Thumb keyboard layout

Question

I found another post about this, so it's not unique to me or my Duo - - and it's older, so not a new issue. Like this user, 

I love my new Duo, but also am frustrated that I'd prefer the thumb keyboard layout, but it's perpetually grayed-out and I can never select it.

The response was insufficient because it's not just in portrait mode. Whether it's horizontal or vertical, completely flat or partially bent like book/laptop, or fully folded, that fourth layout option is NEVER enabled.

And like the user says, there are visuals showing it other than disabled - - right in the Duo's own Tips app, in fact, so this should be available and needs to be addressed in an update ... unless someone else has found a fix, please share what you did. Thanks! 

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/all/thumb-keyboard-choice/98e2b333-3643-4c31-99e5-7762e7c73d62

Answer 1

The *REAL* Answer re: Thumb Keyboard Layout

Go to your MS SwiftKey app, the Layout & Keys section. Make sure the Extended Layout slider is OFF. If your experience is like mine, having it on (which may even be its default?) keeps you from ever being able to select that layout, no matter what direction your Duo is turned.

I ended up figuring this out on my own because MS app for work did some major installing on my Duo when I started a new contract/project, and (annoyingly) I had to go in and re-select all of my prefs for all MS apps/system tools on my Duo. In that process, I discovered that at one point I suddenly had the Thumb layout, and then it was gone -- so I did some detailed trial-and-error of settings-sliders until I confirmed that Extended Layout was the culprit.

Answer 2

Clearly, you didn't even read my post, where I clearly said that the Thumb layout is never available/active ... no matter which way I turn my Duo phone. I even linked over to another post, where a MS Employee/Moderator gave this same-lame-answer, which I pronounced inadequate.

Does anyone else have anything to offer? Preferably something helpful?!?

Answer 3

Nope, not on mine, in either orientation. I appreciate the more helpful suggestion, thanks.

Answer 4

My thumb keyboard only works when I have the device folded all the way back. Otherwise the thumb keyboard option is grayed out.

Answer 5

Hello, 

I understand that the feature is available in Landscape mode but not others. 

We appreciate your feedback as we look to improve or provide the options our customers find helpful.

Thank you