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

Why Change the Standard Keyboard to Xiaomi and What the Alternative Can Do

The default keyboard in Xiaomi smartphones (especially in firmware) MIUI) The reasons range from awkward buttons to lack of support for the right languages or slow work, such as the built-in Mi Keyboard keyboard can slow down when you type quickly or offer irrelevant words in auto-replacement. Alternative solutions like Google’s Gboard or Microsoft’s SwiftKey offer enhanced functionality: gesture control, integration with translators, design themes, and even support. AI-clue.

But it's not that simple: changing the keyboard to Xiaomi has nuances. In some models (for example, the Redmi Note 12 or the POCO X5 Pro), the system can block the installation of third-party keyboards due to the security policy of MIUI. In addition, after upgrading to MIUI 15, the auto-replacement algorithms in the standard keyboard changed, which caused a wave of complaints in 2023-2026.

Before you get to the instructions, check the firmware version: Settings path → About phone → MIUI version. This depends on what methods will work. For example, on MIUI 14 and older, a simplified way to install keyboards through Google Play is available, whereas on earlier versions (for example, MIUI 12.5) you may need to manually activate in the settings.

Method 1: Install an alternative keyboard via Google Play

The easiest and safest method is to download the keyboard from the official store.

• 🔹 Gboard (Google) – supports gestures, real-time translation and integration with Google Search.
• 🔹 SwiftKey (Microsoft) – known for accurate word prediction and synchronization between devices.
• 🔹 Fleksy – Minimalist design with extended themes.
• 🔹 Chroom – keyboard with a focus on privacy (no data collection).

To establish:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Type the name of the keyboard (for example, "Gboard").
3. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
4. After installation, go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Current Keyboard.
5. Activate the new keyboard by switching the switch.

Download the keyboard from Google Play| Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About Phone)|Free 100–200 MB of storage for installation | Disable the battery optimization for the keyboard (Settings → Apps → Permissions)

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⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10A or POCO M4 Pro) the keyboard may not appear in the list of available ones after installation:

🔧 Reboot your phone. If it doesn't work, clear the Settings app cache through Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Show system-based → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Method 2: Manual installation APK-File (if Google Play is not available)

If your Xiaomi doesn’t have Google Play (for example, on Chinese firmware) or the keyboard isn’t available in your region, you can manually install it through the Google Play Store. APK-This method is suitable for models like Xiaomi. 13T or Redmi K60, where the manufacturer restricts access to Google services.

Instructions:

1. Download. APK-Keyboard file from a verified source (e.g. APKMirror).For Gboard, the latest version is usually available here.
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings (cogs) → Install unknown applications.
3. Select the browser or file manager you will install through and allow installation.
4. Open the downloaded APK and confirm the installation.
5. Activate the keyboard in Settings → System and device → Language and input.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK from unverified sources, it may lead to:

• 🛑 Data Leakage (Some Keyboards Collect Presses).
• 🛑 Blocking of Mi Account for Security Violations.
• 🛑 System application conflict (e.g. Mi Keyboard may stop working).

Method 3: Configure languages and layouts in a standard keyboard

If you are comfortable with Mi Keyboard, but you don’t have enough languages or layouts, you can add them without installing third-party applications, which is important for users who type in several languages (for example, Russian + English + Chinese).

How to add language:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Entering → Current Keyboard.
2. Press Entering Languages.
3. Select the language you want from the list (for example, Ukrainian or German).
4. Activate switching between languages by swipe space (the option to switch languages).

Important: Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi’s keyboard automatically downloads language packs when you first switch, but Chinese or Japanese may require a Wi-Fi connection due to the large file size (up to 50MB).

Mi Keyboard (standard) |Gboard|SwiftKey| Other | I don't know what it costs

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Method 4: Resetting keyboard settings to factory

If the keyboard starts to glitches (for example, lost words from the dictionary, auto-replace is not working or slows input), it will help to reset its settings, this is true after MIUI updates, when the system resets user data.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Mi Keyboard (or the name of your current keyboard).
3. Open the Warehouse.
4. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: After discharge:

• 🔄 All manually added words from the dictionary will disappear.
• 🔄 They will throw away the gestures and themes.
• 🔄 Re-activation of languages may be required.

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Problem Solving: The keyboard doesn’t change or disappears

Sometimes, after you install a new keyboard, it doesn't activate or it disappears from the list of available ones.

If none of these methods worked, try:

1. Install the keyboard via ADB (for advanced users).
2. Update MIUI to the latest version (sometimes bugs are patched).
3. Reset the phone to factory settings (extreme case).

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Additional settings: themes, gestures and auto-replace

Modern keyboards allow you to deeply customize your appearance and behavior, and let's look at the key options in the example of Gboard:

• 🎨 Topics: You can choose a color scheme or upload your own image to the background.Path:Gboard settings → Topics.
• 👆 Gestures: Include swipe input (such as Glide Typing) or gesture to move the cursor (swipe your finger over the space).
• 🔄 Auto-Replacement: Set up the sensitivity of the fixes or turn it off completely in Settings → Correction of text.
• 🔍 Search and translation: You can search on Gboard GIF, Stickers or translate words directly during the set.

For the Mi Keyboard, available:

• 🔠 Change the height of the keyboard (in layout settings).
• 🔊 Voice input (works only with an internet connection).
• 📱 Simultaneous bilingual input (Bilingual input option).

⚠️ Attention: Setting up voice input in Mi Keyboard requires access to the microphone. If permission is not granted, the function will not work. → Annexes → Mi Keyboard → Permits.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi