Microsoft announced back in January that it would be bringing its popular Windows Phone keyboard to iOS users. Now a new signup page indicates that iPhone users will get access to the Word Flow keyboard, developed by Microsoft Garage, sooner rather than later.

The iOS version will be getting two new features including a one-handed mode and the ability to customize your keyboard with various preloaded themes.

We look at the features of Word Flow for iOS, when you can expect to get it on your device, and how to sign up for an early invite.

What can you do with Word Flow for iOS?

In its default mode, the Word Flow keyboard looks like a standard iOS keyboard, but turn on the one-handed mode and it serves up the keyboard as a fan-shaped layout, perfect for the larger screens like the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. The one-handed mode will also work on either side of your iPhone’s screen.

Like other third-party keyboards for iOS – SwiftKey, which Microsoft acquired back in February, and Swipe – Word Flow allows you to either tap or swipe when typing. Standard keyboard features like auto correction and word prediction are also included. It also has a word learning feature, which you can enable or disable according to your preferences, that will be able to predict what it thinks the next word is going to be before you type it.

If you give Word Flow access to your Contacts, it can quickly autofill the name you are sending your message to.

A new feature for the iOS version is the ability to customize your Word Flow keyboard. You can either use one of the preloaded themes, which Microsoft plan to add to over time, or use the tools and create custom themes based on photos in your Photo Library.

Check out the video below to see all the features of Word Flow for iOS in action.

When can iOS users get their hands on Word Flow?

Word Flow is is currently in closed beta, but it is expected to launch for iPhone users in the coming months. An Android version is reportedly in the works, but users will likely have to wait until later this year.  

Sign up for an invite to Word Flow for iOS

The Microsoft Garage team have said they will open up the Word Flow app to all iPhone users to test. When this public beta will become available is still unknown, but you can sign up to receive an invite when it does become available. Enter your email address here and Microsoft will send you an invite.

Image via: Microsoft Store