How to change the background of the keyboard on the Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

The background of the keyboard on Xiaomi smartphones is one of those little things that can dramatically change the appearance of the interface. Many users do not suspect that the standard gray or white substrate can be replaced with your own image, gradient or even animated background. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, from official settings of MIUI to hidden features that work even on budget models Redmi and POCO.

It’s important to understand that customization options depend on the shell version: MIUI 14/15 makes the process easier, whereas older versions (e.g. MIUI 12) may require a workaround. We tested all methods on current firmware and collected data into a comparison table so you can choose the best option for your model – whether it’s the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the affordable Redmi Note 12.

If you want to not just change the background, but to fully personalize the keyboard, at the end of the article you will find tips for customizing the theme, size buttons, and even adding your own emojis, and for those who have experienced errors when changing the background, we have prepared a section on the solution problems.

1. Standard method: changing the background through the settings of the MIUI keyboard

The easiest method is to use built-in shell tools, which works on most devices with MIUI 13 and later, including the Xiaomi 13T, POCO F5 and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ models. The main condition is that the standard Mi Keyboard keyboard must be installed (it can not be removed, but can be disabled).

To change the background:

  1. Open any application where the keyboard appears (such as Messages or Notes).
  2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) in the top row of the keyboard to open its settings.
  3. Go to the Keyboard Themes section → Background.
  4. Choose one of the proposed options: 🎨 Color background - gradients and monochromatic colors 🖼️ Image - uploading your picture from the gallery 🌌 Dynamic background – animation (not available on all models)

Apply

Note that on some devices (such as the POCO X5 Pro), the background section may be hidden behind the option or Personalization. If you do not find an option, update the keyboard via Google Play or reset it to factory settings.

📊 What keyboard do you use on Xiaomi?
Mi Keyboard (standard)
Gboard (Google)
SwiftKey
Another.
I don't know.

2. Alternative method: use of MIUI themes

If you don’t have a background change option in your keyboard settings, try changing it through MIUI themes, which works on all devices, including older models like the Redmi 9A or POCO M3, but requires a third-party theme.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Topic app (Brush icon) 🖌️).
  2. Go to the Keyboard section (may be called Keyboard or Enter).
  3. Choose your favorite theme with a unique background. Pay attention to the notes: 🔄 Dynamic - the background changes depending on the time of day 🖼️ Customizable - you can upload your image 🎭 Animated – Supports movement (requires) MIUI 14+)

Apply

Important: Some themes can change not only the background, but also the style of buttons, font or even key sounds. If the keyboard becomes uncomfortable after applying the theme, return the standard option in the settings.

Why not all themes change the background of the keyboard?
Some MIUI themes only affect desktop wallpaper or icons, not the keyboard. To find the right theme, use a filter in the Themes app: select the Keyboard category and sort by ranking. Also pay attention to screenshots — if the preview shows a changed background, the theme will definitely affect the keyboard.

3. Hidden function: manual background loading through the file system

For advanced users, there is a way to manually replace the keyboard background by editing system files, which works on MIUI 12-15, but requires root rights or ADB. We only recommend it if the standard methods didn't work.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download your favorite image in.png format with a resolution of 1080×1920 (for vertical orientation).
  2. Connect your phone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times).
  3. Open the command line and type in: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/your_image.png /system/usr/keyboard_background/ Replace. your_image.png in the name of your file.
  4. Reset the device.

Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can cause keyboard failures. Create a backup of the folder before you start /system/usr/keyboard_background/.

Download the image in PNG format

Enable debugging over USB

Install ADB-PC drivers

Make a backup of system files

Checking Image Resolution (1080×1920)-->

4.Use of third-party keyboards with background customization

If the built-in methods don’t work, consider third-party keyboards with advanced settings, such as Gboard (from Google) or SwiftKey (from Microsoft) let you set your own backgrounds without requiring root rights.

Comparison of popular keyboards:

keyboardBackground supportAnimation.You need MIUI?Reference
Gboard✅ Yes (from the gallery)❌ No.❌ No.Google Play
SwiftKey✅ Yes (themes)❌ No.❌ No.Google Play
Chroom✅ Yes (gradients)✅ Yes.❌ No.Google Play
Fleksy✅ Yes (stickers)❌ No.❌ No.Google Play

To set the background in Gboard:

  1. Open any text field and call the keyboard.
  2. Click on the tri-point icon (⋮) → Settings → Topics.
  3. Choose to Create Your Theme → Background → Gallery.
  4. Upload the image and adjust the transparency.

If the background is reset after the system update, it may be due to Xiaomi's policy of resetting customization.

  1. Take a screenshot of the current background.
  2. After the update, re-apply the settings.
  3. Use third-party keyboards (such as Chroom) that save settings independently of MIUI.

6. Additional customization: fonts, sounds and animations

Changing the background is only part of the keyboard personalization options available on MIUI 14/15.

  • 🎵 Keyboard sounds: upload your audio files in format.mp3 (duration).
  • 🔤 Fonts: Choose from the collection MIUI or download a.ttf file.
  • 🎞️ Animations: Click on the keys to preview effects (available on Xiaomi) 13/14 series).
  • 🖼️ Transparency: adjust background opacity (good for dark topics).

To activate these functions:

  1. Go to the keyboard settings → Additionally.
  2. Select the Personalization section.
  3. Activate the sliders next to the desired options.

Unique feature of MIUI 15: the keyboard can automatically adjust the background color to the desktop wallpaper. To do this, turn on the option Adaptive background in the theme settings.

7. Comparison of methods: which way to choose

To help determine, we have compiled a comparative table of all the methods described, taking into account their pros and cons:

MethodDifficultyRoot is required.Works for all MIUIs.Animation support
Standard settings⭐❌ No.✅ Yes (MIUI 13+)⚠️ Partially.
MIUI themes⭐⭐❌ No.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.
Manual file replacement⭐⭐⭐⭐✅ Yes.✅ Yes.❌ No.
Third-party keyboards⭐⭐❌ No.✅ Yes.⚠️ Depends on the app.

For most users, a combination of standard settings and MIUI themes is the best solution. If you want maximum customization (for example, animated background on Redmi K60), consider Chroom or manual editing of system files (for experienced ones only!).

💡

On devices with MIUI 15: The function AI-background that generates a unique image for the keyboard based on your wallpaper. To activate it, go to the keyboard settings → Creative studio.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put a video as the background of the keyboard?
For the moment (2026 No standard or third-party keyboard for Xiaomi supports videophones. GIF-animation in some themes (e.g. Chroom) for this: Download GIF permittingly 1080×1920. Convert it into APNG (cartoon PNG) Upload the file as a static background, note that the animation will only play when typing and can increase battery consumption.
Why did the background of the keyboard drop after the MIUI update?
This is standard system behavior: major updates (e.g., MIUI 14 to MIUI 15) reset all custom theme settings, including the keyboard background. To avoid loss: Save the image you are using to a separate folder. Take a screenshot of the current settings. After updating, reapply the background manually. If the background is gone after a minor update (e.g., MIUI 15.0.1 → 15.0.2), try clearing the keyboard cache in the application settings.
How to make a transparent keyboard on Xiaomi?
A completely transparent keyboard cannot be created, but you can minimize the opacity of the background: In the standard keyboard: Settings → Topics → von → Transparency (move the slider 10-20%). In Gboard: choose a theme Transparent or create yours with minimal opacity. AMOLED-Use a black background with screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) that visually merges with the display. Note: on light wallpaper, a transparent keyboard can be difficult to read.
Does the background change work for the POCO F6 and Redmi 13C?
Yes, both methods (standard settings and MIUI themes) work on these models, as they use MIUI 14/15. However, there are nuances: POCO F6: supports dynamic backgrounds, but animation can slow down when playing. Redmi 13C: due to the budget processor, it is recommended to use static images instead of animation. POCO F6 also has a Super Wallpapers feature - if you install such a wallpaper, the keyboard will automatically adjust the color gamut to it.
Can I get back the standard background after the experiments?
Yes, for this: Open keyboard settings. Go to Themes → Background. Choose Standard or Default. If you don't have the option, reset your keyboard settings through Settings → Apps → Mi Keyboard → Storage → Clear data. On devices with MIUI 15, the standard background may be different from the original (for example, it has become gradient instead of monotonous).