How to completely disable T9 on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

The automatic T9 text replacement on Xiaomi smartphones is often a source of annoyance: the system stubbornly corrects names, jargon or specialized terms, slows down typing and adds unnecessary gaps. This is especially noticeable in MIUI 14/15, where machine learning algorithms actively “help” the user — sometimes at the expense of convenience. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to disable the T9, including hidden keyboard settings, working with Gboard, Xiaomi Keyboard proprietary and solutions for third-party applications.

It's important to understand that the T9 is not just an auto-replacement, but a set of features: autocorrection, word prompts, typo correction, and even prediction of the next word. On Xiaomi, these features can be duplicated in different menus, and their disabling depends on the version of MIUI and the keyboard used. We tested all methods on devices from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Pro — the instructions are universal for most modern models.

What is T9 and why should it be turned off?

Text on 9 keys was originally developed for push-button phones to speed up SMS setup. Modern smartphones use an advanced version of it, machine learning autocorrection. At Xiaomi, it works through:

• 🔹 Auto-replacement: Correcting typos (e.g., "Hello" → "hello")
• 🔹 Word hints: grey options over keyboard
• 🔹 Register correction: automatic capital letter after the dot
• 🔹 Addition of gaps: after punctuation marks
• 🔹 Personalized dictionary: remembering frequently used words

The problems begin when the algorithm gets wrong: replaces proper names (Alexei → Alexei), technical terms (MIUI → Mui), or jargon (cool) → cool. On Xiaomi, this is exacerbated by aggressive default settings and integration with the Mi Account cloud, which synchronizes “errors” between devices.

⚠️ Caution: Completely shutting down T9 can reduce typing speeds by 15-20%, Poco tests confirm F5 redmi K60. If you type long messages often, consider a partial-disabled option (e.g., auto-replace only).

Method 1: Disable the T9 in the standard Xiaomi keyboard

Xiaomi Keyboard (formerly Mi Keyboard) has hidden autocorrect settings to get to:

1. Open any field to enter text (such as Messages or Notes).
2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) on the keyboard to open the settings.
3. Go to the Text Input section → Autocorrection.
4. Turn off the following switches: 🔘 Auto-replacement (the main culprit of errors) 🔘 Automatic capital letter 🔘 Addition of a gap after punctuation marks

For full control, we also recommend:

• 📌 Clear the personal dictionary in Keyboard Settings → Dictionary (there may be some erroneous versions stored).
• 📌 Disable cloud synchronization in additional → Synchronize the dictionary if you use Mi Account.

Open field for entering text|The gear on the keyboard is pressed.|Auto-replacement disabled|The personal dictionary has been cleared|Verified in 2-3 applications (Messages, Chrome, Telegram)-->

On Xiaomi models with MIUI 15 (for example, Xiaomi 14), the path to settings has changed: now autocorrect is hidden in the menu "Advanced Settings → Text Correction". If you do not find a paragraph, update the keyboard through Google Play.

Method 2: Configure Gboard (Google Keyboard)

Many Xiaomi users prefer the Gboard for its flexibility.To disable the T9 here:

1. Open Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual Keyboard → Gboard.
2. Select Text Correction.
3. Turn it off: 🔘 Auto-replacement 🔘 Automatic comma placement 🔘 Show the prompts when entering (optional)

Gboard

Dictionary → Personal dictionary

Gboard has a hidden feature called “Show hints with emojis” – it can also be turned off in Settings → Themes and layout → Tips with emojis if they interfere.

Standard Xiaomi Keyboard|Gboard (Google Keyboard)|SwiftKey|Another.|I don't know what I have.-->

Method 3: Disable T9 through system settings (for all keyboards)

If the T9 continues to work despite the keyboard shutdowns, the problem may be in the MIUI system settings.

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
2. Select an active keyboard (such as the Xiaomi Keyboard or Gboard).
3. Click Reset settings (this will return all parameters to factory settings, but save the dictionary).
4. If the problem remains – clear the keyboard cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Keyboard name] → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable (e.g. Poco) X5) There may be no option to reset the keyboard settings, in which case only reinstall the keyboard application via Google Play will help.

Method 4: Manual dictionary editing (for power users)

If T9 persists in correcting specific words (e.g., a surname or technical term), these can be added to the exceptions:

For the Xiaomi Keyboard:

1. Open the keyboard settings (cog on the input panel).
2. Go to the dictionary. → Personal dictionary.
3. Add the word manually, specifying its correct spelling.
4. Check the box "Do not correct automatically".

For Gboard:

1. In the keyboard settings, select the Dictionary → Personal Dictionary.
2. Click "+" and enter the word with the correct spelling.
3. Please specify the short form (if any) and save it.

If a word already exists in the dictionary with an error:

• 🔧 Find it in the list of personal dictionary.
• 🔧 Click on it and select Remove or Edit.
• 🔧 To clean the dictionary completely, use the option to clear the data in the keyboard application settings (but this will delete all saved words!).

Method 5: Disabling T9 for Specific Applications

Sometimes T9 only interferes with certain applications (e.g. Telegram or WhatsApp).

• 📱 Use different keyboards: Install SwiftKey or Fleksy and assign it to the problem app by default in Settings → Language and input → Keyboard management.
• 📱 Disable autocorrect in the app itself: Some messengers (like Slack) have their own keyboard settings.
• 📱 Enter text in a notebook: Write a message in Notes without autocorrection, then copy to the target application.

For Telegram, there is a separate life hack:

1. Open the chat room and start printing.
2. Hold your finger on the microphone icon (🎤) keyboard.
3. In the menu that appears, select Keyboard Settings – this will open the options specific to Telegram.

What to do if the T9 is not turned off

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be:

• 🔧 Keyboard Conflict: Remove all unused keyboards in Settings → Annexes.
• 🔧 Firmware error: On some versions MIUI 13 for Redmi 10 was an autocorrect bug - fixed by an update to MIUI 14.
• 🔧 Virus or malware: Check your phone through Google Play Protect or Malwarebytes.
• 🔧 Active mode "For children": In Settings → Special facilities → Mode for children may be limited to changing settings.

Extreme measures:

1. Reset all phone settings to factory (Settings → About Phone → Reset settings), pre-resetting backup.
2. Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) where autocorrect works differently. ⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware voids warranty and may result in a bootloader lock on new Xiaomi models (e.g., Xiaomi) 13T).

💡

If the T9 turns on on on its own after a reboot, try turning off keyboard battery optimization in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [keyboard] → Battery → No restrictions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling the T9 on Xiaomi