How to change the keyboard on the Xiaomi smartphone: from standard to Gboard

The keyboard on Xiaomi’s smartphone is not just a typing tool, but a whole range of functions that determine the speed of printing, auto-replacement and even the security of entering passwords. MIUI (It’s not always the Mi Keyboard or Xiaomi Keyboard, but it’s not for everyone: someone lacks emojis, others have problems with speech recognition, and still others just want to try alternatives like Google’s Gboard or Microsoft’s SwiftKey.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to change the keyboard on Xiaomi devices, including models on the device. MIUI 12/13/14 And HyperOS. You'll find out how:

• 🔧 Install a third-party keyboard from Google Play and make it the main one;
• ⚙️ Set up a standard keyboard MIUI fittingly;
• 📱 Solve keyboard problems after update;
• 🔒 Protect data entry from keyloggers and spy apps.

Important: instructions are relevant for all modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note series 12/13, POCO F5/X5, Xiaomi 13/14 and older models on Android 10+. If your device is running Android Go (like Redmi) A2), Some functions may not be available.

1. How to install a third-party keyboard (Gboard, SwiftKey and others)

The easiest way to change the keyboard is to download an alternative from Google Play.

• 📱 Gboard (Google) – supports gestures, real-time translation and integration with Google Search;
• ⌨️ SwiftKey (Microsoft) – known for accurate word prediction and synchronization between devices;
• 🎨 Chroom – Minimalist keyboard with customizable design;
• 🔒 AnySoftKeyboard – open source and high security.

To install and activate a new keyboard:

1. Open Google Play and find the app you want (like Gboard).
2. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
3. After installation, open the keyboard app (such as Gboard) and follow the instructions on the screen.
4. In the keyboard settings (Settings) → System system → Language and input → Virtual keyboard: Select a new keyboard and turn it on.

Check the free space on the device (minimum 100 MB)|Shut down. VPN (can block the loading)|Update Google Play Services|Backup the current keyboard dictionary (if necessary)

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After installing the new keyboard MIUI You can request permission to display over other windows, and without that permission, the keyboard won't work in some applications (like messengers) to give it away:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Special access.
2. Select Display over other windows and find your keyboard in the list.
3. Activate the switch.

2.Setting up the standard MIUI keyboard

If you don’t want to install third-party apps, a standard keyboard MIUI You can make a lot of improvements through customization:

1. Open any field to enter text (such as Notes) to make the keyboard appear.
2. Press the gear icon (⚙️) keyboard.
3. Select Keyboard Settings (or Additional Settings, depending on version) MIUI).

In the settings menu you will find:

Unique feature MIUI: In the Xiaomi keyboard, there's a hidden One-handed mode feature that reduces the size of the keyboard for easy thumb dialing:

1. Hold the gear badge (⚙️) keyboard.
2. Select One-Hand Mode.
3. Set the position (left or right) and size.

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After the update MIUI the keyboard settings have disappeared, try resetting it: → Annexes → Application management → keyboard → Warehouse → Clear the data. It'll bring back the standard parameters without removing the dictionary.

3. Solving Keyboard Problems on Xiaomi

Sometimes after the update MIUI Or installing a new firmware, the keyboard gets glitzy, disappears, doesn't open in some applications, or resets:

🔹 The keyboard does not appear when you enter text

• 📱 Reboot your smartphone – it helps 70% of the time.
• ⚙️ Check if the keyboard is enabled in the settings: Settings → System system → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
• 🔄 If you use Gboard, update it via Google Play.
• 🚫 Remove conflicting applications (for example, GO keyboard AI Types that can block a standard keyboard).

🔹 Keyboard resets language or theme

This is a problem after the update MIUI. Decision:

1. Clear the keyboard cache: Settings → Annexes → keyboard → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
2. If it does not help, reset the keyboard settings to standard (see tip above).
3. For Gboard: Open the app, go to Settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings.

⚠️ Attention! If you use root access or custom firmware (like LineageOS), some keyboards (like Gboard) may fail due to a modified environment:

• 🔧 Install Magisk and hide root for keyboard;
• 📦 Use alternative root-enabled keyboards (e.g. FlorisBoard);
• 🔄 Back to the official firmware MIUI.

4.How to completely remove the standard keyboard MIUI

If you decide to abandon the standard keyboard MIUI In favor of Gboard or another, it can be disabled (but not removed completely, as it is a system application:

1. Install an alternative keyboard (see Section 1).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Find the keyboard. MIUI (or Xiaomi Keyboard and open its settings.
4. Click Disable (Do not Delete!).
5. Confirm the action – the system will warn that this may affect the operation of other applications (in practice, problems are rare).

Important: Before disabling the standard keyboard, make sure that:

• 🔑 You have at least one alternative keyboard installed and activated;
• 📱 You're not using the functions. MIUI, Required from a standard keyboard (e.g. Quick Ball or Second Space);
• 🔄 You know how to turn the keyboard back on (via Settings) → System system → Language and input).

Standard. MIUI|Gboard (Google)|SwiftKey (Microsoft)|Other sideways|I don't know what it costs.

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5 Security: How to Protect Data Entry

The keyboard is one of the most vulnerable security vulnerabilities, and you can use it to intercept passwords, bank details, and personal communications.

🔒 Turn off cloud syncs

Many keyboards (including Gboard and SwiftKey) offer synchronization of your vocabulary and input history with the cloud.

• 📱 In Gboard: Settings → Dictionary → Synchronization of the dictionary → Off.
• 🔄 In SwiftKey: Settings → Account. → Turn off sync.

🛡️ Use open source keyboards

If you care about privacy, consider:

• 🔑 FlorisBoard is open source, without tracking;
• 🔒 AnySoftKeyboard – supports encryption of entered data;
• 📱 OpenBoard is minimalistic and secure.

⚠️ Attention! Never install keyboards from unknown sources (outside Google Play), often masked by keyloggers who steal passwords from banking apps and social networks:

• 🔍 Number of downloads (should be) >1 million);
• ⭐ Rating (not lower than 4.0);
• 📝 Reviews (especially negative ones) may have virus warnings).

6. Hidden functions of the MIUI keyboard

Standard keyboard MIUI There are many hidden possibilities that few people know about:

🎨 Hidden topics

In addition to the standard topics, in MIUI Keyboard has hidden color schemes to activate them:

1. Open the keyboard settings (icon) ⚙️).
2. Go to Themes.
3. Click and hold any theme for 3 seconds and a menu with additional options will appear.

📝 Quick phrases

You can save frequently used phrases (such as email or address) for quick insertion:

1. In the keyboard settings, select Text Templates (or Quick Answers).
2. Click Add and enter text (for example, My address: Lenina St., 1).
3. Assign a short name (for example, @address).
4. Now, when you enter @address, the keyboard will prompt you to insert the full phrase.

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Hidden gestures in the keyboard MIUI: swipe left on space - moving the cursor; swipe to right - erasing the word; double pressing the space - point.

7. Keyboard comparison: MIUI vs Gboard vs SwiftKey

To help you choose the best keyboard, we compared three popular options:

If you care about typing speed and word prediction, SwiftKey is the best choice. Gboard is the best way to integrate with Google services. And if you prefer minimalism and security, stay on the standard keyboard. MIUI Or install FlorisBoard.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the keyboard on Xiaomi