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

Standard keyboard MIUI On smartphones Xiaomi Redmi does not always suit users: someone complains about slow work, someone lacks emoji or themes design, and some just used to alternative solutions like Gboard or SwiftKey. Fortunately, Android makes it easy to replace the default keyboard – and in this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to do it on Redmi devices (relevant to 2019–2026 models).

It is important to understand that the process of changing the keyboard depends on the version. MIUI (12-14) and the shell mounted, for example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ s MIUI 14 algorithm will be slightly different from what you see on Redmi 9A s MIUI 12.5 We've taken these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will work for most devices, and in this article you'll find solutions to the typical problems: why the new keyboard is not installed, how to return the standard one, or what to do if the emojis are lost after a shift.

If you've never changed your Android keyboard before, don't worry, it takes less than 5 minutes and doesn't require root rights. And for power users, we've added advanced techniques: installing keyboards through the Internet. ADB, customizing gestures and even creating custom themes. Let's start with the simplest!

1. How to install an alternative keyboard from Google Play

The most obvious and safe way to download the keyboard from the official Google Play Store is suitable for all Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi 10 and the Redmi. POCO X5. Here's the step-by-step instruction:

Step 1. Open the Google Play Store and search for the name of the keyboard.

• 🔹 Gboard (from Google) – the most versatile, with support for gestures and translator.
• 🔹 SwiftKey (from Microsoft) – Best for swipe printing and personalization.
• 🔹 Fleksy – Minimalist keyboard with extended themes.
• 🔹 Chroom – for lovers of dark design and quick access to emojis.

Step 2. Press "Install" and wait until the boot is complete. After installation, don't start the keyboard right away, you first need to activate it in the system settings.

Step 3. Go to Settings → Additionally. → Language and input → The current keyboard. A new keyboard will appear on the list, and you'll switch on the switch next to the keyboard's name.

Is enough free memory (minimum 200 MB)|

Battery optimization for Google Play is disabled|

Updated version MIUI last-last stable|

Is Google account data synchronized (for Gboard)-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Especially Chinese) may not have the "Language and input" section in the standard settings, in which case, search by settings (the magnifier icon at the top of the screen) and type in the "keyboard" query».

2. Activation of the new keyboard and its setting

Once you have an alternative keyboard installed, you not only need to turn it on, you need to make it the default keyboard, otherwise the system will ask which keyboard to use when you open any text field.

How to make the keyboard the main one:

1. Open any application that has a field to enter text (such as Messages or Notes).
2. Tap the input field – a standard keyboard will appear MIUI.
3. Click on the keyboard icon in the lower right corner (near the space) and select a new keyboard from the list.
4. Check the “Use by default” box (if a request appears).

Now you can start setting up. For example, Gboard has:

• 🎨 Themes – changing color, background and style of buttons.
• 🌐 Languages – Adding multiple layouts (including dialects).
• ⚡ Gestures – setting up swipes to remove words or move the cursor.
• 🔍 Search GIF Emoji – Quick access to media directly from the keyboard.

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If you lose your emoji after changing the keyboard, check your language settings in the new keyboard. For example, in Gboard you need to go to Settings. → Layout → Emoji" and enable the display of symbols.

⚠️ Note: Redmi with firmware for the Chinese market (China) ROM) Some keyboard features (such as voice input in Gboard) may be limited due to the lack of Google services, which would require installing Google Installer or switching to global firmware.

3. How to remove the standard keyboard MIUI (and whether to do so)

Many users want to completely remove the built-in keyboard MIUI, So it doesn't interfere with the list of available ones, but there are a few nuances:

First, the standard keyboard. MIUI You can't delete it like a normal application -- it's a system component -- but you can disable it, which will have the same effect:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In search, type “keyboard” and select the Keyboard. MIUI (or MiuiKeyboard).
3. Click “Disable” (the button will only be active if at least one alternate keyboard is installed).

Second, disabling the system keyboard can cause some system applications, such as Messages or Contacts, to have trouble working if they request text input in the background, in which case the keyboard will simply not appear and you will have to return the settings back.

Standard MIUI|

Gboard|

SwiftKey|

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4. Installation of the keyboard through APK (If not, Google Play)

On some Redmi devices (especially China) ROM) Google Play is not available, which makes it difficult to install alternative keyboards. APK-Keyboard file from trusted sources (e.g. APKMirror) and install it manually.

Step-by-step:

1. Download. APK the desired keyboard (for example, Gboard with APKMirror).
2. Transfer the file to your phone (via cable, Bluetooth, or cloud).
3. In your phone settings, allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation of unknown applications.
4. Open the file. APK via any file manager (such as Files or Mi File Manager) and follow the installer’s instructions.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK from unverified sources can lead to data leakage or virus infection.Always check the hash amount of the file (for example, via VirusTotal) and download only from official mirrors (APKMirror, APKPure).

Once installed, the keyboard needs to be activated in the same way as Google Play (see section 2).If the keyboard doesn't appear on the list of available ones, reboot the phone - this often helps.

5. Advanced settings: gestures, themes and synchronization

Modern Android keyboards offer much more than just text input. Consider the most useful features you can configure on Xiaomi Redmi:

1.Gesturals and swipes

• 👆 Swipe up/down – changing the register or moving the cursor (configured in the keyboard settings) → Gestures).
• ⬅️ Swipe left - delete the word (in Gboard and SwiftKey).
• 🔄 Double tap on space – insert point and space (accelerates the set of messages).

2. Personalization of topics

In Gboard and SwiftKey, you can create your own theme:

1. Open the keyboard settings and select “Themes”.
2. Click “Create Your Theme” and upload the background image.
3. Customize button color, font and transparency.

On the Redmi Note 12 S AMOLED-The screen recommends using dark themes - this reduces the load on the battery.

3. Synchronization between devices

If you use Gboard or SwiftKey, you can sync:

• 📝 Words from the user dictionary (so you don't learn the keyboard again on your new phone).
• 🎨 Theme and layout settings.
• ⚙️ Gestures and hot keys.

To do this, you need to log into your Google account (for Gboard) or Microsoft (for SwiftKey) in the keyboard settings.

💡

Synchronizing the keyboard through the account Google/Microsoft All settings can be transferred to a new smartphone in a few seconds – this is especially convenient when switching from one Redmi to another.

6. Problem Solving: Keyboard is not working or missing

Sometimes after changing the keyboard, errors occur: it does not open, emojis disappear or the system constantly returns to the standard keyboard. MIUI. Let’s look at typical problems and their solutions:

Problem 1: The keyboard does not appear when you type text

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – it resets temporary system errors.
• 🔧 Check if the keyboard is included in Settings → Language and input.
• 📱 Remove the keyboard cache in Settings → Annexes → [Keyboard name] → Memory. → Clear the cache.

Problem 2: Emojis or emojis are missing

This is a common problem when switching from a standard keyboard. MIUI Gboard or SwiftKey:

• 😊 In the new keyboard settings, enable the “Show emoji” option (usually in the “Setting up” section»).
• 🔄 Update the keyboard to the latest version.
• 📱 If emojis are displayed in squares, check the system fonts in Settings → Additionally. → Fonts.

Problem 3: The system automatically returns the standard keyboard

This happens if:

• 🚫 Alternative keyboard disabled in settings.
• 🔄 There was a reset of the settings after the update MIUI.
• 📱 Keyboard application removed or its data damaged.

Solution: Re-activate the keyboard in the settings and set it by default (see Section 2).

💡

After the update MIUI keyboard started to glitch, try resetting its settings: go to Settings → Annexes → [keyboard] → Memory. → Reset the settings. It'll bring all the settings back to factory without removing the keyboard itself.

7. Alternative methods: ADB and root access

For power users who want complete control of the keyboard, there are advanced techniques that require knowledge and can be dangerous to system stability, but provide more features.

Method 1: Remove the system keyboard through ADB

If you want to remove the keyboard completely MIUI (Not just to disable, you can use it. ADB. For that:

1. Install. ADB to your computer and connect your phone in debugging mode (included in Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
2. Open the command line and type: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.miuikeyboard
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: This method removes the keyboard only for the current user, it can return when you reset your phone or create a new profile, and some system applications (such as Messages) may not work properly.

Method 2: Install a custom keyboard through Magisk

If you have root access (for example, through Magisk), you can install modified versions of the keyboards with additional features.

• 🔧 Gboard Mod – Extended version with additional themes.
• 🎨 SwiftKey Mod – no ads and premium features.

To install, download the module in.zip format and run it through Magisk Manager.

8.The best keyboards for Xiaomi Redmi in 2026

The choice of keyboard depends on your needs: someone is important speed of printing, someone - design, and someone - additional functions like translation or search. GIF. We tested the popular keyboards on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO X5 Pro and rating:

For most Redmi users, Gboard is the best choice, free, updated regularly, and has all the features you need. If you care about privacy, look for AnySoftKeyboard or OpenBoard, open keyboards without collecting data.

On a Redmi with a weak processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A Redmi 8 is a good choice for lightweight keyboards like Simple Keyboard or standard keyboard. MIUI, avoiding the slowdown.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi Redmi