[MOD][HOWTO] Adjust your hardware keyboard's default language

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Diamondback

Diamondback

Retired Dev Committee Lead / Retired Senior Mod
Jan 17, 2010
4,477
6,630
virtuous-ten-studio.com
Hey guys,

Currently we have a very annyoing problem with the hardware keyboard. Imagine the following situation:

  • You have a country specific keyboard layout (like a german QWERTZ layout)
  • You don't want to use the pre-installed ASUS on screen keyboard

What happens now is the following:
  • You deselect ASUS' on screen keyboard
  • As soon as you do this, your hardware keyboard loses its custom layout and reverts to a generic QWERTY one

To "solve" this issue you normally need to do the following:
  • Switch to the localized ASUS keyboard once you dock your Prime
  • Switch back to the keyboard of your choice once you undock the Prime

I think I don't have to say that this behaivior is less than optimal.

I played a bit around with the system files and found out how to change the default keyboard layout to what ever you want to have.

Here is the result:
  • I don't need to ever select the ASUS keyboard again
  • I still could use the ASUS keyboard to change the keyboard layout (I could change the hardware layout to QWERTY for example)
  • I finally don't need to hassle around with different keyboards anymore :)

Okay now enough of that, here is how to do it:

First some facts:
  • We need to replace 2 /system files, so this may break any further OTAs
  • AFAIK the files weren't changed since the first update and normally those files aren't subject to changes, so the risk of breaking OTAs is not that high
  • If you do a backup of those files you can always restore that backup before applying OTAs

Requirements:
  • A rooted Prime
  • Some app to edit the /system partition (e.g. "Root Explorer")
  • The ability to read the entire post and to follow my instructions

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage - software or hardware - you may do to your Prime. Please don't do this mod if you have no idea what I am talking about.

(I used Root Explorer for this, so if you use another app the steps may be a bit different)

So let's get started:
  1. Undock your Prime (just to be sure)
  2. Open Root Explorer and go to "/system/usr/xt9/keychars/"
  3. Copy the file which represents your keyboard's language (e.g. qwerty-de_DE.kcm for my german Prime dock)
  4. Now go to "/system/usr/keychars/" (note the missing "xt9" in the path)
  5. Mount your system as "read/write" (the little button with the caption "Mount R/W")
  6. Rename the file "asusdec.kcm" to "asusdec.kcm.bak"
  7. Paste your own "qwerty-xy_XY.kcm" file here (the one you copied before)
  8. Rename that file to "asusdec.kcm"

  9. Go to "/system/usr/xt9/keylayout/"
  10. Now copy the file you want to use ("qwerty-de_DE.kl" for my german dock) (the file is called the same as the last one you copied, only the extension is different)
  11. Go to "/system/usr/keylayout/" (again the "xt9" is missing from the path here)
  12. Rename the file "asusdec.kl" to "asusdec.kl.bak"
  13. Paste your own file and rename it to "asusdec.kl"

  14. Reboot

After the reboot, dock your Prime and test the results. If you did everything right, you should be able to select a non ASUS keyboard while keeping your custom keyboard layout. :)

If you want to revert the changes, just delete the two files we changed and rename the backups back to the original name.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ragnartarod, TomBous, vakbrain and 18 others
newellj79

newellj79

Senior Member
Jan 2, 2011
2,378
298
OnePlus 8
Wow. Are you guys the forum police? He posted in the wrong spot. Who freakin cares... Sometimes I think it would do alot of people good to just get out and have some fun.


edit... moderator, feel free to delete this post as it is most assuredly off topic.
 
C

clouds5

Senior Member
Feb 8, 2011
1,933
512
Thx for this great mod :) worked like a charm! And its easy to revert to stock if an OTA comes around. Renaming some files isnt that much of a hassle.

Now which onscreen keyboard would you guys suggest? The original android one is ok but i'm missing the numbers.
 
E

Everblue

Member
Jul 3, 2008
18
0
Oh thank... I always see this mod in my dream

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
 
G

Gnopps

Senior Member
Aug 4, 2010
100
9
Worked!

Excellent, thanks! Now I keep my Swiftkey when not docked. Why Asus is forcing us to use their keyboard is beyond me.
 
G

Gnopps

Senior Member
Aug 4, 2010
100
9
This worked fine for me until I did the last firmware upgrade. I use Swiftkey as my soft keyboard and now I get its suggestions at the bottom of the screen all the time. Like the user above Polaris Office doesn't work at all when docked.

How can I get rid of Swiftkey when docked and use the true Asus keyboard then, is it only possible with an app?

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201
 
C

CrazyPeter

Senior Member
Sep 1, 2010
1,256
466
This works on tf101also but the existing filenames had no d in them

"asusec.kcm"
"asusec.kl"

Many thanks

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2
 
  • Like
Reactions: Diamondback
Yod-b

Yod-b

Senior Member
Sep 8, 2006
263
21
Budapest
Diamondback said:
Hey guys,

Currently we have a very annyoing problem with the hardware keyboard. Imagine the following situation:

  • You have a country specific keyboard layout (like a german QWERTZ layout)
  • You don't want to use the pre-installed ASUS on screen keyboard

What happens now is the following:
  • You deselect ASUS' on screen keyboard
  • As soon as you do this, your hardware keyboard loses its custom layout and reverts to a generic QWERTY one

To "solve" this issue you normally need to do the following:
  • Switch to the localized ASUS keyboard once you dock your Prime
  • Switch back to the keyboard of your choice once you undock the Prime

I think I don't have to say that this behaivior is less than optimal.

I played a bit around with the system files and found out how to change the default keyboard layout to what ever you want to have.

Here is the result:
  • I don't need to ever select the ASUS keyboard again
  • I still could use the ASUS keyboard to change the keyboard layout (I could change the hardware layout to QWERTY for example)
  • I finally don't need to hassle around with different keyboards anymore :)

Okay now enough of that, here is how to do it:

First some facts:
  • We need to replace 2 /system files, so this may break any further OTAs
  • AFAIK the files weren't changed since the first update and normally those files aren't subject to changes, so the risk of breaking OTAs is not that high
  • If you do a backup of those files you can always restore that backup before applying OTAs

Requirements:
  • A rooted Prime
  • Some app to edit the /system partition (e.g. "Root Explorer")
  • The ability to read the entire post and to follow my instructions

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage - software or hardware - you may do to your Prime. Please don't do this mod if you have no idea what I am talking about.

(I used Root Explorer for this, so if you use another app the steps may be a bit different)

So let's get started:
  1. Undock your Prime (just to be sure)
  2. Open Root Explorer and go to "/system/usr/xt9/keychars/"
  3. Copy the file which represents your keyboard's language (e.g. qwerty-de_DE.kcm for my german Prime dock)
  4. Now go to "/system/usr/keychars/" (note the missing "xt9" in the path)
  5. Mount your system as "read/write" (the little button with the caption "Mount R/W")
  6. Rename the file "asusdec.kcm" to "asusdec.kcm.bak"
  7. Paste your own "qwerty-xy_XY.kcm" file here (the one you copied before)
  8. Rename that file to "asusdec.kcm"

  9. Go to "/system/usr/xt9/keylayout/"
  10. Now copy the file you want to use ("qwerty-de_DE.kl" for my german dock) (the file is called the same as the last one you copied, only the extension is different)
  11. Go to "/system/usr/keylayout/" (again the "xt9" is missing from the path here)
  12. Rename the file "asusdec.kl" to "asusdec.kl.bak"
  13. Paste your own file and rename it to "asusdec.kl"

  14. Reboot

After the reboot, dock your Prime and test the results. If you did everything right, you should be able to select a non ASUS keyboard while keeping your custom keyboard layout. :)

If you want to revert the changes, just delete the two files we changed and rename the backups back to the original name.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Really cool! I'll try it as soon as I get home!
But one question remains for me: on Chrome my keyboard doesn't work properly. I have special characters, since I'm Hungarian, with the proper localized keyboard. My chars (eg. á, ő, ú, etc.) work perfectly in every app, even in the stock browser, but not in Chrome! Really weird stuff! Don't an of you have any ideas why that happens?
 
D

danber76

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2010
76
12
Doesn't work on Jelly Bean :( Any hints :confused:

Thanks

Got the kcm and kl file from an old rom and it works now :)
 
Last edited:
M

markusmuster

Senior Member
Mar 5, 2008
94
12
For those who searched for the "old" keychars, keylayout and xt9 files, I've attached them here.

keychars-xt9_WW_epad-user-9.4.5.30.zip (6.62 MB)
 

Attachments

  • keychars-xt9_WW_epad-user-9.4.5.30.zip
    6.6 MB · Views: 86
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T

totorux

Member
Mar 30, 2013
5
0
Hi

I try hanz0 way for 4.2 under Androwook but it's not working ...
I used files given by markusmuster.

Any idear ?

Have a nice day.

Totorux
 
Last edited:
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    Diamondback
    Diamondback
    Hey guys,

    Currently we have a very annyoing problem with the hardware keyboard. Imagine the following situation:

    • You have a country specific keyboard layout (like a german QWERTZ layout)
    • You don't want to use the pre-installed ASUS on screen keyboard

    What happens now is the following:
    • You deselect ASUS' on screen keyboard
    • As soon as you do this, your hardware keyboard loses its custom layout and reverts to a generic QWERTY one

    To "solve" this issue you normally need to do the following:
    • Switch to the localized ASUS keyboard once you dock your Prime
    • Switch back to the keyboard of your choice once you undock the Prime

    I think I don't have to say that this behaivior is less than optimal.

    I played a bit around with the system files and found out how to change the default keyboard layout to what ever you want to have.

    Here is the result:
    • I don't need to ever select the ASUS keyboard again
    • I still could use the ASUS keyboard to change the keyboard layout (I could change the hardware layout to QWERTY for example)
    • I finally don't need to hassle around with different keyboards anymore :)

    Okay now enough of that, here is how to do it:

    First some facts:
    • We need to replace 2 /system files, so this may break any further OTAs
    • AFAIK the files weren't changed since the first update and normally those files aren't subject to changes, so the risk of breaking OTAs is not that high
    • If you do a backup of those files you can always restore that backup before applying OTAs

    Requirements:
    • A rooted Prime
    • Some app to edit the /system partition (e.g. "Root Explorer")
    • The ability to read the entire post and to follow my instructions

    Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage - software or hardware - you may do to your Prime. Please don't do this mod if you have no idea what I am talking about.

    (I used Root Explorer for this, so if you use another app the steps may be a bit different)

    So let's get started:
    1. Undock your Prime (just to be sure)
    2. Open Root Explorer and go to "/system/usr/xt9/keychars/"
    3. Copy the file which represents your keyboard's language (e.g. qwerty-de_DE.kcm for my german Prime dock)
    4. Now go to "/system/usr/keychars/" (note the missing "xt9" in the path)
    5. Mount your system as "read/write" (the little button with the caption "Mount R/W")
    6. Rename the file "asusdec.kcm" to "asusdec.kcm.bak"
    7. Paste your own "qwerty-xy_XY.kcm" file here (the one you copied before)
    8. Rename that file to "asusdec.kcm"

    9. Go to "/system/usr/xt9/keylayout/"
    10. Now copy the file you want to use ("qwerty-de_DE.kl" for my german dock) (the file is called the same as the last one you copied, only the extension is different)
    11. Go to "/system/usr/keylayout/" (again the "xt9" is missing from the path here)
    12. Rename the file "asusdec.kl" to "asusdec.kl.bak"
    13. Paste your own file and rename it to "asusdec.kl"

    14. Reboot

    After the reboot, dock your Prime and test the results. If you did everything right, you should be able to select a non ASUS keyboard while keeping your custom keyboard layout. :)

    If you want to revert the changes, just delete the two files we changed and rename the backups back to the original name.
    View
    1
    C
    CrazyPeter
    This works on tf101also but the existing filenames had no d in them

    "asusec.kcm"
    "asusec.kl"

    Many thanks

    Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2
    View
    1
    M
    markusmuster
    For those who searched for the "old" keychars, keylayout and xt9 files, I've attached them here.

    keychars-xt9_WW_epad-user-9.4.5.30.zip (6.62 MB)
    View

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