Malayalam consonant 'nga' missing from native inscript keyboard in iOS 18.3.2

Device: iPhone 13

OS version: iOS 18.3.2

Issue: Missing character in Malayalam Inscript input method.


Malayalam Unicode character U+0D19 (pronounced nga) is the 5th consonant and first anunasikom (nasal letter) in its alphabet. See the differently coloured glyph in the image below:



'ngnga,' a conjunct with double nga (U+0D19, U+0D4D, U+0D19) appears in lots of words in the language. It also has another conjunct formation with the Malayalam character U+0D15 (ka), making ngka. Some of the most common words can only be made using the sequence U+0D19, U+0D4D, U+0D15. Thus, it is an important letter to write good Malayalam.


In earlier versions of iOS, the native Inscript keyboard for Malayalam could produce this character with a long press on Malayalam Sign Anusvara (U+0D02). See the older way in which the Inscript keyboard layout in iOS would have produced nga:



The above image was taken from an earlier thread posted here.


However, this was an odd placement for the character. The Standard Inscript Keyboard for computers puts nga at the position of shift+u in the QWERTY layout, wherein the position of u without shift would produce Malayalam letter ha (U+0D39). See the image of the design below, taken from WikiBooks.



Without nga, it isn't easy to write meaningful conversations in Malayalam. Enhanced versions of the Inscript keyboard layout can also produce conjuncts such as ngnga and ngka with a single combination key press without separately typing its adjoining characters.


Kindly bring back the ability to type nga and, if possible, an easier way to type ngnga and ngka, too, with a long press on the mobile keyboard in the newer iOS versions.


Update: I tried to post this thread with the missing Malayalam character's original glyph and the glyphs of its most common conjunct forms. Refer to the screenshot below.



However, Apple Forum would not accept non-Latin (non-ASCII) characters. I had to remove all of them to get this posted. This is not good for A11y.

iPhone 13

Posted on Apr 7, 2025 02:10 AM

Reply
1 reply

Apr 7, 2025 05:45 AM in response to absolute_void

Since iOS 18.0 and still in 18.4, Apple's Malayalam Inscript keyboard is missing the letter NGA (U+0D19).


In earlier iOS versions it can be found by pressing Shift and then press and hold on the key for Anusvara (U+0D02)


You can tell Apple you want it back via


Product Feedback - Apple



Meanwhile, you can still find NGA in Apple's transliteration and alphabetic keyboards.  


It is also available by installing the Keyman app and downloading their keyboard:


https://keyman.com/keyboards/basic_kbdinmal


where NGA is on shift HA


When you send your feedbackk to Apple, include a link to this discussion so they can see your images.


Regarding scripts that can't yet be used in the forums, see


"Content in post not permitted" Errors: … - Apple Community


This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Malayalam consonant 'nga' missing from native inscript keyboard in iOS 18.3.2

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