Apple’s latest iOS update includes keyboards for three Indigenous languages to help preserve endangered tongues through daily digital use.
Key points
- iOS 27 adds Blackfoot, Comanche, and Northern East Cree to the on-screen keyboard.
- Apple collaborated with Unicode and community experts to standardize these scripts.
- Teachers use the tools to help students practice pronunciation and engage with culture.
Apple has expanded its support for Indigenous languages in the latest iOS 27 update. The release adds Blackfoot, Comanche, and Northern East Cree to the device keyboard, joining Cherokee and Nez Perce.
What happened
Apple introduced new keyboard layouts for Blackfoot, Comanche, and Northern East Cree in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, according to CNET. This update follows the addition of Haitian Creole and Nez Perce in iOS 26. The company states that its iOS keyboard now supports more than 200 languages and variants. Cherokee was the first Native American language included in iOS, debuting in 2010.
The development process begins with Unicode, the organization that standardizes digital text and emoji. Apple engineers worked directly with community members and artists, such as Roy Boney Jr., who helped bring the Cherokee syllabary to devices. This collaboration ensures that the 85 characters used in written Cherokee accurately represent spoken sounds.
Why it matters
Chuck Hoskin Jr., principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, notes that only about 1,500 active Cherokee speakers remain, most over age 70. He told Wired that the community faces urgent mathematical challenges in preserving its language. Integrating these languages into phones meets young people where they spend their waking hours.
Teachers in Oklahoma use these keyboard tools in classrooms to help students practice pronunciation. Erlinda “Daksi” Soap, a teacher at the Cherokee Immersion School, explained to Apple that every sound is critical in the language. One incorrect sound can change the meaning of a word entirely.
The fix
- Check for iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 system updates in your device settings.
- Navigate to the keyboard settings to add Blackfoot, Comanche, or Cree layouts.
- Switch to the new keyboard when typing messages or practicing language skills.
- Verify that the correct language variant is selected for accurate character input.
What to do and how to stay safe: Apple
- Review your current iOS version to see if you have access to the new language packs.
- Consult your device’s language and region settings to enable the desired keyboard.
- Practice typing in the new script to familiarize yourself with the layout.
- Share the feature with community members or students interested in language preservation.
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General security guidance from the Crypt Weekly newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Which new languages are supported in iOS 27?
iOS 27 adds support for Blackfoot, Comanche, and Northern East Cree keyboards.
How many Cherokee speakers are there?
The Cherokee Nation has around 1,500 active speakers, most of whom are over 70.
When was Cherokee first added to iOS?
Apple included Cherokee as the first Native American language in iOS in 2010.
