Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation where a standard keyboard no longer meets the needs of the user, which can be due to an uncomfortable location of the buttons, lack of necessary functions or simply a desire to personalize the interface of the device.
The modern Android operating system, which runs the MIUI shell or HyperOS, allows you to instantly replace embedded tools with third-party counterparts from the Google Play store. You do not need to have superuser rights or understand complex code to make the typing process more comfortable and faster.
In this article, we will discuss the entire process in detail, from choosing the right application to fine-tuning the input parameters, you will learn how to activate a new layout, adjust autocorrection to yourself and solve typical problems that arise when replacing system components.
Selecting the optimal application for text input
Before you start the technical part of the replacement, you need to decide which tool you want to use. The mobile app market offers dozens of options, each with its own unique features and target audience. Google’s standard solution is often considered the gold standard due to its excellent speech recognition and predictive input.
Xiaomi users may prefer lighter or more functionally overloaded alternatives, such as Gboard, which is famous for its stability, while SwiftKey (developed by Microsoft) offers unrivalled adaptations to a particular person’s print style.
You should consider language support, night mode theme and the ability to adjust button heights. Some applications require a constant Internet connection to run a cloud dictionary, which can be critical for users with limited traffic.
- 📱 Gboard is the best choice for most users thanks to its integration with Google services and excellent voice input.
- ⌨️ SwiftKey is ideal for those who type with two thumbs, thanks to the clever adaptation of the key shape.
- 🎨 Facemoji – Customization enthusiasts will love it, offering thousands of themes, fonts and effects when clicked.
- 🚀 Typewise is a revolutionary hexagonal keyboard designed to print with one hand without errors.
⚠️ Note: Install text input apps only from official sources like Google Play or GetApps. Third-party keyboards have access to everything you type, including passwords and personal data, so developer security is critical here.
Installation and primary activation of the keyboard
Once you have decided on the choice and installed the application, the system will not start using it automatically. Android requires manual confirmation of activation of the new input method for security purposes. The first step after installation is to launch the application itself, where you may be asked to accept the license agreement or adjust the basic settings.
Then you go to the system settings of the smartphone. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section responsible for additional settings or device management. Often users forget to turn on the switch in the security menu, which makes the keyboard not appear in the list of available.
The activation process requires care, because the system will issue a warning about potential risks, which is standard for any application that tracks character input, and once confirmed, the system will redirect you to the selection menu, where you will need to tick against the newly installed app.
☑️ Activation of the new keyboard
It is important to note that some versions of Xiaomi firmware may have different names for menus, so if you don’t see the right item, search by settings by entering the word “keyboard” or “language,” which will save you time and allow you to immediately go to the desired menu subsection.
Setting Priority and Switching Between Keyboards
Once activated, you may have two or more active input methods on your device, so that you don't manually switch through the menu every time, you need to assign a new application to the default keyboard, which will cause the system to open the selected interface in any text field, whether it's a browser, messenger or notes.
To change priority, go to Settings menu, then select Additional and find Language and Enter. At the top of the screen, the current keyboard will be displayed. Click on this item, you will see a list of all active tools. Select the one you want to use the main one.
If you want to temporarily return to the old keyboard or try a third one in the future, the procedure can be repeated, and many modern Xiaomi smartphones have a quick way to switch: if you open the keyboard, you need to press and hold a space or use a special button in the navigation bar.
| Setup parameter | Where to find on the menu | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| The main keyboard | Language and input → Current keyboard | Your choice (e.g. Gboard) |
| Auto-replacement | Settings inside the keyboard application | On (for speed) |
| Vibrant response | Sound and vibration / Keyboard settings | Preferences (usually 20-50 ms) |
| Input language | Languages → Add tongue | English, Russian (and others in need) |
What to do if the keyboard does not switch?
Fine adjustment of input and autocorrection parameters
Standard settings often don't take into account the individual characteristics of the user's print. Autocorrection is a powerful tool that can both save from typos and annoy you by changing the right words to unnecessary ones. In new keyboards, you can adjust the aggressiveness of the fixes or completely disable them for certain languages.
The user vocabulary is worth paying special attention to. Most modern applications allow you to add your own words that do not occur in the standard dictionary (for example, surnames, professional terms or slang), which greatly improves the accuracy of predictive typing over time.
Keyboard height is also available, which is especially true for devices with large screens, such as the Xiaomi Mi Max or modern flagships. Reducing the height allows you to reach the top row of characters with the thumb of one hand.
- 🔤 Dictionary: Clean up your learned words regularly if your phone starts offering incorrect options by dropping your learning statistics.
- 🔊 Sound: tune the volume of the click or turn it off if it interferes in quiet places; tactile response is often more informative than sound.
- 🎨 Topics: Changing the color of the keyboard not only pleases the eye, but can also increase the contrast of symbols for people with poor vision.
⚠️ Note: When you turn on Cloud Input or Recognition Improvement, your data can be sent to the developer’s servers. If you work with sensitive information, it’s best to turn off dictionary synchronization in the application’s privacy settings.
Solution: Keyboard is not working or freezes
Sometimes, after installing or updating the MIUI firmware, input tools may fail; the on-screen keyboard may stop appearing when typing, freeze or spontaneously close; most often, the problem lies in an overflowing application cache or version conflict.
The first step in diagnostics is to clear the cache, and you go to Settings, select Apps, find all the menus, and find the problem app, and inside the Memory section, you click Clear the cache. Don't confuse it with the Clear Everything button, or you'll lose the saved dictionary.
If a simple cleaning didn't work, force the process to stop. In the same application menu, click Stop, and then try to open any field to type again. The system will restart the keyboard process, which often eliminates temporary software errors.
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If the keyboard crashes immediately after you appear, try temporarily disabling the theme in the keyboard application itself. Complex animations and live wallpaper on the keyboard can conflict with the processor's system resources.
In rare cases, the cause may be a conflict with another application that uses overlays, such as a blue filter or screen recording applications, and disabling such utilities helps identify the source of interference.
Removing unnecessary keyboards and optimizing the system
Having a lot of active keyboards can slightly increase RAM consumption, although this is almost invisible on modern devices, but if you finally choose the right option, old tools are better removed or deactivated, which will eliminate accidental switching during fast printing.
To remove a third-party keyboard, just find it in the general list of applications and click Delete. the Xiaomi or Gboard system keyboard (if it is sewn into the firmware) will not be removed in the standard way, but you can simply turn it off in the settings, selecting another as the main one.
Regularly checking for updates to your chosen keyboard is a good habit. Developers are constantly improving predictive-set algorithms and closing security vulnerabilities. Automatic app updates to Google Play will solve this for you.
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The optimal system configuration is one main keyboard with a configured dictionary and disabled unnecessary input methods, which ensures maximum speed and stability.