AutoInput How detect softkey

I have paid autoinput with tasker. "Key intrrcept" is checked, and adaptive permissions are "on". I'm running Android 7.1.1 on a non-rooted phone.
It detects button presses, but not softkeys.
(My specific desires are -in a text messaging app- i] know that user is typing, and ii] know that user has pressed [send].)
I'm confused. Is it correct that later versions of Android don't allow softkey monitoring on non-rooted phones no matter what, and what I want is simply not possible?