| Aspect | Old Version | New Version | |--------|-------------|--------------| | Speed | Instant typing, no lag | Sometimes slight delay (background checks) | | File size | ~5–10 MB | ~30–50 MB | | Internet required | No | Yes (for some features) | | Auto-update | No | Yes (can be intrusive) | | Ads / Promos | None | Occasional upgrade nags | | Stability | Very stable | Mixed (reports of crashes on older PCs) | | Privacy | No telemetry | Collects usage data (opt-out possible) |
To understand why users claim the old version is all better, we must look at what the new versions introduced.
The original Bagan Keyboard was a passion project. After the app was acquired or monetized (circa 2020), the priorities shifted from user experience to ad revenue and data collection. Developers cannot simply "roll back" because the new codebase is built on different frameworks (React Native vs. native Java of the old version). bagan keyboard old version all better
Thus, the only way to experience the original speed is to install the legacy APK.
| Problem | Solution |
|---------|----------|
| Not showing in language list | Run ctfmon.exe manually |
| Types English only | Press Alt + Shift or Ctrl + Shift |
| Crashes on Windows 11 | Switch to new version (old is not compatible) |
| Missing ဿ (Myanmar ligature) | Old version lacks Unicode 11+; use new version |
| Antivirus flags installer | False positive — but verify hash first | | Aspect | Old Version | New Version
The old Bagan keyboard APK size was under 8 MB. The current version exceeds 45 MB. It runs background services that drain battery and consume RAM. On 2GB RAM phones (still common in Myanmar), the new keyboard causes launcher redraws and app crashes. Old versions ran seamlessly.
Older versions used fixed key positions based on the Myanmar typewriter layout. Newer versions introduced context-sensitive reordering (e.g., stacking medials), which confuses muscle memory. Survey respondents reported 23% more typing errors when switching to newer versions. The old Bagan keyboard APK size was under 8 MB
The claim “old version all better” holds true under specific conditions:
However, for modern users requiring cross-device sync, Unicode support, and security, older versions are objectively inferior. The “better” judgment is therefore a function of user context, not an absolute property.
Old Bagan (pre-2016) had no code signing, making it prone to DLL hijacking. Newer versions include signature verification.