How to change the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 9: from system settings to third-party applications

Xiaomi Redmi 9 remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even years after its release, but its standard MIUI keyboard does not always suit users. Slow input, no swipes, uncomfortable button layout or just a desire to try something new - the reasons can be different. Fortunately, Android allows you to flexibly configure this element of the system, and in the case of Redmi 9 there are at least 5 working ways to change the keyboard.

In this article, we’ll look at everything from basic language change in system settings to installing alternative keyboards like Gboard or SwiftKey, and focus on the nuances of MIUI 12-14, where the process may differ from “pure” Android, and how to return a standard keyboard if something goes wrong, and what mistakes users most often make when they first set up.

Why a standard MIUI keyboard may not suit

The default keyboard in Redmi 9 (as in all Xiaomi smartphones) is a company development adapted to the MIUI brand shell. It has its advantages: integration with Xiaomi services, support for themes and quick access to emojis.

• 🐢 Low input speed compared to Gboard or SwiftKey (especially noticeable when printing long texts).
• 🔍 Lack of swipe input in some versions MIUI (or its inconvenient implementation).
• 🌐 Limited language support – for example, there is no full layout for Ukrainian or Belarusian.
• 🎨 Boring design – even changing themes does not always save from a monotonous appearance.
• 🔄 Bugs and lags, especially after updates MIUI (The keyboard can be suspended or spontaneously switched to English).

In addition, many users note that the standard MIUI keyboard collects typing data to improve Xiaomi services – this is not critical from a security point of view, but can cause discomfort for those who value privacy. Alternative keyboards (for example, AnySoftKeyboard) often offer more privacy settings.

If you know any of these, it's time to think about changing the keyboard, but before we get to the instructions, let's figure out what the options are.

Method 1: Change the language in the standard MIUI keyboard

If you're comfortable with the keyboard itself, but you want to add or remove languages, you don't have to install third-party apps. In MIUI, you do this through system settings:

1. Open any field to enter text (for example, in Messages or Notes).
2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) on the keyboard to open its settings.
3. Go to the Languages and Entering section → Language management.
4. Click Add languages and select the ones you need from the list (for example, Russian, English, Ukrainian).
5. Go back and in Active Languages, drag the language you want to use to the top (this will make it your primary language).

If the language is not listed, it is not supported in your version of MIUI. In this case, only installing a third-party keyboard will help (see Method 3).

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To quickly switch between languages, swipe your finger over the space to the left or right (depending on the settings).

Method 2: Customize the theme and appearance of the MIUI keyboard

If the problem is just the design, try changing the theme of the keyboard. MIUI has built-in tools for this:

1. Open the keyboard settings (icon) ⚙️ input-pane).
2. Go to the Topics section.
3. Choose one of the proposed topics (Light, Dark, Minimalist, etc.).
4. For deeper customization, click Setting up the layout – here you can change the size of the buttons, the color of the backlight and even add your own photo to the background.

Note that some themes can slow down keyboard performance, especially if you’ve chosen an animated background, and MIUI 14 also features Adaptive Design, which automatically adjusts the keyboard color to your desktop wallpaper.

If you don’t have enough built-in themes, you can download additional ones from the MIUI Dark Store (available through Settings → Themes).However, beware: some users complain that after installing third-party themes, the keyboard begins to advertise other applications.

Method 3: Install a third-party keyboard (Gboard, SwiftKey, etc.)

If the built-in MIUI capabilities are not satisfied, it is time to install an alternative keyboard.

• 📱 Gboard (from Google) – the fastest and smartest keyboard with support for swipe input, translator and search gifs.
• ⚡ SwiftKey (from Microsoft) – known for accurate word prediction and synchronization between devices.
• 🔒 AnySoftKeyboard – open source, maximum privacy and flexible settings.
• 🎨 Chroom – Minimalist keyboard with a focus on design and gestures.

The installation is simple:

After installation, be sure to configure the rights for the new keyboard, such as Gboard requesting access to contacts (to auto-fill names) and a microphone (to voice input), and if you refuse, some of the features will be unavailable.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 13/14 If you install a third-party keyboard, you may be warned, "This keyboard can collect data." It's a standard Android message, not a virus message. But if you install the keyboard from an unverified source (not from Google Play), there's a real risk.

Method 4: Reset keyboard settings to factory

If the keyboard malfunctions after the experiments (unauthorized switching, not responding to presses or showing errors), resetting will help, which will return all parameters to factory settings, but will not delete the installed languages or themes.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input.
2. Select the Virtual Keyboard → MIUI Keyboard.
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Reset settings.
4. Confirm the action.

If the reset didn’t help, try clearing the keyboard cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI keyboard in the list.
3. Click Clear Cache and Clear Data (Warning: This Will Delete All Your Settings!).

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If the keyboard still doesn’t work properly after reset, check if it conflicts with other applications (for example, launchers or optimizers).

Method 5: Use the keyboard via ADB (for power users)

This method is suitable for those who want to completely remove the standard keyboard. MIUI Or install a modified version (e.g., root access). ADB (Android Debug Bridge and a little technical skills.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 9: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, you can continue.
5. To disable the standard MIUI keyboard, run: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miuikeyboard
6. Reboot the phone.

Now the standard keyboard will be deactivated, and you can only use third-party solutions. To return it back, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.miuikeyboard

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you're not sure what you're doing, you should use the other ways in this article. MIUI (For example, search in settings may not work properly.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you change your keyboard to Redmi 9, you often have a problem, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

• 🔄 Keyboard spontaneously switches to English Cause: Language pack conflict or settings failure Solution: Remove unnecessary languages in Settings → Additionally. → Language and input → Virtual keyboard → Language management.
• ❌ You can’t install a third-party keyboard Reason: Restrictions MIUI Solution: Clear the Google Play cache or install APK manually.
• 🐢 Keyboard Slows Down Cause: Redmi 9 (Helio) Processor G80) Solution: Turn off animations in the developer settings or use lightweight keyboards (e.g. Simple Keyboard).
• 🔒 Data collection warning appears Reason: Standard Android message for all keyboards Solution: If the keyboard is from Google Play, you can ignore. For complete privacy, use AnySoftKeyboard with the statistics disabled.

Another common error is that the keyboard disappears after the MIUI update, which is due to the default setting reset. To return the previous keyboard, go to Settings → System → Language and input and re-activate the desired application.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions