Preserve endangered tongues: use Blackfoot, Comanche, Cree keyboards new in iOS 27 update

Apple released iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 in September, introducing new keyboard layouts for Blackfoot, Comanche, and Northern East Cree. According to CNET, the update allows users to type and send messages in these languages directly from their devices. This addition expands Apple’s existing support for Indigenous languages, which already included Haitian Creole and Nez Perce added in iOS 26. The move aligns with broader efforts to integrate these languages into daily digital interactions.

In plain English

The goal of adding these keyboards is to meet young people where they already spend much of their waking hours: on phone screens. According to Wired, Apple states that revitalizing a language requires making it accessible. By allowing users to type in their native tongue, the technology helps keep these languages relevant to younger generations. This approach moves beyond traditional classroom instruction, providing a practical tool for daily communication and literacy.

The background

Cherokee was the first Native American language included in iOS, launched in 2010. According to the Cherokee Nation, there are only about 1,500 active speakers left, most of whom are over 70. Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. noted that the community is rapidly losing that older generation. To combat this, the nation has collaborated with Apple for years, leveraging technology to support language preservation and cultural continuity for new learners.

What changes now

With iOS 27, users can now select Blackfoot, Comanche, or Northern East Cree as their keyboard language. This follows the addition of other Indigenous languages in recent updates. According to Wired, the process involves deep research and collaboration with community members, starting with Unicode standardization. This ensures that the characters and syllabaries are correctly represented, allowing for accurate typing and communication across Apple’s ecosystem.

What to do and how to stay safe: Apple

• Check for iOS 27 updates on your iPhone or iPad to access new language keyboards.
• Navigate to Settings, then General, and select Keyboard to add Blackfoot, Comanche, or Cree.
• Encourage students or community members to use these keyboards for daily messaging practice.
• Monitor Apple’s announcements for future additions to the Indigenous language support list.

General security guidance from the Vector Update 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 for iPhone and iPad users.

When was Cherokee first added to iOS?

Cherokee was the first Native American language included in iOS, introduced by Apple in 2010.

Why is Apple adding these keyboards?

Apple aims to help revitalize endangered languages by making them accessible on devices young people use daily.