Owning a modern Xiaomi smartphone involves constantly typing text, whether it’s messaging, working documents or searching for information online. However, the standard configuration of a virtual keyboard doesn’t always satisfy everyone’s needs, forcing them to look for ways to customize it. Often device owners wonder where exactly the controls of this important interface element are hidden, since the logic of the MIUI or HyperOS menu may differ from the usual “pure” Android.
Finding the right partition may seem difficult because of the abundance of options on the system menu, but in fact, access to them is organized logically enough, if you know the exact path. In this article, we will examine in detail the algorithms for accessing input parameters, look at the differences between embedded solutions and third-party applications, and answer frequent troubleshooting questions. You will learn to change the language, adjust the vibration force and install new fonts to make typing as comfortable as possible.
It’s worth noting that the layout of the items can vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system and the regional firmware installed on your gadget.We’ll look at the universal methods that work on most current models, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Mi and Xiaomi series.Let’s dive into the technical details of the setup.
Basic path through the system settings menu
The most reliable and complete way to get to all the input options available is to use the operating system's main settings menu. This is where the global settings that affect all applications using the on-screen keyboard are concentrated. First, you need to unlock the device and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear and is located on the home screen or in the notification curtain.
Once the menu is opened, you need to scroll down to the section that handles the additional functions of the system. Different versions of the firmware may call this item differently, but most often it is designated as Additional Settings. Within this section, you should look for Language and Input, which is the key gateway to all typing tools.
Clicking on this, you'll be taken to the menu that displays the current default keyboard, and it's important to look at the keyboard management section here, because it allows you to switch between installed applications and adjust their behavior. If you have multiple input options, the system will suggest you choose an active one, which is an important step before fine-tuning.
- 🔍 Go to Settings. → Additional settings → Language and input to access basic parameters.
- ⚙️ In the Current Keyboard section, you can quickly switch to another application without logging into the deep menus.
- 🌐 Language and input also allows you to control physical keyboards if they are connected via Bluetooth or USB-OTG.
⚠️ Warning: Changing system fonts or scale in the overall display settings can affect the display of the keyboard, making the buttons too small or, conversely, huge.
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The system menu settings is a central hub where you can not only select the keyboard, but also reset its settings to factory in case of failures.
Settings directly inside the keyboard application
Often, users search for options in the system menu, forgetting that most modern keyboards have their own, independent settings menu, available right at the time of printing. This is much faster and allows you to change the settings on the fly without interrupting the dialogue. To get there, open any application that requires text input, such as notes or messages, and call the on-screen input panel.
On the keyboard panel, usually in the top row or corner, is a special icon in the form of a gear or four squares. Clicking on it opens a context menu where quick actions are available: switching the language, turning on one-hand mode, accessing the clipboard or GIF-Animation: This menu often contains a Settings button that leads to a deep section of the configuration of a particular application.
If you use a standard Gboard or Xiaomi Keyboard, the menu structure will be similar but with different item names. For example, in Gboard, the settings are broken down into categories: preferences, theme, language, and in the standard MIUI shell they can be grouped differently. It is important to understand that the changes made here apply only to this particular application and do not affect the system input settings as a whole.
- 📱 Press and hold a comma or space to temporarily activate cursor control or voice input.
- 🎨 Through the theme icon, you can instantly change the background of the keyboard without going into the complex settings menu.
- 🗣️ In fast settings, direct access to dictation and speech recognition settings is often available.
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Press the Settings icon (cog) on the keyboard for 2-3 seconds to immediately go to the main settings menu of this application, bypassing the intermediate steps.
Differences between Gboard and Xiaomi’s standard keyboard
Users of Xiaomi devices often face a dilemma: whether to use a pre-installed keyboard from the manufacturer or install the popular Gboard from Google. These two solutions have fundamentally different approaches to organizing settings and functionality, which directly affects the user experience. The standard MIUI keyboard is often tailored to local markets and may contain advertising integrations or specific features that are unnecessary in other regions.
By contrast, Gboard is famous for its minimalism, fast workflows, and great integration with Google services like Search and Translate. Gboard’s settings are more detailed, where you can fine-tune keyboard height, indentations, vibration duration, and even press sensitivity. The standard keyboard often offers a more limited set of options, focusing on basic input and emoji.
In terms of security and privacy, many experts recommend using Gboard or other proven third-party solutions, as they are less likely to transfer data about typed text to the device manufacturer's servers. However, a standard keyboard may work better with system features such as a floating window or split screen within the HyperOS ecosystem.
| Function | Gboard (Google) | Keyboard MIUI/Xiaomi |
|---|---|---|
| Search integration | Deep, built-in suggestions | Not present or through the browser |
| Altitude adjustment | There are 5 levels + one hand mode | Often limited or absent |
| Themes and background | A huge choice, your photos, GIF | A limited set of static topics |
| Voice input | Highly accurate, online and offline | Basic, depending on the region |
How to Change the Input Language and Layout
One of the most popular features is adding a new language or switching between existing layouts. In Xiaomi devices, this process can be implemented in two ways: through the Android system settings or through the internal menu of the keyboard itself. To add a new language through the system, go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Languages and add the desired option.
Once you add a language to the system, it becomes available for choice when you type, and you can swipe it by swiping it to the left or right or by clicking on the globe icon, and if the swipe doesn't work, it may be disabled in the keyboard settings in Preferences or Languages.
It's important to distinguish between the language of the phone's interface and the language of input. You can use the phone in Russian, but you can have English, Chinese and Arabic keyboard layouts installed. Some keyboards, such as Gboard, even allow you to customize a separate layout for each language, which is convenient for those who are accustomed to non-standard character arrangement.
- 🌍 To add a language, click on the globe icon and select "All Languages" in the list that appears.
- ⌨️ In the settings, you can enable automatic language switching based on the words you type.
- 🔤 Additional layouts are available for some languages (e.g, QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY), which are selected when activating the language.
⚠️ Note: When you remove the system language from the list of languages of the device, the corresponding keyboard layout may also disappear from the available options.
Adjustment of vibration, sound and tactile response
Tactile feedback when printing is not just a nice little thing, but an important feedback element that helps you get more confidently through the buttons on the touch screen. The vibration and pressing strength settings are in the Preferences or Sound section and the vibration inside the keyboard settings. On Xiaomi devices with Haptic Engine technology, the settings can be more detailed.
The user can completely disable the pressing sound, leaving only vibration, or vice versa. Also available is adjustment of the delay duration before vibration, which allows you to fine-tune the sensation of the print. In some versions of MIUI, the keyboard vibration settings are associated with the general sound profile, so when switching to silent mode, the vibration of the keyboard can also be turned off.
For those who type quickly, too much vibration can be tedious and drain battery life, while weak vibrations can go unnoticed. The best solution is to experimentally select a level that feels finger-on but is not annoying. The settings menu often has a slider that allows you to smoothly change the intensity of the response.
Path for quick tuning: Settings → Sound and vibration → Vibration when touched (system level)Why isn't the keyboard vibrating?
Installation and configuration of third-party keyboards
If standard functionality isn't enough, you can always install a third-party keyboard from the Google Play store. Popular options are Microsoft SwiftKey, known for its smart predictive input, or Fleksy with unique gestures. The installation process is standard: find the app in the store, click "Install" and "Open".
After the first launch, a third-party app will ask you to allow access to data entry. This is a critical security step: Android warns that a third-party keyboard can theoretically read all the input, including passwords. You only trust trusted developers with a good reputation. Once confirmed, the system will redirect you to the Language and input menu, where you need to activate a new keyboard.
The final step is to choose a new keyboard as the default method of input. The system can ask several times if you really want to change the standard application, and warn about the possible risks. Once confirmed, the new keyboard will become active in all applications, and its settings can be found in the general list or through the icon in the notification tray.
- 📥 Download keyboards only from the official Google Play store or GetApps to avoid viruses.
- 🔒 Check the permissions you request when installing: The keyboard doesn’t need access to contacts or geolocation to work.
- 🔄 To return to the old keyboard, it is enough to pinch the space or use the notification "Select the input method".