I write this post because I think a lot of people are looking for a good source of how to install Khmer Unicode on Android Phone. I am proud to be the owner of a Samsung Galaxy S ii (2), the best smart phone in the world.
Most of all I think everyone enjoys using Android phones.
But when it comes to problem of display Khmer Unicode on Android phone, no one really can tell how it works.
I already questioned the Samsung Cambodia via their Facebook page about this issue. They should take care of local language if they want to sell more and provide good services.
I am not the only one who asked this.
The commune answer we got is that: Wait!
Khmer Unicode T-Shirt Source
We don’t know how long we are going to wait, until Android users in Cambodia can have pre-install Khmer Unicode officially from Samsung.
I heard that LG already made the first move to have Khmer Unicode work properly on their phones. If anyone using LG, you can share your experience in the comment box.
Since we cannot wait, there are few ways we can do right now.
1. Install Khmer Unicode Browser
This is the secure way of viewing Cambodian website which used Khmer Unicode. It works for any Android phone. I have asked Bong Danh Hong, creator of Khmum Browser and Nokora Browser about these two browsers.
He said:
Khmum is browser for all version of Android OS, but Nokora browser for Android 4.0+ only. Nokora may be loaded faster then Khmum. Now GL is good, they have their own Android full support Khmer already. ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich) 4.0 of Samsung also can help about read website in Khmer only. For writing, I have ever seen a group create unoffical rom of ICS 4.0, it full suport Khmer, but I don’t know it runs stable or not.
This is my app: Khmer Unicode for Samsung help to install Khmer font in Samsung Galaxy without root, but it works with Android from 3.1 to the earlier version 4.0.3 only.
My phone is on Android 2.3.6, that’s the official version from Samsung. I am still waiting for official release of Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0. I not yet test Nokora but so far, Khmum is the only way for me to view Khmer Unicode Websites on my Android phone.
2. Root your phone and Upgrade to ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich)
I believe only Galaxy Note and S ii(2) that can upgrade to ICS. We don’t know when we are going to have official update. If you want to update manually, I asked Vanna Khan, a friend who already had success in updating his phone to ICS.
He recommends to go to download the Official ICS Firmwares.
But you need to root your phone first! If your phone not yet rooted, you can learn how to root your Samsung Galaxy S2.
I used to try to root my previous Samsung Galaxy S, you need to use the software call Odin. If you follow the link above, you will find your way to download it.
The first step is to set your phone to “Downloading Mode”, then follow carefully to point to the necessary files for each step, you will be able to archive the target.
Warning: You need to be a high tech guy to do this. You can take risk on your own. If you don’t want to do it yourself, I think you will find a place in town which you can ask someone to do it for 5$.
Once your phone is upgrade to ICS, you will be able to make the setting to the system to recognize and use the Khmer Unicode font.
I have asked Sopheak Hean, who already get his hands with Samsung Galaxy S2 to view Khmer Unicode.
He explained that:
To install Unicode – First your device must be rooted. And you’ll need Root Explorer.apk for changing/adding font into the System Files.
For GingerBread:
Be careful not to replaced system fonts, but replace something like DroidSansThai.ttf is fine.
Rename khmer.ttf to DroidSansThai.ttf and then reboot your device and you’re done. It is depending on how much your system is supporting Khmer Unicode complexity. Otherwise you’ll get what the OEM made it.
For ICS:
There is no need to replace system fonts with Khmer font. All you need is to copy Khmer font into System/fonts and then go into “System/etc/fallback_fonts.xml”. Editing the file and add a few line for system to see your new phone and reboot.Fallback_fonts.xml (you need to remove space after <):
< family>
< fileset>
< file>Khmer.tff
< /fileset>
< /family>That’s it. If your system support khmer properly then it will display properly. Otherwise you’ll need to compile your own library to make the system know what to do with the complex glyph.
If you want khmer unicode android then use MiUI 1.26. It does support khmer in it.
Well, even follow all these heavy steps, we still cannot assure that we can view Khmer Unicode 100% on Android phone. But I do help this post might help you to see the different possibilities on how to install Khmer Unicode On Android Phone.
I do expect to hear to good news from Samsung Cambodia soon on this matter.
We also have a Facebook group for Android users in Cambodia. I think it is free to join. That’s the good place to get new updates on Khmer Unicode on Android Phone.
Do you have Android phone too?
Please help to share your experience in viewing Khmer Unicode on your Android phone. We would love to hear from you.
About Santel Phin
My name is Santel Phin. I created KhmerBird in 2008. My mail intention is to inform the world what's happening in Cambodia. This blog became quickly one of the most visited blog in Cambodia.
how install Unicode Khmer on HTC one v ?
Hi Sunta,
The process work the same for any Android phone, If you are not familiar with the phone software, I would recommend you go to a phone shop and ask them to do it for 5$ or so.
can anyone tell how to install khmer unicode on Sony Xperia SL. runningIce cream sandwich?
Hi Thavath,
I think the best way is to go to a local shop and make it done by just paying 5$ or something. It’s hard for Android phone to have a reliability in installing Khmer Unicode.
We need to take our own risk, and I don’t recommend this for someone who not familiar with the software and how to hack a phone etc.
I did brick completely a phone. So … take your own risk or go to a shop to make it done quickly because those people are doing that stuff everyday. They know what they should do and don’t.
Hope this might give you an idea how to get your hope read Khmer correctly.
Good day to you.
do you any apk khmer unicode for G Note N7000?
Pls try this http://khmerbird.com/technology/khmer-unicode-installer-for-rooted-android-phone.html
Hello guys! Could you show me how to install font khmer unicode (read and write ) on Samsung Galaxy Anycall S?
Hi Sung,
You can try this method but your phone need to be rooted.
http://khmerbird.com/technology/khmer-unicode-installer-for-rooted-android-phone.html
hi ,,,,i want to install khmer unicode for galaxy s2 ,,4.1.1.how to what?
You can check out this new Khmer Unicode package for Jelly Bean
https://www.facebook.com/groups/caug.talk/permalink/391967244207688/
How to install full supported khmer unicode on Samsung Galaxy Note (4.0.4)? I already have it on my phone for about half year but it not correct render for leg. Many thanks in advance.
Dara
i want to install khmer unicode on xperia arc ICS 4.0.4
Hi Viseth,
I never experience with Sony Ericsson. But you can try on your own risk. Let me know if you have any question.
Now Cambodian Popular with samsung techn. product but this company still not build in support Khmer language to them device.
Does Samsung promise to bulid Khmer unicode on their phone? If they said only wait, I think 1 or 2 years next we still wait for their Khmer unicode.
You are right, I think we need to fight for that. I will check what I can do as a blogger but we need to have a strong support as well. I will try to contact them, let’s see if we can get something move forward!
Thank for giving us your thought, If we are together, I think thing can be done faster!
anyone know how to install khmer unicode in Samsung Galaxy note?
my galaxy note just manual upgraded to 4.0.3.
many thanks for your value response
I just installed Khmer Patch on my Galaxy S2 which is running 4.0.3 as well. I am not sure if it would work for your Galaxy Note,
You can check what I did here: http://khmerbird.com/technology/how-to-install-khmer-unicode-on-android-ics.html
I am using SGS 2 ,my device can render on Facebook 80% and browser 100% but on system only 50% ,so when Samsung company build in for Khmer Uninicode support ???
For this we need to wait for LCH mobile, the Samsung authorize seller in Cambodia. I hope they will keep pushing Samsung for Khmer Unicode. I hope the volume sales in Cambodia will be increased and this could be a factor for Samsung to consider localization in Cambodia.
Keep asking everyone!
I own a SGSII and want to have Khmer Unicode in full set too but I’m not yet ready to root and custom rom.
I have upgraded manually to ICS 4.0.3, but not yet root. That’s not much different from 2.3.6, only some few features such as lock face, can create contact widget etc.
For the website that use web font, we could view correctly Khmer Unicode. But I would suggest you to try to check via Kies, I saw some people have option to upgrade already.
Good luck!
I have three Android devices, an HTC Wildfire S, HTC One V (new!) and Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9.
The Wildfire S runs Android 2.3.5 and I have installed khmer.ttf but the font only displays correctly in the Khmum browser. In other apps the cheeng and sra are not right.
When I installed Android 4.0.4 by the Galaxian Soup team at XDA, Khmer unicode font displays correctly on most pages, such as news.sabay.com.kh.
The One V came with 4.0.3 and displays Khmer unicode font correctly on most pages as well.
Yes, it depend on the website, if they used web font or Google font, we can view them well if we are running ICS 4.0.3 or higher.
We need to wait to see Khmer Unicode rendered well on Applications. For now I am afraid we can view them well only from browser.
I understand that they need to build a good font library in Android in order to view well Khmer Unicode on system and application.
i mean khmer unicode not khmer font
Do you mean you want to install Khmer Unicode on Android?
hi bong i hav galaxy note2 (4.1.2)in korea ,how to install khmer unicode ,thank bong
Hi Chi,
You can try to install this App first,
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blogspot.androidsanctum.kui&hl=en
I hope it will work for you. If not, I think the best way is to go to a phone shop and ask them to install it for you.