How to set up a keyboard on a Xiaomi TV: the full guide 2026

The virtual keyboard on Xiaomi TVs is an indispensable tool for typing, finding content and working with applications. However, many users face problems: the keyboard does not appear, works with delays or displays in an incomprehensible language. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to customize the keyboard on Xiaomi Smart TV, including the Mi TV 4/5/6 Series, Redmi TV and the Mi Box S/4K consoles.

The keyboard on Xiaomi TV is dependent on firmware and regional settings, for example, the European versions of the software (EEA) may not have Russian layout by default, and the Chinese (CN) may not have English layout by default, and we will show you how to add the right languages, change the location of the keys, and even install third-party keyboards through Google Play.

Importantly, if you use a remote with a microphone (e.g., from Mi TV Q2 2023), some of the keyboard functions can be replaced by voice input, but text input is essential for accurate search, login to accounts, or Wi-Fi settings.

1. How to call the keyboard on Xiaomi TV

The keyboard on Xiaomi TV appears automatically when you need to type text — for example, when you search on YouTube, log in to Netflix or connect to Wi-Fi. But what if it does not open?

• 📺 Method 1: Click on the input field (such as the search bar) and hold the button OK On the screens with PatchWall (the shell of Xiaomi), the keyboard will appear in 1-2 seconds.
• 🎮 Method 2: For Mi Box or gamepads, use the Menu combination + Back (on some firmware).
• 🔍 Method 3: If the keyboard does not respond, check if you have blocked the input to Settings. → Special facilities → Control of the remote.

On Redmi TV A Series (2022–2026), the keyboard may be delayed due to a weak processor, in which case the Android System app cache reset (instruction in Section 5) will help.

⚠️ Attention: On TVs with firmware MIUI TV 3.0 and below, the keyboard may not support emojis. Entering them will require a third-party application (section 4).

2. Change of keyboard language

The default language is set to the Xiaomi TV, but it can be changed separately for the keyboard, which is useful if you need several layouts (for example, Russian and English).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Language and Enter → Virtual Keyboard.
2. Choose an Android keyboard AOSP (Google Keyboard, if installed).
3. Click on the languages and mark the necessary ones (for example, Russian (Russia), English (US)).
4. For quick switching between languages, click on the icon 🌐 bottom-right corner of the keyboard.

On some models (e.g. Mi TV P1 2021), the list of languages may be limited.

• 📥 Update to the latest version (Section 6).
• 🔧 Install a third-party keyboard (section 4).
• 🔄 Reset the settings to factory (section 5).

3. Set up autocomplete and text prediction

Autocomplete speeds up input, but sometimes offers irrelevant options, and you can set it up like this:

1. Open the keyboard and press the gear. ⚙️ (or settings in the upper right corner).
2. Select Prediction and disable unnecessary languages.
3. In the Dictionary section, add frequently used words (such as movie titles or logins).

On Xiaomi TV with PatchWall, autocomplete works better than on standard Android TV, thanks to integration with Xiaomi services. However, if you notice that the keyboard "forgets" words, clear its cache:

Settings → Applications → All applications → Android keyboard → Memory → Clear cache

⚠️ Attention: On TVs with firmware MIUI TV 4.0+ Turning off text prediction can cause emojis to disappear in sentences. To get them back, reboot the TV.

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If the keyboard is slowing down when you enter, try turning off animation in the developer settings. To do this, click on the Build Number in Settings → About TV 7 times, then turn on Debugging over USB and select Windows Animation ×0.5.

4. Installation of third-party keyboards

The standard Xiaomi keyboard is not always convenient. Fortunately, you can install alternatives on Android TV, such as:

• 🔤 Gboard (Google Keyboard) – supports gestures and voice input.
• ⌨️ SwiftKey – Best Text Prediction and Design Theme.
• 🎨 Fleksy – Minimalist design and extended emoji.

Installation instructions:

1. Open the Google Play Store on your TV.
2. Find the keyboard you want (like Gboard) and install it.
3. Go to Settings → Language and Enter → Virtual Keyboard.
4. Activate the new keyboard and set it by default.

For the Mi Box or older Mi TV models (before 2020), you may need to manually install APK via Send Files to TV or ADB.

5. Resetting keyboard settings

If the keyboard is not working properly (character displays, freezes or resets the tongue), resetting the keyboard will help, and it does not affect other settings on the TV.

Step-by-step:

Clear the cache of the application "Android-keyboard"|Delete the application data (all saved words will be deleted)|Reboot the TV|Check the keyboard in any text field-->

For a complete reset (if the keyboard does not open):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find the Android System and click Storage.
3. Choose Clear the cache and Reset the settings.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware MIUI TV 5.0+ Keyboard reset could cause Xiao assistant's voice to reset AI. To restore it, go to Settings. → Smart assistant. → Voice control.

6. Update firmware to correct keyboard errors

Many keyboard problems are solved by software updates. For example, MIUI TV 4.0.32 had an error that rendered the Russian layout as "????". In newer versions, this bug was fixed.

How to update firmware:

1. Open Settings → About TV → Update system.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, confirm the installation.

For forced renewal (if the automatic check does not work):

• 📁 Download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
• 💾 Copy the file to a flash drive in format FAT32 (folder update.zip disk-root).
• 🔌 Connect the flash drive to the TV and select Update via USB.

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After updating the firmware, the keyboard can reset to the default language. Remember to reconfigure the layouts in Settings → Language and input.

7. Addressing specific problems

Let’s look at common mistakes and ways to eliminate them:

For models Mi TV Stick or Mi Box with low memory (2 GB of RAM), it is recommended to disable the keyboard animation:

Settings → Special Opportunities → Delete animation

Frequent Questions (FAQ)