How to change the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways and life hacks

Xiaomi Redmi 9 comes with a pre-installed keyboard Mi Keyboard (or Gboard depending on the regional firmware), but not all users like it.Some want more convenient input, some want additional features like gestures or design themes, and someone simply lacks support for several languages. Fortunately, Redmi 9 can install any keyboard from Google Play, including SwiftKey, Fleksy or even specialized solutions for blind printing.

In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to change the keyboard, from standard replacement through settings to installing alternative layouts with advanced functions, focusing on typical problems, such as when a new keyboard does not activate or disappears after a reboot, and also learn how to return a standard keyboard if the experiment with alternative solutions failed.

Why users want to change the keyboard to Redmi 9

The pre-installed keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 9 (usually Mi Keyboard or Gboard) has a number of limitations that can be annoying:

• 🔍 Lack of flexible settings: it is impossible to change the height of the keys, turn off vibration or adjust auto-replacement to your needs.
• 🌐 Language problems: Some regional firmwares do not support rare languages or dialects.
• 🎨 Boring design: minimalist interface without themes of design or animation.
• ⚡ Delays in input: on budget smartphones like Redmi 9, the standard keyboard can slow down.

In addition, many users are used to specific keyboards from other devices (such as SwiftKey with word prediction or Fleksy with gestures) and want to transfer the familiar experience to Xiaomi.

Method 1: Install the keyboard from Google Play

The easiest and safest method is to download an alternative keyboard from an official store, such as Gboard (from Google), SwiftKey (from Microsoft), or Fleksy.

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Redmi 9.
2. In the search bar, type the keyboard name (e.g. SwiftKey).
3. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
4. After installation, open the keyboard app (like SwiftKey) and follow the setup instructions.

Now you need to activate the new keyboard in the system settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
2. In the Keyboard Management list, turn on the switch next to the new keyboard (e.g. SwiftKey).
3. Click on the Current Keyboard and select the installed alternative.

Download the keyboard from Google Play|

Enable it in the system settings |

Configure languages and themes in the keyboard app |

Check the work in messengers and browser-->

Important: Once the new keyboard is activated, the standard Mi Keyboard will remain in the system, but will be disabled, and can be returned at any time through the same settings.

Method 2: Change the keyboard through MIUI settings

If you don't want to install third-party apps, you can try setting up the standard Mi Keyboard to suit your needs.

1. Open Settings → Additional → Language and Entering → Virtual Keyboard.
2. Select Mi Keyboard (or Gboard if preinstalled).
3. In the keyboard settings menu you will find options: 🎨 Topics - changing colour and background. 🔤 Layouts - Adding languages. ⚡ Performance – turning off vibration or sounds. 📱 Gestures – setting up swipes to enter.

If you are missing features, you can try updating the Mi Keyboard via Google Play (if available) or resetting it to factory settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Keyboard and select Warehouse → Clear Data.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

Instructions:

1. Download. APK-Keyboard file from a verified source (e.g. APKMirror).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Select the browser or file manager through which you will install the APK and allow installation.
4. Open the downloaded file and follow the instructions.
5. After installation, activate the keyboard in Settings → System → Language and input.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK From unverified sources, you can leak data or get infected with viruses. Always download files from official sites or trusted repositories like APKMirror.

Comparison table of popular keyboards for Redmi 9

To choose the best keyboard, compare the main options on key parameters:

For most Redmi 9 users, the best choice is Gboard (if you need integration with Google services) or SwiftKey (if word prediction is important), Fleksy is suitable for fans of minimalism, and for maximum performance, a lightweight Mi Keyboard with animations disabled.

Solving problems after changing the keyboard

Sometimes, after you install a new keyboard, you get a problem, and here are the most common ways to fix it:

• 🔄 Keyboard not activated: Check if it is enabled in Settings → System system → Language and input. Reboot your smartphone. Clear the cache of the keyboard app.
• 📱 Keyboard disappears when you switch apps: Open Settings → Apps, find the keyboard and allow auto-start. Turn off the battery optimization for the keyboard.
• ⌨️ Gestures or swipes don't work: Check the gesture settings in the keyboard app itself. upgrade the keyboard to the latest version.

⚠️ Note: If voice messages in instant messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) stop working after changing the keyboard, check the microphone permissions in the keyboard settings. Some applications (such as SwiftKey) require separate access to the microphone for voice input.

If the problem is not solved, try:

1. Remove and re-install the keyboard.
2. Reset Redmi 9 settings to factory (pre-backup).
3. Contact the keyboard developer for support.

💡

Before resetting your smartphone settings, be sure to save data from apps (especially passwords and chats) – this can be done through Settings → About Phone → Backup.

How to return a standard keyboard to Redmi 9

If the experiment with the alternative keyboard failed, you can return the standard Mi Keyboard or Gboard in a few steps:

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
2. Turn on the switch next to the Mi Keyboard (or Gboard if it was preinstalled).
3. Click on the Current Keyboard and select the standard option.
4. If the standard keyboard is not listed, install it via Google Play (e.g. Google’s Gboard).

If the Mi Keyboard has been removed (e.g. via ADB or root access), it can be restored by:

• Download. APK-Mi Keyboard file for your version MIUI (forum XDA Developers).
• Install it manually (see Method 3).
• Activate in the settings as described above.

On some Redmi 9 firmware, the standard keyboard can be tied to system applications, in which case deleting it can cause malfunctions. If after manipulating the keyboard, the smartphone starts to slow down or give errors, reset settings through Settings → About Phone → Reset settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi Redmi 9