How to replace the keyboard on the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 9T: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi’s standard Redmi 9T keyboard is often frustrating: it’s slow, doesn’t support gestures, or just inconvenient for quick dialing. Fortunately, you can replace it in 2-3 minutes with both a built-in MIUI alternative and third-party solutions like Gboard or SwiftKey. In this article, we’ll discuss all the current ways to change the keyboard, including hidden system settings and solving typical errors.

The Redmi 9T (codename lime) feature is MIUI, where some keyboard settings are hidden deeper than pure Android. For example, disabling a standard keyboard requires additional actions, and installing third-party applications can be blocked due to security limitations. We took all these nuances into account and collected instructions that work on the latest versions of the firmware (including MIUI 14/15 based on Android 12/13).

Important: If you plan to use a keyboard that supports multiple languages at the same time (e.g. Russian + English + emoji), check its compatibility with MIUI in advance – some features may not work properly due to Xiaomi optimizations.

1.Preparation: What to Know Before Replacing a Keyboard

Before you install a new keyboard, make sure your Redmi 9T is ready to change.

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Check the relevance of the firmware in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. On older versions. MIUI 12.5 Some options may not be available.
• 🔒 Permissions: The keyboard side requires the right to display over other windows and access to Special Features.
• 📲 Free space: Keyboards like Gboard weigh 50–100MB. Make sure your phone has at least 200MB of free space in its memory.
• 🔄 Sync: If you use cloud services (like Google Account), keep a backup copy of the Auto Replacement Dictionary.

Note: on the Redmi 9T with MIUI Global, some system keyboards (such as the Xiaomi Keyboard) cannot be completely removed - they can only be disabled.This is due to Xiaomi's security policy, which prohibits removing preinstalled applications.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a corporate profile or a phone issued by an organization, replacing the keyboard may block the Android Enterprise policy.

2. Method 1: Installation of a third-party keyboard (Gboard, SwiftKey, etc.)

The most popular method is to install an alternative keyboard from Google Play, and let’s look at the process with Gboard (from Google), but the steps are similar for other apps.

Step 1: Download the keyboard

• 📥 Open the Google Play Store and find Gboard – Google Keyboard.
• 🔽 Click Set and wait for the download to be completed (weight). ~70MB).
• 📌 After installation, do not start the application immediately – first you need to activate the keyboard in the settings.

Step 2: Activate the keyboard in the system

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Current Keyboard.
2. Slip on Keyboard Management (or Virtual Keyboard in older versions of MIUI).
3. Turn on the switch opposite the Gboard.
4. Go back and select Gboard as the default keyboard.

Step 3: Set up the keyboard

Once activated, open the Gboard app from the app menu.

• 🌐 Add languages (Languages) → Add a keyboard).
• 🎨 Modify the topic (Themes).
• ⚙️ Set up gestures (such as swipe to enter).
• 🔍 Enable Google Search directly from the keyboard.

Download Gboard from Google Play|Check the vacant space (minimum 200 MB)|Enable permission to "Master over other windows"|Activate the keyboard in the settings MIUI-->

⚠️ Note: If after installing Gboard, the keyboard does not appear when typing, restart the phone. MIUI background-processed.

3. Method 2: Using an alternative keyboard from Xiaomi

Not everyone knows, but MIUI has a second standard keyboard, the Xiaomi Keyboard (AOSP), which is lighter and faster than the main one, hidden in the settings and suitable for those who do not want to install third-party applications.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Current Keyboard.
2. Tap it on Keyboard Control.
3. Find the AOSP (or Xiaomi Keyboard (AOSP)) keyboard in the list and turn it on.
4. Go back and select it as the default keyboard.

Advantages of the AOSP keyboard:

• ⚡ Faster on weak devices (relevant to Redmi) 9T with 4GB of RAM).
• 🔒 Less data collection on input.
• 🌍 Supports the main languages (Russian, English, Chinese, etc.).

Disadvantages:

• 🎨 No themes and customization.
• 🤖 There are no advanced functions like gesture input.
• 📱 Not synchronized with the cloud.

Method 3: Manual removal of a standard keyboard (for advanced)

This method is suitable for those who want to get rid of the standard keyboard completely and use only a third-party keyboard, but it requires super-user rights (root) or the use of ADB.

Option 1: Through ADB (without root)

Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.miuikeyboard

This command will disable the keyboard for the current user without affecting system files.

Option 2: Through Magisk (with root)

• 📱 Install Magisk Manager and get root access.
• 🔧 Use a root-enabled file manager (e.g., Root Explorer).
• 🗑️ Delete the files: /system/app/MiuiKeyboard/MiuiKeyboard.apk /system/priv-app/MiuiKeyboard/MiuiKeyboard.apk
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may cause unstable phone performance or update errors MIUI. Before execution, create a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

💡

If the phone stops booting after removing the keyboard, use Fastboot mode and reflash MIUI through the Mi Flash Tool.

5.Setting the keyboard after replacement

Once you have a new keyboard installed, you need to optimize it for your needs, and here are the key parameters that you need to configure:

Pay special attention to syncing the dictionary. If you use Gboard, enable backup in Settings → Backup and Reset → Google Data Backup. This will save your frequently used words and phrases when changing your phone.

6. Solving typical problems

When you change the keyboard to Redmi 9T, you can get errors.

• 🔄 Keyboard does not switch: Make sure to Settings → Language and input are enabled with several keyboards. To switch, hold the space or swipe the tongue key.
• ⚠️ A warning appears: "Keyboard may collect data": This is the standard Android notification for all keyboards. Press OK and continue using.
• 📱 Keyboard Laps: Clear the app's cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Keyboard name] → Clear the cache.
• 🌍 No language required: Install the language package through keyboard settings → Languages → Add a keyboard.

If after installing the new keyboard, emojis are missing, check:

1. Is Emoji language enabled in the keyboard settings?
2. Is the keyboard updated to the latest version?
3. Does the emoji block MIUI (found on Chinese firmware)?

💡

If the keyboard is not installed from Google Play, check if Google Play Services is disabled in MIUI settings. This is a common problem on custom firmware.

7. Keyboard comparison for Xiaomi Redmi 9T

To choose the best keyboard, compare the popular options:

For most Redmi 9T users, Gboard is the best choice – it’s free, it’s updated regularly, and it has all the features you need. If privacy is important, consider AnySoftKeyboard or FlorisBoard.

Frequently asked questions