Currently, Bitwarden on Mobile restricts the PIN code input field, especially for Android, there are only numeric keyboard. While in iOS, it accepts all Latin characters (Forced default English keyboard). And in PC, it accepts all Unicode. This behavior significantly limits security, especially for those who wish to use more secure or memorable PINs that include non-numeric characters, such as Unicode symbols.
In contrast:
• On iOS, users can already input a wider range of characters, including letters, symbols, and partial Unicode. Although full Unicode typing is still not officially supported, Unicode characters can be pasted, suggesting that the underlying system supports them.
• However, on Android, even pasting Unicode strings does not work, which means there is no workaround for users who want to use complex PINs or passcodes beyond digits.
Proposed Feature:
• Enable full keyboard input for the PIN code field on Android.
• Support Unicode input, including emojis, characters from non-Latin scripts, and other symbol sets.
• If necessary, allow the user to opt in to an “Advanced PIN Mode” via a toggle in settings, to avoid confusion for less technical users.
• Ensure pasting into the PIN field works as it does on iOS (supporting all characters the underlying engine can store).
Use Cases:
• Users with accessibility needs who rely on alternative input methods or custom keyboards.
• Users who want to create more secure, non-numeric PINs that are still easy for them to remember.
• Consistent user experience between Android and iOS platforms.
• Allowing users from different language backgrounds to input native script PINs (e.g., Japanese kana, Chinese hanzi, or Arabic).
Examples / References:
• iOS currently allows arbitrary character input for PIN, and pasting works for Unicode (e.g. “ パスワード비밀번호密码:locked_with_key:
”).
• On Android, no such input or paste is permitted — even pasting the same string silently fails.