This app was mentioned in 20 comments, with an average of 2.30 upvotes
You can install and use this keyboard: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.inputmethod.pinyin&hl=en
If you use this to type English, then long pressing on vowels will allow you to type characters with tones, including the third tone.
Are you asking because you want to? Or just curious how people manage Chinese characters on computers and phones?
Do you know what pinyin is? It's basically system that PRC China came up with (there are lots of systems around), that uses Roman letters (ABC's) to represent Chinese characters. ie Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai etc. Peking and Nanking was Beijing and Nanjing using a different Romanization system.
There are word processors and keyboard entry software that lets you use standard QWERTY keyboard to enter pinyin, and then it converts into Chinese. Basically, type in Beijing and get 北京.
If you're asking how cuz you want to do it, well, there's Chinese word processor like NJStar, or you can use Google Pinyin Input, there are versions for Windows, Android etc. lets you toggle your keyboard back and forth between English and pinyin Chinese input.
NJStar is nice because you can hover over your Chinese text and get pop-up pinyin, definition and other info. It's pretty helpful if you're trying to learn how to read/write.
So, you could for instance install Google Piyin Input, fire up Microsoft Word, switch to pinyin and start typing Chinese characters. It's a little more involved than that, but thats essentially it. You do need to know Chinese and the pinyin system.
I have it on my computers and phone.
>Swiping on the space bar to move the cursor left or right when typing.
That only worked on GBoard right?
I'm using Google Chinese IME and it doesn't work.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.inputmethod.pinyin
http://help.blackberry.com/en/keyboard/latest/help/hws1476812946314.html
>If the language that you want to use isn’t listed, you might have to install a keyboard for that language from the Google Play™ store.
It works for the PKB as well, I use it everyday. On screen will disappear and you can type pinyin on it. Tap Shift to toggle English and Pinyin. If anything Pinyin should already be installed by default, you just need to go to settings and enable it. If not, install it in the Play store. Also a bonus is that, Google Pinyin/Cantonese also does handwriting, just switch the onscreen layout. That way, when you close the slider you have handwriting, open the slider you have phonetic pinyin.
For pinyin, you can use Google Pinyin Input. (Supports both Simplified & Traditional)
For Jyutping/Yale, You can use Google Cantonese Input.
I don't have the answer as I'm also looking for a FOSS replacement for Google Pinyin Input myself but haven't found one, so I'm keenly watching this space.
This is what I hope to replace: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.inputmethod.pinyin
Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any FOSS equivalent for it.
BTW, it isn't clear what input method you meant from the title of your post. There are many different input methods for the Chinese script (e.g. pinyin, changjie, wubi, etc.). Some input methods will do both simplified and traditional Chinese characters. All could be used to input Mandarin Chinese, as the language itself isn't restricted by the input method nor the use of simplified/traditional characters.
Android can install, and switch between, as many different input methods as will fit in storage.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.inputmethod.pinyin
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.handwriting.ime
I use those two.
You can add East Asian languages to Gboard now, so can't you have the normal Chinese Pinyin in Gboard, and then the Google Pinyin Input app for handwriting only? You'd have to use the language switch key to access it.
Turns out you're right. The last time I had tried Gboard was a long time ago and they didn't have so many languages back then and I was very surprised to see Chinese wasn't on there. Then I found out they have this instead. I'm trying out Gboard as I type this.
I'd suggest Google Pinyin Input. It's nice and easy to switch between pinyin, handwriting, and stroke input. Also has an old 9 key thing that I don't see the use for.
They also have other versions that incorporate Zhuyin and Canjie along with the handwriting, if that's what floats your boat.
Google let's you use pinyin to type traditional Chinese, it's available for both mobile and pc.
Edit: Link
I'm on Android too and this is what I'm using now, feel free to make more recommendations. My only complaint is I cannot use Swype feature in English during the Chinese/English interface, only in full English keyboard.
Google has separate keyboards for Chinese CN, Chinese TW, Chinese HK, Korean and Japanese, among others. This is mostly done for storage considerations, as Asian IMEs tend to take quite a bit of space.
It's actually a separate app. Pinyin input and Zhuyin input
Edit: Found some more.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.inputmethod.pinyin
There ya go. Using it right now. Basically Gboard with Chinese, and hotswitching between languages.
I use the Google Pinyin Input on my Android phone. It's excellent.
I just installed it a while back, no Chinese. You'll need Google Pinyin Input, here.