Can you type Rohingya on an iPhone?
Yes — with the right setup, you can type Rohingya in all three scripts (Hanifi, Fonna, and Rohingyalish) on an iPhone. The method depends on which script you want to use.
Option 1: Typing Rohingyalish (easiest)
Rohingyalish uses standard Latin letters, so you can type it immediately using the English keyboard already on your iPhone. No additional setup is needed.
Just open any app — Messages, WhatsApp, Notes — and type using the standard English keyboard.
Option 2: Typing Rohingya in Arabic/Fonna script
To type in the Arabic-based Fonna script:
- Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards
- Tap Add New Keyboard
- Select Arabic from the list
- Return to your app and switch to the Arabic keyboard using the globe icon
Note: Standard Arabic keyboards may not include all Fonna-specific diacritics. For complete Fonna input, a dedicated Rohingya keyboard app may be required.
Option 3: Typing Hanifi Rohingya script
Hanifi Rohingya requires a dedicated keyboard since iOS does not include it by default.
Method A: Use our online keyboard
Visit RohingyaLanguage.org/tools/rohingya-keyboard/ in Safari on your iPhone. Type using the on-screen Hanifi keyboard and copy the text to use in other apps.
Method B: Third-party keyboard apps
Search the App Store for “Rohingya keyboard” or “Hanifi keyboard.” Some community-developed keyboard apps support Hanifi input.
Method C: Custom keyboard profile
For power users, a custom keyboard profile can be installed via iOS configuration. Check our keyboards resource page for downloadable profiles.
Displaying Hanifi text on iPhone
Even if you’re not typing, you may want to read Hanifi Rohingya text sent by others. Modern iPhones (iOS 13 and later) include Noto Sans fonts which support Hanifi Rohingya display. If you see boxes or question marks instead of Hanifi letters, check:
- Your iOS version (update to iOS 13 or later)
- Whether the sending device used a compatible font
Rohingya on WhatsApp
WhatsApp on iPhone supports:
- Rohingyalish — type directly with English keyboard
- Fonna — use Arabic keyboard, switch via globe icon
- Hanifi — paste from our online keyboard tool