How to set up a keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 9: from language to gestures

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its standard keyboard MIUI Keyboard doesn't always suit users: Some want to add a second language, some want to speed up printing with gestures, and some want themes or voice input. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to configure the keyboard on Redmi 9, including installing Gboard, changing the layout and solving typical problems.

It is important to understand that the settings may vary depending on the version. MIUI (for example, MIUI 12 vs MIUI 14). We will look at the universal methods that work on most firmware, and also point out the key differences. 9 upgraded to Android 11/12, Some menu items may be shifted – we will talk about this too.

Whether you want to simply change the language or reconfigure the keyboard completely to suit your needs, here you will find step-by-step instructions with visual cues and useful life hacks.

1. How to change the keyboard language to Redmi 9

By default, the Xiaomi Redmi 9 has a keyboard installed MIUI Keyboard with Russian and English. If you need to add Ukrainian, Kazakh or any other language, do the following:

1. Open any application where you can type text (such as Messages or Notes).
2. Tap the input field to make the keyboard appear.
3. Click on the gear icon (⚙️) In the top row of the keyboard is the settings button.
4. Select Languages and layout (or Input Languages in older versions) MIUI).
5. Tap on Language Management → Add languages.
6. Write down the list and tick the languages you need (for example, Ukransk or Qazaq tili).
7. Return to the input field and hold the space to switch between languages.

If the language you want isn't on the list, it's probably only supported by Gboard, which you can install through the Play Store, and we'll talk about that in the next section.

Tip: To switch between languages quickly, add the Language Bar widget to the home screen. To do this, hold your finger in the free space of the screen. → Widgets → Find the language and input.

2.Install and configure Gboard on Redmi 9

Gboard – an alternative keyboard from Google with advanced features: voice input, search GIF, It's built-in translator and gesture support:

1. Open the Play Store and find the Gboard app.
2. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
3. After installation, go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
4. Turn on the switch opposite the Gboard.
5. Return to the input field, tap the keyboard icon in the lower right corner and select Gboard.

You can now set up Gboard for yourself:

• 🌐 Languages: Add up to 5 languages at once and swipe over the space.
• 🎨 Topics: Gboard has over 50 color schemes in its settings, including adaptive wallpaper.
• ✍️ Gestures: Enable Swipe to enter (similar to Swipe in the MIUI Keyboard).
• 🔍 Search: Click on the Google icon to search for information directly from the keyboard.

Important: If the keyboard does not appear after installing Gboard, restart the phone or clear the cache in the app settings.

3. Customize gestures and swipes on the keyboard

Both keyboards — MIUI Keyboard and Gboard support swipe, but they're different in their settings.

For MIUI Keyboard:

1. Open the keyboard settings (cog on the input panel).
2. Go to the keyboard settings → Input of gestures.
3. Turn on the option of Sliding input.
4. Choose a sign language (if you add more than one).
5. Try to lead your finger by letters without tearing it off – the word should be typed automatically.

For Gboard:

1. In Gboard settings, select Swipe to enter.
2. Activate Sliding Enter and select the style (Follow or Ascend).
3. You can turn on the gesture settings: 👆 Swipe up the space to move the cursor. 👇 Swipe down the space for curling the keyboard. 👈 Swipe left on Del for quick word removal.

If the swipe is not working accurately, try calibrating the keyboard:

1. V MIUI Keyboard: Settings → Additionally. → Calibration of gestures.
2. In Gboard: Settings → Dictionary → Personal data → Teach gestures.

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To speed up printing, turn off vibration when you press the keyboard settings, which will reduce the delay between the characters.

4. Changes in the theme and appearance of the keyboard

Are you tired of the boring gray background of the keyboard? Redmi 9 can change the theme as in the standard one. MIUI Keyboard and Gboard, let's look at both.

MIUI Keyboard:

• 🎨 Open the keyboard settings → Topics.
• Choose one of the predefined themes (Dark, Light, Transparent).
• 🖼️ To customize, click Create your theme and upload the background image.
• 🔄 Include Adaptive Theme so that the keyboard adjusts to the wallpaper.

Gboard:

• 🌈 Go to the Gboard settings → Topics.
• Select the category: Colored, Gradient, Images.
• 📱 To create your theme, click Create and select a color or upload a photo.
• 🔍 Turn on Transparency so that the keyboard doesn’t close the content.

If you want the keyboard to automatically switch between dark and light theme, activate the system theme sync option in the settings.

5. Voice input and other additional functions

The keyboards on Redmi 9 support not only text, but also voice input, and other useful features. Let's figure out how to turn them on.

Voice input:

• 🎤 V MIUI Keyboard: Click on the microphone icon to the left of the space and say the text. Supports Russian, English and other languages.
• 🗣️ In Gboard, tap the microphone, hold it for continuous input, and you can dictate punctuation marks (e.g., "dot", "coma" or "coma").

Other functions:

• 🔍 Search GIF/stickers: In Gboard, click on the emoji icon → choose GIF or Stickers.
• 🔄 Quick correction: B MIUI Keyboard Enable Auto Correction in Settings.
• 📊 Input statistics: Gboard shows how many words you typed (settings) → Dictionary).
• 🔐 Secure Entering: Disable Personal Offers if you don’t want the keyboard to remember passwords.

⚠️ Attention: Voice input requires an internet connection to recognize speech. If you have slow mobile internet, text may be delayed.

6. Solve keyboard issues on Redmi 9

Sometimes the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 9 doesn't work correctly: it goes missing, slows down or doesn't switch languages.

If the problem persists, try resetting the keyboard settings:

1. For MIUI Keyboard: Settings → Annexes → Application management → MIUI Keyboard → Warehouse → Clear the data.
2. For Gboard: Settings → Annexes → Gboard → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Warning: Cleaning the keyboard data will delete all the saved words and settings, and then you have to re-add languages and customize themes.

7. Resetting the keyboard to factory settings

If you've been experimenting with settings and you want to get it back to the way it was, you can reset the keyboard.

• 🔄 The keyboard started to work slowly.
• 🗑️ The added words disappeared.
• 🎨 Theme or gesture settings are lost.

For MIUI Keyboard:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find MIUI Keyboard and select Warehouse.
3. Click Clear Data and confirm the action.

For Gboard:

1. Open the Gboard settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings.
2. Confirm the reset.

Once reset, the keyboard will return to its standard settings, but all languages and themes will have to be reconfigured, and if you used cloud sync (in Gboard), you can recover data through your Google account.

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Before resetting, export the user dictionary (in Gboard: Settings) → Dictionary → Exports).

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up the keyboard on Redmi 9