Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 8 Pro lineup is well-deservedly considered one of the most popular devices in its segment, offering users powerful functionality and flexible personalization capabilities. One of the first things a new gadget owner or someone who decides to optimize their current experience faces is the on-screen keyboard. It is this tool that is used most often, and its convenience directly affects the speed of printing and overall comfort when interacting with the device.
The standard MIUI shell is based on Android, which gives you access to a huge number of input settings, but not all options are obvious to the average user. Often people type in an uncomfortable type for years or put up with the lack of predictive input, without even knowing that the solution is hidden in the depths of the settings menu. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to turn the standard Gboard keyboard into the perfect tool for fast and comfortable text work.
Selecting and activating the optimal keyboard
Xiaomi devices have a system keyboard installed by default, which is an adapted version of Google’s Gboard.This solution is the gold standard for most users due to its stability, excellent handwriting recognition and extensive language support. However, if you want unique features such as an advanced theme or specific gestures, you may need to install a third-party app from the Google Play store.
To activate a new keyboard or switch between existing keyboards, you need to go to the system menu. Navigating the MIUI interface can be different from pure Android, so it's important to follow the path exactly. Open Settings, then find the Additional Settings section and select Language and Type, and that's where all the key switches that control how you type text are.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party keyboards, Android security will warn you several times about the risks of entering passwords.This is standard procedure, and if you downloaded the application from an official store, these warnings can be ignored.
In the keyboard management section, you'll see a list of tools available. To activate the tool you want, just move the slider to the "On" position. The system can then suggest that you select the default input method when the keyboard first appears on the screen, and make sure that the option you select is marked as active, otherwise the old version will appear when typing.
Basic language setting and layout
The first thing you need to do to make your work comfortable is to adjust your language preferences. Redmi Note 8 Pro supports multilingual input, allowing you to instantly switch between Russian, English and dozens of other languages without access to the menu. To add a new language, tap the gear icon on the keyboard toolbar or go to the Language menu in the system settings.
In the list that opens, select Add a keyboard and find the language you want. The system will suggest you choose the layout type: QWERTY or YITSUKEN. For most users, the standard layout is the best choice, but for those who are used to typewriters or specific letter arrangement, alternative options are available.
- 🇷🇺 Russian language with efication and prediction of complex endings.
- 🇬🇧 English layout with smart space separation.
- 🇺🇦 Ukrainian, 🇧🇾 Belarusian and other CIS languages in one package.
- 🌏 Asian and European languages with support for diacritical signs.
An important aspect is setting up language switching. In Gboard, you can swipe the space left or right, or you can do this by short tapping the globe icon. To change this setting, go to Settings → Preferences and find Switching languages. Choose the most convenient option for you so that you do not make unnecessary finger movements during fast correspondence.
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Use a long space tap to manually select a language from the list if the automatic definition is wrong in the context of the message.
Personalization of appearance and fonts
The visual component of the keyboard on Xiaomi allows not only to decorate the interface, but also to increase the readability of characters. Standard themes can seem boring, so the developers have provided an extensive library of designs. To change the appearance, click on the icon with four squares (menu themes) on the top of the keyboard and select Themes.
It offers both static images and dynamic click-responsive wallpapers. However, customization is about the typeface. Unlike many other manufacturers, Gboard allows you to change the character type regardless of the MIUI system font. Go to Settings → Settings → Preferences → Keyboard style (the path may vary depending on the application version).
| Parameter | Description of the impact | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Key heights | Affects the area of pressing | Medium or High for Accuracy |
| Keyboard boundaries | Visual separation of buttons | Include for a better overview |
| Digital series | Constant display of numbers | Enable for frequent entry of numbers |
| Gap | Width of the central key | Standard or increased |
For visually impaired users or those who simply prefer large characters, there is an option to increase the size of the key font. This is done through the Settings menu → Preferences → The size of the font on the keys. Move the slider to the right until the characters become comfortable for you. Remember that too large a font can reduce the useful area of the buttons themselves, which will lead to frequent typos.
Gboard's Secret Themes
Tactile and sound performance setting
The experience of printing on the glass of the Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphone can be greatly improved by properly adjusting the vibration and sound. Many users turn off these functions to save battery, but the quality tactile return helps the brain to become aware of the fact of pressing, which reduces the number of errors. To set up, go to Settings → Preferences → Sound and vibration when pressed.
Here you will find a vibratory duration slider. On Xiaomi, this setting works in conjunction with the system vibration engine. If you want a clear response, set a value of about 10-15 ms. A longer vibration can be perceived as a “buzz” and annoying when quickly printed. The sound response is also adjusted in the same menu, but its volume depends on the overall level of media sounds of the device.
- 🔊 Pressing sound: a short click that mimics the mechanics.
- 📳 Response vibration: tactile input confirmation.
- 🔇 Silent Vibration: Option for Conferences.
- ⌨️ Keyboard sound when blocking: separate parameter.
It is worth noting that new versions of Android and the MIUI shell have an adaptive vibration feature that changes the response strength depending on the speed of printing. If your Redmi Note 8 Pro is running the current version of the software, make sure that the Special Options section does not include power saving modes that can force the keyboard tactile response to save charge.
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The optimal vibration duration for fast printing is 10-12 ms – this gives a feeling of physical contact, but does not create the effect of sticking your finger.
Use of advanced input functions
Modern keyboards are not just a set of buttons, but intelligent tools that use artificial intelligence to predict words and correct errors. On Xiaomi, these functions are based on Google algorithms. To activate maximum efficiency, go to Settings → Text correction. Here you can enable auto-replace, correction of first letters and even automatic dotting.
One of the most useful features is the floating keyboard, which allows you to untie the keyboard from the bottom edge of the screen and move it anywhere on the display. This is especially useful on the big screen of the Redmi Note 8 Pro, when you need to type with one hand and hold the phone with the other, or when the keyboard covers an important field in the chat) → keyboard.
⚠️ Note: Auto-Replacement can be aggressive and can change specific terms or names to common words, and it is recommended to keep a personal dictionary or disable auto-replacement for rare words.
Also worth mentioning is voice input. The microphone on the keyboard panel allows you to dictate long messages with high accuracy of Russian speech recognition. To activate voice input, you don't need to go to another application - just click on the microphone icon. The text will appear in the input field in real time, which greatly speeds up the collection of large amounts of information.
☑️ Setting up a smart input
Removal and resetting of settings
During operation, there may be situations when the keyboard on Xiaomi starts to work incorrectly: letters disappear, word input is delayed or word prediction disappears. Often this is due to overflow of the dictionary cache or a software failure of the application. The first step should always be to update the application through Google Play, since developers regularly release patches of corrective bugs.
If the update didn't work, you need to clear the keyboard data. It's important to understand the difference between cleaning the cache and cleaning the data. Cache cleanup is secure and deletes temporary files, whereas data cleanup will reset all your personal settings, learned words and preferences for factory values. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps → find Gboard → Memory → Clean up.
Path to Reset: Settings → Apps → All Apps → Gboard → Memory → Clean EverythingOnce reset, the keyboard will return to a "after-purchase" state, requiring you to re-choose language and preferences, but this often resolves the interface's "glues" problems. If the problem is systemic and repeats after reset, it may be a third-party MIUI theme or other application that intercepts input that causes the conflict.
⚠️ Before cleaning the keyboard data, make sure you remember your basic language settings, as it will be impossible to restore the learned dictionary after this procedure.