Override this to intercept trackball motion events before they are processed by the application.

void onUnbindInput()

Called when the previous bound client is no longer associated with the input method.

void onUpdateCursor(Rect newCursor)

This method was deprecated in API level 21. Use onUpdateCursorAnchorInfo(android.view.inputmethod.CursorAnchorInfo) instead.

void onUpdateCursorAnchorInfo(CursorAnchorInfo cursorAnchorInfo)

Called when the application has reported a new location of its text insertion point and characters in the composition string.

void onUpdateEditorToolType(int toolType)

Called when the user tapped or clicked an editor.

void onUpdateExtractedText(int token, ExtractedText text)

Called when the application has reported new extracted text to be shown due to changes in its current text state.

void onUpdateExtractingViews(EditorInfo ei)

Called when the fullscreen-mode extracting editor info has changed, to update the state of its UI such as the action buttons shown.

void onUpdateExtractingVisibility(EditorInfo ei)

Called when the fullscreen-mode extracting editor info has changed, to determine whether the extracting (extract text and candidates) portion of the UI should be shown.

void onUpdateSelection(int oldSelStart, int oldSelEnd, int newSelStart, int newSelEnd, int candidatesStart, int candidatesEnd)

Called when the application has reported a new selection region of the text.

void onViewClicked(boolean focusChanged)

This method was deprecated in API level 29. The method may not be called for composite View that works as a giant "Canvas", which can host its own UI hierarchy and sub focus state. WebView is a good example. Application / IME developers should not rely on this method. If your goal is just being notified when an on-going input is interrupted, simply monitor onFinishInput(). If your goal is to know what MotionEvent#getToolType(int) clicked on editor, use onUpdateEditorToolType(int) instead.

void onWindowHidden()

Called when the input method window has been hidden from the user, after previously being visible.

void onWindowShown()

Called immediately before the input method window is shown to the user.

void requestHideSelf(int flags)

Close this input method's soft input area, removing it from the display.

final void requestShowSelf(int flags)

Show the input method's soft input area, so the user sees the input method window and can interact with it.

boolean sendDefaultEditorAction(boolean fromEnterKey)

Ask the input target to execute its default action via InputConnection.performEditorAction().

void sendDownUpKeyEvents(int keyEventCode)

Send the given key event code (as defined by KeyEvent) to the current input connection is a key down + key up event pair.

void sendKeyChar(char charCode)

Send the given UTF-16 character to the current input connection.

void setBackDisposition(int disposition)

Sets the disposition mode that indicates the expected affordance for the back button.

void setCandidatesView(View view)

Replaces the current candidates view with a new one.

void setCandidatesViewShown(boolean shown)

Controls the visibility of the candidates display area.

void setExtractView(View view)
void setExtractViewShown(boolean shown)

Controls the visibility of the extracted text area.

void setInputView(View view)

Replaces the current input view with a new one.

final void setStylusHandwritingSessionTimeout(Duration duration)

Sets the duration after which an ongoing stylus handwriting session that hasn't received new MotionEvents will time out and finishStylusHandwriting() will be called.

void setTheme(int theme)

You can call this to customize the theme used by your IME's window.

final boolean shouldOfferSwitchingToNextInputMethod()

Returns true if the current IME needs to offer the users ways to switch to a next input method (e.g. a globe key.).

void showStatusIcon(int iconResId)
void showWindow(boolean showInput)
void switchInputMethod(String id)

Force switch to a new input method, as identified by id.

final void switchInputMethod(String id, InputMethodSubtype subtype)

Force switch to a new input method, as identified by id.

final boolean switchToNextInputMethod(boolean onlyCurrentIme)

Force switch to the next input method and subtype.

final boolean switchToPreviousInputMethod()

Force switch to the last used input method and subtype.

void updateFullscreenMode()

Re-evaluate whether the input method should be running in fullscreen mode, and update its UI if this has changed since the last time it was evaluated.

void updateInputViewShown()

Re-evaluate whether the soft input area should currently be shown, and update its UI if this has changed since the last time it was evaluated.

Protected methods

void dump(FileDescriptor fd, PrintWriter fout, String[] args)

Performs a dump of the InputMethodService's internal state.

void onCurrentInputMethodSubtypeChanged(InputMethodSubtype newSubtype)

Called when the subtype was changed.

Inherited methods

XML attributes

android:imeExtractEnterAnimation

Animation to use when showing the fullscreen extract UI after it had previously been hidden.

May be a reference to another resource, in the form "@[+][package:]type/name" or a theme attribute in the form "?[package:]type/name".

android:imeExtractExitAnimation

Animation to use when hiding the fullscreen extract UI after it had previously been shown.

May be a reference to another resource, in the form "@[+][package:]type/name" or a theme attribute in the form "?[package:]type/name".

android:imeFullscreenBackground

Background to use for entire input method when it is being shown in fullscreen mode with the extract view, to ensure that it completely covers the application. This allows, for example, the candidate view to be hidden while in fullscreen mode without having the application show through behind it.

May be a reference to another resource, in the form "@[+][package:]type/name" or a theme attribute in the form "?[package:]type/name".

May be a color value, in the form of "#rgb", "#argb", "#rrggbb", or "#aarrggbb".

Constants

BACK_DISPOSITION_ADJUST_NOTHING

Added in API level 28
public static final int BACK_DISPOSITION_ADJUST_NOTHING

Asks the system to not adjust the back button affordance even when the software keyboard is shown.

This mode is useful for UI modes where IME's main soft input window is used for some supplemental UI, such as floating candidate window for languages such as Chinese and Japanese, where users expect the back button is, or at least looks to be, handled by the target application rather than the UI shown by the IME even while isInputViewShown() returns true.

Note that KeyEvent#KEYCODE_BACK events continue to be sent to onKeyDown(int, android.view.KeyEvent) even when this mode is specified. The default implementation of onKeyDown(int, android.view.KeyEvent) for KeyEvent#KEYCODE_BACK does not take this mode into account.

Constant Value: 3 (0x00000003)

BACK_DISPOSITION_DEFAULT

Added in API level 11
public static final int BACK_DISPOSITION_DEFAULT

Allows the system to optimize the back button affordance based on the presence of software keyboard.

For instance, on devices that have navigation bar and software-rendered back button, the system may use a different icon while isInputViewShown() returns true, to indicate that the back button has "dismiss" affordance.

Note that KeyEvent#KEYCODE_BACK events continue to be sent to onKeyDown(int, android.view.KeyEvent) even when this mode is specified. The default implementation of onKeyDown(int, android.view.KeyEvent) for KeyEvent#KEYCODE_BACK does not take this mode into account.

For API level Build.VERSION_CODES.O_MR1 and lower devices, this is the only mode you can safely specify without worrying about the compatibility.

Constant Value: 0 (0x00000000)

BACK_DISPOSITION_WILL_DISMISS

Added in API level 11
Deprecated in API level 28
public static final int BACK_DISPOSITION_WILL_DISMISS

This constant was deprecated in API level 28.
on Build.VERSION_CODES.P and later devices, this flag is handled as a synonym of BACK_DISPOSITION_DEFAULT. On Build.VERSION_CODES.O_MR1 and prior devices, expected behavior of this mode had not been well defined. In AOSP implementation running on devices that have navigation bar, specifying this flag could change the software back button to "Dismiss" icon no matter whether the software keyboard is shown or not, but there would be no easy way to restore the icon state even after IME lost the connection to the application. To avoid user confusions, do not specify this mode anyway

Deprecated flag.

To avoid compatibility issues, IME developers should not use this flag.

Constant Value: 2 (0x00000002)

BACK_DISPOSITION_WILL_NOT_DISMISS

Added in API level 11
Deprecated in API level 28
public static final int BACK_DISPOSITION_WILL_NOT_DISMISS

This constant was deprecated in API level 28.
on Build.VERSION_CODES.P and later devices, this flag is handled as a synonym of BACK_DISPOSITION_DEFAULT. On Build.VERSION_CODES.O_MR1 and prior devices, expected behavior of this mode had not been well defined. Most likely the end result would be the same as BACK_DISPOSITION_DEFAULT. Either way it is not recommended to use this mode

Deprecated flag.

To avoid compatibility issues, IME developers should not use this flag.

Constant Value: 1 (0x00000001)

Public constructors

InputMethodService

public InputMethodService ()

Public methods

enableHardwareAcceleration

Added in API level 17
Deprecated in API level 21
public boolean enableHardwareAcceleration ()

This method was deprecated in API level 21.
Starting in API 21, hardware acceleration is always enabled on capable devices

You can call this to try to enable accelerated drawing for your IME. This must be set before onCreate(), so you will typically call it in your constructor. It is not always possible to use hardware accelerated drawing in an IME (for example on low-end devices that do not have the resources to support this), so the call true if it succeeds otherwise false if you will need to draw in software. You must be able to handle either case.

In API 21 and later, system may automatically enable hardware accelerated drawing for your IME on capable devices even if this method is not explicitly called. Make sure that your IME is able to handle either case.

Returns
boolean true if accelerated drawing is successfully enabled otherwise false. On API 21 and later devices the return value is basically just a hint and your IME does not need to change the behavior based on the it

finishStylusHandwriting

Added in API level 33
public final void finishStylusHandwriting ()

Finish the current stylus handwriting session. This dismisses the ink window and stops intercepting stylus MotionEvents. Note for IME developers: Call this method at any time to finish current handwriting session. Generally, this should be invoked after a short timeout, giving the user enough time to start the next stylus stroke, if any. By default, system will time-out after few seconds. To override default timeout, use setStylusHandwritingSessionTimeout(java.time.Duration). Handwriting session will be finished by framework on next onFinishInput().

getBackDisposition

Added in API level 11
public int getBackDisposition ()

Retrieves the current disposition mode that indicates the expected back button affordance.

Returns
int currently selected disposition mode Value is BACK_DISPOSITION_DEFAULT, BACK_DISPOSITION_WILL_NOT_DISMISS, BACK_DISPOSITION_WILL_DISMISS, or BACK_DISPOSITION_ADJUST_NOTHING

getCandidatesHiddenVisibility

Added in API level 3
public int getCandidatesHiddenVisibility ()

Returns the visibility mode (either View.INVISIBLE or View.GONE) of the candidates view when it is not shown. The default implementation returns GONE when isExtractViewShown() returns true, otherwise INVISIBLE. Be careful if you change this to return GONE in other situations -- if showing or hiding the candidates view causes your window to resize, this can cause temporary drawing artifacts as the resize takes place.

Returns
int

getCurrentInputBinding

Added in API level 3
public InputBinding getCurrentInputBinding ()

Return the currently active InputBinding for the input method, or null if there is none.

Returns
InputBinding

getCurrentInputConnection

Added in API level 3
public InputConnection getCurrentInputConnection ()

Retrieve the currently active InputConnection that is bound to the input method, or null if there is none.

Returns
InputConnection

getCurrentInputEditorInfo

Added in API level 3
public EditorInfo getCurrentInputEditorInfo ()

Returns
EditorInfo

getCurrentInputStarted

Added in API level 3
public boolean getCurrentInputStarted ()

Returns
boolean

getInputMethodWindowRecommendedHeight

Added in API level 21
Deprecated in API level 29
public int getInputMethodWindowRecommendedHeight ()

This method was deprecated in API level 29.
the actual behavior of this method has never been well defined. You cannot use this method in a reliable and predictable way

Aimed to return the previous input method's Insets#contentTopInsets, but its actual semantics has never been well defined.

Note that the previous document clearly mentioned that this method could return 0 at any time for whatever reason. Now this method is just always returning 0.

Returns
int on Android Build.VERSION_CODES.Q and later devices this method always returns 0

getLayoutInflater

Added in API level 3
public LayoutInflater getLayoutInflater ()

Returns
LayoutInflater

getMaxWidth

Added in API level 3
public int getMaxWidth ()

Return the maximum width, in pixels, available the input method. Input methods are positioned at the bottom of the screen and, unless running in fullscreen, will generally want to be as short as possible so should compute their height based on their contents. However, they can stretch as much as needed horizontally. The function returns to you the maximum amount of space available horizontally, which you can use if needed for UI placement.

In many cases this is not needed, you can just rely on the normal view layout mechanisms to position your views within the full horizontal space given to the input method.

Note that this value can change dynamically, in particular when the screen orientation changes.

Returns
int

getStylusHandwritingIdleTimeoutMax

Added in API level 34
public static final Duration getStylusHandwritingIdleTimeoutMax ()

Returns the maximum stylus handwriting session idle-timeout for use with setStylusHandwritingSessionTimeout(java.time.Duration).

Returns
Duration This value cannot be null.

getStylusHandwritingSessionTimeout

Added in API level 34
public final Duration getStylusHandwritingSessionTimeout ()

Returns the duration after which an ongoing stylus handwriting session that hasn't received new MotionEvents will time out and finishStylusHandwriting() will be called. The current timeout can be changed using setStylusHandwritingSessionTimeout(java.time.Duration).

Returns
Duration This value cannot be null.

getStylusHandwritingWindow

Added in API level 33
public final Window getStylusHandwritingWindow ()

Returns the stylus handwriting inking window. IMEs supporting stylus input are expected to attach their inking views to this window (e.g. with Window#setContentView(View) )). Handwriting-related MotionEvents are dispatched to the attached view hierarchy. Note: This returns null if IME doesn't support stylus handwriting i.e. if InputMethodInfo#supportsStylusHandwriting() is false. This method should be called after onStartStylusHandwriting().

Returns
Window

getSystemService

Added in API level 3
public Object getSystemService (String name)

Return the handle to a system-level service by name. The class of the returned object varies by the requested name. Currently available names are:

WINDOW_SERVICE ("window")
The top-level window manager in which you can place custom windows. The returned object is a WindowManager. Must only be obtained from a visual context such as Activity or a Context created with createWindowContext(int, android.os.Bundle), which are adjusted to the configuration and visual bounds of an area on screen.
LAYOUT_INFLATER_SERVICE ("layout_inflater")
A LayoutInflater for inflating layout resources in this context. Must only be obtained from a visual context such as Activity or a Context created with createWindowContext(int, android.os.Bundle), which are adjusted to the configuration and visual bounds of an area on screen.
ACTIVITY_SERVICE ("activity")
A ActivityManager for interacting with the global activity state of the system.
WALLPAPER_SERVICE ("wallpaper")
A WallpaperService for accessing wallpapers in this context. Must only be obtained from a visual context such as Activity or a Context created with createWindowContext(int, android.os.Bundle), which are adjusted to the configuration and visual bounds of an area on screen.
POWER_SERVICE ("power")
A PowerManager for controlling power management.
ALARM_SERVICE ("alarm")
A AlarmManager for receiving intents at the time of your choosing.
NOTIFICATION_SERVICE ("notification")
A NotificationManager for informing the user of background events.
KEYGUARD_SERVICE ("keyguard")
A KeyguardManager for controlling keyguard.
LOCATION_SERVICE ("location")
A LocationManager for controlling location (e.g., GPS) updates.
SEARCH_SERVICE ("search")
A SearchManager for handling search.
VIBRATOR_MANAGER_SERVICE ("vibrator_manager")
A VibratorManager for accessing the device vibrators, interacting with individual ones and playing synchronized effects on multiple vibrators.
VIBRATOR_SERVICE ("vibrator")
A Vibrator for interacting with the vibrator hardware.
CONNECTIVITY_SERVICE ("connectivity")
A ConnectivityManager for handling management of network connections.
IPSEC_SERVICE ("ipsec")
A IpSecManager for managing IPSec on sockets and networks.
WIFI_SERVICE ("wifi")
A WifiManager for management of Wi-Fi connectivity. On releases before Android 7, it should only be obtained from an application context, and not from any other derived context to avoid memory leaks within the calling process.
WIFI_AWARE_SERVICE ("wifiaware")
A WifiAwareManager for management of Wi-Fi Aware discovery and connectivity.
WIFI_P2P_SERVICE ("wifip2p")
A WifiP2pManager for management of Wi-Fi Direct connectivity.
INPUT_METHOD_SERVICE ("input_method")
An InputMethodManager for management of input methods.
UI_MODE_SERVICE ("uimode")
An UiModeManager for controlling UI modes.
DOWNLOAD_SERVICE ("download")
A DownloadManager for requesting HTTP downloads
BATTERY_SERVICE ("batterymanager")
A BatteryManager for managing battery state
JOB_SCHEDULER_SERVICE ("taskmanager")
A JobScheduler for managing scheduled tasks
NETWORK_STATS_SERVICE ("netstats")
A NetworkStatsManager for querying network usage statistics.
HARDWARE_PROPERTIES_SERVICE ("hardware_properties")
A HardwarePropertiesManager for accessing hardware properties.
DOMAIN_VERIFICATION_SERVICE ("domain_verification")
A DomainVerificationManager for accessing web domain approval state.
DISPLAY_HASH_SERVICE ("display_hash")
A DisplayHashManager for management of display hashes.

Note: System services obtained via this API may be closely associated with the Context in which they are obtained from. In general, do not share the service objects between various different contexts (Activities, Applications, Services, Providers, etc.)

Note: Instant apps, for which PackageManager#isInstantApp() returns true, don't have access to the following system services: DEVICE_POLICY_SERVICE, FINGERPRINT_SERVICE, KEYGUARD_SERVICE, SHORTCUT_SERVICE, USB_SERVICE, WALLPAPER_SERVICE, WIFI_P2P_SERVICE, WIFI_SERVICE, WIFI_AWARE_SERVICE. For these services this method will return null. Generally, if you are running as an instant app you should always check whether the result of this method is null.

Note: When implementing this method, keep in mind that new services can be added on newer Android releases, so if you're looking for just the explicit names mentioned above, make sure to return null when you don't recognize the name — if you throw a RuntimeException exception instead, your app might break on new Android releases.

Parameters
name String: This value cannot be null.

Returns
Object The service or null if the name does not exist.

getTextForImeAction

Added in API level 3
public CharSequence getTextForImeAction (int imeOptions)

Return text that can be used as a button label for the given EditorInfo.imeOptions. Returns null if there is no action requested. Note that there is no guarantee that the returned text will be relatively short, so you probably do not want to use it as text on a soft keyboard key label.

Parameters
imeOptions int: The value from EditorInfo.imeOptions.

Returns
CharSequence Returns a label to use, or null if there is no action.

getWindow

Added in API level 3
public Dialog getWindow ()

Returns
Dialog

hideStatusIcon

Added in API level 3
public void hideStatusIcon ()

hideWindow

Added in API level 3
public void hideWindow ()

isExtractViewShown

Added in API level 3
public boolean isExtractViewShown ()

Return whether the fullscreen extract view is shown. This will only return true if isFullscreenMode() returns true, and in that case its value depends on the last call to setExtractViewShown(boolean). This effectively lets you determine if the application window is entirely covered (when this returns true) or if some part of it may be shown (if this returns false, though if isFullscreenMode() returns true in that case then it is probably only a sliver of the application).

Returns
boolean

isFullscreenMode

Added in API level 3
public boolean isFullscreenMode ()

Return whether the input method is currently running in fullscreen mode. This is the mode that was last determined and applied by updateFullscreenMode().

Returns
boolean

isInputViewShown

Added in API level 3
public boolean isInputViewShown ()

Return whether the soft input view is currently shown to the user. This is the state that was last determined and applied by updateInputViewShown().

Returns
boolean

isShowInputRequested

Added in API level 3
public boolean isShowInputRequested ()

Returns true if we have been asked to show our input view.

Returns
boolean

onAppPrivateCommand

Added in API level 3
public void onAppPrivateCommand (String action, 
                Bundle data)

Not implemented in this class.

Parameters
action String

data Bundle

onBindInput

Added in API level 3
public void onBindInput ()

Called when a new client has bound to the input method. This may be followed by a series of onStartInput(android.view.inputmethod.EditorInfo, boolean) and onFinishInput() calls as the user navigates through its UI. Upon this call you know that getCurrentInputBinding() and getCurrentInputConnection() return valid objects.

onComputeInsets

Added in API level 3
public void onComputeInsets (InputMethodService.Insets outInsets)

Compute the interesting insets into your UI. The default implementation uses the top of the candidates frame for the visible insets, and the top of the input frame for the content insets. The default touchable insets are Insets#TOUCHABLE_INSETS_VISIBLE.

Note that this method is not called when isExtractViewShown() returns true, since in that case the application is left as-is behind the input method and not impacted by anything in its UI.

Parameters
outInsets InputMethodService.Insets: Fill in with the current UI insets.

onConfigurationChanged

Added in API level 3
public void onConfigurationChanged (Configuration newConfig)

Take care of handling configuration changes. Subclasses of InputMethodService generally don't need to deal directly with this on their own; the standard implementation here takes care of regenerating the input method UI as a result of the configuration change, so you can rely on your onCreateInputView() and other methods being called as appropriate due to a configuration change.

When a configuration change does happen, onInitializeInterface() is guaranteed to be called the next time prior to any of the other input or UI creation callbacks. The following will be called immediately depending if appropriate for current state: onStartInput(EditorInfo, boolean) if input is active, and onCreateInputView() and onStartInputView(EditorInfo, boolean) and related appropriate functions if the UI is displayed.

Starting with Build.VERSION_CODES#S, IMEs can opt into handling configuration changes themselves instead of being restarted with R.styleable.InputMethod_configChanges.

Parameters
newConfig Configuration: This value cannot be null.

onConfigureWindow

Added in API level 3
public void onConfigureWindow (Window win, 
                boolean isFullscreen, 
                boolean isCandidatesOnly)

Update the given window's parameters for the given mode. This is called when the window is first displayed and each time the fullscreen or candidates only mode changes.

The default implementation makes the layout for the window MATCH_PARENT x MATCH_PARENT when in fullscreen mode, and MATCH_PARENT x WRAP_CONTENT when in non-fullscreen mode.

Parameters
win Window: The input method's window.

isFullscreen boolean: If true, the window is running in fullscreen mode and intended to cover the entire application display.

isCandidatesOnly boolean: If true, the window is only showing the candidates view and none of the rest of its UI. This is mutually exclusive with fullscreen mode.

onCreate

Added in API level 3
public void onCreate ()

Called by the system when the service is first created. Do not call this method directly.

onCreateCandidatesView

Added in API level 3
public View onCreateCandidatesView ()

Create and return the view hierarchy used to show candidates. This will be called once, when the candidates are first displayed. You can return null to have no candidates view; the default implementation returns null.

To control when the candidates view is displayed, use setCandidatesViewShown(boolean). To change the candidates view after the first one is created by this function, use setCandidatesView(android.view.View).

Returns
View

onCreateExtractTextView

Added in API level 3
public View onCreateExtractTextView ()

Called by the framework to create the layout for showing extracted text. Only called when in fullscreen mode. The returned view hierarchy must have an ExtractEditText whose ID is R.id.inputExtractEditText, with action ID R.id.inputExtractAction and accessories ID R.id.inputExtractAccessories.

Returns
View

onCreateInlineSuggestionsRequest

Added in API level 30
public InlineSuggestionsRequest onCreateInlineSuggestionsRequest (Bundle uiExtras)

Called when Autofill is requesting an InlineSuggestionsRequest from the IME.

The Autofill Framework will first request the IME to create and send an InlineSuggestionsRequest back. Once Autofill Framework receives a valid request and also receives valid inline suggestions, they will be returned via onInlineSuggestionsResponse(android.view.inputmethod.InlineSuggestionsResponse).

IME Lifecycle - The request will wait to be created after inputStarted

If the IME wants to support displaying inline suggestions, they must set supportsInlineSuggestions in its XML and implement this method to return a valid InlineSuggestionsRequest.

Parameters
uiExtras Bundle: the extras that contain the UI renderer related information This value cannot be null.

Returns
InlineSuggestionsRequest an InlineSuggestionsRequest to be sent to Autofill. This value may be null.

onCreateInputMethodInterface

Added in API level 3
public AbstractInputMethodService.AbstractInputMethodImpl onCreateInputMethodInterface ()

This method is deprecated.
Overriding or calling this method is strongly discouraged. A future version of Android will remove the ability to use this method. Use the callbacks on InputMethodService as InputMethodService#onBindInput(), InputMethodService#onUnbindInput(), InputMethodService#onWindowShown(), InputMethodService#onWindowHidden(), etc.

Implement to return our standard InputMethodImpl.

Returns
AbstractInputMethodService.AbstractInputMethodImpl

onCreateInputMethodSessionInterface

Added in API level 3
public AbstractInputMethodService.AbstractInputMethodSessionImpl onCreateInputMethodSessionInterface ()

This method is deprecated.
Overriding or calling this method is strongly discouraged. Most methods in InputMethodSessionImpl have corresponding callbacks. Use InputMethodService#onFinishInput(), InputMethodService#onDisplayCompletions(CompletionInfo[]), InputMethodService#onUpdateExtractedText(int, ExtractedText), InputMethodService#onUpdateSelection(int, int, int, int, int, int) instead.

Implement to return our standard InputMethodSessionImpl.

IMEs targeting on Android U and above cannot override this method, or an LinkageError would be thrown.

Returns
AbstractInputMethodService.AbstractInputMethodSessionImpl

onCreateInputView

Added in API level 3
public View onCreateInputView ()

Create and return the view hierarchy used for the input area (such as a soft keyboard). This will be called once, when the input area is first displayed. You can return null to have no input area; the default implementation returns null.

To control when the input view is displayed, implement onEvaluateInputViewShown(). To change the input view after the first one is created by this function, use setInputView(android.view.View).

Returns
View

onDestroy

Added in API level 3
public void onDestroy ()

Called by the system to notify a Service that it is no longer used and is being removed. The service should clean up any resources it holds (threads, registered receivers, etc) at this point. Upon return, there will be no more calls in to this Service object and it is effectively dead. Do not call this method directly. If you override this method you must call through to the superclass implementation.

onDisplayCompletions

Added in API level 3
public void onDisplayCompletions (CompletionInfo[] completions)

Called when the application has reported auto-completion candidates that it would like to have the input method displayed. Typically these are only used when an input method is running in full-screen mode, since otherwise the user can see and interact with the pop-up window of completions shown by the application.

The default implementation here does nothing.

Parameters
completions CompletionInfo

onEvaluateFullscreenMode

Added in API level 3
public boolean onEvaluateFullscreenMode ()

Override this to control when the input method should run in fullscreen mode. The default implementation runs in fullsceen only when the screen is in landscape mode. If you change what this returns, you will need to call updateFullscreenMode() yourself whenever the returned value may have changed to have it re-evaluated and applied.

Returns
boolean

onEvaluateInputViewShown

Added in API level 3
public boolean onEvaluateInputViewShown ()

Override this to control when the soft input area should be shown to the user. The default implementation returns false when there is no hard keyboard or the keyboard is hidden unless the user shows an intention to use software keyboard. If you change what this returns, you will need to call updateInputViewShown() yourself whenever the returned value may have changed to have it re-evaluated and applied.

When you override this method, it is recommended to call super.onEvaluateInputViewShown() and return true when true is returned.


If you override this method you must call through to the superclass implementation.

Returns
boolean

onExtractTextContextMenuItem

Added in API level 3
public boolean onExtractTextContextMenuItem (int id)

This is called when the user has selected a context menu item from the extracted text view, when running in fullscreen mode. The default implementation sends this action to the current InputConnection's InputConnection#performContextMenuAction(int), for it to be processed in underlying "real" editor. Re-implement this to provide whatever behavior you want.

Parameters
id int

Returns
boolean

onExtractedCursorMovement

Added in API level 3
public void onExtractedCursorMovement (int dx, 
                int dy)

This is called when the user has performed a cursor movement in the extracted text view, when it is running in fullscreen mode. The default implementation hides the candidates view when a vertical movement happens, but only if the extracted text editor has a vertical scroll bar because its text doesn't fit. Re-implement this to provide whatever behavior you want.

Parameters
dx int: The amount of cursor movement in the x dimension.

dy int: The amount of cursor movement in the y dimension.

onExtractedSelectionChanged

Added in API level 3
public void onExtractedSelectionChanged (int start, 
                int end)

This is called when the user has moved the cursor in the extracted text view, when running in fullsreen mode. The default implementation performs the corresponding selection change on the underlying text editor.

Parameters
start int

end int

onExtractedTextClicked

Added in API level 3
public void onExtractedTextClicked ()

This is called when the user has clicked on the extracted text view, when running in fullscreen mode. The default implementation hides the candidates view when this happens, but only if the extracted text editor has a vertical scroll bar because its text doesn't fit. Re-implement this to provide whatever behavior you want.

onExtractingInputChanged

Added in API level 3
public void onExtractingInputChanged (EditorInfo ei)

This is called when, while currently displayed in extract mode, the current input target changes. The default implementation will auto-hide the IME if the new target is not a full editor, since this can be a confusing experience for the user.

Parameters
ei EditorInfo

onFinishCandidatesView

Added in API level 3
public void onFinishCandidatesView (boolean finishingInput)

Called when the candidates view is being hidden from the user. This will be called either prior to hiding the window, or prior to switching to another target for editing.

The default implementation uses the InputConnection to clear any active composing text; you can override this (not calling the base class implementation) to perform whatever behavior you would like.

Parameters
finishingInput boolean: If true, onFinishInput() will be called immediately after.

onFinishInput

Added in API level 3
public void onFinishInput ()

Called to inform the input method that text input has finished in the last editor. At this point there may be a call to onStartInput(android.view.inputmethod.EditorInfo, boolean) to perform input in a new editor, or the input method may be left idle. This method is not called when input restarts in the same editor.

The default implementation uses the InputConnection to clear any active composing text; you can override this (not calling the base class implementation) to perform whatever behavior you would like.

onFinishInputView

Added in API level 3
public void onFinishInputView (boolean finishingInput)

Called when the input view is being hidden from the user. This will be called either prior to hiding the window, or prior to switching to another target for editing.

The default implementation uses the InputConnection to clear any active composing text; you can override this (not calling the base class implementation) to perform whatever behavior you would like.

Parameters
finishingInput boolean: If true, onFinishInput() will be called immediately after.

onFinishStylusHandwriting

Added in API level 33
public void onFinishStylusHandwriting ()

Called when the current stylus handwriting session was finished (either by the system or via finishStylusHandwriting(). When this is called, the ink window has been made invisible, and the IME no longer intercepts handwriting-related MotionEvents.

onGenericMotionEvent

Added in API level 17
public boolean onGenericMotionEvent (MotionEvent event)

Override this to intercept generic motion events before they are processed by the application. If you return true, the application will not itself process the event. If you return false, the normal application processing will occur as if the IME had not seen the event at all.

Parameters
event MotionEvent: The motion event being received.

Returns
boolean True if the event was handled in this function, false otherwise.

onInitializeInterface

Added in API level 3
public void onInitializeInterface ()

This is a hook that subclasses can use to perform initialization of their interface. It is called for you prior to any of your UI objects being created, both after the service is first created and after a configuration change happens.

onInlineSuggestionsResponse

Added in API level 30
public boolean onInlineSuggestionsResponse (InlineSuggestionsResponse response)

Called when Autofill responds back with InlineSuggestionsResponse containing inline suggestions.

Should be implemented by subclasses.

Parameters
response InlineSuggestionsResponse: InlineSuggestionsResponse passed back by Autofill. This value cannot be null.

Returns
boolean Whether the IME will use and render the inline suggestions.

onKeyDown

Added in API level 3
public boolean onKeyDown (int keyCode, 
                KeyEvent event)

Called back when a KeyEvent is forwarded from the target application.

The default implementation intercepts KeyEvent#KEYCODE_BACK if the IME is currently shown , to possibly hide it when the key goes up (if not canceled or long pressed). In addition, in fullscreen mode only, it will consume DPAD movement events to move the cursor in the extracted text view, not allowing them to perform navigation in the underlying application.

The default implementation does not take flags specified to setBackDisposition(int) into account, even on API version Build.VERSION_CODES.P and later devices. IME developers are responsible for making sure that their special handling for KeyEvent#KEYCODE_BACK are consistent with the flag they specified to setBackDisposition(int).

Parameters
keyCode int: The value in event.getKeyCode()

event KeyEvent: Description of the key event

Returns
boolean true if the event is consumed by the IME and the application no longer needs to consume it. Return false when the event should be handled as if the IME had not seen the event at all.

onKeyLongPress

Added in API level 5
public boolean onKeyLongPress (int keyCode, 
                KeyEvent event)

Default implementation of KeyEvent.Callback.onKeyLongPress(): always returns false (doesn't handle the event).

Parameters
keyCode int

event KeyEvent

Returns
boolean

onKeyMultiple

Added in API level 3
public boolean onKeyMultiple (int keyCode, 
                int count, 
                KeyEvent event)

Override this to intercept special key multiple events before they are processed by the application. If you return true, the application will not itself process the event. If you return false, the normal application processing will occur as if the IME had not seen the event at all.

The default implementation always returns false, except when in fullscreen mode, where it will consume DPAD movement events to move the cursor in the extracted text view, not allowing them to perform navigation in the underlying application.

Parameters
keyCode int

count int

event KeyEvent

Returns
boolean

onKeyUp

Added in API level 3
public boolean onKeyUp (int keyCode, 
                KeyEvent event)

Override this to intercept key up events before they are processed by the application. If you return true, the application will not itself process the event. If you return false, the normal application processing will occur as if the IME had not seen the event at all.

The default implementation intercepts KeyEvent.KEYCODE_BACK to hide the current IME UI if it is shown. In addition, in fullscreen mode only, it will consume DPAD movement events to move the cursor in the extracted text view, not allowing them to perform navigation in the underlying application.

Parameters
keyCode int

event KeyEvent

Returns
boolean

onPrepareStylusHandwriting

Added in API level 33
public void onPrepareStylusHandwriting ()

Called to prepare stylus handwriting. The system calls this before the onStartStylusHandwriting() request.

Note: The system tries to call this as early as possible, when it detects that handwriting stylus input is imminent. However, that a subsequent call to onStartStylusHandwriting() actually happens is not guaranteed.

onShowInputRequested

Added in API level 3
public boolean onShowInputRequested (int flags, 
                boolean configChange)

The system has decided that it may be time to show your input method. This is called due to a corresponding call to your InputMethod.showSoftInput() method. The default implementation uses onEvaluateInputViewShown(), onEvaluateFullscreenMode(), and the current configuration to decide whether the input view should be shown at this point.

Parameters
flags int: Value is either 0 or a combination of InputMethod.SHOW_EXPLICIT, and InputMethod.SHOW_FORCED

configChange boolean: This is true if we are re-showing due to a configuration change.

Returns
boolean Returns true to indicate that the window should be shown.

onStartCandidatesView

Added in API level 3
public void onStartCandidatesView (EditorInfo editorInfo, 
                boolean restarting)

Called when only the candidates view has been shown for showing processing as the user enters text through a hard keyboard. This will always be called after onStartInput(EditorInfo, boolean), allowing you to do your general setup there and just view-specific setup here. You are guaranteed that onCreateCandidatesView() will have been called some time before this function is called.

Note that this will not be called when the input method is running in full editing mode, and thus receiving onStartInputView(EditorInfo, boolean) to initiate that operation. This is only for the case when candidates are being shown while the input method editor is hidden but wants to show its candidates UI as text is entered through some other mechanism.

Parameters
editorInfo EditorInfo: Description of the type of text being edited.

restarting boolean: Set to true if we are restarting input on the same text field as before.

onStartInput

Added in API level 3
public void onStartInput (EditorInfo attribute, 
                boolean restarting)

Called to inform the input method that text input has started in an editor. You should use this callback to initialize the state of your input to match the state of the editor given to it.

Parameters
attribute EditorInfo: The attributes of the editor that input is starting in.

restarting boolean: Set to true if input is restarting in the same editor such as because the application has changed the text in the editor. Otherwise will be false, indicating this is a new session with the editor.

onStartInputView

Added in API level 3
public void onStartInputView (EditorInfo editorInfo, 
                boolean restarting)

Called when the input view is being shown and input has started on a new editor. This will always be called after onStartInput(EditorInfo, boolean), allowing you to do your general setup there and just view-specific setup here. You are guaranteed that onCreateInputView() will have been called some time before this function is called.

Parameters
editorInfo EditorInfo: Description of the type of text being edited.

restarting boolean: Set to true if we are restarting input on the same text field as before.

onStartStylusHandwriting

Added in API level 33
public boolean onStartStylusHandwriting ()

Called when an app requests stylus handwriting InputMethodManager#startStylusHandwriting(View). This will always be preceded by onStartInput(android.view.inputmethod.EditorInfo, boolean) for the EditorInfo and InputConnection for which stylus handwriting is being requested. If the IME supports handwriting for the current input, it should return true, ensure its inking views are attached to the getStylusHandwritingWindow(), and handle stylus input received from onStylusHandwritingMotionEvent(android.view.MotionEvent) on the getStylusHandwritingWindow() via getCurrentInputConnection().

Returns
boolean true if IME can honor the request, false if IME cannot at this time.

onStylusHandwritingMotionEvent

Added in API level 33
public void onStylusHandwritingMotionEvent (MotionEvent motionEvent)

Called after onStartStylusHandwriting() returns true for every Stylus MotionEvent. By default, this method forwards all MotionEvents to the getStylusHandwritingWindow() once its visible, however IME can override it to receive them sooner.

Parameters
motionEvent MotionEvent: MotionEvent from stylus. This value cannot be null.

onTrackballEvent

Added in API level 3
public boolean onTrackballEvent (MotionEvent event)

Override this to intercept trackball motion events before they are processed by the application. If you return true, the application will not itself process the event. If you return false, the normal application processing will occur as if the IME had not seen the event at all.

Parameters
event MotionEvent: The motion event being received.

Returns
boolean True if the event was handled in this function, false otherwise.

onUnbindInput

Added in API level 3
public void onUnbindInput ()

Called when the previous bound client is no longer associated with the input method. After returning getCurrentInputBinding() and getCurrentInputConnection() will no longer return valid objects.

onUpdateCursor

Added in API level 3
Deprecated in API level 21
public void onUpdateCursor (Rect newCursor)

This method was deprecated in API level 21.
Use onUpdateCursorAnchorInfo(android.view.inputmethod.CursorAnchorInfo) instead.

Called when the application has reported a new location of its text cursor. This is only called if explicitly requested by the input method. The default implementation does nothing.

Parameters
newCursor Rect

onUpdateCursorAnchorInfo

Added in API level 21
public void onUpdateCursorAnchorInfo (CursorAnchorInfo cursorAnchorInfo)

Called when the application has reported a new location of its text insertion point and characters in the composition string. This is only called if explicitly requested by the input method. The default implementation does nothing.

Parameters
cursorAnchorInfo CursorAnchorInfo: The positional information of the text insertion point and the composition string.

onUpdateEditorToolType

Added in API level 34
public void onUpdateEditorToolType (int toolType)

Called when the user tapped or clicked an editor. This can be useful when IME makes a decision of showing Virtual keyboard based on what MotionEvent#getToolType(int) was used to click the editor. e.g. when toolType is MotionEvent#TOOL_TYPE_STYLUS, IME may choose to show a companion widget instead of normal virtual keyboard.

This method is called after onStartInput(android.view.inputmethod.EditorInfo, boolean) and before onStartInputView(android.view.inputmethod.EditorInfo, boolean) when editor was clicked with a known tool type.

Default implementation does nothing.

Parameters
toolType int: what MotionEvent#getToolType(int) was used to click on editor. Value is MotionEvent.TOOL_TYPE_UNKNOWN, MotionEvent.TOOL_TYPE_FINGER, MotionEvent.TOOL_TYPE_STYLUS, MotionEvent.TOOL_TYPE_MOUSE, MotionEvent.TOOL_TYPE_ERASER, or android.view.MotionEvent.TOOL_TYPE_PALM

onUpdateExtractedText

Added in API level 3
public void onUpdateExtractedText (int token, 
                ExtractedText text)

Called when the application has reported new extracted text to be shown due to changes in its current text state. The default implementation here places the new text in the extract edit text, when the input method is running in fullscreen mode.

Parameters
token int

text ExtractedText

onUpdateExtractingViews

Added in API level 3
public void onUpdateExtractingViews (EditorInfo ei)

Called when the fullscreen-mode extracting editor info has changed, to update the state of its UI such as the action buttons shown. You do not need to deal with this if you are using the standard full screen extract UI. If replacing it, you will need to re-implement this to put the appropriate action button in your own UI and handle it, and perform any other changes.

The standard implementation turns on or off its accessory area depending on whether there is an action button, and hides or shows the entire extract area depending on whether it makes sense for the current editor. In particular, a InputType#TYPE_NULL or InputType#TYPE_TEXT_VARIATION_FILTER input type will turn off the extract area since there is no text to be shown.

Parameters
ei EditorInfo

onUpdateExtractingVisibility

Added in API level 3
public void onUpdateExtractingVisibility (EditorInfo ei)

Called when the fullscreen-mode extracting editor info has changed, to determine whether the extracting (extract text and candidates) portion of the UI should be shown. The standard implementation hides or shows the extract area depending on whether it makes sense for the current editor. In particular, a InputType#TYPE_NULL input type or EditorInfo#IME_FLAG_NO_EXTRACT_UI flag will turn off the extract area since there is no text to be shown.

Parameters
ei EditorInfo

onUpdateSelection

Added in API level 3
public void onUpdateSelection (int oldSelStart, 
                int oldSelEnd, 
                int newSelStart, 
                int newSelEnd, 
                int candidatesStart, 
                int candidatesEnd)

Called when the application has reported a new selection region of the text. This is called whether or not the input method has requested extracted text updates, although if so it will not receive this call if the extracted text has changed as well.

The default implementation takes care of updating the cursor in the extract text, if it is being shown.

Parameters
oldSelStart int

oldSelEnd int

newSelStart int

newSelEnd int

candidatesStart int

candidatesEnd int

onViewClicked

Added in API level 14
Deprecated in API level 29
public void onViewClicked (boolean focusChanged)

This method was deprecated in API level 29.
The method may not be called for composite View that works as a giant "Canvas", which can host its own UI hierarchy and sub focus state. WebView is a good example. Application / IME developers should not rely on this method. If your goal is just being notified when an on-going input is interrupted, simply monitor onFinishInput(). If your goal is to know what MotionEvent#getToolType(int) clicked on editor, use onUpdateEditorToolType(int) instead.

Called when the user tapped or clicked a text view. IMEs can't rely on this method being called because this was not part of the original IME protocol, so applications with custom text editing written before this method appeared will not call to inform the IME of this interaction.

Parameters
focusChanged boolean: true if the user changed the focused view by this click.

onWindowHidden

Added in API level 3
public void onWindowHidden ()

Called when the input method window has been hidden from the user, after previously being visible.

onWindowShown

Added in API level 3
public void onWindowShown ()

Called immediately before the input method window is shown to the user. You could override this to prepare for the window to be shown (update view structure etc).

requestHideSelf

Added in API level 3
public void requestHideSelf (int flags)

Close this input method's soft input area, removing it from the display. The input method will continue running, but the user can no longer use it to generate input by touching the screen.

Parameters
flags int: Value is either 0 or a combination of InputMethodManager.HIDE_IMPLICIT_ONLY, and InputMethodManager.HIDE_NOT_ALWAYS

requestShowSelf

Added in API level 28
public final void requestShowSelf (int flags)

Show the input method's soft input area, so the user sees the input method window and can interact with it.

Parameters
flags int: Value is either 0 or a combination of InputMethodManager.SHOW_IMPLICIT, and InputMethodManager.SHOW_FORCED

sendDefaultEditorAction

Added in API level 3
public boolean sendDefaultEditorAction (boolean fromEnterKey)

Ask the input target to execute its default action via InputConnection.performEditorAction().

For compatibility, this method does not execute a custom action even if EditorInfo.actionLabel is set. The implementor should directly call InputConnection.performEditorAction() with EditorInfo.actionId if they want to execute a custom action.

Parameters
fromEnterKey boolean: If true, this will be executed as if the user had pressed an enter key on the keyboard, that is it will not be done if the editor has set EditorInfo.IME_FLAG_NO_ENTER_ACTION. If false, the action will be sent regardless of how the editor has set that flag.

Returns
boolean Returns a boolean indicating whether an action has been sent. If false, either the editor did not specify a default action or it does not want an action from the enter key. If true, the action was sent (or there was no input connection at all).

sendDownUpKeyEvents

Added in API level 3
public void sendDownUpKeyEvents (int keyEventCode)

Send the given key event code (as defined by KeyEvent) to the current input connection is a key down + key up event pair. The sent events have KeyEvent.FLAG_SOFT_KEYBOARD set, so that the recipient can identify them as coming from a software input method, and KeyEvent.FLAG_KEEP_TOUCH_MODE, so that they don't impact the current touch mode of the UI.

Note that it's discouraged to send such key events in normal operation; this is mainly for use with InputType.TYPE_NULL type text fields, or for non-rich input methods. A reasonably capable software input method should use the InputConnection.commitText(CharSequence, int) family of methods to send text to an application, rather than sending key events.

Parameters
keyEventCode int: The raw key code to send, as defined by KeyEvent.

sendKeyChar

Added in API level 3
public void sendKeyChar (char charCode)

Send the given UTF-16 character to the current input connection. Most characters will be delivered simply by calling InputConnection.commitText() with the character; some, however, may be handled different. In particular, the enter character ('\n') will either be delivered as an action code or a raw key event, as appropriate. Consider this as a convenience method for IMEs that do not have a full implementation of actions; a fully complying IME will decide of the right action for each event and will likely never call this method except maybe to handle events coming from an actual hardware keyboard.

Parameters
charCode char: The UTF-16 character code to send.

setBackDisposition

Added in API level 11
public void setBackDisposition (int disposition)

Sets the disposition mode that indicates the expected affordance for the back button.

Keep in mind that specifying this flag does not change the the default behavior of onKeyDown(int, android.view.KeyEvent). It is IME developers' responsibility for making sure that their custom implementation of onKeyDown(int, android.view.KeyEvent) is consistent with the mode specified to this API.

Parameters
disposition int: disposition mode to be set Value is BACK_DISPOSITION_DEFAULT, BACK_DISPOSITION_WILL_NOT_DISMISS, BACK_DISPOSITION_WILL_DISMISS, or BACK_DISPOSITION_ADJUST_NOTHING

setCandidatesView

Added in API level 3
public void setCandidatesView (View view)

Replaces the current candidates view with a new one. You only need to call this when dynamically changing the view; normally, you should implement onCreateCandidatesView() and create your view when first needed by the input method.

Parameters
view View

setCandidatesViewShown

Added in API level 3
public void setCandidatesViewShown (boolean shown)

Controls the visibility of the candidates display area. By default it is hidden.

Parameters
shown boolean

setExtractView

Added in API level 3
public void setExtractView (View view)

Parameters
view View

setExtractViewShown

Added in API level 3
public void setExtractViewShown (boolean shown)

Controls the visibility of the extracted text area. This only applies when the input method is in fullscreen mode, and thus showing extracted text. When false, the extracted text will not be shown, allowing some of the application to be seen behind. This is normally set for you by onUpdateExtractingVisibility(EditorInfo). This controls the visibility of both the extracted text and candidate view; the latter since it is not useful if there is no text to see.

Parameters
shown boolean

setInputView

Added in API level 3
public void setInputView (View view)

Replaces the current input view with a new one. You only need to call this when dynamically changing the view; normally, you should implement onCreateInputView() and create your view when first needed by the input method.

Parameters
view View

setStylusHandwritingSessionTimeout

Added in API level 34
public final void setStylusHandwritingSessionTimeout (Duration duration)

Sets the duration after which an ongoing stylus handwriting session that hasn't received new MotionEvents will time out and finishStylusHandwriting() will be called. The maximum allowed duration is returned by getStylusHandwritingIdleTimeoutMax(), larger values will be clamped. Note: this value is bound to the InputMethodService instance and resets to the default whenever a new instance is constructed.

Parameters
duration Duration: timeout to set. This value cannot be null.

setTheme

Added in API level 3
public void setTheme (int theme)

You can call this to customize the theme used by your IME's window. This theme should typically be one that derives from R.style.Theme_InputMethod, which is the default theme you will get. This must be set before onCreate(), so you will typically call it in your constructor with the resource ID of your custom theme.

Parameters
theme int: The style resource describing the theme.

shouldOfferSwitchingToNextInputMethod

Added in API level 28
public final boolean shouldOfferSwitchingToNextInputMethod ()

Returns true if the current IME needs to offer the users ways to switch to a next input method (e.g. a globe key.). When an IME sets supportsSwitchingToNextInputMethod and this method returns true, the IME has to offer ways to to invoke switchToNextInputMethod(boolean) accordingly.

Note that the system determines the most appropriate next input method and subtype in order to provide the consistent user experience in switching between IMEs and subtypes.

Returns
boolean

showStatusIcon

Added in API level 3
public void showStatusIcon (int iconResId)

Parameters
iconResId int

showWindow

Added in API level 3
public void showWindow (boolean showInput)

Parameters
showInput boolean

switchInputMethod

Added in API level 3
public void switchInputMethod (String id)

Force switch to a new input method, as identified by id. This input method will be destroyed, and the requested one started on the current input field.

Parameters
id String: Unique identifier of the new input method to start.

Throws
IllegalArgumentException if the input method is unknown or filtered by the rules of package visibility.

switchInputMethod

Added in API level 28
public final void switchInputMethod (String id, 
                InputMethodSubtype subtype)

Force switch to a new input method, as identified by id. This input method will be destroyed, and the requested one started on the current input field.

Parameters
id String: Unique identifier of the new input method to start.

subtype InputMethodSubtype: The new subtype of the new input method to be switched to.

Throws
IllegalArgumentException if the input method is unknown or filtered by the rules of package visibility.

switchToNextInputMethod

Added in API level 28
public final boolean switchToNextInputMethod (boolean onlyCurrentIme)

Force switch to the next input method and subtype. If there is no IME enabled except current IME and subtype, do nothing.

Parameters
onlyCurrentIme boolean: if true, the framework will find the next subtype which belongs to the current IME

Returns
boolean true if the current input method and subtype was successfully switched to the next input method and subtype.

switchToPreviousInputMethod

Added in API level 28
public final boolean switchToPreviousInputMethod ()

Force switch to the last used input method and subtype. If the last input method didn't have any subtypes, the framework will simply switch to the last input method with no subtype specified.

Returns
boolean true if the current input method and subtype was successfully switched to the last used input method and subtype.

updateFullscreenMode

Added in API level 3
public void updateFullscreenMode ()

Re-evaluate whether the input method should be running in fullscreen mode, and update its UI if this has changed since the last time it was evaluated. This will call onEvaluateFullscreenMode() to determine whether it should currently run in fullscreen mode. You can use isFullscreenMode() to determine if the input method is currently running in fullscreen mode.

updateInputViewShown

Added in API level 3
public void updateInputViewShown ()

Re-evaluate whether the soft input area should currently be shown, and update its UI if this has changed since the last time it was evaluated. This will call onEvaluateInputViewShown() to determine whether the input view should currently be shown. You can use isInputViewShown() to determine if the input view is currently shown.

Protected methods

dump

Added in API level 3
protected void dump (FileDescriptor fd, 
                PrintWriter fout, 
                String[] args)

Performs a dump of the InputMethodService's internal state. Override to add your own information to the dump.

Parameters
fd FileDescriptor: The raw file descriptor that the dump is being sent to.

fout PrintWriter: The PrintWriter to which you should dump your state. This will be closed for you after you return.

args String: additional arguments to the dump request.

onCurrentInputMethodSubtypeChanged

Added in API level 11
protected void onCurrentInputMethodSubtypeChanged (InputMethodSubtype newSubtype)

Called when the subtype was changed.

Parameters
newSubtype InputMethodSubtype: the subtype which is being changed to.