How to change the keyboard on Xiaomi: 5 ways and solving errors

Keyboard on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a tool for typing, but a whole range of functions, on which the ease of communication, speed of printing and even the security of personal data depends. MIUI (Usually it is Mi Keyboard or Google Pinyin Input for Chinese firmware) does not always suit users: someone lacks emoji, someone wants to sync with a Google account, and some encounter bugs like spontaneous language change. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to change the keyboard - from basic settings to installing third-party solutions like Gboard or SwiftKey, and also solve typical problems like the disappearance of the keyboard after updating. MIUI.

It is important to understand that the process may differ depending on the firmware version (MIUI 14, HyperOS) and the smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13). For example, on devices with global firmware, the path to keyboard settings may differ from the Chinese version, where some options are hidden.

1. Standard keyboard change via MIUI settings

If you want to switch between keyboards that are already installed (e.g., Mi Keyboard to Gboard if pre-installed), you can do this directly in the system settings. This method does not require superuser rights (root) and works on all versions of MIUI starting from the 12th.

Open the Settings app (the gear icon on your desktop) and go to: Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.

🔄 This will show all the keyboards available.
⚙️ Click on the gear icon next to the keyboard name to adjust its settings (automated replacement, themes, key sounds).
📱 If the desired keyboard is not in the list, it will have to be installed separately (more about this in the next section).

On some models (e.g. Redmi 10C or POCO M4 Pro), the path may be slightly different: Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.

If you do not find the "Additional Settings" section, try searching by settings (the magnifier in the upper right corner).

⚠️ Note: On devices with Chinese firmware (China) ROM) The keyboard partition can be hidden. To unlock it, switch the region in the settings to any European (for example, India or Russia) via Settings. → Additionally. → Region.

2. Installation of a third-party keyboard (Gboard, SwiftKey, Fleksy)

The standard MIUI keyboard is often criticized for lack of cloud sync, limited themes, and trouble predicting Russian words, and can be solved by installing alternative keyboards from Google Play:

📝 Gboard (from Google) – supports gestures, voice input and synchronization of the dictionary.
⚡ SwiftKey (Microsoft) – Best Word Prediction and Customization.
🎨 Fleksy – minimalist design and advanced gesture settings.
🔒 AnySoftKeyboard – open source and high privacy.

To install a new keyboard:

Download the app from Google Play (like Gboard).
After installation, open the keyboard app and follow the setup instructions.
Return to Settings → Language and Input → Current keyboard and select the keyboard installed.
The first time you use it, you may see a data collection alert – this is the standard Android notification for all keyboards.

On devices with HyperOS (new firmware from Xiaomi), after installing a third-party keyboard, it may be necessary to reboot it to appear in the list of available ones.

Check the space available (minimum 100 MB)

Disable Battery Optimization for Keyboard in Settings → Apps → Permissions → AutoRun

Download APK from official source (if Play Market is not available)

Restart the phone after installation-->

3.Setting the keyboard by default

Even after installing a new keyboard, MIUI can automatically return the standard one when rebooted or updated, to fix the selected keyboard as the main one:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.
Find the Keyboard item and select the desired application.

If this method doesn’t work (relevant to MIUI 14), try an alternative method:

Open any field to enter text (for example, in Notes).
Swipe your finger down the notification bar and hold the keyboard icon (usually in the lower right corner).
In the window that appears, select the Input Method Settings and set the default keyboard.

Problem.	Reason.	Decision
The keyboard is reset after rebooting	MIUI Optimization Resets Settings	Turn off keyboard optimization in Settings → Battery → Applications selection
The installed keyboard is not displayed	Conflict with the MIUI shell	Clear the cache in Settings → Applications → Management → [keyboard name] → Clear the cache
No Russian language in Gboard	Language packet not downloaded	Open Gboard → Settings → Languages → Add Russian

4. Solving Keyboard Problems on Xiaomi

Xiaomi users often encounter typical keyboard bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

🔍 The keyboard disappears when you type: usually associated with application conflict. Check if the keyboard is blocking Xiaomi's Clean Master or Security. Disable them in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.
🌐 Spontaneous language change: in the keyboard settings, turn off the “Auto-Definition of the language” option or delete unnecessary languages.
⚠️ Keyboard doesn’t appear at all: reboot your phone in Safe Mode (hold the power button) → "Restart Safe Mode. If the keyboard is running, the problem is in one of the installed applications.

If the keyboard stopped working after the MIUI update, try:

Clear the keyboard application data in Settings → Applications.
Install the keyboard update via Google Play.
Reset the language settings and input to factory (Settings → System → Resetting → Resetting application settings).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with China ROM (For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro for the Chinese market, some keyboards may not be installed due to regional restrictions, in which case you will need to unlock the bootloader and firmware global version. MIUI.

Standard Mi Keyboard

Gboard (from Google)

SwiftKey

Other (write in the comments)-->

5. How to Get Back a Standard Xiaomi Keyboard

If you’ve been experimenting with third-party keyboards but want to go back to the standard Mi Keyboard, do the following:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Find the Mi Keyboard (or Xiaomi Keyboard) in the list.
If the application is disabled, click Enable.
Return to Settings → Language & Input → Current Keyboard and select Mi Keyboard.

If the standard keyboard has been removed (which is unlikely, since it is a system keyboard), it can be restored:

🔧 Through MIUI Recovery: Reset the phone to Restore Mode (hold power) + Volume up) and select Repair System (will not delete user data).
📥 Download the full firmware for your model from en.miui.com and stream it through the Mi Flash Tool.

What if the Mi Keyboard is not on the list?

If a standard keyboard is missing from settings, it could mean that it has been deactivated at the system level, and can only be restored through a complete flashing of the device or reset to factory settings (Settings). → The phone. → Reset settings. Before doing this, back up the data to Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

6.Shidden Keyboard Functions Xiaomi

Many users are unaware that the standard Mi Keyboard has hidden features that can be activated:

🎨 Change of topics: in the keyboard settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Language and input → Mi Keyboard → Subjects) additional designs are available, including transparent mode.
🔠 Quick phrases: You can save frequently used texts (such as email or address) and paste them with a gesture. → Settings → Quick phrases.
🔊 Voice input: Hold the microphone button on the keyboard to dictate text (works offline for major languages).
📏 Size change: Hold the keyboard icon in the notification bar and drag the boundaries to zoom in.

On devices with HyperOS appeared function AI-Predictions that analyze your writing style and suggest more accurate word variants:

Open Settings → Additional → Language and Enter → Mi Keyboard.
Activate the switch. AI-suggestions.
In the Personalization section, allow access to the input history (optional).

💡

If you don’t have enough emojis in your standard keyboard, install Google’s Emoji Kitchen app, which integrates with Gboard and allows you to combine emojis into unique stickers.

7. Keyboard for POCO and Black Shark: Features

Smartphones line POCO and Black Shark (game devices from Xiaomi) have their own nuances with the keyboard:

🎮 Black Shark: Shark Keyboard can be installed by default with gamer optimizations (e.g., quick chat commands). To turn it off, go to Settings → Special facilities → Game settings → keyboard.
⚡ POCO: on certain models, for example, POCO F5) The standard keyboard has been replaced by POCO Launcher Keyboard with unique themes. It can be deactivated in the same way as the Mi Keyboard.

For gaming smartphones Black Shark is relevant problem with the conflict of the keyboard and game mode Shark Space.

Open Shark Space (swipe down from the upper right corner).
Go to Settings → Game Assistants → Disable Keyboard Optimization.
Reset the device.

8 Security: Why it’s important to use official keyboards

Installing keyboards from unverified sources (such as APKs from third-party sites) can lead to data leakage. Keyboards have access to everything you type: passwords, card numbers, private messages. Here's how to protect yourself:

🛡️ Install keyboards only from Google Play or AppGallery (for devices with Huawei Mobile Services).
🔍 Before installing, check the reviews and rating of the application.
🔒 In the keyboard settings, disable the option “Data Synchronization” or “Advertising Personalization” if it is available.
📱 Regularly update the keyboard – developers close vulnerabilities in new versions.

On Xiaomi devices with Chinese firmware (China ROM), some keyboards (such as Sogou Input) can send data to servers in China.

AnySoftKeyboard (Open Source)
FlorisBoard (focus on privacy)
OpenBoard (without statistics collection)

💡

Never enter passwords or credit card details if the keyboard requests unusual permissions (such as accessing SMS or contacts).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the keyboard on Xiaomi

❓ How to change the size of the keyboard on Xiaomi?

Open any field to type, then swipe down the notification bar. Hold the keyboard icon (usually in the lower right corner) and drag the boundaries to resize. On some keyboards (such as Gboard), this setting can be found in Settings → Size and layout.

❓ Why Xiaomi’s keyboard is flawed?

This may be due to: Incorrectly selected language (check in keyboard settings); dictionary conflict (clear keyboard data in Settings → Apps); firmware bug (update MIUI to the latest version); if the problem persists, try changing the keyboard to Gboard or SwiftKey.

❓ Can I put the keyboard from the iPhone on Xiaomi?

No, the iOS keyboard is not compatible with Android at the system level, but you can install alternatives with similar designs: iOS Keyboard (from Google Play), Go Keyboard (there is a theme for the iPhone), Fleksy (minimalistic style, like on iOS).

❓ How to turn on the keys on the keyboard Xiaomi?

Go to keyboard settings: Settings → Additional → Language and input → [Your keyboard] → Sounds and vibrations. Activate the Sound switch when pressed. Adjust volume if necessary. On Gboard, this option is in Settings → Settings → Sound when pressed.

❓ Why After Updating MIUI keyboard dropped?

This is standard MIUI behavior on major updates (e.g., version 13 to version 14). To return the previous settings: Remove the keyboard cache in Settings → Apps → [Keyboard] → Clear the cache. If the keyboard is gone, install it again from Google Play. Check if the language settings in Settings → Additional → Language and input have reset.