Use macOS/iOS Text Replacement in Chrome/Elektron

Questions & Suggestions
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1

Like everyone else, I used to use TextExpander. However, I now use the Text Replacement built-in on iOS/macOS since it syncs - and works on iOS (where it is AT LEAST as important!)

I've been manually adding in my text replacement shortcuts as KM "insert text by typing" shortcuts so that they work in Chrome (and Slack and other Electron apps) on the Mac.

It's fine. I was just wondering how other people solve this. Do you REALLY use TextExpander on iOS? Switching keyboards back and forth? That seems crazy, plus the TE keyboard layout or feel just seems a bit off.

Is there some script we could work out to sync my text replacement snippets into KM? I really never used any of the advanced features of TextExpander anyway, so I can't see renewing my long since lapsed subscription for such a small benefit. I want my expansions to work without thinking.

I don't want to have to get out of the flow of writing to switch keyboards. Who does that?!

Alternatively, is there some way to make the built-in keyboard text replacement work with Chrome apps? If Text Expander did that. Just that. I'd pay the subscription.

Chrome is the new IE. :slight_smile:

2

Hi Elliot! Did you manage to find a solution for scripting for text replacement from one place to both iOS and KM? I'd love to be able to do that in a quick and simple way!

3

I really haven't thought about it in awhile, but the short answer is "no". I just don't have a reliable way to run these things in Chrome. I thought about writing something that would scan for the shortcut file to update and convert it to something KM can read, but then the problem is triggering the actual replacements.

I don't want it running a script every time I hit the space bar.

I just really don't think there's a good way to do this without building a custom Mac App that runs in the background. That's a doable thing, but I don't know that it's worth the effort for just the two of us who seem to care. :rofl:

4

Thanks Elliot for you reply! I'm now using TextExpander instead which should work across all my apple hardware. God bless you in everything! Have a great day!

5

There is this German software company Bartels that created PhraseExpress for iOS and macOS: