How to change the size of the keyboard on the Xiaomi smartphone: 5 proven ways

The keyboard on Xiaomi is one of the most commonly used interface elements, which depends on the convenience of typing and communication. Many users face the problem when the standard key size seems too small or, conversely, takes up half the screen, especially for owners of devices with large displays (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO F5 Pro), where fingers constantly miss the buttons.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to resize the keyboard on Xiaomi smartphones, including hidden MIUI settings, third-party apps, and even modifying system files for advanced users. You’ll learn how to customize the keyboard for your hands — whether it’s a smaller one for compactness or a larger one for people with large fingers or vision problems. All the instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 firmware and models released after 2020.

Why a standard keyboard size can be uncomfortable

Smartphone manufacturers, including Xiaomi, often optimise the size of their keyboards to fit the average user, but the reality is that the needs vary widely:

• 👆 Too small buttons are a problem for people with large fingers or motor impairments, and 38% of smartphone users over 40 complain of discomfort when typing on a standard keyboard.
• 👇 Excessively large keyboard – takes up to 50% of the screen on compact models (such as Xiaomi 13 Mini), closing the content of chat rooms or browsers.
• 🔄 Disregard for screen resolution on devices with non-standard aspect ratios (for example, 20:9 in Redmi Note) 11T Pro) the keys may be stretched or compressed disproportionately.
• 👁️ Vision problems – users with color blindness or nearsightedness require more contrasting and larger symbols.

MIUI also has a default Gboard (from Google) or Mi Keyboard, each with its own zoom algorithms, such as Gboard automatically adjusts to the screen size but sometimes does so too aggressively, and Mi Keyboard can ignore system-scale settings.

Method 1: Resize via keyboard settings (for Gboard and Mi Keyboard)

The easiest and safest method is to use built-in zoom options, which works for both the Gboard and the standard Mi Keyboard, but the paths to settings are slightly different.

For Gboard (Google Keyboard):

1. Open any application where the keyboard appears (such as Messages or Notes).
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ (gears) in the top panel of the keyboard to open the settings.
3. Go to the section "Parameters" → Size and style.
4. Move the slider Keyboard height to the left (reduce) or right (increase).
5. Click Ready to save the changes.

Note: Some versions of Gboard may call the option Size or Layout. If there is no slider, update the app to Google Play.

For Mi Keyboard:

1. Run the keyboard in any text field.
2. Press the badge. ⚙️ (Or else. → Settings).
3. Select the size and layout → Keyboard height.
4. Adjust the slider and save the changes.

If your MIUI version does not have these points, then the keyboard uses system scale settings (see Method 2).

Update the keyboard in Google Play (for Gboard)

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

Close all applications before changing settings

Take a screenshot of the current parameters (in case of reset)

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Method 2: System-scale text correction in MIUI

If the keyboard settings don't allow you to resize, you can use system scaling, which will affect all interface elements, including the fonts in the menu and apps, but often the keyboard also adjusts to new parameters.

1. Open the Settings → Screen.
2. Select Text Size and Display (in some versions of MIUI, Screen Size).
3. Move the text size or screen size slider to the desired value.
4. Reboot your smartphone so that the changes take effect.

Important: This method may cause some applications (such as banking or gaming) to display incorrectly if they do not support dynamic scaling.

⚠️ Note: If the keyboard is not displayed correctly after zooming (e.g. buttons overlap), return the standard settings and use Method 3 or Method 4.

Method 3: Using third-party keyboards with flexible settings

If the built-in options don’t work, you can install an alternative keyboard from Google Play, some of which offer much more customization options, including fine-tuning the size, transparency, and even button location.

The best options for Xiaomi:

• 🔧 SwiftKey – allows you to change the height of the keyboard in increments of 5%, supports themes and gestures.
• 🎨 Chroom – Minimalist keyboard with adjustable size and color of buttons.
• 📱 Fleksy - offers 3 pre-sizes (+ manual adjustment) and adaptive layout.
• 🔍 AnySoftKeyboard – open source, full customization of row size and location.

How to install and configure:

1. Download the selected keyboard from Google Play.
2. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
3. Activate the new keyboard and set it by default.
4. Open the keyboard settings (usually through the icon) ⚙️ on its panel) and find the Size or Layout section.

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Before installing a third-party keyboard, check for reviews about its compatibility with MIUI. Some applications (for example, SwiftKey) can conflict with Xiaomi's branded shells, causing lags.

Method 4: Manual editing of configuration files (for advanced ones)

If none of the above methods worked, you can manually edit the system files that display the keyboard, which requires root rights and is only suitable for advanced users.

Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can result in bootloop (a looped reboot) or loss of keyboard functionality.It is recommended to back up via TWRP before starting.

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/usr/keyboard/ or (for Gboard): /data/data/com.google.android.inputmethod.latin/
3. Find a config.xml file or settings.db and open it in the text editor.
4. Find the lines with the parameters: keyboard_height="X" or scale_factor="Y" where X and Y are numerical values (usually from 0.8 before 1.5).
5. Change the values (for example, keyboard_height="1.2" magnify 20%) and save the file.
6. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI All changes to system files will be reset. To avoid this, use Magisk modules (e.g., Magisk modules, MIUI Tweaks that allow you to fix customization.

Method 5: Use of the ADB-team forced_resize

For users who don’t want root rights but are willing to work with ADB, there’s an alternative method of forcing the keyboard to resize via system flags.This works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12+.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (CMD or Terminal and type: adb shell settings put global forced_resizeable_activity This command allows forced resizing for all applications, including the keyboard.
3. Next, type: adb shell wm density where [value] is the desired pixel density (e.g., 440 to zoom in or 380 to zoom in). The standard value for most Xiaomi is 420.
4. Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot

After rebooting, the keyboard (and other interface elements) will resize to match the new pixel density. To return it all back, repeat the command with the original value (for example, adb shell wm density 420).

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ADB-commands temporarily change system settings. MIUI The values will return to the standard.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing the keyboard size to Xiaomi, users often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If neither method worked, the problem might be the firmware, which would help:

• 🔄 Update MIUI last-minute.
• 📥 Install custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience) where keyboard settings are more flexible.
• 📧 Appeal to support Xiaomi with a description of the problem (attach screenshots of settings).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions