Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come with a pre-installed MIUI system keyboard, but its functionality is often inferior to third-party solutions. Users face problems: there is no support for multiple languages, no thematic design or gesture inputs, and auto-replacement works incorrectly. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to add keyboards – from installing Gboard to manually enabling hidden layouts in Settings →
The MIUI feature is that it can block third-party keyboards by default due to security policies. For example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, many users complain that SwiftKey or Fleksy are not displayed on the list of available ones. We will show you how to circumvent this restriction without root rights, and we will also talk about the hidden developer mode for keyboards, which allows you to test the beta version of the layouts before their official release.
1. Install the keyboard via Google Play
The easiest way to do this is to download an alternative keyboard from Google Play Market. Popular options are Gboard (from Google), SwiftKey (from Microsoft), and Fleksy. However, check before installing whether your Xiaomi model supports third-party keyboards: some devices (such as Black Shark 5 Pro) require additional settings in Settings → Apps → Special Rights.
Algorithm of action:
- 📱 Open Google Play Market and search for the keyboard name (e.g., “Gboard").
- 🔽 Click “Install” and wait for the download to be completed.
- ⚙️ After installation, go to Settings → System system → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
- 🔄 Turn on the switch opposite the installed keyboard.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global some keyboards (such as Samsung Keyboard) may not appear in the list due to manufacturer restrictions. APK (section).
Gboard is recommended for most users due to its integration with Google services: it has built-in translator, GIF search and gesture support (for example, swipe left to delete a word). SwiftKey is better suited for multilingual input - it automatically switches layout depending on the context.
2.Setting up the MIUI system keyboard
If you prefer a standard MIUI keyboard, it can be greatly improved through hidden settings. For example, MIUI 14 has introduced support for custom keyboard themes, but this option is hidden in Settings → Theme → My Theme → Keyboard.
- 🎨 Change the color scheme (including transparency).
- 🔤 Add up to 5 languages at a time (including dialects, for example, Ukrainian) + Russian).
- ⚡ Enable vibration when pressed (useful for users with limited vision).
- 📱 Activate one-handed mode (moves the keyboard left or right).
To open the extended settings:
- Press the comma (or the gear icon, if it is displayed) on the keyboard.
- Select “Keyboard Settings”.
- Go to the “Advanced” section and activate the “Show all settings” option.
How to return the old MIUI keyboard after the update?
| Function | Gboard | SwiftKey | MIUI keyboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gesture input (swipe) | ✅ (Glide Typing) | ✅ (Flow) | ❌ (only MIUI 14+) |
| Support for topics | ✅ (including user-generated) | ✅ (choice-limit) | ✅ (through MIUI Themes) |
| Auto-replacement in Russian | ✅ (learningly) | ✅ (better for slang) | ⚠️ (frequent) |
| Integration with Google | ✅ (search, translator) | ❌ | ❌ |
3. Installation of the keyboard via APK
If the keyboard is not available on Google Play (such as the Samsung Keyboard or the Gboard beta), you can install it via Google Play. APK-- For that, file:
- Download APK from a trusted source (e.g. APKMirror).
- Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation of unknown applications.
- Install the APK and restart the device.
- Activate the keyboard in Settings → System → Language and input.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI China APK This may not be set due to regional restrictions, in which case you need to change the region in your Mi Account or use the VPN downloading.
Popular APKs for keyboards:
- 📲 Gboard Beta – Test functions (e.g., Gboard Beta, AI-clues).
- 📲 Samsung Keyboard – Unique themes and emojis.
- 📲 Fleksy – Minimalist design and gestures.
Download APK from official source | Check the Android version (should match) | Allow installation from unknown sources |Reboot the phone after installation-->
Addition of languages and layouts
A common problem with Xiaomi is that it doesn't have the language on the list, like MIUI 13 doesn't have Kazakh or Belarusian by default.
- Open Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
- Select your keyboard (such as Gboard).
- Press "Languages» → «Add a keyboard».
- If you don’t have the language you want, download the language package via Google Play (e.g. Google Languages).
For manually adding layouts (e.g. Colemak or Dvorak):
- 📌 Install the External Keyboard Helper app.
- 📌 Import the layout file (.kl format).
- 📌 Reset the device.
On devices with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), hardware acceleration for keyboard prompts is supported, which reduces input latency by 30%. To activate this feature, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times on “CPU Core”.
5. Solving keyboard problems
If the keyboard doesn’t appear, freezes, or doesn’t work properly, try these methods:
Problem 1: The keyboard won't open
- 🔄 Reset the device.
- 🛠️ Clear the keyboard cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Keyboard name] → Clear the cache.
- 🔧 Reset the keyboard settings to factory (in the keyboard settings).
Problem 2: Don't switch languages
- 🌐 Check if languages are added in the keyboard settings.
- 🔄 Install MoreLocale 2 app to force locale change.
- 📱 In some models (for example, POCO F5) You need to disable the “Auto-Correct” option in the language settings.
💡
If the keyboard is slowing down, turn off animation in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock). Then in Settings → Additional → For developers, set Windows Animation and Transition Animation to 0.5x.
6. Hidden functions of the MIUI keyboard
The MIUI keyboard has undocumented features:
- 🔍 Search for emojis by keywords: click on the emoji and type in the word (e.g., “heart»).
- 📏 Change the size of the keyboard: press the settings icon and pull up/down.
- 🎵 Pressing sounds: There is a hidden “Sounds” section in the keyboard settings (available after the developer mode is enabled).
- 🔒 Keyboard lock: hold the comma for 3 seconds to temporarily disable input (good for kids).
To activate the keyboard developer mode:
adb shell settings put global hidden_keyboard_features_enabled 1After that, the Experimental Features section will appear in the settings, where you can test the beta versions of auto-replacement and gestures.
💡
On devices with MIUI 14 and later, the keyboard supports voice input without an Internet connection. To do this, download the offline language package to Settings → System → Language and input → Voice input.