How to Add Swype Keyboard on iPhone & iPad? [jailbreak]

If there is one thing Android smartphone users were proud of that iPhone owners that was the Swype keyboard.

Swype lets you type by dragging your thumb across letters without lifting and typing out words. This makes it really easy to type on the small formfactor of smartphone screens especially in portrait mode.

Now, Swype has come to iOS for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad users in the form a jailbreak cydia tweak called iSwipe. Thanks to developer Andrew Liu who ported this popular Swype app for iOS since the official Swype for iPhone may never happen.

tip: Swype has been renamed to iSwipe starting version 0.3 on Cydia.

Although, iSwipe is still in beta I tried it both on iPhone 4 on iOS 4.3.3 and iPad 2 on iOS 4.3.3 and I just love it. More so on the iPhone 4 than the iPad 2.

Not only can you draw lines between letters to make words, iSwipe also adds a small bar over the keyboard showing relevant words to the one you typed so you can pick the correct one. This improves the usefulness of this tweak 10-fold in my opinion.

How to Get iSwipe on iPhone or iPad?

First off, you need to have a jailbroken iPhone or iPad. If not, jailbreaking is very easy if you are on iOS 4.3.3.

1. Launch Cydia and go to Manage -> Sources tab (or just Sources in iPad)
2. Tap Edit (right top corner) and then tap Add (left top corner)
3. Type in http://wynd.x10.mx and hit Add Source
4. Now, let Cydia do it’s magic and reload content
5. Return to Cydia and search for iSwipe
6. Install iSwipe and Restart Springboard.

Now, go to any app that lets you input with keyboard and try sliding your finger across letters. You will see a blue line form and the words appear as you trace the letters.

Earlier iSwipe was compatible with native iOS apps like Mail, Notes, etc. The latest beta version is now compatible with any 3rd party app you have installed on your iOS device making iSwipe incredibly useful as well as worth a mention here.

Enjoy Swype on your iPhone and iPad!