VietTelex (ViệtTelex) is a free, open-source Telex input method for macOS, built on Apple's InputMethodKit for deep integration — no underline under the word you're typing, the caret always stays at the end, and it works in Terminal and Chrome too.
Free for iPhone & iPad · Android · macOS · Windows · Linux
Rewritten from scratch after nearly 20 years on macOS without a Vietnamese input method that felt truly good, correct and smooth.
A real system input method, not a key-blocking app — so per-app typing modes, macOS spelling/prediction/undo/VoiceOver all work correctly.
Spelling rules compiled into a state machine, zero allocation while typing. Type as fast as you like — no lost or scrambled characters.
Terminal/iTerm keep the shell's autocomplete; Chrome's address bar, Excel cells and Spotlight all type correctly — where other input methods often break.
Auto-restores google, github…; recognizes camelCase tokens (OmS, JavaScript) so it won't add tone marks by mistake; strict Telex mode for devs.
No background CPU drain, no network connections, collects no data whatsoever.
Choose one install method: the signed .pkg or Homebrew. Both install the app to ~/Library/Input Methods/VietTelex.app; do not install both at once because they manage the same app. iPhone, Android, Windows, Linux: see the download page.
Download VietTelex-x.y.z.pkg (signed + notarized by Apple) and double-click, or run brew install --cask ptrinh/viettelex/viettelex. Uninstall the current app before switching channels.
System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources → Edit… / ＋ → Vietnamese → ViệtTelex → Add.
Switch to ViệtTelex with the 🌐 key or ⌃Space. To type in Terminal/iTerm/Chrome, grant Accessibility to VietTelex (Privacy & Security → Accessibility). If an Xcode Debug build is open, quit it and launch the installed app; its permission identity is separate.
A free, open-source project. If you find it useful you can support the author — or send feedback and bug reports.
