How to change the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Changing the standard text input tool on a smartphone is the first thing to do after buying a new device or updating the operating system. Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi 9 model often face the desire to replace the preinstalled keyboard with a more functional counterpart that better predicts words or has a convenient design theme. Google’s standard solution, which usually stands out of the box, may not suit users for a number of reasons: from visual style to insufficient accuracy of autocorrection in Russian.

The process of replacing the virtual input bar on this device is based on the MIUI operating system, which in turn is a modification of Android.This means that the procedure of installing a third-party application and activating it as the main input method is standard for the entire ecosystem, but has its own nuances in the settings menu of the Chinese brand. You do not need root rights or complex code manipulation, everything is done through the official app store.

In this article, we will discuss how to safely remove or disable an old keyboard, install a new one and customize it to suit your habits. We will look not only at popular options like Gboard, but also at alternative solutions for those who are looking for minimalism or advanced customization capabilities. The right software can significantly speed up typing and reduce the number of typos when communicating in instant messengers.

Why you should replace the standard keyboard with Redmi 9

Many users ignore the ability to change the keyboard, getting used to what is the default. However, the standard solutions preinstalled on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 are often stripped down versions or have limitations that are noticeable only when used actively. Third-party developments offer advanced machine learning algorithms that adapt faster to your unique style of printing and slang.

And visuals are also important, because if you get bored with a standard white or black background, third-party apps allow you to set up any image from the gallery, change the transparency of the buttons, and even add sound effects when you click, which makes dry typing a more enjoyable experience with the device.

Security is also an important aspect: While Xiaomi keeps an eye on its products, using time-tested open source keyboards from independent developers or a strict privacy policy gives more assurance that your data will not be used for targeted advertising.

• 🚀 High speed and no delays when symbols appear on the screen.
• 🎨 Deep customization of appearance, including themes, fonts and button sizes.
• 🛡️ Improved protection of personal data and the ability to work offline.
• 🔤 Smart autocorrection that takes into account the context of a sentence, not just individual words.

⚠️ Warning: When installing keyboards from unknown developers, always check the permissions requested. If the application requires access to contacts or locations without obvious need, it is better to abandon its use in favor of proven analogues.

Choosing the Right Alternative in Google Play

The first step before you switch keyboards to Xiaomi Redmi 9 is to find and install the right app. Google Play offers hundreds of options, but the top few products that have proven their strength and functionality are the ones that you choose, depending on your priorities: someone is important to be minimal, someone is able to type with one hand or have a built-in translator.

Google's Gboard is the most popular choice. It's already built in a lot, but if you have a stripped-down version, you can download the full version separately. It works great with voice input and has a powerful prediction system. The second most popular option is Microsoft's SwiftKey, which is famous for its incredibly accurate next-word prediction system, learning from your social media and instant messenger correspondence.

For minimalist users, Simple Keyboard or OpenBoard are lightweight, open source applications that don't require Internet access, which completely eliminates the transfer of your data to corporate servers, ideal for older devices or users who value privacy above all other features.

Language support is also important to consider when choosing. If you type in rare languages or use specific dialects, check if you have the right layout in the application description. Most top-end solutions support multilingualism and allow you to swipe between languages by space.

Installation process and initial setup

Once you've decided to choose and downloaded the APK installation file or app from the store, the MIUI system on Redmi 9 will require a series of actions to activate the new tool. It's not enough to install the app, you need to give the system permission to use it and make it the default one, and it takes no more than two minutes.

Once installed, when you first run an application or when you try to call the keyboard in any input field, the system will issue a security risk warning. This is standard Android procedure, warning that a third-party application can read the input text, including passwords, and you need to confirm that you trust the developer.

Then you go to system settings. 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 input settings and switch the switchboard opposite the name of the new application to the active position, only after that it will appear in the list of available methods.

The final step is to choose the default keyboard, and the system will give you a list of options, and if you choose a new one, you will fix it as the primary one, and from that point on, any type of text will open the interface you choose, not the standard one.

Where to find the input settings in MIUI

The MIUI shell interface on Xiaomi Redmi 9 can be confusing for a beginner, as menu items are sometimes hidden in the depths of the structure. To quickly get to the desired section without much searching, you can use the search bar in the settings themselves. However, if you prefer manual navigation, follow the specified algorithm of actions.

Open the Settings app (cog icon). Scroll down to "Additional Settings" where key system settings are hidden that are not displayed on the main menu screen. In the list that opens, look for "Language and input."

Within the Language and Entering section, you are interested in the Keyboard Management or Current Keyboard section. This displays a list of all input methods installed. Make sure the switch opposite your new app is active (blue or green). If it is not on the list, then the app is not installed or is incompatible with your Android version.

You can also set up physical settings in this menu if you use an external Bluetooth keyboard connected to Redmi 9. The character repetition rate and delay before repeating are adjusted here, which is useful for people with special needs or when using specific equipment.

Configuring the dictionary and personalizing the input

After successfully replacing your keyboard with a Xiaomi Redmi 9, it is recommended to devote a few minutes to learning it. New algorithms work only when they “understand” your communication style. Start by checking the language bar: add all the languages you communicate in so that the switching happens instantly.

Most modern keyboards allow you to import dictionaries from old apps or cloud accounts. If you are switching from an old Android smartphone, for example, use a backup feature that will save all your commonly used words, including nicknames, addresses and specific terms.

The autocorrection settings deserve special attention, and some users prefer aggressive corrections that correct even the slightest typos, while others are discouraged by this, as the system changes correct but rare words, and autocorrect settings can set the sensitivity level or turn it off for certain languages.

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Use the Personal Dictionary feature to add specific words. If you often write complex technical terms or names of rare animal breeds, add them manually so that the keyboard stops "fixing" them.

Don't forget to adjust the keyboard height and one-handed mode. On the Redmi 9 screen with its diagonal, it's important that the buttons are large enough for a comfortable touch with your fingers, but don't overlap the half screen. Move the keyboard left or right if you're more comfortable typing with your thumb of one hand.

Solving Frequent Problems and Conflicts

Sometimes, after installing a new keyboard, users face problems: it may not appear in the right applications, “fly out” or block the input field. Most often this is due to a conflict of permissions or a lack of RAM on the Xiaomi Redmi 9. Aggressive MIUI energy saving system can “kill” the keyboard process to save power.

To solve the problem with departures, go to the application settings, find your new keyboard, and in the Battery or Energy Saving section, select No Limits mode, which will prevent the system from forcibly closing the input process, which will ensure stable operation even when resources are scarce.

⚠️ Note: If the keyboard stopped appearing after the system update, try clearing the keyboard app cache through the Apps menu.Do not delete data unless you want to lose the learned dictionary, cleaning the keycha is safe.

In rare cases, there is conflict with Full-screen Apps mode. If the keyboard appears on top of the content in games or videos or does not pop up, check the full-screen settings in the screen settings, and it also helps to reboot the device after installing any system changes.

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The stability of the third-party keyboard on MIUI depends on the power saving settings. Be sure to allow the application to run in the background without restrictions.

How to Get Back to the Factory Keyboard

If the experiment with the new keyboard failed, or you decided to temporarily return to the standard Xiaomi solution, the reverse switching procedure takes seconds. You do not need to delete the new application, just change the priority in the system settings.

Repeat the path described earlier: Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard. In the list that opens, select Google Keyboard or MIUI Keyboard, depending on what you had originally, and the system will instantly apply the changes.

If you want to completely remove the third-party app to free up space on Xiaomi Redmi 9, find its icon on the desktop, press and select “Delete”, or do it through the application management menu.