How to change the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 9: selection, installation and fine tuning

The standard MIUI keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 9 doesn’t always suit users: someone lacks functionality, someone is annoyed by banner ads, and some just want to try alternative solutions with advanced features. Fortunately, Android allows you to install third-party keyboards and flexibly customize them to your needs – from changing the theme to adding support for multiple languages at the same time.

In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to change the keyboard on Redmi 9, from installing popular analogues (Gboard, SwiftKey) to fine-tuning gestures, auto-replace and even creating your own themes. Particular attention will be paid to solving typical problems, such as the disappearance of the keyboard after an update or conflicts between several installed layouts. If you want not just to change the appearance, but significantly improve the speed and comfort of typing, this guide is for you.

Why you should change the standard keyboard to Redmi 9

The default MIUI keyboard has several significant drawbacks that can interfere with comfortable use:

• 📛 Banners at the bottom of the screen (in some regions and firmware versions).
• 🌐 Limited language support – for example, there is no full layout for some dialects or rare languages.
• ⚡ Slow performance on weak devices (despite Redmi 9 being powered by Helio processor) G80, The keyboard can slow down when used actively).
• 🎨 Poor customization options – you can’t change the size of buttons, font or add your own themes.

For comparison, third-party keyboards offer:

• 🔍 Smart input with word and phrase prediction (e.g., Gboard analyzes your writing style and suggests relevant options).
• 🖼️ Thousands of themes, including animated and adaptive under the wallpaper of the desktop.
• 🔄 Gestures and hotkeys – for example, swipe up to switch the language or double-click on a space for a point.
• 🔒 Increased privacy – some keyboards (like AnySoftKeyboard) don’t send data to servers.

Alternative keyboards are also updated more frequently than MIUI system components, which means better bug optimization and fixing, for example, Gboard regularly adds support for new emojis and features like real-time text translation or gifs search directly from the input field.

Method 1: Install the keyboard from Google Play

The easiest and safest method is to download an alternative keyboard from the official app store, and let's look at Gboard as the most popular alternative.

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Redmi 9.
2. In the search bar, type Gboard – Google Keyboard and select the official app from the developer Google LLC.
3. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
4. After installation, open the Gboard app from the menu or through the desktop icon.
5. Click Enable in Settings - the system will redirect you to the Language and Enter section.
6. Activate the switch next to Gboard and confirm the action in the window that appears.

Now Gboard will be available for use, to make it the default keyboard.

1. Return to Settings → Additional → Language and Entering → Virtual Keyboard.
2. Select Keyboard Management and activate Gboard (if not already enabled).
3. Press the default keyboard and select Gboard from the list.

Check the space available (minimum 100 MB)

Disable traffic savings in the Play Store

Remember the current auto-replacement settings

Download the keyboard only from an official source-->

If Gboard doesn’t appear when typing after installing, try restarting your phone or manually selecting it in the input field (click on the keyboard icon in the bottom panel and hold on to select an alternative).

Method 2: Install the keyboard through APK-file

If the keyboard is not available on Google Play (for example, due to regional restrictions) or you want to install a beta version, you can use the keyboard. APK-This method is suitable for experienced users, because it requires careful choice of source.

Warning: Installing APKs from unverified sources can harm your device. Use only official developer sites or trusted resources like APKMirror.

1. Download. APK-Keyboard file (e.g. SwiftKey) from an official website or trusted repository.
2. Before installing, go to Settings → Applications → Special Access Rights → Install Unknown Applications.
3. Select the browser or file manager you will install APK through and allow installation from that source.
4. Open the downloaded file and follow the instructions on the screen.
5. After installation, activate the keyboard in Settings → Language and input as described in the previous method.

⚠️ Note: Some keyboards (such as Fleksy or Chroom) require additional permissions to work. Read the requested permissions carefully - if the application requests access to the app. SMS or contacts without an obvious reason, it is better to refuse installation.

Method 3: Configure the MIUI system keyboard

If you don’t want to install third-party apps but want to improve your current keyboard, MIUI offers a few hidden settings to find them:

1. Open any field to enter text (for example, in Notes or Messages).
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ Settings on the keyboard panel (usually located to the right of the space).
3. Here you can: 🎨 Change the theme of the design (available 5-10 pre-installed options). 🌍 Add or remove input languages (dozens of languages, including rare languages, are supported). ⚡ Turn off vibration when pressing or key sounds. 🔍 Set up auto-replacement and word prediction (including learning from your messages).

One of the unique advantages of the MIUI keyboard is that it's built-in with one hand, so you can activate it.

1. Hold the badge. ⚙️ Settings on the keyboard.
2. Select the one-handed mode and indicate the side of the displacement (left or right).
3. The keyboard will shrink and shift in the selected direction, which is convenient for the large screens of Redmi 9 (6.53 inches).

You can also switch on the keyboard swimming in the settings, which will appear as a small window that you can move around the screen, which is useful if you often write in messengers on top of other applications.

Comparison of popular keyboards for Redmi 9

To choose the best keyboard, compare the key features of the most popular options: they are compatible with the Xiaomi Redmi 9 and support MIUI 12/13/14.

For most users, Gboard or SwiftKey will be the best choice because of the balance of functionality and convenience. If you care about privacy, look at AnySoftKeyboard or FlorisBoard (another open source project).

💡

SwiftKey is better suited for multilingual input, while Gboard is better suited for integration with Google’s ecosystem (search, translation, calendar).

Solving problems when changing the keyboard

Sometimes, after you install a new keyboard, you have problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The keyboard does not appear when typing

If after activation of the new keyboard it is not displayed:

1. Check if it is included in Settings → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
2. Make sure it is selected as the default keyboard.
3. Restart your phone – sometimes MIUI system services require a restart.
4. If the problem persists, clear the keyboard application cache in Settings → Applications.

💡

If the keyboard slows down when entering in messengers, try to turn off the animation in its settings (usually the option is called "Smooth transitions" or "Key animation").

Problem 3: Emojis or emojis are gone

If the emojis have disappeared after the keyboard change:

1. Make sure that the keyboard settings include the option to Show emoji.
2. Check if your keyboard supports Unicode 15 (the latest version of the emoji standard).
3. Update the keyboard to the latest version on Google Play.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9 with firmware MIUI If you are in the lower version 12.5, you may have conflicts between system and third-party keyboards. If you start rebooting after you install an alternate layout, go back to the standard keyboard and update. MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Additional settings for advanced users

If you want to make the most of your keyboard, pay attention to these hidden features:

1.Gesturals and hot keys

Most keyboards support gestures to speed up the set:

• 👆 Swipe left/right by space - switching the language (in Gboard and SwiftKey).
• 👇 Swipe down Delete key – Quick word deletion.
• 🔄 Double-click on space – insert a point (configured in Settings) → Text → Auto-replacement).

2. Own themes and layouts

Gboard and SwiftKey can create unique themes:

1. In Gboard, go to Settings → Themes → Create your theme.
2. Upload a background image or select a color scheme.
3. Set up transparency, key color and font.

3. Cloud synchronization

SwiftKey and Gboard allow you to sync:

• 📚 Dictionary (saved words and frequently used phrases).
• 🎨 Themes and settings between devices.
• 🔑 Personal Data (if encryption is enabled).

To enable synchronization in SwiftKey:

1. Open the SwiftKey app.
2. Go to the Account. → Enter with the help Microsoft/Google.
3. Allow access to cloud storage.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Redmi 9