How to adjust the keyboard on your Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s keyboard is not just a typing tool, but a setup ecosystem that can make communication easier and can be a source of annoyance. Wrong button size, awkward layout, or overly sensitive gestures often force users to look for alternative solutions. Meanwhile, MIUI has a host of options for fine-tuning the keyboard, from changing language and theme to adjusting for delaying presses and vibrations.

In this article, we’ll look at all the keyboard options available on Xiaomi phones, including MIUI 14/15 and older models, how to resize keys, add new languages, set up auto-replacements, and even install third-party keyboards with advanced features, and focus on the hidden developer settings that allow you to more accurately calibrate the sensor sensitivity to your printing style.

1. Basic keyboard settings in MIUI

Let's start with the basics: where to find and how to change the standard keyboard settings. At Xiaomi, it is the Gboard system app (from Google) or the Mi Keyboard branded keyboard - depending on the model and firmware version, the path to settings is the same for most devices:

1. Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard
2. Slip the gear icon next to the active keyboard (such as the Gboard or Mi Keyboard).

In the menu that opens you will find:

• 🌐 Languages – Add/remove layouts (including dialects and regional variations).
• 🎨 Themes – change of design (color of buttons, background, style).
• ⚙️ Preferences – tuning vibrations, sounds, autofill.
• 📏 Size and layout – change the height of the keyboard and the location of the buttons.

Note that on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), the path may slightly differ due to shell customization. If you do not find the Additional Settings section, try searching through the search bar in the main settings menu by typing in the "keyboard" query.

2. How to change the size and location of the keys

Too small or bulky buttons prevent you from typing quickly, so in MIUI you can adjust your keyboard to the size of your fingers.

1. Open the keyboard settings (as described in the previous section).
2. Go to Size and layout (or Setting up layout for Mi Keyboard).
3. Use the keyboard height slider to change the overall size.
4. Turn on the option of floating keyboard to move it around the screen.

For more precise settings:

• 🔍 The scale of the buttons changes the size of individual keys (not available on all models).
• 📱 Single-line mode – simplifies the set with one hand (useful for large smartphones like Xiaomi 13 Ultra).
• 🔄 Separate keyboard – pushes the buttons around the edges of the screen (convenient for tablets or foldable devices).

Set the height to 70-80% of the maximum |

Enable floating keyboard for flexibility |

Turn off vibration when pressed (if disturbed)|

Check the sensitivity in the "Sensor settings"-->

If after the changes the keyboard began to behave strangely (for example, missing buttons or they are overlaid), reset the settings to standard: Keyboard settings → Reset → Reset the default values.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12 or below, a separate keyboard may not work properly due to firmware errors, in which case update the system or use third-party applications like SwiftKey.

3. Language customization and auto-replacement

One of the most popular features is adding multiple languages and autocorrection management, which Xiaomi does this:

1. In the keyboard settings, select Languages.
2. Tap Add keyboard and select the desired languages (for example, Russian, English, Spanish).
3. For quick switching between languages, swipe your finger over the space to the left or right.

To set up auto-replacement and tips:

• 🔤 Autocorrection - corrects typos (you can turn off if it interferes with the).
• 📚 Dictionary – adding words (such as jargon or names).
• 🔄 Input hints – shows options for continuing the phrase.
• 🚫 Blocking obscene words – a filter for family use.

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12T), the Mi Keyboard has a feature called Intelligent Input that analyzes your writing style and suggests more relevant words. To activate it, go to Settings → Additional → Intelligent Input and turn on the switch.

4. fine-tuning sensitivity and delay of pressing

If the keyboard misses taps, duplicates characters, or reacts with a delay, the problem may lie in the sensor settings. MIUI has hidden parameters that allow you to calibrate the response:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and tap it 7 times.
2. Go back to the main settings menu and find a new section for developers.
3. Scroll down to the input block and find: Minimum press delay (set 50-100ms for quick response); Sensor sensitivity (increase if the keyboard doesn't respond to light touches); Vibration when pressed (turn off if it's annoying).

For devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) it is useful to disable the option Animation of keystrokes – this will speed up the display of characters and save battery power.

⚠️ Warning: Change settings Minimum press delay below 50 If you see artifacts, you can make false positives, so the keyboard will record random touches. 70-100 miss.

5. Installation of third-party keyboards (SwiftKey, Fleksy, Chroom)

If you don't like the standard Xiaomi keyboard, you can install an alternative.

• 🔄 Microsoft SwiftKey: Best Auto Replacement and Word Prediction.
• ⚡ Fleksy – Minimalist design and gestures.
• 🎨 Chroom - customization for iOS-style.
• 🔒 AnySoftKeyboard – open source and high security.

To install a third-party keyboard:

1. Download the app from Google Play (like SwiftKey).
2. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.
3. Turn on the switch next to the new keyboard.
4. Slip the keyboard icon in the notification bar and select the desired one.

On devices with MIUI 14+, a security alert may appear when activating a third-party keyboard. This is a standard precaution – keyboards have access to all the text you type. To minimize the risks, download apps only from the official store and check reviews.

💡

If after installing a third-party keyboard disappears emoji panel, go to its settings and activate the option to Show emoji (in SwiftKey it is in Settings → Layout and keys).

6. Solving common keyboard problems

Even after you set up the keyboard correctly, the Xiaomi keyboard can malfunction, and let’s look at the typical faults and how to fix them:

If the keyboard has stopped working completely:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Remove updates for Gboard or Mi Keyboard in Settings → Apps.
3. Reset the keyboard settings to standard.
4. In extreme cases, reset your phone settings (don’t forget to make a backup!).

💡

Before resetting your keyboard settings, export your custom dictionary (in Gboard, this is done in Settings → Dictionary → Export).

7. Hidden Keyboard Chips on Xiaomi

MIUI has a few little-known features that make typing easier:

• 🖼️ Insert pictures and stickers: in the Mi Keyboard hold the Emoji button to open the menu with GIFs and stickers.
• 🔍 Search for emoji: Click on the magnifying glass in the emoji bar and type in a keyword (such as “heart” or “laughter»).
• 📍 Quick Address Entering: In Gboard, hold the Space button to open the Quick Phrase Menu (configured in Settings) → Text substitutions).
• 🔤 Voice input: tap the microphone on the keyboard to dictate text (works offline for major languages).

On devices with MIUI 15: The function AI-It's a prediction that analyzes the context of the correspondence and suggests whole sentences:

1. Go to the keyboard settings → Intelligent input.
2. Activate the Contextual Tips switch.
3. Allow access to keyboard notifications (required for correspondence analysis).

⚠️ Attention: Function AI-Prediction sends anonymized data to Xiaomi servers to improve algorithms. If you're concerned, turn off the option in keyboard privacy settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up the keyboard on Xiaomi