Budget smartphone owners often face an intrusive autocorrect function that turns the printing process into a test. On the Xiaomi Redmi 6A model, which runs on the MIUI shell, this problem is especially acute because of the peculiarities of pre-installed algorithms. Constantly correcting words that you did not ask to change, annoys and slows down the work with messages or notes.
Fortunately, Android allows you to flexibly adjust your input settings, removing all unnecessary interference. In this article, we will detail how to turn off T9, auto-replace and text prediction so that your phone prints exactly what you type. You will learn how to manage the Gboard keyboard settings and MIUI system settings.
The annoying feature is often turned on by default right after you buy a device or upgrade a system.This is done to help beginners, but it gets in the way of power users.We'll look at all possible scenarios, including hidden settings, which may not be obvious at first glance.
Why T9 and Auto Replacement Are Hindering the Redmi 6A
T9 (Text on 9 keys) was originally designed for button phones, where you had to guess the word by numbers. On the touch screens of Xiaomi smartphones, this technology has transformed into aggressive autocorrection. The algorithm tries to guess the word by the first letters, often replacing the right but rare words with banal.
The MIUI firmware feature is a deep integration of dictionaries, which analyzes your correspondence in an attempt to suggest the "best" option, but in the Russian-speaking segment, dictionaries often work incorrectly, changing endings or replacing slang expressions with literary ones, which distorts the meaning of the messages.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling all input functions completely can lead to more typos if you have motor problems or type without looking at the screen.It is recommended to turn off auto replacement only at first, leaving hints.
In addition, a standard keyboard can load up promotional offers or themes that are also distracting. Disabling unnecessary features will not only remove the T9, but also speed up the input interface, since the system does not have to waste the CPU resources on constant text analysis in real time.
Setting up the standard Gboard keyboard
Redmi 6A has Google's Gboard keyboard installed by default, a powerful tool that requires the right configuration. To get to the right menu, open any application that requires text input, such as a message or note.
When you have the keyboard, look for the gear icon on the top panel, and if you don't have one, click the left arrow or the three dots on the left to expand the extra menu, and that's where all the switches are hidden.
☑️ Settings for T9 disconnection
In the settings section, we're interested in the "Special Settings" tab, or "Text Correction" tab, and there are sliders that are responsible for the behavior of the keyboard when you type, and you need to find the "Autocorrect" option and turn it to "Off."
Also worth noting are related features that often work in conjunction with T9. For example, "Hints" may not change the text, but offer options above the input bar, which can also be distracting.
Managing system settings for MIUI input
Sometimes, setting the keyboard itself isn't enough, because the MIUI shell has its own priorities. System settings of the language and input can override the settings of the application. To access them, go to the main settings menu of the phone.
In the list of options, look for Additional or Advanced Settings. Depending on the firmware version, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same. We need Languages and input.
Here you'll see a list of all the keyboards installed. Click on the gear icon next to the active keyboard. This will open the system input control menu. Make sure that Gboard is chosen, not any third-party or legacy keyboard.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on work |
|---|---|---|
| Autocorrection | Off. | Text does not change automatically |
| Hints | If you wish, | Hiding a line of word prediction |
| Correction of the register | Off. | Does not change lowercase letters to capital letters |
| Auto-replacement | Off. | Cancel the replacement of words by dictionary |
You can also use dictionaries in this menu, and if you use specific terminology, it makes sense to reset the statistics that the system has accumulated, and that will remove the erroneous associations that Xiaomi might have memorized before.
Disabling text prediction and hints
Even if auto-replacement is turned off, the prompt bar above the keyboard can continue to be annoying. It takes up useful screen space on the Redmi 6A, which is already small, and by removing this element, you make room for content.
Go back to the Gboard settings through the gear. Go to the Text section. Here you'll see the Show the prompt bar switch. Disabling this setting will make the keyboard minimalist.
Why do you need clues?
It's also worth checking the Autocapitalization setting, and users often complain that the phone puts capital letters where it doesn't need to, which is in the same text correction menu, and turn it off for full control of the register.
Don't forget to check the settings for each language separately. If you have English and Russian, the settings can be separated by language profiles. Switch the language in the keyboard settings and repeat the shutdown procedure for the second language.
Using third-party keyboards for full control
If standard MIUI and Gboard tools seem too complicated or still don't work properly, there's always an alternative. Third-party keyboards like Yandex Keyboard or SwiftKey offer more intuitive settings interfaces.
Installing an alternative keyboard requires permission in the system. Once you download the app from the Play Market, the system will prompt you to activate the new input method. Follow the instructions on the screen to switch.
- 🔹 Yandex Keyboard: Works well with Russian, has a simple button to disable autocorrect right on the toolbar.
- 🔹 SwiftKey: Allows you to flexibly adjust autocorrect sensitivity, rather than just turning it on or off.
- 🔹 Hacker's Keyboard: The perfect choice for those who need a keyboard like on a PC, without unnecessary jewelry and T9.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party keyboards, carefully read the permissions they request.Some applications may require access to contacts or geolocation that is not necessary for them to work.
After installing the third-party solution, remember to go back to Languages and input settings and select the new keyboard as the default keyboard. The old Gboard is not deleted, it will remain in the system as a backup option.
Resetting the dictionary and cleaning the keyboard data
There are times when the settings are down and simple switches don't help, and in this case, a complete reset of the keyboard application helps, and it will return the Gboard to factory status by deleting all the words you've learned.
To do this, go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps. Find it in the Gboard list. Click on Clear (or Memory) and then select Clear Everything. Don't worry, your personal files won't be affected.
After this procedure, the phone will ask you to reconfigure the language and layout, which is a great moment to immediately, on a blank sheet, turn off all the unnecessary functions that we talked about above, the system will not impose old habits.
This method also helps if the keyboard has started to run slowly or freeze.Cache clearing frees up space and eliminates errors in the word database that may have accumulated over the long time using the Redmi 6A.