How to find and call the keyboard on the Xiaomi phone: step-by-step instructions

Why Xiaomi Keyboards Can Disappear and How to Get It Back

You try to write a message or enter a password, but the virtual keyboard on Xiaomi suddenly disappeared? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones - especially after updating MIUI or resetting. The reasons can vary from an accidental disconnection in settings to a failure of the Gboard system application (if you use a keyboard from Google) or the standard Mi Keyboard.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to invoke the keyboard on Xiaomi phones, from basic gestures to hidden MIUI features. You’ll learn how to turn it on through settings, restart the system app, and what to do if the keyboard is completely gone from the system and does not respond to taps. Instructions are relevant for all modern models, from the Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14.

Before you jump to solutions, check the obvious: maybe the keyboard just doesn't appear in a particular app (like Telegram or WhatsApp). Try opening another field to type in, like notes or a browser. If the problem persists, read on.

Method 1: Standard keyboard call through gestures

In MIUI, the keyboard usually appears automatically when you touch the text field, but if that doesn't happen, try to force it to be called by gestures:

• 📱 Tap the input field (such as in messages or search bar) and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds. On some Xiaomi models, this will cause the keyboard to appear.
• 🔄 Swipe your finger from bottom up on the bottom of the screen (where the navigation bar is usually located), which sometimes works if the keyboard is getting stuck».
• 🖱️ Use a physical button (if you have one on your model). For example, on Xiaomi Black Shark you can assign a keyboard call to the side button.

If gestures don't work, check if the keyboard is disabled in the settings. For example, MIUI 14 has a feature called "Show keyboard only when needed," which can block its automatic output.

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On some POCO models, the keyboard does not appear due to conflict with the POCO Launcher shell. Try temporarily switching to the standard MIUI launcher in the theme settings.

Method 2: Enabling the keyboard in the MIUI settings

If the keyboard doesn't respond to gestures, you can manually turn it on through the settings menu. Here's a step-by-step instruction:

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Language and input.
2. Tap the current keyboard (or keyboard management in older versions of MIUI).
3. Make sure that there is a checkmark next to the Mi Keyboard (or Gboard if you use Google).
4. If the keyboard is disabled, turn it on and select it as the main one.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global), the path may differ: Settings → System & Device → Language & Input → Virtual Keyboard.

Is the keyboard included in the settings?|Whether it was selected as the main?|Do you have conflicts with other keyboards (e.g. SwiftKey)?|Have you tried restarting your phone?-->

If there are no keyboards on the list, it means that the system application has been removed or disabled, in which case proceed to method 4 (reinstall).

Method 3: Restart the keyboard system application

Sometimes the Xiaomi keyboard will freeze due to a failure in the background process.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter the keyboard (or Mi Keyboard/Gboard).
3. Select the keyboard app and tap Forced Stop.
4. Then press the Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
5. Restart the phone and check if the keyboard is available.

If after restarting the keyboard does not appear, try resetting its settings: Keyboard settings → Additional → Reset settings.

Standard Mi Keyboard|Gboard (from Google)|SwiftKey|Another.|I don't know.-->

⚠️ Warning: Do not press Delete data in the keyboard settings - this can cause reset of all vocabulary databases and learned words!

Method 4: Reinstall the keyboard (if removed)

If you don’t have any keyboards in your settings, you’ll have to remove the system application (for example, through ADB or after an incorrect update) and then install it again.

For the standard Mi Keyboard:

1. Download. APK-Keyboard file from the official Xiaomi website (e.g., Mi App Store) or trusted source (e.g., APKMirror).
2. Install the file through any file manager (e.g. Files by Google).
3. After installation, go to Settings → Language and input and activate the keyboard.

For Gboard (if you prefer Google):

1. Open the Google Play Store and find Gboard.
2. Install the app and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. In MIUI settings, select Gboard as the default keyboard.

⚠️ Attention: Install APK-Keyboard files only from verified sources! Fake versions may contain keyloggers (password stealing software).

Method 5: Reset MIUI settings (if nothing helps)

If the keyboard still doesn't appear, the problem may be due to deep MIUI settings, in which case a partial reset (without deleting data) will help:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset MIUI (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

This procedure will bring all system settings back to factory settings, but it won't affect your files, photos or installed applications.

If you use custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the problem may be kernel incompatibility, in which case try flashing the official MIUI through the Mi Flash Tool.

Additional tips: how to speed up the keyboard on Xiaomi

If the keyboard appears but works slowly or with delays, try these recommendations:

• ⚡ Turn off animations: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times to open Developer Settings, then turn off Windows Animation and Transition Animation.
• 🗑️ Clear the system cache: in Settings → Warehouse → Clean up select the Cash system and confirm the action.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI: Go to Settings. → Update the system and check the firmware's relevance. Newer versions often fix keyboard bugs.

It’s also worth checking if the power saving mode is on: it can limit background processes, including the keyboard. Turn it off in Settings → Battery and Performance → Power saving mode.

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If the keyboard slows down, first try to turn off text prediction and auto-replace in its settings - this unloads the processor.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the keyboard on Xiaomi