Personalizing your smartphone interface is not just a way to stand out, but also an opportunity to make your device more comfortable and enjoyable. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices often wonder how to change the standard look of the keyboard, since the basic design can seem boring or not match the mood of the user. Changing the picture on the keyboard allows you to turn typing into a more exciting process, adding personality to your gadget.
The process of changing the background depends on which keyboard is installed in the system by default. Most often, Xiaomi smartphones use Google's Gboard or the standard Sogou keyboard (Mi AI), adapted for regional markets. Despite the differences in interfaces, the algorithm of actions in both cases is similar and does not require root rights or deep knowledge of programming. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of setting up the visual design of typing.
Before making any changes, make sure that the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS is updated to the current version, ensuring that all the features described are available and displayed correctly on the screen, and it is important to understand that some themes can only be accessed when you have a connected Mi Account or after logging into the relevant theme store.
Determining the type of keyboard in the Xiaomi system
The first step to customization is to determine exactly which app is responsible for typing your device. In Xiaomi smartphones, the situation can be ambiguous: global versions usually come with Gboard, while Chinese or some regional firmware use Sogou. This fundamentally depends on the further algorithm of actions, since the settings menus are located differently.
To find out the current keyboard, just go to the system settings. You need to find the Additional settings section and select Language and input. Here, in the "Current Keyboard", you will see the active application. If you see the Google logo, you have Gboard. If the logo resembles the letter "S" or looks like a cloud with text, it is Sogou.
Sometimes users install third-party solutions like SwiftKey or Yandex Keyboard that offer even more customization options, but if your goal is to work with standard functionality without installing any extra software, we’ll focus on the two main options preinstalled in MIUI.
- 🔍 Check the settings in the Language and Input menu to identify the application.
- 📱 Pay attention to the logo on the pop-up bar when typing.
- ⚙️ Make sure the app has all the necessary permissions to work.
⚠️ Note: If you recently reset your phone, the system could automatically return the standard keyboard, even if another one was previously installed.
Understanding which tool you are working with will save you time and eliminate confusion on the menu, and then we will look at the detailed instructions for each of the popular options.
Setting up the background in Gboard (Google Keyboard)
Google’s keyboard is the most common on global versions of Xiaomi smartphones.It’s famous for its minimalism and speed, but it also offers rich visual customization options. To change a picture, open any type of text application, such as Notes or WhatsApp, to call the keyboard to the screen.
On the top of the keyboard, find a four-square icon or a gear settings, and if you click on it, you'll be taken to the control menu. You'll need to select the Topic (or Theme) item, and that's where all the tools to change the look are hidden. The system will offer a few preset options, but we're interested in the ability to set up your own image.
In the themes menu that opens, select a tile with a plus symbol or gallery icon, which is usually signed as "My Photos" or "Gallery." After selecting this wholesale, the system will request access to the device's media files. Allow access so that the keyboard can read images from your gallery.
☑️ Checking before setting the topic
When the gallery opens, select the image you want. Gboard will automatically offer tools to crop and adjust brightness to keep the keyboard text readable. This is a critical point: too motley or dark backgrounds can make typing uncomfortable.
- 🎨 Use a built-in blur filter to make the letters read better.
- 🖼️ Choose high resolution images for clarity on AMOLED screen.
- 👁️ Check the contrast between the letters and the background pattern.
Once you're satisfied with the result, click "Done" or "Apply." Changes will take effect instantly in all applications. If you don't like the result, you can always go back to the themes menu and choose a different option or return the standard style.
Change the theme on the Sogou keyboard (Mi AI)
Owners of Xiaomi smartphones bought in China or through some gray delivery channels often encounter the Sogou keyboard.It is deeply integrated into the MIUI shell and offers unique features such as gesture control and an extensive library of ready-made skins.The process of changing the picture here is slightly different from the standard Android interface.
To start, call the keyboard and find the Sogou logo icon (usually in the top row) or the four-square icon. In the menu that opens, select the Themes section (an icon with a T-character or palette). Unlike Gboard, here you find a full-fledged design store where you can download finished works from designers.
To put your picture, look for the Mine tab or the camera/plus icon at the top of the theme store screen. The feature can be called "Create a Theme" or "Local." When you select this item, you will open a file manager that allows you to download photos from your phone's memory. Sogou often offers more aggressive editing tools, allowing you to change the color of each button separately.
⚠️ Warning: Sogou Theme Store may require a connection to servers in China, which sometimes leads to a long load of directories.If the directory is not loaded, use the local image download feature.
Once you load the image, the system will suggest you adjust the transparency of the keys, which is a useful feature that allows you to make the background more visible while keeping the characters readable. By adjusting the transparency slider, you can achieve a "glass" effect, where the picture shines through the buttons.
Finish the process by saving the theme. Sogou also has the option to customize a separate background for horizontal input mode, which can be useful when typing with two hands.
Use of third-party applications for customization
If you don't like standard features, you can always turn to third-party solutions. Google Play and GetApps offer a lot of customized keyboards that are customized for visual design, popular options are Kika Keyboard, Facemoji or the already mentioned SwiftKey.
The main advantage of such applications is a huge library of ready-made themes, animated backgrounds and even the ability to add more information. GIF-Installing such a keyboard requires advanced permissions, including access to the clipboard and tracking input, which should be considered from the point of view of data security.
The process of setting the background in third-party applications is usually intuitive. Once you download and activate a new keyboard in the system settings, you need to open its application. In the "My themes" or "Background" section, you select the image download point, and many of these applications allow you to even draw the background yourself or generate it with AI.
| Annex | Type of background | Difficulty setting up | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gboard | Static photo | Low. | No. |
| Sogou | Photo + transparency | Medium | Aye (in topics) |
| SwiftKey | Photo + gradients | Low. | No. |
| Facemoji | GIF + Video | Tall. | Yes. |
When choosing a third-party keyboard, pay attention to reviews and downloads. Little-known applications can contain malicious code or overly aggressively collect user data.
Technical requirements and image formats
The quality of the final image depends on the original file. Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with high-resolution displays, often AMOLED or IPS with a pixel density of more than 400 ppi. Using low-quality images will lead to the appearance of artifacts of compression, soap and pixelation, which is especially noticeable on large screens.
The optimal format for the background is PNG or quality JPG. The PNG format is preferred if you want to keep the boundaries clear and the compression artifacts missing, although it takes up more space. The image resolution should be at least 1080 pixels on the smaller side to ensure proper zoom.
Color gamut also plays a role. On AMOLED screens, the black background of the keyboard can blend into the display frames if you don't adjust the contrast of the buttons. Light themes can consume more power on these screens, although in the case of a static keyboard, this effect is minimal.
- 📐 Recommended Permit: minimum 1920x1080 pixel.
- 💾 File format: JPG (quality 90%+) or PNG.
- 🌈 Avoid monochrome images that match the font color.
Remember, too detailed backgrounds can be distracting from typing, your brain will try to read information from each pixel under your finger, which reduces your print speed, and the ideal background is slightly blurred or has a uniform structure in the center.
Solution: Why the picture doesn't change
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after all the manipulations the background remains standard or resets after a reboot. One of the common reasons in MIUI is aggressive memory optimization. The system can "kill" the keyboard process, and when it restarts the settings do not have time to load from the cache.
To fix this, go to the keyboard app settings (Settings → Apps → All Apps → Gboard/Sogou). Find "Battery Saving" and select "No Limits" mode, which will allow the app to save its settings and cache without interruption from the system.
⚠️ Warning: If the problem persists after the power saving mode change, try clearing the keyboard app cache (not the data, but the cache) and re-installing the theme. Deleting the data will reset all your dictionaries and settings.
Another reason could be that the theme is incompatible with the current version of Android or shell. After major MIUI updates, old themes may not display correctly, in which case creating a new theme using the same image, but from scratch, will help.
Also check if the "Simple Mode" or "older" mode is enabled, and in this interface, many customization functions are forcibly blocked to make use of them easier.