How to change the keyboard on Xiaomi: from standard to Gboard and SwiftKey

The standard MIUI keyboard on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones doesn't always suit users: Some want more emojis, some don't have enough swipes to dial quickly, and some just got used to Gboard or SwiftKey on previous devices. Fortunately, MIUI can install any keyboard from Google Play, but there are nuances with default settings and permissions.

Changing the keyboard on Xiaomi is easy, but the process is different from pure Android. For example, after installing a new keyboard, you need to not only activate it in the settings, but also assign it by default, otherwise the system will return to standard. In addition, some models (especially budget ones) can block third-party keyboards due to battery optimization, let's look at all the ways, from basic replacement to solving problems with the operation of alternative keyboards.

If you've never changed your Android keyboard, don't worry: MIUI makes it easier than some other firmware, and don't miss the data permission step (this is a security requirement for Android for all keyboards, not a feature of Xiaomi), and if you don't install a new keyboard, check if it has the Special Features menu rights disabled.

1. Standard method: Install keyboard from Google Play

The easiest method is to download an alternative keyboard from the Google Play Market and follow the system's prompts, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

Here are the keyboards that are most often installed instead of the standard:

• 🔹 Gboard (from Google) – the most popular, with gesture support, translation and integration with Google services.
• 🔹 SwiftKey (from Microsoft) – known for accurate word prediction and Windows theme.
• 🔹 Fleksy – Minimalist keyboard with extended gestures.
• 🔹 Chroom – for those who like customization (you can change the size, transparency, animations).

After installing any of these, MIUI usually suggests changing the default keyboard. If that doesn't happen, do the following:

1. Open any field to enter text (for example, in Messages or Notes).
2. Tap the keyboard icon in the bottom panel (usually an icon with the letter A or 🌐).
3. In the list, select a new keyboard (such as Gboard).
4. Confirm the choice in the window Change the default keyboard.

⚠️ Note: If after selecting a new keyboard, it is immediately reset back to the standard one, check if it has not disabled the rights to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → [Keyboard name] → Permissions. Especially important is the permission to display over other windows.

2. Manually assigning the default keyboard in settings

Sometimes MIUI doesn't automatically suggest changing the keyboard, or the user accidentally cancels the request, in which case you can manually assign the default keyboard through the system settings.

Instructions for MIUI 14 and HyperOS:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and input → Current keyboard.
2. Click Keyboard Management (or Keyboards and Entering Methods in older versions).
3. Activate the switch next to the keyboard you want (such as Gboard).
4. Go back and select it from the Current Keyboard list.

If the list does not have a keyboard installed, check if its display in the Show System Applications menu is disabled (three dots in the upper corner).

Is a new keyboard installed from Google Play|

Whether all permissions for the application are included |

Is the keyboard activated in the input settings |

Is the display of system applications checked-->

3.Why the new keyboard doesn't work: Common errors

Even after the right setup and default assignment, the third-party keyboard may not appear. Here are the most common reasons and solutions:

If after all the manipulations, the keyboard still doesn’t work, try clearing the app cache in the Settings menu → Apps → [Keyboard] → Storage → Clear the cache. In extreme cases, reinstallation will help.

Standard MIUI|

Gboard (Google)|

SwiftKey (Microsoft)|

Another (I will write in the comments)-->

4. How to return the standard MIUI keyboard

If the alternative keyboard experiment failed, or you just want to go back to the standard option, do the following:

Method 1 (quick):

1. Open any text field.
2. Touch the keyboard icon (🌐 or A) and select the Keyboard MIUI (or the standard keyboard).
3. Confirm the default choice.

Method 2 (through settings):

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and input → Current keyboard.
2. Select the MIUI keyboard from the list.
3. If it is not on the list, include it in Keyboard Management.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 or X-ray) POCO X3) The standard keyboard may be called the Android keyboard (AOSP) instead MIUI. It’s OK, it’s still designed by Xiaomi.

5. Additional settings of the MIUI keyboard

The standard MIUI keyboard isn't as flexible as the Gboard, but it also has some useful features to enable:

Basic options:

• 🎨 Topics: Go to Keyboard Settings → Themes and select the color scheme (including dark mode).
• 🌍 Languages: Add multiple languages to quickly swipe across the space.
• ⚡ Gestures: Turn on swipe to delete words (Settings) → Gestures → Swipe left down the gap).
• 🔍 Prediction: Disable or configure auto-replacement in Settings → Text input → Auto-replacement.

Hidden chips:

• 🔑 Long press on 123 switches the keyboard to compact mode (convenient for large screens).
• 📱 Double tapping on the space puts a point – it can be turned off in the settings.
• 🔍 In the word prediction line, you can swipe left/right.

6.Install keyboard without Google Play (via APK)

If your Xiaomi doesn’t have Google Play Market (for example, on Chinese firmware or after deleting Google services), you can manually install the keyboard via Google. APK-- For that, file:

Step-by-step:

1. Download the APK of the desired keyboard from a trusted source (for example, APKMirror).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Accesses → Install unknown applications and select a browser or file manager.
3. Open the downloaded APK and install the application.
4. Assign the default keyboard (see Section 2).

Popular keyboards for manual installation:

• 📱 Gboard (compact version without Google services: com.google.android.inputmethod.latin).
• 🌐 AnySoftKeyboard – an open alternative with plugin support.
• 🔒 FlorisBoard – keyboard with a focus on privacy (does not send data to the cloud).

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK from unverified sources may lead to data leakage. Before installing, check the hash of the file (for example, via VirusTotal) and turn off the keyboard from Internet access in the Mobile Data settings.

💡

If the keyboard doesn't appear in the list after you install the APK, reboot the phone. Sometimes MIUI doesn't update the keyboard list without restarting.

7. Solve keyboard issues on Xiaomi after MIUI update

After major MIUI updates (e.g., 13 to 14 or HyperOS), keyboards may not work properly, either by dropping off the list, dropping off the standard, or not displaying predictions.

Checklist after update:

Reinstall the keyboard from Google Play|

Reset the keyboard settings in Settings → Apps → [Keyboard] → Storage → Reset |

Turn off battery optimization for keyboard |

Permissions check (especially display over other windows)-->

If the problem persists, try clearing the Settings app data (not to be confused with cache!):

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Settings (⚙️).
2. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
3. Reboot the phone.

This will reset all personal settings (including allowed keyboards), but often helps to get back up to speed.

💡

After updating MIUI, always check the keyboard resolutions – the system can reset them to default values.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi