How to change the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: 5 working ways + problem solving

Why does the standard MIUI keyboard not work?

Xiaomi Redmi 4X, released in 2017, is still popular with users due to its reliability and low price. However, the standard MIUI keyboard (especially in older versions of firmware) is often criticized: it works slowly on weak hardware, does not support some languages or is simply inconvenient to use. For example, many people note that word prediction works worse than alternative solutions, and auto-replacement sometimes makes comical errors in the text.

Fortunately, Android makes it easy to replace the default keyboard with any other one — whether it’s Google’s Gboard, Microsoft’s SwiftKey, or even dedicated messenger keyboards. But the Redmi 4X has its own nuances: limited resources (only 2/3 GB of RAM depending on the modification) and outdated versions of MIUI (for example, MIUI 9 or MIUI 10), which can complicate the process. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the keyboard, including bypassing possible system limitations.

Before you get into the instructions, you should know which keyboard you want. If you often type in multiple languages, look for multilingual solutions (for example, Multiling O Keyboard). For fans of GIFs and stickers, Gboard will suit, and for those who appreciate minimalism, Simple Keyboard. It is also important to consider that some keyboards can slow down the smartphone because of high memory consumption.

Method 1: Install an alternative keyboard via Google Play

The easiest and safest method is to download the keyboard from the official Google Play Store, which is suitable for most Redmi 4X users, as it does not require root rights or complex system manipulation.

1. Open Google Play Market and search for the keyboard name (such as “Gboard”).

If the new keyboard doesn't appear on the list of available keyboards after installation, try rebooting your smartphone. Sometimes MIUI doesn't immediately update the keyboard list due to memory optimization. Also make sure you have the latest version of Google Play Services installed - without it, some keyboards (such as Gboard) may not work properly.

Check the vacant space (at least 200 MB)

Update Google Play Services

Turn off battery savings for Play Market

Restart the phone after installation-->

Method 2: Manually add keyboard via APK (if Play Market is not available)

On some firmware Xiaomi Redmi 4X (Especially Chinese or custom, Google Play may be disabled or not at all, in which case the keyboard can be manually installed by downloading the keyboard. APK-file from a reliable source (e.g. APKMirror).

Installation instructions:

1. Download. APK-Keyboard file (e.g. Gboard with APKMirror).
2. Go to Settings → Security → Unknown sources and allow installation from your file manager.
3. Open the downloaded file and click Install.
4. After installation, go to Settings → Language & Input → Current keyboard and activate the new keyboard.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK From unverified sources, you can infect your smartphone with malware. Always download files only from official sites or trusted repositories like APKMirror. If, after installation, the keyboard requests suspicious permissions (for example, access to the Internet). SMS or geolocation, remove it immediately.

If you have an error "Application not installed", try:

• 🔄 Remove the previous version of the keyboard (if it was installed).
• 📱 Free up space on the device (minimum 100-150 MB required).
• 🔧 Enable the developer mode and activate the debugging option USB (Sometimes it helps to get around the restrictions. MIUI).

Method 3: Set up multiple keyboards and switch quickly

On the Xiaomi Redmi 4X, you can use multiple keyboards at once and switch between them depending on the task, for example, one keyboard can be optimized for messengers and another for working with documents.

1. Install all the keyboards you need (see Methods 1 and 2).
2. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.
3. Activate all the keyboards you want to use.
4. When you type in text, swipe your finger over the keyboard icon on the notification panel or the globe/cog on the keyboard itself to switch.

Some keyboards (like Gboard) support gestures for quick switching, such as swiping left or right over a space to change language or keyboard, which is especially useful if you often type in multiple languages.

On the Redmi 4X with 2 GB of RAM, it is recommended to use no more than 2-3 keyboards at the same time to avoid slowing down. If the smartphone starts to strongly Lag' when switching, turn off unnecessary keyboards in the settings.

Method 4: Reset keyboard settings to factory (if it glitch)

Sometimes the standard or installed keyboard starts to work incorrectly: buttons disappear, languages do not switch, or it does not open at all.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find your keyboard (e.g. Gboard or com.android.inputmethod.latin for standard).
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

If the problem persists, try removing updates for the standard MIUI keyboard:

1. In the keyboard app settings, press ⋮ → Remove updates.
2. Return to Settings → Language and input and again select the default keyboard.

⚠️ Note: Resetting your keyboard will remove all saved words from the dictionary and personal settings (such as themes or gestures). If you use Gboard, pre-export data through Settings → Backup to your Google account.

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

If none of the above methods worked (for example, the keyboard is not installed due to the limitations of MIUI), you can try installing through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), this method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and basic knowledge of working with the command line.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Platform Tools on your computer.
2. On your smartphone, activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in your phone settings) and enable USB Debugging.
3. Connect Redmi 4X to your computer and execute: Adb devices (your device should appear).
4. Install the keyboard with the command: adb install path to file.apk
5. Activate the keyboard in the settings as described in Method 1.

If the installation is ADB mistake INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE, try:

• 🗑️ Free up space on your device (remove unnecessary apps or cache).
• 🔧 Use the command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 the name of the packet old keyboard (you can find out the name of the packet through adb shell pm list packages) | grep keyboard).

Solving common problems when changing the keyboard

Even after successfully installing a new keyboard on the Redmi 4X, there can be a variety of problems, including the most common ones and ways to solve them:

1. The keyboard does not appear when you enter text

If the new keyboard does not open after activation:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes MIUI No changes without rebooting.
• 📱 Check that the keyboard is included in Settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.
• 🚫 Delete the cache and keyboard application data (see Method 4).
• 🔧 If custom firmware is used, check if it blocks third-party keyboards (for example, via Xposed or Magisk modules).

2.The keyboard brakes or flies off

On the Redmi 4X with 2GB of RAM, some keyboards (like the Gboard with prediction enabled) can slow down.

• ⚙️ Turn off unnecessary features in keyboard settings (such as animations, word prediction, or topic).
• 🗑️ Clear the cache of the keyboard and smartphone in general.
• 🔋 Enable Performance Mode in Settings → Battery and productivity → Performance mode.
• 📉 If nothing works, try a lighter keyboard (like Simple Keyboard or OpenBoard).

3.Switching languages is not working.

If the keyboard does not switch languages:

• 🌐 Make sure the languages you want are added in your keyboard settings (e.g., in Gboard: Settings) → Languages).
• 🔄 Check if the keyboard conflicts with system language settings (Settings) → Language and region).
• 📱 Reinstall the keyboard or clear its data.

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If the keyboard is constantly reset to standard after rebooting, try turning off battery optimization for it in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi Redmi 4X

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On Xiaomi Redmi 4X, it is better to use lightweight keyboards (up to 100 MB of RAM), since the smartphone has limited resources. Always check the compatibility of the keyboard with your version of Android (on Redmi 4X it is Android 6-7).