How to Close/Hide the Android Soft Keyboard Programmatically

Closing or hiding the Android soft keyboard programmatically is a common task when developing mobile applications. Whether you’re building a user-friendly form, a chat interface, or simply improving the overall user experience, controlling the keyboard behavior is essential. The Android soft keyboard often pops up automatically when users interact with text input fields, but sometimes it may need to be hidden for smoother transitions or interface management. Fortunately, Android provides various methods to manage the keyboard visibility. In this blog, we will discuss the best practices and approaches for closing or hiding the soft keyboard programmatically on Android.

Understanding the Android Soft Keyboard

The Android soft keyboard is an on-screen input method designed to assist users in entering text. It appears when the user clicks on an EditText or similar text input field. While it’s crucial for user interaction, there are times when developers need to hide it to improve the user interface or when transitioning between screens. For example, closing the keyboard after a user finishes typing or when a non-text action is performed can make the interface look cleaner. Understanding the behavior of the soft keyboard is the first step toward implementing proper management techniques.

Using InputMethodManager to Hide the Keyboard

One of the most commonly used methods to close the keyboard in Android is through the InputMethodManager. This class manages the input method, including the keyboard. To hide the soft keyboard, the developer can use the hideSoftInputFromWindow() method provided by this class. The following code snippet demonstrates how to do it:

InputMethodManager imm = (InputMethodManager) getSystemService(Context.INPUT_METHOD_SERVICE);  
imm.hideSoftInputFromWindow(view.getWindowToken(), 0);  

This method ensures that the keyboard will be dismissed when the user interacts with a non-editable area of the screen. Using InputMethodManager ensures that the soft keyboard hides seamlessly without disrupting the user’s experience.

Using View to Hide the Keyboard

Another approach to hiding the keyboard is by triggering it through a view’s interaction. Specifically, when a user taps outside an EditText field or interacts with a view, you can hide the keyboard. By using the getWindowToken() method from the EditText or other view, you can programmatically hide the keyboard in response to user interaction. Here’s how you can achieve this:

view.setOnTouchListener(new View.OnTouchListener() {  
    @Override  
    public boolean onTouch(View v, MotionEvent event) {  
        InputMethodManager imm = (InputMethodManager) getSystemService(Context.INPUT_METHOD_SERVICE);  
        imm.hideSoftInputFromWindow(v.getWindowToken(), 0);  
        return false;  
    }  
});  

This method helps in situations where you want to hide the keyboard when the user clicks outside the text field. Managing keyboard visibility this way provides a smooth transition between user inputs and other actions.

Using dispatchTouchEvent to Close the Keyboard

You can also hide the keyboard by overriding the dispatchTouchEvent() method in an Activity or Fragment. By intercepting touch events, you can check if the user taps outside of a focused EditText and close the keyboard. This technique is particularly useful for dismissing the keyboard when interacting with various UI elements. The code would look like this:

@Override  
public boolean dispatchTouchEvent(MotionEvent event) {  
    if (getCurrentFocus() != null && getCurrentFocus() instanceof EditText) {  
        View v = getCurrentFocus();  
        InputMethodManager imm = (InputMethodManager) getSystemService(Context.INPUT_METHOD_SERVICE);  
        imm.hideSoftInputFromWindow(v.getWindowToken(), 0);  
    }  
    return super.dispatchTouchEvent(event);  
}  

This ensures that the keyboard is hidden whenever the user taps outside of a focused EditText. Customizing touch events is an excellent way to provide seamless keyboard behavior.

Using onBackPressed() to Hide the Keyboard

Another useful technique to hide the keyboard programmatically is by using the onBackPressed() method. When the back button is pressed, you can implement logic to hide the keyboard before performing the default back press action. This is particularly useful when the keyboard is displayed while navigating between activities or fragments. Here’s an example:

@Override  
public void onBackPressed() {  
    InputMethodManager imm = (InputMethodManager) getSystemService(Context.INPUT_METHOD_SERVICE);  
    imm.hideSoftInputFromWindow(getCurrentFocus().getWindowToken(), 0);  
    super.onBackPressed();  
}  

This method provides a smooth exit from the current activity while also closing the keyboard. Using onBackPressed() is particularly beneficial for enhancing user experience when leaving a screen with active input fields.

Using WindowManager to Hide the Keyboard

For more advanced scenarios, you can also manage the keyboard visibility using the WindowManager. By changing the soft input mode, you can hide or show the keyboard based on specific conditions. You can specify the desired behavior for the keyboard in the AndroidManifest.xml file by modifying the android:windowSoftInputMode attribute. For example:

<activity android:windowSoftInputMode="stateHidden|adjustResize">  

This configuration hides the keyboard by default when the activity starts, and it adjusts the screen size when the keyboard is shown. Customizing the input mode allows for greater flexibility in controlling the keyboard’s behavior.

Handling Keyboard Visibility in Fragments

Managing keyboard visibility is slightly different when dealing with fragments. Since fragments are hosted within an activity, you can’t directly interact with the activity’s window in the same way. However, you can still use the InputMethodManager within a fragment to hide the keyboard programmatically. Here’s an example of how to do that:

InputMethodManager imm = (InputMethodManager) getActivity().getSystemService(Context.INPUT_METHOD_SERVICE);  
imm.hideSoftInputFromWindow(getView().getWindowToken(), 0);  

This code allows you to hide the keyboard from within a fragment, keeping the interface clean when the user interacts with non-editable parts of the fragment. Handling fragments and keyboard visibility ensures smooth UI management.

The Importance of User Experience in Keyboard Management

Hiding the keyboard programmatically is not just about cleaning up the UI; it’s about improving the user experience. If the keyboard stays open when it’s no longer needed, it can be distracting and reduce the usability of the app. By managing the keyboard’s visibility, you create a smoother, more intuitive interface. Studies show that users appreciate apps that respond quickly and offer seamless transitions between interactions. Prioritizing user experience ensures your app feels responsive and user-friendly.

Best Practices for Managing Keyboard Visibility

To ensure a smooth and intuitive user experience, follow these best practices:

1. Always close the keyboard when the user taps outside of text input fields.
2. Provide an intuitive way to hide the keyboard, such as a button or touch gesture.
3. Manage the keyboard state based on context, such as on form submission or after the user completes typing.
4. Avoid forcing the keyboard to appear unless necessary.
5. Use appropriate soft input modes in the AndroidManifest.xml.
6. Ensure the keyboard doesn’t obstruct important UI elements.
7. Test your app on different screen sizes to ensure the keyboard behavior is consistent.

Helpful Methods to Hide the Keyboard

1. InputMethodManager.hideSoftInputFromWindow()
2. View.setOnTouchListener()
3. Activity.dispatchTouchEvent()
4. onBackPressed()
5. WindowManager for advanced customization
6. getActivity().getSystemService() in fragments
7. android:windowSoftInputMode in the manifest

Closing or hiding the Android soft keyboard is a simple yet essential task for creating polished and user-friendly mobile applications. By mastering the different methods for managing keyboard visibility, you can provide a smoother experience for your users. Consider implementing these techniques to enhance your app’s interface, making it more intuitive and less cluttered. Testing different solutions will allow you to choose the best approach for your app’s unique design. Managing keyboard visibility is an often-overlooked detail that plays a crucial role in your app’s usability.

Now that you have learned the different techniques for hiding the Android soft keyboard, it’s time to implement these strategies in your app. Consider the specific use cases of your app and test various solutions to find the most effective one. Share this blog with fellow developers to help them improve the user experience in their Android applications. By mastering these methods, you’ll ensure that your app looks sleek and responsive. Embrace these practices and improve your Android apps for a seamless user experience!