How to add a new keyboard to Xiaomi Redmi: from Gboard to SwiftKey

The standard MIUI keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones doesn’t always suit users: some lack features, some lack design, and some need support for rare languages. Fortunately, Android allows you to install third-party keyboards and switch between them in two touches. But how do you do it correctly so as not to face errors or conflicts?

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can add a keyboard, from installation via Google Play to manual activation in your system settings. We’ll focus on the hidden limitations of MIUI 14 that can block some keyboards (e.g., because of Xiaomi’s security policy), and how to return a standard keyboard if something goes wrong.

If you just bought a Redmi Note 12 or a POCO X5 and you want to customize your keyboard, this is the guide for you. And if you've tried adding a keyboard but it doesn't appear on the list of available keyboards, here's a solution.

1. How to install a keyboard from Google Play

The easiest way to add a new keyboard is to download it from the official app store, a method that works for most popular keyboards: Gboard, SwiftKey, Fleksy, or even niche solutions like Hacker’s Keyboard for developers.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Xiaomi Redmi.
2. In the search bar, type the keyboard name (e.g. Gboard).
3. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
4. After installation, open the keyboard app (if required) for initial setup.

⚠️ Note: Some keyboards (e.g. SwiftKey) may request access to Notices or Contacts to predict text. If you don't trust the app, opt out of these permissions in the App settings. → Permits.

Free space on the device (minimum 100 MB)

Android version (not lower than 8.0 for most keyboards)

Reviews on Google Play (Ranking above 4.0)

The presence of Russian in the description-->

Once installed, the keyboard is not ready to use yet, it needs to be activated in the system settings, and we'll talk about this in the next section.

2. Activation of the keyboard in the MIUI settings

The installed keyboard won’t appear on its own — you need to manually enable it. In MIUI, this process is slightly different from pure Android, so follow the instructions carefully:

Go to: Settings → Additional → Language and input → Current keyboard

Next:

1. Press Keyboard Control.
2. Turn on the switch next to the name of the installed keyboard (such as Gboard).
3. Go back and select a new keyboard in the Current Keyboard list.

If the keyboard does not appear in the list, check:

• 🔄 Update the app on Google Play.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes MIUI Does not update the list of keyboards without reboot.
• 🛠️ Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Keyboard name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

3. Language setting and auto-replacement

Once you activate the keyboard, you have to customize it to your needs. Most keyboards (including Gboard and SwiftKey) support multilingual input, but by default, only English can be enabled. Here's how to add Russian or another language:

For Gboard:

1. Open any input field (for example, in Notes).
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ (gear) on the keyboard panel.
3. Go to Languages → Add a keyboard and select the desired language.

For standard MIUI keyboard: Settings → Additional → Language and input → Virtual keyboard → MIUI Keyboard → Languages

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 when adding a new language, the keyboard may reset the user dictionary.Save a backup of the dictionary to Gboard if it's important to you (keyboard settings) → Dictionary → Exports).

4. Problem Solving: The keyboard doesn't appear or lags

Sometimes, after installation, the keyboard doesn't appear in the list or doesn't work properly. Here are the typical reasons and solutions:

Problem 1: The keyboard is installed, but does not appear in Settings → Language and input.

• 🔧 Check if Unknown Sources for Google Play are disabled (although keyboards from the official store do not require this).
• 📦 Reset the keyboard.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (old versions had a bug with keyboard displays).

Problem 2: The keyboard is slowing down or hanging.

• 🗑️ Clear the keyboard cache in the app settings.
• 📵 Turn off text prediction or cloud sync in keyboard settings.
• 🔋 Check if the keyboard power saving mode is on (Settings) → Battery → Choice of applications).

If nothing works, try an alternative keyboard, such as Simple Keyboard or AnySoftKeyboard, which is often more stable on Xiaomi.

5. How to return the standard MIUI keyboard

If the experiment with the new keyboard fails, you can always go back to the standard MIUI Keyboard.

Method 1: Through language settings

1. Open Settings → Additional → Language and input.
2. Press the Current Keyboard and select MIUI Keyboard.
3. Turn off the unnecessary keyboard in Keyboard Management.

Method 2: Reset settings (if the keyboard is gone)

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find MIUI Keyboard and click Reset Settings.
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: If you have removed the standard keyboard through ADB Or root access, you can only restore it by flashing the device. MIUI It does not allow to completely remove the system keyboard.

💡

The standard MIUI keyboard consumes less battery than third-party counterparts, but is inferior in functionality. The best option is to hold both keyboards and switch as you go.

6. Hidden Keyboard Functions on Xiaomi Redmi

Many users are unaware that Android keyboards (and MIUI in particular) support hidden features that make it easier to type.

For Gboard:

• 🎨 Topics and backgrounds: you can set your own image as the background of the keyboard (Settings) → Topics).
• 🔍 Search GIF and emoji: click on the emoji icon → GIF or Stickers.
• 📐 Size change: Clip the strip above the keyboard and drag up/down.
• 🔤 Voice input: click on the microphone icon (works offline for major languages).

For the standard MIUI keyboard:

• 🌙 Night mode: automatically switches when activating dark theme in the MIUI.
• 📱 Single-handed mode: Squeeze the keyboard left or right while holding the settings icon.
• 🔢 Quick Number Entering: Hold the 123 key and point to the desired number.

💡

If you type passwords or email frequently, add them to Text abbreviations (in keyboard settings). For example, the abbreviation @m can extend to your email myemail@gmail.com.

7.Security: What permissions to give the keyboard

Third-party keyboards often request access to sensitive data, and let's see which permissions are dangerous and which are necessary for work:

Safe permits:

• 📝 Access to the input text – necessary for auto-replacement and prediction.
• 📱 Display over other windows – to make the keyboard work in any application.
• 🌐 Internet access – to download topics or update a dictionary.

Potentially hazardous permits:

• 📞 Contact access – needed for auto-filling names, but can be used to collect data.
• 📁 File access – required to back up settings, but risky for little-known keyboards.
• 🔍 Reading the call log - should not be requested by the keyboard.

⚠️ Warning: Keyboards from unknown developers (especially third-party sources) can intercept passwords and banking data. Use only proven high-ranking Google Play apps.

FAQ: Frequent questions about keyboards on Xiaomi Redmi