### How To Download Avro Keyboard On Your Laptop The Easy Way
—
### Intro
Trying to type in Bangla on your laptop, but every guide feels a little too technical? In this video, I’m going to show you the official and, most importantly, easy way to download and install Avro Keyboard. In just a few minutes, you’ll be able to start typing in Bangla right away. Forget the confusing instructions and dead-end links. We’re going straight to the source to get you set up on both Windows and Mac.
For years, typing in Bangla on a computer was a real challenge. Users had to learn complex keyboard layouts that felt more like memorizing a code than expressing a thought. It was a frustrating barrier that stood between millions of people and their ability to create, communicate, and connect online in their native tongue.
But then, a revolutionary change happened. In 2003, a new piece of software was released that would forever alter the course of Bangla computing: Avro Keyboard. Developed by a visionary team at a group called OmicronLab, Avro was built on a simple yet powerful principle: “Language must be free”. It was introduced as a free, open-source Bangla typing software that didn’t just lower the barrier; it completely shattered it.
What made Avro so revolutionary? It was the introduction of a phonetic typing method. This was the game-changer. Instead of memorizing which key corresponded to which Bangla character, you could simply type out Bangla words using English letters, just the way they sound. If you wanted to write “ami banglay gan gai,” you would just type those exact Roman letters, and Avro would instantly and intelligently convert them into the beautiful Bengali script: “আমি বাংলায় গান গাই”. This single innovation made typing in Bangla accessible to everyone, from students to professionals, without a steep learning curve.
Over the years, Avro Keyboard has become an essential tool that has empowered a generation of Bengali speakers to reclaim their digital identity. It’s become the standard for typing Bangla on computers around the globe. So, when we talk about downloading Avro Keyboard, we’re not just installing a utility. We’re unlocking a powerful tool for expression. Let’s walk through this together, step-by-step, and get you set up the easy way.
### Section 1: Why Avro is the Only Keyboard You Need for Bangla
Before we jump into the download, let’s talk about *why* Avro Keyboard stands out as the best choice for anyone looking to type in Bangla. It’s not just that it’s free; it’s about being smarter, more intuitive, and incredibly flexible.
First and foremost is the **English to Bangla Phonetic Typing**. This is the heart of Avro and its most celebrated feature. Think about how you might text a friend a Bangla word using an English keyboard; you naturally spell it out phonetically. Avro takes that same intuitive logic and turns it into a powerful typing engine. This method requires almost no training, which makes it perfect for beginners and incredibly fast for experienced users.
Next, Avro provides **Universal Compatibility**. It works at a system level, meaning you can type Bangla pretty much anywhere you can type English. Whether you’re in Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, or just chatting on social media, Avro works seamlessly. It supports both modern Unicode and the older ANSI encoding. This is a huge plus because some older design software might still require ANSI, and Avro’s ability to switch between them means your text will always appear correctly.
Avro also supports **Multiple Keyboard Layouts**. While the phonetic method is its most famous feature, Avro is built for everyone. It comes pre-packaged with several popular fixed layouts, including Probhat, Munir Optima, and the National (Jatiya) layout from the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC). This means if you’re already used to a specific layout, you don’t have to relearn anything. Avro even includes a Keyboard Layout Editor, a powerful tool that lets you customize layouts or create new ones from scratch.
Let’s talk about accuracy. Avro includes a **Built-in Spell Checker**. Major word processors have great spell checkers for English, but they don’t support Bangla. Avro’s spell checker solves this problem, helping you catch typos and mistakes in your professional documents or creative writing.
For users on the go, Avro offers a **Portable Edition**. This is a special version for Windows that doesn’t require any installation. You can carry it on a USB drive, plug it into any Windows PC, and run it directly. It leaves no trace on the computer and gives you the full power of Avro wherever you are. While it has all the core features, some very advanced functions might differ from the fully installed version.
Finally, Avro is designed with a **Flexible and User-Friendly Interface**. On Windows, it can be a compact, floating toolbar or be minimized to the system tray to stay out of your way. Switching between English and Bangla is effortless, usually assigned to a single function key like F12.
In short, Avro isn’t just a free tool; it’s a complete, feature-rich software package for any Bangla typist. Its combination of intuitive phonetic typing, broad compatibility, and powerful tools makes it the best solution out there. Now that you know why Avro is the right tool for the job, let’s get it on your laptop.
### Section 2: How to Download Avro Keyboard for Windows (The Official Method)
This section is for all the Windows users, whether you’re on Windows 11, 10, or even older versions. We’re going to use the official, safe, and most reliable method to download Avro Keyboard directly from its creators, OmicronLab. This ensures you get the real deal, free from any viruses.
First, open your web browser—Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. In the search bar, type “Avro Keyboard download” or go directly to the official address: **omicronlab.com**. It’s very important to download the software only from the official source. Unofficial sites might bundle the installer with adware or malware.
Once the OmicronLab website loads, look for a prominent download button. It’s usually easy to find, often a large button with text like “Download Avro Keyboard” or “Download Now”. Click this to start the download. The file will be named something like `AvroKeyboard_setup.exe`. It’s not a large file, so it should download in just a few moments.
After the download is complete, find the installer file. By default, it will be in your “Downloads” folder. Open File Explorer, click on “Downloads” on the left, and you should see the Avro Keyboard installer.
Now, let’s start the installation. Double-click the installer file. Windows User Account Control (UAC) will likely pop up a security prompt asking if you want to allow the app to make changes. This is a standard security check. Click “Yes” to proceed.
The Avro Keyboard installer will now open with a Welcome screen. It will recommend closing all other applications before continuing, which is good advice to prevent any conflicts. Click “Next”.
The next screen is the License Agreement. Avro is free and open-source software. To continue, you have to accept the agreement. Click the radio button that says “I accept the agreement” and then click “Next”.
Next, you’ll see the “Select Destination Location” screen. This is where the installer asks where to put Avro Keyboard on your computer. The default location in your `Program Files` folder is perfectly fine for almost everyone. I recommend you leave it as is and click “Next”.
You might also see a “Select Additional Tasks” screen, where you can choose to create a desktop icon. This is handy for easy access, so I recommend ticking that box if it isn’t already. Click “Next”.
You’re now at the “Ready to Install” screen. This is a final confirmation, showing a summary of your choices. If everything looks good, click the “Install” button.
The installation will now begin. A progress bar will fill up as the setup wizard copies files and configures the necessary settings. This process is very quick, usually taking less than a minute.
Once it’s done, you’ll see the final screen, “Completing the Avro Keyboard Setup Wizard”. There will often be a checkbox that says “Launch Avro Keyboard”. It’s a good idea to leave this checked so you can see that the installation was successful. Click “Finish”.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully downloaded and installed Avro Keyboard on your Windows laptop. You should now see the Avro toolbar on your screen.
### Section 3: First-Time Setup and How to Type in Bangla on Windows
Congratulations, you’ve installed Avro Keyboard. If you clicked “Finish” with the launch option checked, the Avro toolbar should now be floating on your screen. This section will guide you through the quick first-time setup so you can start typing.
If the toolbar isn’t visible, just open it from the Start menu. Click the Start button and type “Avro Keyboard” to find and launch it.
When you first launch Avro, it might ask you to choose a default typing method. Make sure **”English to Bangla Phonetic”** is selected. This is the setting that lets you type with Roman letters.
Next, you’ll want to set how you switch between English and Bangla. Avro uses a convenient hotkey for this. By default, it’s often a function key like **F12**, but some versions might use **Ctrl+Space**. Using a single key like F12 is incredibly simple: press it once for Bangla mode, press it again for English. You can change this later in the settings, but for now, let’s stick with the default.
Now, look at the Avro toolbar. You’ll see a button that shows the current mode, which should say **”English”**. This means your keyboard is behaving normally.
Let’s test it. Open any application where you can type—Notepad, Microsoft Word, your browser. With the toolbar showing “English”, type a sentence. It will appear in English, as expected.
Now for the magic. Press the hotkey (let’s say **F12**). The button on the Avro toolbar will instantly switch from “English” to **”বাংলা” (Bangla)**. Your keyboard is now in Bangla mode.
Let’s try typing your first Bangla words. Using the phonetic system, you just type the English letters that sound like the Bangla word. Let’s use the classic example: **”amar sonar bangla”**. As you type ‘a’, ‘m’, ‘a’, ‘r’, a small preview window might appear showing what you’re typing. As soon as you press the spacebar after “amar”, Avro converts it to the Bangla word **”আমার”**.
Keep going. Type “sonar” and press space. It becomes **”সোনার”**. Type “bangla” and press space. It becomes **”বাংলা”**. You’ve just typed “আমার সোনার বাংলা” without learning a complex layout.
The phonetic engine is very smart and handles complex letter combinations (juktakkhor) automatically. For example, to type “shikkha” (শিক্ষা), you just type “shikkha”. Avro knows that ‘kk’ should form the ‘ক্ক’ conjunct. For the most part, your natural phonetic spelling will give you the correct result.
To switch back to English, just press **F12** again. The toolbar will switch back to “English”. You can toggle back and forth as many times as you need, even in the same sentence.
Take a few minutes to play around with this. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you pick it up. Within minutes, you’ll feel confident enough to use it for emails, social media posts, or anything else.
### Section 4: How to Download and Install iAvro for macOS
For all the Mac users out there, this section is for you. The process of getting Avro on macOS is just as simple, but it uses a slightly different version of the software called **iAvro**. iAvro is the official Mac-compatible version from OmicronLab, designed to bring the same great phonetic typing to the Apple ecosystem.
Just like with Windows, the first step is to download the software from the official source. Open Safari and go to the OmicronLab website: **omicronlab.com**. Find the section for Mac users or iAvro and look for the download link. You’ll be downloading a `.dmg` file, which might be named something like `iAvro.dmg`.
Once downloaded, open your “Downloads” folder and double-click the `iAvro.dmg` file. This will “mount” the disk image, and a new window will appear showing its contents. Inside, you will likely find an installer package named **”Install iAvro.pkg”**. Double-click this to begin.
Your Mac’s security system, Gatekeeper, will likely ask for verification to open an installer from the internet. Click “Open” or “Allow” to continue.
The iAvro installer will launch. Click “Continue” on the introduction screen. You’ll see the license agreement; click “Continue” and then “Agree” to proceed.
On the “Installation Type” screen, you generally don’t need to change anything. Just click “Install”. Your Mac will then ask for your user password or Touch ID to authorize the installation. Type it in and click “Install Software”.
The installation is extremely fast. Once it’s done, you’ll see a success message. Click “Close”. The installer might ask if you want to move it to the Trash, which is safe to do.
Now for the most important step on a Mac. Unlike the Windows version, iAvro integrates directly into the macOS input system. You need to enable it manually.
Open **System Settings** (on newer macOS versions) or **System Preferences** (on older ones). You can find it in your Applications folder or by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner.
Go to the **Keyboard** section. Look for a sub-section called **”Input Sources”** or “Text Input” and click the “Edit…” button next to it.
A window will open showing your currently enabled keyboards. Click the **”+” (plus) button** at the bottom-left to add a new one.
From the list of languages, scroll down and select **”Bengali”**. On the right, you should now see **”Avro Keyboard”** listed. Select it and click the “Add” button.
**Important Note:** If you don’t see “Avro Keyboard” in the list right after installation, don’t panic. This is common. You simply need to **log out and log back in** to your Mac user account or restart your computer. After logging back in, repeat the steps, and it will be there.
Make sure the option **”Show Input menu in menu bar”** is checked. This places a small icon in the top-right of your screen (near the Wi-Fi icon) that lets you switch keyboards.
Now, let’s type. Click the new input menu icon in your menu bar (it might look like a flag or a keyboard symbol). A dropdown will appear. Click on **”Avro Keyboard”** to select it. The icon will change to the Avro logo, indicating that phonetic typing is active.
Open any text application. Just like on Windows, start typing a romanized Bangla word. Try “bangladesh”, and you’ll see it automatically converted to **”বাংলাদেশ”**.
To switch back to English, either click the menu bar icon and select your English keyboard or use the macOS shortcut, which is typically **Control + Spacebar** or **Command + Spacebar**.
You’ve now successfully set up iAvro on your Mac. You can now type phonetically in any application, seamlessly integrated into the operating system.
### Section 5: Customization and Advanced Features
Now that you have Avro installed and know the basics, let’s look at some of the extra features that can make your typing even faster and more comfortable.
#### For Windows Users: Exploring the Avro Settings
On Windows, you can access most of Avro’s settings by right-clicking the Avro toolbar and selecting “Options”.
1. **General Tab:** Here you can set Avro to **Start with Windows**, which is highly recommended. You can also choose between the floating “Top Bar” or a more minimalist “System Tray Icon” interface.
2. **Global Hotkeys Tab:** This is where you can customize the keyboard shortcuts. The most important one is to **Switch between Bangla and System Keyboard**. If F12 isn’t working for you, you can change it to another F-key or a combination like Ctrl+Space.
3. **Keyboard Layouts Tab:** This tab lets you manage the different fixed keyboard layouts. You can also launch the **Layout Editor** from here. This is a powerful tool for advanced users who want to completely remap a keyboard layout to their exact preference.
4. **Tools:** Avro comes with some useful utilities. The **Unicode to ANSI Converter** is great for working with older design software that doesn’t support modern Unicode text.
#### For macOS Users: Customizing the iAvro Experience
On macOS, customization is more streamlined because iAvro is built into the system.
1. **Input Source Shortcuts:** The most important customization is setting your shortcut to switch languages. Go to **System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Input Sources**. Here, you can customize the “Select the previous input source” shortcut to whatever you find most convenient.
2. **Phonetic Engine:** The phonetic engine in iAvro is just as smart as the Windows version. While it doesn’t have a separate settings panel, you can supplement it with macOS’s built-in text replacement feature. Go to **System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacements** to create your own shortcuts for frequently used words or phrases in Bangla.
By exploring these settings, you can tailor the software to your specific habits. This is the key to unlocking maximum productivity and making typing in Bangla feel completely natural.
### Section 6: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with great software, you might hit a snag. Don’t worry, most common issues have simple solutions.
#### Windows Troubleshooting
**Problem: Avro is installed, but it won’t start.**
* **Solution:** The first thing to try is always to **restart your computer**. If that doesn’t work, try reinstalling the software. Uninstall it from the Control Panel or Settings, restart, and then install it again using the official file.
**Problem: I’m pressing the hotkey (e.g., F12), but it’s not switching to Bangla.**
* **Solution:** Another program might be using that key. Some laptops use the F-keys for hardware functions like screen brightness. Try holding the **”Fn” key** while pressing F12. If that’s a hassle, simply change the hotkey in Avro’s options to one that’s free.
**Problem: The Bangla text appears as boxes or gibberish.**
* **Solution:** This almost always means you’re typing in an old application that doesn’t support Unicode. Test it in a modern program like Notepad or your browser. If it works there, the problem is with the old application, not Avro.
#### macOS Troubleshooting
**Problem: I’ve installed iAvro, but it doesn’t appear in my Input Sources list.**
* **Solution:** This is the most common issue on Mac. You **must log out and log back in** to your user account (or restart the computer). After you log back in, go back to the Keyboard settings, and Avro Keyboard will be there to add.
**Problem: The keyboard shortcut isn’t switching to Avro.**
* **Solution:** The default shortcut might conflict with another function. Go to **System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Input Sources** and verify what the shortcut is set to. You can also always switch manually by clicking the input icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen.
By keeping these steps in mind, you can quickly solve almost any issue. Most of the time, a simple restart or a settings check is all you need.
### CTA (Call to Action)
If this guide helped you install Avro Keyboard, please give this video a **like**. It helps more people who need this guide to find it.
If you have any questions or run into an issue we didn’t cover, **leave a comment below**. I read all of them and will do my best to help.
And finally, if you want more easy-to-follow tech tutorials, make sure to **subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell** so you don’t miss future videos.
### Conclusion
You’ve now gone from wondering how to type in Bangla to being a fully equipped user of Avro Keyboard. We’ve cut through the confusion and walked through the official, safe installation process for both Windows and macOS. We covered the first-time setup, how to use the intuitive phonetic method, and even looked at customization and troubleshooting.
The ability to type in Bangla is now at your fingertips. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone wanting to chat with family and friends in your mother tongue, you now have the best tool to do it with ease.
So go ahead, open your favorite app, switch to Bangla mode, and let your thoughts flow. Thank you for joining me, and happy typing
