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

Xiaomi's keyboard is not just a typing tool, it's a whole range of features that you can adapt to your needs. From language selection and layout to gesture tuning, theme and even sound effects, MIUI's capabilities make typing as easy as possible. However, many Redmi, POCO or Mi users face challenges: the keyboard suddenly changes language, emojis disappear, swipes don't work. In this article, we'll look at all the nuances of setting up the standard Gboard (from Google) and MIUI Keyboard, as well as the typical errors.

It’s important to understand that the interface can depend on the version of MIUI (12/13/14/15) and the phone model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with Android 14, the path to some settings will be shorter than on the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5. But the general principles remain unchanged. If you use a third-party keyboard (like SwiftKey or Fleksy), some of the features may be missing – in this case, refer to the settings of a particular application.

Before you make any changes, make sure your device has the latest firmware installed. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. Up-to-date software ensures that the keyboard is running smoothly and that all functions are available.

1. How to change the keyboard language on Xiaomi

The most common problem users have is that the keyboard automatically switches to the wrong language or doesn't offer the right one at all. In MIUI, adding and deleting languages is done through system settings, but there are nuances depending on the type of keyboard.

For MIUI Keyboard:

1. Open any field to enter text (for example, in Messages or Notes).
2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) on the keyboard panel to open its settings.
3. Select Languages and Entering → Language management.
4. Click Add language and select the one you want from the list (e.g. Russian, English, Ukrainian).
5. To remove the unwanted language, swipe it to the left and press Remove.

For Gboard:

• 🌐 Open the Settings. → System and device → Language and input → Virtual keyboard → Gboard.
• 📝 Go to the languages → Add a keyboard and select the languages you want.
• 🔄 To change the order of the switch, click Change the order and drag the languages in the desired sequence.

If the language is added but the keyboard doesn’t offer it, check:

• 🔍 Is language included in Settings → Additionally. → Language and region (system language of the device).
• 🔄 Is Auto Replace feature disabled in keyboard settings (it can block switching).
• 📱 Reboot your phone – sometimes it helps to reset the keyboard cache.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) When you add a language through Gboard, you may get a "Language Not Supported" error, in which case update the Gboard app to Google Play or use it. MIUI Keyboard.

2. Customization of layout and appearance of the keyboard

The look of the keyboard on Xiaomi can be changed beyond recognition, from the color of the buttons to the size and transparency, which is especially useful if you don’t like the standard theme or want to make the keyboard more contrasting for convenience.

For MIUI Keyboard:

• 🎨 Go to the keyboard settings (icon) ⚙️ In the input panel) and select Themes.
• 🖼️ Pre-set themes are available here (e.g. Dark, Light, Transparent, Transparent).
• 🔍 To download additional themes, click Get more themes (you will need an internet connection).
• 📏 In the Size and layout section, you can change the height of the keyboard, the size of the buttons and even add a numerical series (useful for entering passwords).

For Gboard:

• 🎨 Go to Settings. → System and device → Language and input → Gboard → Topics.
• 🖼️ Choose one of the suggested themes or click Create your theme to customize colors manually.
• 🔧 In the section Keyboard settings can be included:

If you want to make the keyboard as compact as possible, try turning on the one-handed mode:

1. Open the keyboard settings.
2. Find the option One-Handed Mode (in Gboard it can be called Size and layout → Single-Handed Keyboard).
3. Select the side of the screen (left or right) to which the keyboard will be pressed.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) When using themes with high transparency, you may have problems with the readability of characters against a bright background, in which case, choose a theme with contrasting colors or turn off transparency in the settings.

3.Gestural and quick actions on the keyboard

Modern keyboards on Xiaomi support gestures that speed up typing, such as removing a word with a swipe or quickly inserting an emoji.

MIUI Keyboard:

• 👆 Swipe to the left by space - removes the last word.
• 👆 Swipe right by space - inserts a space and moves on to the next word (useful for corrections).
• 🔍 Double-click on space – inserts a point and a space (completes the sentence).
• 😊 Long pressing the emoji button - opens an extended menu with gifs and stickers.

Gboard:

• 👆 Swipe to the left by space - deletes the word.
• 👆 Swipe to the right on the space - moves the cursor.
• 🔍 Swipe up the comma button - opens the keyboard settings.
• 📝 Swipe down the button 123 – locks the keyboard in digital mode.

To enable or disable gestures:

1. For MIUI Keyboard: Go to the keyboard settings and select Gestures.
2. For Gboard: Go to Settings → Gestures and activate the desired options.

If the gestures don't work, check:

• 🔄 Is the Gesture function disabled in the keyboard settings.
• 📱 Does the keyboard conflict with other applications (e.g. launchers like Nova Launcher).
• 🔧 Is the mode for people with disabilities turned on (can block swipes).

💡

If you're uncomfortable with swiping, try turning on the vibration when you press in the keyboard settings, which will help you control your gestures better.

4. Set up auto-replacement and text predictions

Auto-replacement and text prediction functions can help or hinder, such as the keyboard can correct your unique words (like nicknames or terms) for standard variations, and let's figure out how to customize these features for yourself.

Auto-replacement shutdown:

• In MIUI Keyboard: Open keyboard settings. Go to Text Enter → Auto Replace. Turn off Auto Replace slider.
• In Gboard: Go to Settings → Text Correction. Turn off Auto Replacement and Automatic Comma Arrangement.

Set up text prediction:

• 📚 V MIUI Keyboard can teach you your writing style keyboard, and enable personalized sentences in your text input settings.
• 🔍 In Gboard, go to Settings. → Dictionary → Personal dictionary to add your words (such as jargon or names).
• 🌐 If the keyboard suggests words in the wrong language, check the priority of languages in the settings (first on the list is the main one).