How to change the keyboard on the phone Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: a detailed guide

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 remains one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but the standard MIUI keyboard does not always suit users.Some want to add support for several languages, someone lacks emoji or gestures, and some just dream of a more convenient layout with autocorrection. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to change the keyboard from installing Gboard to fine-tuning the system MIUI Keyboard, and also consider typical errors and their solutions.

It is important to understand that the process of changing the keyboard on the Redmi Note 9 depends on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14) and the installed firmware (global, Chinese, custom). For example, in the European versions, more languages are available by default than in Chinese, we will take these nuances into account and give universal recommendations that will suit most users.

Why you might need to change your keyboard to Redmi Note 9

The standard MIUI keyboard has a number of limitations that force users to look for alternatives:

• 🌍 Limited language set – the basic version often lacks regional layouts (for example, Ukrainian or Belarusian).
• 🎨 Minimum customization – you can not change the theme, button size or font.
• ⌨️ No gesture support (e.g. swipe for text input).
• 🔍 Weak autocorrection and word prediction compared to Gboard or SwiftKey.
• 📱 Lack of dictionary synchronization between devices (unlike Google keyboards).

In addition, some users are faced with bugs: the keyboard spontaneously switches to English after updating the MIUI or “hangs” when entering in messengers.

But don't rush to remove the standard layout! In some versions of MIUI, this causes system applications to crash (e.g. Settings → Search), and it's best to just turn it off in settings, leaving it in reserve.

Method 1: Install a third-party keyboard (Gboard, SwiftKey, and others)

The easiest and most effective method is to download an alternative keyboard from Google Play.

• 📱 Gboard (from Google) – supports swipe input, voice typing, dictionary synchronization and more than 100 languages.
• ⚡ SwiftKey (from Microsoft) – known for accurate word prediction and learning based on your writing style.
• 🎨 Chroom – Minimalist keyboard with customizable themes and gestures.
• 🌐 AnySoftKeyboard – open source, support for rare languages (e.g. Latvian or Estonian).

Let’s look at the installation process using the example of Gboard:

1. Open the Google Play Store and find the app “Gboard – Google Keyboard”.
2. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
3. After installation, open the Gboard app and follow the setup instructions (select languages, allow access to the dictionary).
4. Return to Settings → System and Device → Language and Entering → Virtual Keyboard.
5. Activate the switch next to Gboard and select it as the default keyboard.

Is there enough free memory (minimum 200 MB)?

Is the Internet on (Wi-Fi or mobile data)

Is installation from unknown sources allowed (if you download APK)

Battery optimization for the keyboard is disabled (in settings) MIUI)-->

If the keyboard does not appear when you enter text after installation, restart the phone or manually select it in the input bar (keyboard icon in the lower right corner).

Standard MIUI Keyboard

Gboard (from Google)

SwiftKey (from Microsoft)

Other (write in the comments)-->

Method 2: Configure the standard MIUI keyboard

Not everyone knows, but the standard MIUI keyboard can be improved significantly without installing third-party applications.

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Virtual Keyboard → MIUI Keyboard.
2. In the Input Languages section, add the required layouts (for example, Russian + English).
3. In the keyboard settings set up: 🎵 Sound and vibration when pressed. 📏 Keyboard height (useful for owners of large hands). 🔍 Autocorrection and word prompts.

Smooth input

Input methods

Note that some versions of MIUI (especially Chinese) may have some functionality blocked, such as not being able to add Ukrainian or turn off the vibration, in which case only installing a third-party keyboard will help.

Method 3: Change the keyboard via ADB (for power users)

If you want to completely remove the standard MIUI keyboard (for example, due to conflicts with custom firmware), this can be done through ADB.

💡

Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will help restore the system in the event of a crash.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect the Redmi Note 9 to your PC and open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. To disable the standard keyboard, run: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miuikeyboard
5. Now the system keyboard will be hidden, but it can be returned by command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.miuikeyboard

If the problem persists, try reinstalling the keyboard or returning the standard MIUI Keyboard (see spoiler above).

💡

Before updating MIUI, always check that the keyboard is compatible with the new firmware version. Some alternative layouts (such as older versions of SwiftKey) may stop working after the upgrade.

How to Return a Standard MIUI Keyboard if Something Goes Wrong

If you want to go back to the standard MIUI Keyboard after experimenting with keyboards, do the following:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Entering → Virtual Keyboard.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset Settings.
3. Activate MIUI Keyboard and set it with the default keyboard.
4. If the keyboard is not in the list, download it. APK From the official Xiaomi website: For global firmware: [miui.com](https://www.miui.com) For Chinese firmware: [xiaomi.com](https://www.xiaomi.com)

If after resetting the keyboard is not working correctly (for example, do not switch languages), perform a full reset of the keyboard settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find MIUI Keyboard and press Warehouse.
3. Choose Clear Data and Clear Cache.
4. Reboot the phone.

If the settings are reset, they will have to be reconfigured.