How to change and configure the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi

Changing the standard keyboard on a smartphone is one of the most effective ways to improve the comfort of using a device. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi often face the need to adapt the input interface to their habits, since preinstalled solutions may not always meet the needs of advanced users. Changing the appearance, layout or functionality of buttons can dramatically speed up typing and reduce the number of typos.

The Android operating system that the MIUI or HyperOS shell is based on provides a lot of customization options. You are not limited to the tool that was installed by the manufacturer. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to replace a standard keyboard, install a new one from the Google Play store and customize it for maximum productivity.

The replacement process does not require root rights or complex technical manipulations, all actions are performed through the standard menu of system settings, but it is important to follow the steps carefully so as not to get confused in the numerous menu items that may have similar names in different versions of the firmware.

Preparation for the installation of a new keyboard

Before you start replacing it, you need to decide on an alternative application. Google Play offers a variety of solutions, from minimalist to overloaded features. Popular options include Gboard, SwiftKey and Yandex Keyboard, each with its own features in terms of predictive input and design.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party keyboards, Android security will alert you to the potential risk of data interception.This is standard procedure, as the keyboard technically has access to all the text you type.

To get started, you will need a stable internet connection to download. APK-Make sure your Xiaomi Redmi has enough free space in memory. After downloading the installer, the system may request confirmation of installation from unknown sources if you are using an unofficial app store.

It is important to understand that the keyboard is a system application with high privileges. Before installing it is worth checking the rating and developer reviews to avoid installing malware. Reliable applications from well-known brands such as Microsoft or Google undergo strict security checks.

After successfully loading an application, take your time to activate it immediately. First, you need to give the application the appropriate permissions in the system. Without this step, the new keyboard will not appear in the list of available input.

📊 Which keyboard do you like better?

Gboard

SwiftKey

Yandex.Keyboard

Standard MIUI

other

Activation and switching of the input method

Once you install a new application, it won't work automatically. You need to manually activate it in your MIUI settings. Go to Settings, then select Additional Settings and find Language and Enter. Some firmware versions may have different paths: Advanced Settings → Language and input.

In the menu that opens, select Keyboard Management, and here you will see a list of all input methods installed on the device, search the name of the installed application in the list, and turn the switch to active position, and the system will again issue a security alert — confirm the action by pressing OK.

The next step is to select the default keyboard. Go back a step to the Language and Input menu and click on Current Keyboard (or Default Keyboard). From the list, select the name of your new app. Now, this tool will be used for each typing.

☑️ Verification of activation

Appendix installedPermission on the menu givenSelected as primaryTest input works

Done: 0 / 4

If after all the manipulations, the keyboard doesn't appear, try restarting the device. Sometimes the system takes time to index new input services, and also make sure you don't turn off network access for the application in the offline access settings.

Customization of appearance and theme

One of the main reasons for changing the keyboard is to personalize the look of the keyboard. Most modern apps allow you to change themes, colors and background images. In Gboard, for example, you can choose a theme from a catalog or create your own using a gallery photo.

To change the design, go to the settings of the keyboard app itself. This is usually done by long-term clicking on the globe icon or gear icon on the toolbar, or through the smartphone settings menu in the specific app section. Find the Topic or Design item.

You can adjust the transparency of the keys, change the color of the characters or add a press animation. Changing the theme does not affect the performance of the system, but can consume battery power if you use dynamic wallpaper. This is especially true for owners of Redmi models with a high-performance system. AMOLED-screens where the black background saves energy.

Function	Gboard	SwiftKey	Yandex
Voice input	There is.	There is.	There is.
Gifs and stickers	Integrated	Through the store.	Built-in.
Translation of text	Google Translate	Microsoft Translator	Yandex. Translator
Altitude adjustment	There is.	There is.	There is.

Remember that backgrounds that are too bright or contrasting can interfere with the perception of symbols. Choose themes where letters read well in all lights. Many apps offer automatic switching between light and dark themes depending on the time of day.

Advanced input settings and autocorrection

Once you change your look, you should take the time to fine-tune your input settings, which is a critical step, because it's the speed of printing, go to the keyboard settings and find the text settings or text editing section, and you can activate auto-replace, typo correction, and next word prediction.

Pay special attention to the dictionary. If you use specific terms, slang or names often, add them to your personal keyboard dictionary, which will allow the system to learn your communication style faster. MIUI also has the ability to synchronize the dictionary with a Google or Mi Account.

The secret to fast printing

Use the "Swipe to enter." Instead of tapping each letter, just swipe across the screen, joining letters into words. Most modern keyboards support this mode and understand it even without taking your finger off the screen.> For professionals, you can adjust the height of the keyboard, the vibrations when pressed and the sound effects. Reducing the height of the keyboard can be useful on large-screen smartphones, allowing you to reach the top row of the buttons with the thumb of one hand. Vibration is better adjusted individually, as some users use automatic control over the autograph, if you use it completely to change the symbol. For those who want to go beyond standard settings, there are specialized shell applications such as Fonts Keyboard or AI.type engines (if supported). They allow you to create keyboards with non-standard button geometry, add widgets directly to the input panel or use fonts other than the system. Installing such solutions requires caution. They often consume more CPU and RAM resources. On Xiaomi budget models, this can lead to delays when the keyboard appears on the screen, for example, some new users use their own tests. It's an open-source project that allows you to change literally every aspect of the keyboard, including the location of special characters and macros. ⚠️ Attention: Installation of modified APK-Keyboard files from unverified sources can lead to theft of passwords and bank data. Use only official app stores. Solving and returning to factory settings During the experimentation with keyboards, you can have problems: The app may freeze, not appear in the right input fields, or conflict with other services. If you notice that the keyboard is missing or is not working correctly, first of all try to clear the app cache in the App menu. → All applications. If the problem is not solved, you can reset the keyboard settings. The keyboard management menu often has a button to Reset or Delete Personal Data, which will return the dictionary and configuration to its original state, but will not delete the application itself. MIUI, Just turn off the third-party app in the Keyboard Management menu and choose the system keyboard as the main one. Xiaomi's standard keyboard is optimized for shelling and consumes fewer resources, which can be a plus for older devices. If the keyboard doesn’t work even after reset, check for updates for the Android system and shell. MIUI. Often compatibility bugs are fixed in security patches, and also make sure that the device does not have an "Energy Savings" mode, which may limit the operation of background input services. 💡Timely updates to the keyboard and system app are the best ways to prevent conflicts and input errors (FAQ) Is it safe to install third-party keyboards on Xiaomi? Yes, if you download apps from the official Google Play store or GetApps. Major developers are keeping their products safe. However, avoid installing modified versions (mods) from your browser, as they may contain malicious code. Why doesn't it appear on WhatsApp after you install a new keyboard? You may not have chosen it as the default keyboard on your system. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Language and input → The current keyboard and select the app you want, and check if the restriction is in WhatsApp itself. Can you use two keyboards at the same time? Yes, you can have multiple keyboards activated. Switching between them is usually done by swiping a space or clicking on the globe icon on the toolbar. This is convenient if you need different languages or sets of emojis. How to remove downloaded keyboard themes? Go to the settings of a particular keyboard application, find the Topic section, go to My Themes, select the unnecessary one and click Remove or Reset. Standard system themes cannot be removed, they can only be deactivated.