CleverType Setup Guide: How to Install and Customize Your AI Keyboard

Ever tried to set up a new keyboard app and got lost in the process? Me too. That's why I've put together this no-nonsense guide to help you get CleverType up and running without the headache. I've been using AI keyboards for years, and CleverType has become my go-to for both personal and professional writing. Let's get you typing smarter, not harder!

What is CleverType?

CleverType isn't just another keyboard app. It's an AI-powered typing assistant that helps fix grammar, adjust tone, and even generate content right from your keyboard. Unlike traditional keyboards that just... well, type, CleverType actually understands what you're trying to say and helps you say it better.

What makes it different from other AI keyboard apps? For one, it balances powerful features with simplicity. I've tested dozens of keyboards that either do too little or overwhelm you with options. CleverType somehow manages to be powerful without being complicated.

But don't just take my word for it - let's get it installed so you can see for yourself. The whole process should take about 5-7 minutes, depending on your device.

Installing CleverType on iOS

Getting CleverType on your iPhone or iPad is pretty straightforward, but there are a few steps Apple requires for any keyboard app. Here's how to do it:

1. Download the app from the App Store
2. Open the CleverType app after installation
3. Follow the on-screen tutorial (don't skip this - it shows important features)
4. Enable the keyboard in your device settings:
   • Go to Settings - General - Keyboard - Keyboards - Add New Keyboard
   • Select CleverType from the list
   • Tap on CleverType again and enable "Allow Full Access" (required for advanced features)

Some people worry about the "Allow Full Access" permission. This is actually required by Apple for any third-party keyboard that needs to connect to additional services. CleverType needs this to provide AI features like grammar checking and tone adjustment. Without it, you'd just have a basic keyboard.

One thing I've noticed in my usage - sometimes iOS might switch back to the default keyboard after updates. If this happens, just go to any text field, press and hold the globe icon, and select CleverType again.

Installing CleverType on Android

Android makes the keyboard installation process a bit simpler than iOS. Here's what you need to do:

1. Download CleverType from the Google Play Store
2. Open the app after installation
3. Tap "Enable Keyboard" in the setup screen
4. Select CleverType from the keyboard list
5. Set as default keyboard when prompted (you can always change this later)

On some Android devices, you might need to manually enable permissions. If you're not prompted automatically, go to Settings - System - Languages & input - Virtual keyboard - Manage keyboards and toggle on CleverType.

Did you know that Android actually processes keyboard data differently than iOS? On Android, keyboards have more system integration, which is why the setup process is usually smoother. This also means CleverType can offer some Android-specific features that aren't available on iOS.

Essential First-Time Setup

Once you've got the keyboard installed, there are a few things you should configure right away for the best experience:

1. Choose Your Theme

First things first - make your keyboard look the way you want. CleverType offers several themes:

• Light Mode
• Dark Mode
• System Match (follows your phone's theme)
• Custom Colors (premium feature)

To change your theme:

1. Open the CleverType app
2. Go to Settings - Appearance
3. Select your preferred theme

I personally use the System Match option so my keyboard automatically switches between light and dark mode depending on my phone settings. It's one less thing to think about!

2. Configure Text Prediction

CleverType's text prediction is powered by AI, but you can control how it works:

• Suggestion Style: Choose between word-by-word or complete sentence suggestions
• Prediction Aggressiveness: How often suggestions appear (Low/Medium/High)
• Personal Dictionary: Add custom words CleverType should recognize

To adjust these settings:

1. Open the CleverType app
2. Go to Settings - Text Input
3. Customize your prediction preferences

A pro tip from my experience - start with Medium prediction aggressiveness and adjust based on how it feels. Too many suggestions can be distracting, but too few defeats the purpose of having AI assistance.

3. Set Up Grammar Correction

The grammar correction feature is one of CleverType's highlights. Here's how to configure it:

• Correction Level: Basic (spelling only), Standard (common errors), or Professional (advanced grammar)
• Auto-Correction: Toggle whether corrections happen automatically or by suggestion
• Tone Detection: Identifies if your writing sounds formal, casual, etc.

To customize grammar settings:

1. Open the CleverType app
2. Go to Settings - Grammar & Style
3. Adjust according to your preferences

I've found that the Professional level catches things even premium grammar tools miss sometimes. It's especially helpful when writing important emails or documents on your phone.

Advanced Customization Options

Once you've got the basics set up, you might want to explore some of CleverType's more advanced features:

Creating Custom Shortcuts

CleverType allows you to create text shortcuts for phrases you type often. For example, you could set "omw" to expand to "On my way!" automatically.

To create shortcuts:

1. Open the CleverType app
2. Go to Settings - Text Input - Text Replacement
3. Tap "+" to add a new shortcut
4. Enter the shortcut and the full text it should expand to

I use this for email signatures, common responses, and even code snippets I use frequently. It's a huge time-saver!

Setting Up AI Assistants

One of CleverType's standout features is custom AI assistants. These are specialized AI tools that help with specific types of writing.

To configure AI assistants:

1. Open the CleverType app
2. Go to Settings - AI Assistants
3. Enable the assistants you want to use
4. Customize each assistant's behavior

The available assistants include:

• Email Writer
• Social Media Caption Creator
• Academic Writer
• Customer Service Response Generator
• Custom Assistant (create your own!)

I've set up a custom assistant specifically for responding to client inquiries. It helps me maintain a consistent, professional tone even when I'm replying quickly from my phone.

Voice Typing Configuration

CleverType's voice typing is powered by advanced speech recognition. To set it up:

1. Open the CleverType app
2. Go to Settings - Voice Input
3. Choose your preferred language
4. Configure auto-punctuation and other voice settings

Voice typing is great when you're on the go or need to compose longer messages. The accuracy is surprisingly good, even in noisy environments.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even the best apps sometimes have hiccups. Here are solutions to common problems I've encountered:

Keyboard Not Appearing

If CleverType isn't showing up when you try to type:

1. Make sure it's enabled in your device settings
2. Check if another keyboard is set as default
3. Restart your device
4. Reinstall the app if the issue persists

Slow Performance

If the keyboard seems sluggish:

1. Check for app updates
2. Clear the app's cache (Android only)
3. Disable unused features
4. Ensure your device has sufficient free memory

Prediction Not Working Properly

If text prediction isn't working as expected:

1. Verify that prediction is enabled in settings
2. Check your internet connection (some advanced predictions require network access)
3. Reset your prediction data in Settings - Text Input - Reset Prediction Data

Privacy and Data Security

Many people worry about keyboard apps accessing their data. Here's what you should know about CleverType's privacy practices:

• Local Processing: Basic typing features work without sending data to servers
• Optional Cloud Processing: Advanced AI features require some data to be processed in the cloud
• No Keystroke Logging: CleverType doesn't record or store what you type
• Sensitive Field Detection: Automatically disables prediction in password fields

You can review and adjust privacy settings:

1. Open the CleverType app
2. Go to Settings - Privacy & Security
3. Configure what data can be processed and how

I appreciate that CleverType is transparent about data usage and gives users control. I've set mine to only use cloud processing for important emails and documents, keeping casual conversations entirely local.

Making the Most of CleverType

Now that you've got everything set up, here are some tips to get the most out of your new keyboard:

Daily Usage Tips

• Long-press for alternatives: When CleverType suggests a correction, long-press on it to see alternative options
• Swipe typing: Enable gesture typing for one-handed use
• Double-tap space: Automatically inserts a period and space
• Keyboard shortcuts: Use keyboard shortcuts for formatting (bold, italic, etc.) in supported apps

Using AI Features Effectively

• Tone adjustment: Use the tone button to switch between casual, professional, or friendly writing styles
• Grammar checking: Tap on underlined words to see correction suggestions
• Content generation: Use the AI button to generate responses based on context
• Translation: Access built-in translation for multilingual conversations

Keyboard Gestures

CleverType supports several useful gestures:

• Swipe left from delete key: Deletes the last word
• Swipe down on keyboard: Minimizes the keyboard
• Swipe across spacebar: Moves the cursor
• Two-finger swipe: Changes keyboard language (if multiple are enabled)

Integrating with Your Workflow

CleverType works with all your apps, but it really shines in certain scenarios:

For Professional Communication

If you use your phone for work, CleverType can help maintain professional communication:

• Use the formal tone setting for business emails
• Enable the Email Assistant for help composing responses
• Create shortcuts for common professional phrases
• Use grammar checking to ensure error-free communication

For Social Media

For social posts and casual chats:

• Switch to casual tone for more relaxed writing
• Use the Social Media Assistant for engaging captions
• Enable emoji prediction for quicker access to relevant emojis
• Use content generation for creative post ideas

For Academic Writing

Students can benefit from:

• Academic tone settings for formal papers
• Citation formatting help
• Technical vocabulary recognition
• Grammar checking tuned for academic writing standards

Keeping Your Keyboard Updated

CleverType regularly releases updates with new features and improvements:

1. Enable automatic updates in your app store
2. Check the "What's New" section after updates
3. Periodically review settings as new options may be added
4. Follow CleverType on social media for feature announcements

I've noticed that major updates usually come quarterly, with smaller improvements monthly. The development team is quite responsive to user feedback too.

Conclusion

Setting up CleverType is just the beginning of a more productive typing experience. With its AI-powered features and extensive customization options, it can significantly improve how you communicate on your mobile device.

Whether you're writing professional emails, chatting with friends, or creating content on the go, CleverType adapts to your needs. The initial setup takes just a few minutes, but the time you'll save and the quality improvements to your writing make it well worth the effort.

Have you found other helpful tricks for using CleverType? What features do you use most? Share your experience in the comments below!