How to set up a keyboard on Xiaomi Mi 9: the complete guide

Xiaomi Mi 9, despite its age, remains a powerful device, but the standard shell MIUI sometimes requires fine-tuning for comfortable typing. Many users face the inconvenience of unpredictable autocorrection, the lack of familiar font or difficulty with switching layouts. The correct configuration of the virtual keyboard can dramatically change the user experience, making communication in messengers and work with documents much faster.

In the Android operating system on which MIUI is based, a separate system component is responsible for text input, which means that you are not limited to factory settings and can replace the standard tool with a more advanced version from Google Play.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all aspects of your device’s input settings, look at basic system changes and install third-party solutions for maximum comfort, and learn to eliminate common errors and adapt the on-screen keyboard to your individual preferences.

Basic configuration of the system keyboard in MIUI

The first step to optimizing the printing process is to deeply customize the standard tool. In the MIUI shell, the path to these parameters may be different from pure Android, which often confuses beginners. You need to go to the Settings menu, then find the Additional section and select Languages and input.

Click on Keyboard Management to see a list of active input tools. Standardly, MIUI Keyboard (or Gboard, depending on the firmware region) is activated here. The switch next to the name should be blue. If you see a security alert, this is normal for third-party applications, but the system keyboard usually doesn't require confirmation.

For more subtle adjustment, tap the gear or the name of the active keyboard. You can set the panel height, the sound of the presses and vibrations. Tactile recoil helps you feel the boundaries of the buttons better, reducing the number of typos when you type blindly.

Xiaomi Mi 9 is a great one. AMOLED-So a dark keyboard theme not only saves battery life, but also reduces eye strain at night. Make sure that the theme settings include an automatic switching option or a forced dark circuit.

⚠️ Note: After installing a new keyboard from the app store, it does not activate automatically. You must manually enable it in the keyboard management menu and choose as the default input method.

πŸ“Š What keyboard is installed by default?
Gboard
Samsung Keyboard
Yandex.Keyboard
SwiftKey
other

Installation and activation of Gboard on Xiaomi Mi 9

Many users prefer to replace the standard keyboard with Google’s Gboard, a solution considered a benchmark thanks to its excellent handwriting recognition, built-in translator, and flexible swipe settings. To install it, open the Google Play store and search for β€œGboard”.

The installation process takes seconds. Once the application is loaded, the system may suggest that you activate the new input method immediately. If that doesn't happen, follow the algorithm: go to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Languages and Types β†’ Current keyboard. In the list that opens, select Gboard.

One of the key features of Gboard is that you can adjust the swipe-by-letter swipe to type words, a feature known as Glide Typing that speeds up printing with one hand, and you can activate it in the settings section of the keyboard itself by tapping the gear icon right on the input panel.

You should also pay attention to the clipboard settings. Unlike standard solutions, Gboard allows you to save the history of copied fragments and quickly paste them into text, which is especially convenient when working with codes or long links on the Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphone.

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Use the "Steam" function in the Gboard settings to untie the keyboard from the bottom edge of the screen and move it into a convenient area of reach of the thumb.

Configuring languages and input methods

For multilingual users, changing layouts quickly is critical. You can add unlimited languages to your Xiaomi or Gboard keyboard settings. Go to Languages and click Add Keyboard. Choose the languages you want, such as Russian, English and Chinese.

It is important to configure the way to switch. This can be a separate button on the panel (usually with a globe), a long press on the space, or a swipe on the spatial key. For most users of the Xiaomi Mi 9, the most convenient option is a dedicated change button located to the left or right of the space.

  • 🌐 Russian: Standard phonetic layout.
  • πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ English (US): lay-out QWERTY.
  • πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ Ukrainian: phonetic or standard layout.
  • πŸ‡°πŸ‡·: korean γ„±γ„΄γ„·.

Don't forget to autocorrect. You can customize your vocabulary for each language. If the keyboard persists in correcting your last names or professional terms for wrong words, add them to your personal vocabulary, either by long-term word tapping or through the language settings menu.

In some cases, you may need to reset your learning vocabulary if your text prediction algorithms are not working properly, which will delete your entries history but return your prediction settings to a β€œpure” setting.

β˜‘οΈ Checking input settings

Done: 0 / 1

Fixing keyboard issues on Xiaomi

Xiaomi Mi 9 users may experience a situation where the keyboard stops appearing when typing or freezes, often due to overflowing of the app cache or conflicting system processes.

If the reboot didn’t work, you should clear the keyboard app data. Go to Settings β†’ Apps β†’ All apps. Find your keyboard (like MIUI Keyboard or Gboard) on the list. Go to Memory and click Clear Data or Clear Data.

Important: Cleaning the data will reset all your personal dictionaries and bar height settings, but this often solves the "departure" problem.

Problem.Probable causeMethod of decision
Keyboard doesn't appearFailure of the input processRebooting the smartphone
Pressing delaysCache overflowCleaning the application data
Wrong layoutLanguage choice errorVerification of the list of languages
The cursor goes missing.Conflict of the topicReplacement of the topic with standard

Another common problem is to desynchronize the press and the character, which can indicate a high load on the processor in the background, close heavy applications and check if the delay has disappeared.

Advanced capabilities and voice input

Modern smartphones, including the Xiaomi Mi 9, allow you to dictate text in voice with high accuracy. To activate this feature, click on the microphone icon on the keyboard. The system uses powerful speech recognition algorithms from Google or Xiaomi.

Voice input is especially useful when you want to type a long message or note with one hand on your phone, and algorithms understand punctuation very well: just say comma, question, or new line, and the text will be formatted automatically.

Secret keyboard gestures
On many keyboards, swipe left over space moves the cursor, and swipe right removes the last word. Try these gestures to speed up editing.

Also worth mentioning is the split keyboard. On the big screen, the Xiaomi Mi 9 (6.39 inches) is sometimes easier to type by splitting the keyboard in two at the edges.This option is available in the height and layout settings of the keyboard, often indicated by the arrow-lined keyboard icon.

⚠️ Attention: Voice input requires an active Internet connection to maximize accuracy in recognizing complex phrases and proper names.

Alternative keyboards from Google Play

If neither standard solutions nor Gboard suit you, the app store offers a variety of alternatives, with Yandex Keyboard, with its unique prediction algorithm and built-in search, popularly praised by SwiftKey for its flexibility in customizing the look.

When installing a third-party keyboard, pay attention to the permissions requested. To work properly, the application needs access to your contacts (to auto-fill names) and sometimes access to the clipboard. The security of entering bank card data is usually controlled by Android, which blocks third-party keyboards in password fields.

Custom themes can make the interface unique. You can upload photos from the Xiaomi Mi 9 gallery and use them as a background for the keyboard, adjusting the transparency of the buttons for better readability.

Don't be afraid to experiment. Removing an unnecessary keyboard is as easy as installing it, either through the keyboard management menu or a standard application manager, and always have at least one working input method in case the main one fails.

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Optimal keyboard setting on Xiaomi Mi 9 includes Gboard installation, tactile response activation, and regular vocabulary cleaning for better autocorrection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to return the keyboard if it is completely lost?
If the input field is active but the keyboard is not popping up, try to fold the application and open it again. If that doesn't help, reboot your smartphone. USB-keyboard OTG-adapter to be able to enter commands to reset settings.
Why does the keyboard type the wrong letters?
You may have an incorrect layout activated or T9 mode enabled, check if the "123" icon or a different language symbol is on, and check the settings in the Languages section and input for unnecessary or conflicting input methods.
Can I change the font only on the keyboard?
Yes, most modern keyboards (Gboard, SwiftKey) have a "Theme" or "Decoration" section where you can choose the style of the font regardless of the MIUI system font.
Is it safe to use third-party keyboards?
Apps from the official Google Play store are being tested for security, but the keyboard has access to everything you type, and it is recommended to use trusted brands (Google, Microsoft, Yandex) and avoid obscure applications with questionable permissions.