How to set up a keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 4: from basic parameters to hidden features

Why setting up the keyboard on Redmi 4 requires a special approach

Xiaomi Redmi 4, released in 2016, is still popular with users due to its balanced performance and reliability, but its MIUI-based software (even in current versions) has features that affect how the virtual keyboard works. Unlike modern models, there is no built-in support for default gesture input, and some features are hidden in the depths of the menu.

The main problems that Redmi 4 owners face when setting up the keyboard: unexpected resets of language parameters after updates, slow response to pressing with weak MIUI optimization, and the lack of obvious paths to some options (for example, changing the size of the keys).

It is important to consider that Redmi 4 can be installed different versions of firmware: global (MIUI Global), Chinese (MIUI China) or custom (e.g. LineageOS) instructions below are relevant for official builds MIUI 9–14, but we will point out separately where logic differs.

How to open keyboard settings: 3 ways

There are several ways to get to the keyboard settings on Redmi 4, and the most obvious is through the settings menu, but it doesn't always work consistently because of the MIUI. Let's look at all the options, including the alternatives.

• 📱 Through the notification bar: expand the curtain down, find the "Language and Enter" icon (the "A" icon) and hold it for 2 seconds. This will open the partition directly, but it doesn't work on all versions. MIUI.
• ⚙️ Through the main settings: go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard. This shows all the keyboards installed.
• 🔍 Search by settings: at the top of the Settings menu, type "keyboard" and the system will show all related items, including "Google Keyboard" (if installed).

If none of these methods worked, check if the system applications are disabled. For example, in MIUI 10, the language and input item sometimes disappears after cleaning the cache, in which case rebooting the device or resetting the keyboard settings will help (we will discuss this below).

Changing the language and layout: step-by-step instructions

By default, Redmi 4 has a MIUI Keyboard that supports a limited set of languages. To add a new language or switch between layouts, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Language and input.
2. Select Current Keyboard (usually MIUI Keyboard or Gboard).
3. Click on the gear icon next to the keyboard name to open its settings.
4. Go to the "Languages" or "Input Languages" section.
5. Activate the desired languages by moving the sliders. Additional layouts (e.g., "Russian (Fonet.)") are supported for Russian, English and Ukrainian.

To quickly switch between languages during the typing, hold the space (in MIUI Keyboard) or click on the Globe icon (in Gboard).If languages are not displayed in the list, you may need to download the language pack:

On Redmi 4 with MIUI 9 firmware and below, when adding a language through Gboard, you may conflict with the system keyboard, in which case you need to disable MIUI Keyboard in the input language settings.

Customization of appearance: topics, size and transparency

The look of the keyboard on Redmi 4 can be changed significantly, from the color of the buttons to their size. The standard MIUI Keyboard has basic options, while Gboard offers advanced features. Let's consider both options.

MIUI Keyboard

• 🎨 Change theme: go to the keyboard settings and select "Themes" and 3-5 preset options are available (dark, light, color).
• 📏 Size change: Under Size and layout, you can select Normal, Compact or One-Handed (the latter shifts the keyboard left/right).
• 👁️ Transparency: the option is hidden – to activate it, you need to turn on “Developer Mode” (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — press 7 times) and find the option "keyboard transparency" in additional settings.

Gboard (Google Keyboard)

• 🖌️ Color Customization: Select "Themes" in the settings" → "Color" and adjust the hue of buttons, background and boundaries.
• ⚪ Dark Mode: automatically activates when you activate the system dark theme or manually in the Gboard settings.
• 🔍 Customizable wallpaper: you can download your own image for the background of the keyboard (section "Themes" → "My subject").

If the keyboard started to slow down after changing the theme, try turning off animation in the developer settings (Settings → Additional → For Developers → Animation = Off). This is especially true for Redmi 4 with 2 GB of RAM.

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To return the standard key size after scaling experiments, reset the keyboard settings through the app menu in the phone settings.

Additional features: gestures, auto-replacement and voice input

The keyboard on Redmi 4 supports a number of hidden features that make it easier to type text, many of which are disabled by default, but activating them can speed up typing significantly.

Gesture input (Swipe)

There is no gesture input in the standard MIUI Keyboard, but it can be included in the Gboard:

1. Open the Gboard settings.
2. Go to "Glide Intro" (or "Swipe").
3. Activate the slider "Enable Glide Input."
4. Select the trajectory style (e.g., Dynamic for smooth finger tracking).

Auto-replacement and text prediction

These functions work differently depending on the keyboard:

• 🤖 MIUI Keyboard: Auto-replace is on by default, but its vocabulary is limited. To add your words, go to Settings → User's dictionary".
• 📊 Gboard: Supports learning based on your messages (included in Settings) → Dictionary → Personal offers").

Voice input

The feature is available in both keyboards, but in MIUI Keyboard it often crashes due to lack of support for some languages.

1. On the keyboard, click on the microphone icon (near the space).
2. Allow access to the microphone if you request it.
3. Speak the text clearly – on Redmi 4, recognition works better when connected to the Internet.

If voice input is not working, check:

• 🔊 Access to the microphone in the settings → Permits → Microphone.
• 🌐 Internet connection (for cloud recognition).
• 🔄 Update the Google app in the Play Market (responsible for voice processing).

Resolving common problems

The keyboard on Redmi 4 can be unstable due to firmware features or conflicts with other applications.

The keyboard is missing or not appearing

If the keyboard does not pop up when pressing the input field:

1. Reboot your phone – it helps in 60% of cases.
2. Check if the keyboard is disabled in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Keyboard → Enable.
3. If the problem occurs after the update, reset the keyboard settings through Settings → System → Resetting → Resetting the keyboard settings.

Hanging and lags upon entry

Keyboard brakes on Redmi 4 are often associated with a lack of RAM.

• 🧹 Clear the keyboard cache in the application settings.
• 🚫 Disable animation in the developer settings.
• 🔄 Switch to Gboard if you are using it. MIUI Keyboard.

Emojis or symbols don't work.

If nothing happens when switching to the keyboard from the emoji:

• Make sure that the keyboard settings include the "Show emoji" option.
• Update system fonts through Settings → Additional → Fonts.
• Install an alternative keyboard (such as SwiftKey) where emojis are more stable.

⚠️ Warning: If all languages other than English are missing after resetting your keyboard, don't panic. MIUI. Just re-add the desired languages in the input settings.

Hidden features and life hacks for Redmi 4

Even on an age-old device like the Redmi 4, you can find useful typing chips, and here are some little-known features:

• ⌨️ Quick switching between numbers and letters: MIUI Keyboard Hold the 123 button to temporarily jump to numbers without locking the mode.
• 🔤 Shorthands for commonly used phrases: Gboard can create abbreviations (e.g., "adr" → "1 Lenin Street, Path: Settings → Dictionary → Textual abbreviations.
• 🎵 Keystroke sounds: If you lack tactile feedback, turn on the sounds in the keyboard settings (Push Sound or Vibration).
• 🔍 Search for emoji by keywords: in Gboard, when the emoji panel is open, type in a word (for example, “heart”) and the system will show relevant characters.

For owners of Redmi 4 with root rights, additional features are available:

• Install custom keyboards via the Xposed Framework (e.g. Xperia Keyboard).
• Change system fonts, which will affect the display of characters on the keyboard.
• Disable the MIUI system keyboard via Titanium Backup if it conflicts with other applications.

⚠️ Note: Use of root rights and modified firmware can lead to loss of warranty and unstable operation of the device.Before experimenting, create a backup through MIUI backup TWRP.

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On Redmi 4 with 16 GB of memory, installing multiple keyboards can lead to space shortages, with one main keyboard (such as Gboard) and a backup system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about keyboard settings