Raycast's new iPhone keyboard adds AI and voice tools to everyday typing

Raycast has released a new keyboard for iPhone that aims to replace Apple's own. It works like the standard keyboard, with swipe typing and autocorrect. It also adds AI writing tools, voice dictation, GIF search and text shortcuts in the same place.

What it does

About a year ago, Raycast launched a secondary keyboard. You switched to it only when you needed its extras. The new one is a primary keyboard, so you can type with it all day and skip the switching.

• AI commands and Quick Fix, with a customizable action row for the ones you use most
• Dictation, with styles pulled from your Mac
• Snippet expansion: a prefix character you set triggers saved text in any app
• Quicklinks, smart emoji search, GIF search and five themes

One theme gives the keyboard a miniature mechanical look, styled after Raycast's own mechanical keyboard.

Limits to know

The keyboard works in English only for now. Raycast says more languages are in progress. Dictation has a quirk: Apple requires third-party keyboards to briefly jump into their own app before returning to yours. Raycast made that as fast as it can. If you dictate often, a setting keeps the mic ready longer.

You need Raycast version 1.1.0 to get the keyboard. That update also includes seven bug fixes.

What is not clear

The material does not say what the keyboard costs or whether any features need a paid plan. Check that before you switch. It is aimed at people who write a lot on their iPhone and want one keyboard for quick edits and repeat messages.