Ubuntu 18.04 On-Screen Keyboard Missing: What Happened to Onboard and Caribou?

If you’ve recently upgraded to Ubuntu 18.04, you may have noticed that the Onboard on-screen keyboard, which was available by default in previous versions, seems to have disappeared. This has left many users wondering what happened to Onboard and Caribou, and how they can get their on-screen keyboard back. This article will provide an in-depth look into this issue and offer solutions.

Understanding the Issue

Onboard was the default on-screen keyboard in previous versions of Ubuntu. It was a useful tool for users who needed an alternative to a physical keyboard, such as those with mobility impairments or those using touch screen devices. However, in Ubuntu 18.04, Onboard seems to have been dropped.

Caribou, another on-screen keyboard, was expected to replace Onboard, but it doesn’t seem to have been integrated into Ubuntu 18.04 either. This has left users without a default on-screen keyboard, which can be problematic for those who rely on this feature.

The Universal Access Option

Normally, you would be able to enable the on-screen keyboard by going to Settings > Universal Access and toggling on the ‘Screen Keyboard’ option. However, in Ubuntu 18.04, this option appears to have no effect. This is not normal behavior and is likely a bug.

Alternatives to Onboard and Caribou

While the absence of Onboard and Caribou is inconvenient, there are other on-screen keyboards available that you can use as a workaround.

Onboard

Despite being dropped as the default on-screen keyboard, you can still install Onboard manually. To do this, open the Terminal and enter the following command:

sudo apt install onboard

In this command, sudo stands for “SuperUser Do”, which allows you to run commands with administrative privileges. apt is the package handling utility in Ubuntu, and install is the command to install a new package. onboard is the name of the package you want to install.

Once you’ve installed Onboard, you can access it by pressing the Super key (usually the Windows key on your keyboard) and typing “onboard”.

Florence

Florence is another on-screen keyboard you can use. It’s simple and persistent, meaning it will stay on your screen until you close it. To install Florence, open the Terminal and enter the following command:

sudo apt install florence

Conclusion

The disappearance of the Onboard and Caribou on-screen keyboards in Ubuntu 18.04 is an inconvenience for many users. However, there are alternative keyboards like Onboard and Florence that you can install manually. While this is not an ideal solution, it is a viable workaround until the issue with the default on-screen keyboard is resolved.

Remember to always keep your system updated, as updates often contain bug fixes that can resolve issues like this. To update your system, open the Terminal and enter the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

In this command, update is used to download package information from all configured sources and upgrade is used to install the newest versions of all packages currently installed on the system.

We hope this article has been helpful in understanding and resolving the issue with the missing on-screen keyboard in Ubuntu 18.04. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask in the comments section below.