PSA: Microsoft will delete Google Account backups from SwiftKey tomorrow. Do this to save your data

For months, Microsoft has been advising SwiftKey users to switch to OneDrive-based backup. The final deadline set by the software giant is May 31, i.e. tomorrow. And although the deadline for this transition has been reduced, Microsoft does not seem interested in another extension.

That’s why it’s ideal that you start signing in with a Microsoft account. While the keyboard will continue to function as usual, you will lose all data associated with your typing.

According to Microsoft’s support page, that data contains your personal dictionary, or the set of custom words (or non-words) you’ve typed using the SwiftKey keyboard that you’ve saved, as well as a custom prediction model based on your personal dictionary. This could be especially valuable if you use swipe gestures to type quickly, something SwiftKey has mastered over the past 15 years.

If you don’t change by tomorrow, you will also lose access to the “Backup & Sync” option on the keyboard.

How to transfer your SwiftKey from Google or Apple to a Microsoft account?

The process of switching to a Microsoft account is not tedious. But to make it easier for you, here are the steps:

1. Go to Microsoft SwiftKey Data Portal in a web browser. You can also access this on your phone by going to SwiftKey settings and then tapping Account > View and manage your data.
2. Select the existing account provider, such as Google or Apple.
3. Tap View datawhere you will see the complete list of words in your custom directory.
4. You can take a note manually, but the preferred method would be to use the Export all option.
5. Wait for the download to finish and have the file at hand.
6. If you don’t already have a Microsoft account, create one.
7. Sign in OneDrive using your Microsoft account and go to Apps > SwiftKey.
8. Upload the previously saved file here.
9. Go back to SwiftKey on your phone, open your settings, and sign in with your Microsoft account.
10. Your uploaded personal dictionary should be here. If you don’t see personalized recommendations, check the file in OneDrive under Apps > SwiftKey and update it manually.

Microsoft’s act of forcing users can certainly seem annoying. But if you make the switch, Microsoft will give you the opportunity to earn up to 1,000 reward points that you can use in certain online stores, for example. Xbox discountsor to donate to a charity of your choice.