Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the desire to replace the standard text input tool with a more functional counterpart. The standard Gboard or Sogou keyboard (in Chinese firmware versions) may not suit the design, predictive set or lack of support for specific languages.
The Android operating system allows you to install many alternative typing applications from the official Google Play store. However, on the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, there are additional layers of protection and settings that can confuse the inexperienced user. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to correctly add, activate and configure a new keyboard, bypassing system limitations.
Before you start installing, it’s important to understand that replacing the system input component involves security issues. Any application that accesses text input can theoretically read the passwords and messages you type. So it’s important to choose proven solutions from well-known developers like SwiftKey, Yandex Keyboard or Grammarly, avoiding dubious low-ranking programs.
Selecting the right application for text input
The first step is to choose software that will replace standard input. The market offers dozens of options, each with its own unique features. Some focus on print speed, others on grammar or voice input support. For Xiaomi users, it is important that the application is optimized for different screen resolutions and Android versions.
The most popular choice is Google’s Gboard, which is often preinstalled but may require an upgrade. If you’re looking for an alternative, look at Microsoft’s SwiftKey, which is famous for its smart autocorrector and predictive AI-based kit. For Russian-speaking users, a great alternative would be a Yandex keyboard that offers advanced Russian-language capabilities.
When choosing an app, consider the weight of the app and the number of permissions requested. Lightweight keyboards like the Simple Keyboard will be suitable for older smartphone models, where every megabyte of RAM counts. Heavy solutions can offer beautiful themes and animations, but will consume more battery life.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing keyboards from unverified sources (APK-forum files), as they may contain malicious code that steals personal data of bank cards.
The search and installation process is simple: open the Play Market store, type the name into the search bar, and click the “Install” button. Once you have finished downloading, the app will appear in your list of programs, but it will not be activated as your primary input method until it is activated.
Installation and initial activation process
Once the application is downloaded to the device, a series of steps must be taken to activate it. Android defaults to block third-party input methods for security reasons. You will need to manually allow the use of the new tool in system settings, a process that takes no more than a minute, but requires care.
Once installed, the app itself often opens the start window, which offers a quick jump to settings. If you close it by accident, don't worry. You can go to the phone's settings menu, find the "Additional Settings" or "Language and Input" section, where you manage typing methods.
☑️ Activation of the new keyboard
In the list of available keyboards, you'll see an app installed with the switch off. Tap the switch to activate it. The system will issue a warning that a third-party keyboard may be accessing input. This is the standard Android security message that appears when any new input method is activated.
Once confirmed, the new keyboard will appear in the active list, but it is not yet the default. To start using it right now, tap the text input field in any application (such as in messages or browser), the keyboard icon or the selection pop-up menu will appear on the screen.
Setting Priority and Switching Between Keyboards
Often users install a new keyboard, but when typing, the system continues to use the old one. This is because the default input method has not been changed. In the MIUI and HyperOS shells, this option can be controlled in different places on the menu, depending on the firmware version.
To set priority, go to Settings → Additional Settings → Language and input. Here, find “Current Keyboard” or “Default Keyboard.” In the list that opens, select the app you just installed. Now, with any type of text, the system will automatically run that application.
If you need to switch quickly to another keyboard temporarily, use the system menu. When the input field is active at the bottom of the screen (usually in the lower right corner or in the navigation bar), the keyboard icon appears. A short tap on it will open the selection menu where you can instantly change the active tool.
There's also a quick way to switch over the notification bar. Open the notification curtain and find the "Select the input method" icon. If it's not on the home page, scroll right or tap on the pencil (edit) to add this switch to quick access. This is especially handy if you use multiple languages or specialized programming keyboards.
Advanced configuration of the interface and functionality
Once activated, you're in the process of fine-tuning your needs. Most modern keyboards offer deep customization capabilities. You can change the height of the button bar, the font, the sound effects when you press and even the tactile recoil (vibration). AMOLED-screens useful function dark theme, which saves battery power.
An important aspect is to adjust autocorrection and predictive set. Smart algorithms learn from your communication style by suggesting commonly used words and abbreviations. You can add your own words to the dictionary in the settings so that the system doesn't correct specific terms, slang or names.
| Function | Description | Impact on experience |
|---|---|---|
| Autocorrection | Automatic correction of typos | It increases speed, but can distort words. |
| Vibrant response | Tactile response to pressing | Improves the sensation of printing, consumes battery |
| Floating keyboard | Disconnecting the panel from the bottom of the screen | Convenient for larger screens, closing less content |
| One-handed regime | Shifting the keyboard to the edge | Ideal for printing with one hand on phablets |
Don't forget to set privacy settings inside the app itself. Many keyboards offer Incognito mode or the ability to disable stats from being sent to developer servers. If you're typing sensitive data like passwords or card numbers, make sure that the cloud learning feature is off.
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Use the “getting stuck Keyboard” mode when watching videos in vertical mode to be able to quickly respond to a message without covering the entire screen.
Solving problems with display and work
Xiaomi users may find themselves in a situation where, after updating the system or installing a new theme, the third-party keyboard stops displaying correctly or disappears altogether, often due to aggressive battery optimization or background activity limitations in MIUI. The system may “kill” the keyboard process, considering it unnecessary.
To prevent an application from being forced to close, add it to the exception list. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find your keyboard and select “Charge Savings.” Set the value “No Limits.” This ensures that the system does not interrupt the input tool.
⚠️ Note: If the keyboard “flys” immediately after appearance, try clearing its cache in the application settings or reinstall the latest stable version from the Play Market.
Another common problem is desynchronization of layout, for example, you type in English and you get Russian letters, or vice versa, and this is solved by checking the list of languages in the settings of the keyboard itself, make sure that the desired languages are added and the excess ones are deleted, and usually swipe over the space or by long pressing on it.
What if the keyboard covers the input field?
Data security when using third-party software
Security is a critical issue when installing any typed input tool. The keyboard has access to everything you type, including passwords, instant messenger messages, and search queries. While Android has a “no mode” mechanism that disables third-party keyboards when you enter passwords, not all apps follow this protocol perfectly.
It is recommended to carefully study the permissions that the application requests when installing. If a simple keyboard asks for access to contacts, geolocation or microphone without an obvious need, this is a wake-up call.
For maximum protection, you can use the Safe Enter feature if it is supported by your Xiaomi model, in which the system forcibly switches to a standard, verified keyboard when entering sensitive data in banking applications, ignoring your default preferences.
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Update your keyboard app regularly through the Play Market, as updates often contain security patches that close vulnerabilities.