How to change the keyboard on the Xiaomi phone: instructions for all models

The keyboard on Xiaomi’s smartphone is not just a typing tool, but a key element of interaction with the device. The standard layout of the MIUI Keyboard is not suitable for everyone: someone lacks emojis, others want swipe gestures like in Gboard, and still others face bugs when entering two languages at once. Fortunately, Xiaomi makes it easy to replace the keyboard – both with a standard alternative (like Google Keyboard) and third-party solutions like SwiftKey or Fleksy.

In this article, we will discuss three ways to change the keyboard on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones (including models on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS), how to customize the new layout for yourself, and warn against typical errors.

1. How to change the keyboard to Xiaomi through system settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI/HyperOS tools, which are suitable for installing standard keyboards (like Google’s Gboard) or previously downloaded from the Play Market.

The instructions are relevant for all modern models: Xiaomi 14/13/12, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5 and others on Android 13/14.

1. Open “Settings” (the gear icon on the desktop or in the application menu).
2. Go to the section Additional → Language and input (on some firmware, the path may look like System and Device → Language and input).
3. Slip on the current keyboard (or keyboard management).
4. Turn on the switch next to the keyboard you want (like Gboard or SwiftKey) and if it's not on the list, install it from Play Market first.
5. Go back and select the default Keyboard → tick the desired layout.

Download an alternative keyboard from the Play Market (if you need a third-party one)

Check the free space on the phone (minimum 100 MB)

Close all applications where text input is used

Take a screenshot of the current keyboard settings (in case of rollbacks)

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Important: If you choose the Gboard keyboard, it will automatically pull your dictionary from your Google account (if you are logged in) once activated, which will speed up your adaptation to your writing style.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI For China (without Google Services), Gboard may not appear in the list of available keyboards. №3 (installation) APK).

2.Install a third-party keyboard via Play Market

If the standard options (MIUI Keyboard or Gboard) do not suit you, you can install one of the popular alternatives. Here are the TOP-5 keyboards for Xiaomi according to users:

• 🔹 Microsoft SwiftKey is the best for multilingual word input and prediction. Supports swipe gestures and synchronization between devices.
• 🔹 Fleksy – Minimalist keyboard with extended themes and support GIF jot-line.
• 🔹 Chroom – for those who like customization: you can change the size, transparency and even add your pictures to the background.
• 🔹 Grammarly Keyboard – perfect for work: fixes grammar and style on the fly (supports Russian and English).
• 🔹 AnySoftKeyboard is open source, high security and support for rare languages (including Latin for Ukrainian or Belarusian).

To establish any of them:

1. Open the Play Market and find the keyboard by name.
2. Click “Install” and wait for the download to be completed.
3. After installation, go to Settings → Language and input (as in method) №1) and activate the new keyboard.
4. Return to the menu and select it as the default keyboard.

MIUI Keyboard (standard)

Gboard (from Google)

SwiftKey

Fleksy

Another (I will write in the comments)-->

Tip: Before installing, check the reviews about the keyboard - some users complain about the SwiftKey hanging on Xiaomi with a small amount of RAM (3-4 GB). For weak devices, it is better to choose AnySoftKeyboard or Gboard.

3. Manual keyboard addition via APK (if not in the Play Market)

If the desired keyboard is not available in the Play Market (for example, due to regional restrictions or the lack of Google Services on Chinese firmware), it can be installed manually through the Play Market. APK-file.

For this:

1. Download the APK keyboard from a trusted source (like APKMirror). beware of fake files! check hash amounts and reviews.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources: go to Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications and select the browser or file manager you will install through.
3. Open the downloaded APK and confirm the installation.
4. Activate the keyboard in Settings → Language and input (as in method) №1).

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK From unverified sources, you may leak data (some keyboards record clicks!) Use only official developer sites or APKMirror.

On Chinese firmware, MIUI without Google Services Gboard may not work correctly – instead, we recommend SwiftKey or Fleksy (they are less dependent on Google services).

4.Setting up a new keyboard after installation

Just changing the keyboard is not enough – to work effectively, you need to adjust it to suit yourself. Let’s look at the basic parameters with the example of Gboard (similar options are available in other layouts).

SwiftKey and Fleksy also have unique features:

• 🔹 SwiftKey: Cloud-based synchronization of dictionary between devices (included in Microsoft account).
• 🔹 Fleksy: Advanced themes with animation and support GIF jot-line.
• 🔹 In Chroom: the ability to change the size of the keys and add your background.

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If the keyboard starts to "brake", clear its cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Keyboard name] → Clear the cache.

5. Solving problems after changing the keyboard

Sometimes, when you change the keyboard, you get bugs: it disappears, it doesn't open in some applications, or it hangs. TOP-5 problems and solutions:

• 🚨 Keyboard doesn't appear when you type in text Reason: Failure in default settings Solution: Go to Settings → Language and input → The default keyboard and re-select the layout you want. If it doesn't work, reboot your phone.
• 🚨 Keyboard slows or lags Reason: Too many languages or a large vocabulary Solution: Clear cache (see tip above) or reduce the number of active languages.
• 🚨 Swipe input is not working Reason: Function disabled for the selected language Solution: In the keyboard settings, check if Smooth input for the desired language is enabled.
• 🚨 Keyboard resets to standard after rebooting Reason: Failure in settings MIUI. Solution: Remove updates to the Settings app (if available) or reset the language and input settings to factory.
• 🚨 No emoji or stickers displayed Reason: No emoji package for the selected keyboard Solution: Install an additional package (e.g. Google Emoji for Gboard).

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If the problem doesn't work, try removing and resetting the keyboard, which often helps with a breakdown.

6.How to return the standard MIUI keyboard

If the experiment with the new keyboard failed, it is easy to return the standard MIUI Keyboard:

1. Go to Settings → Language and Enter → Current Keyboard.
2. Turn on the switch next to the MIUI Keyboard (if it is turned off).
3. Slip on the default keyboard and select MIUI Keyboard.

If the standard keyboard has disappeared from the list (for example, after resetting), it can be restored:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search, type "MIUI Keyboard" (or "MIUI Keyboard" in Russian).
3. Click "Enable" (if the application is disabled).
4. Go back to the language and input settings and activate it.

⚠️ Note: On some HyperOS firmware, the standard keyboard may be called the Xiaomi Keyboard instead of the X-ray. MIUI Keyboard. Search for the keyword "Keyboard».

7. Alternative ways to enter text on Xiaomi

If the keyboard on the screen does not suit you at all, consider alternative methods of entering:

• 🎤 Voice input: works through Google Assistant or MIUI Voice. To activate, say "OK, Google" or hold the microphone button on the keyboard.
• ✍️ Manual input: available in Gboard (click on the pen icon in the input bar) or through applications like MyScript Nebo.
• 🖱️ Connecting a physical keyboard via Bluetooth or USB-C (through OTG-Adapters are supported by most keyboards for Windows/Mac.
• 📱 Remote input from PC: through services like Pushbullet or Microsoft Your Phone, you can send text from computer to phone.

For users with disabilities, MIUI has special features:

• 👁️ Enlarging the keyboard: Settings → Special facilities → Display size.
• 🕒 Slowing down the re-pressing: Settings → Special facilities → Retention time.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi