How to change the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: 3 proven ways

Why change the standard keyboard to the Redmi Note 4?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is still a popular smartphone even in 2026 due to its reliable hardware and flexible MIUI firmware. However, the standard MIUI Keyboard keyboard does not always suit users: some complain about slow work, others want more themes, and others lack gesture or voice input support. Fortunately, Android allows you to install alternative keyboards – from Gboard to specialized solutions for multitasking.

In this article, we will discuss all ways to change the keyboard to the Redmi Note 4 (including models with firmware). MIUI 8–14), compare popular apps with 5 key criteria and tell you how to solve typical problems – from the disappearance of the keyboard after updating to conflicts with administrator rights.+ languages simultaneously without switching the layout.

Before you start, check the Android version on your device: Settings path → About phone → Android version. On Redmi Note 4, it can be Android 6.0-7.0 (depending on regional firmware).

Method 1: Install the keyboard from Google Play

The easiest method is to download an alternative keyboard from the official store. 4 Any application that is compatible with Android will be suitable 6.0+. Here's the top.-3 variants with their key features:

• 🔹 Gboard (Google) – supports gliding (wired input), built-in translator and search GIF. Weighs. ~50MB.
• 🔹 SwiftKey (Microsoft) is the best word prediction and device synchronization.
• 🔹 Chroom (single key) - optimized for large screens and one-handed operation. 50 support+ language.

To set the keyboard:

1. Open the Google Play Market and find the app you want (like Gboard).
2. Click “Install” and wait for the download to be completed.
3. After installation, open the keyboard app and follow the setup instructions (usually you need to allow text management access).

Is there enough free memory (needs ~100 MB)?

Is the Internet on (Wi-Fi or mobile data)

Are restrictions on unknown sources disabled (if you download APK)

Are contacts synchronized (to auto-fill names)-->

⚠️ Note: If after installation, the new keyboard does not appear when you enter text, go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → The current keyboard and select it manually. MIUI You may need to restart your phone.

Method 2: Manual APK installation (if no Google Play)

On Redmi Note 4 with custom firmware or without Google services, you can install the keyboard through APK-This method is also useful if the desired version of the application is not available in your region. For example, Gboard for Android 6.0 may not be updated through the Play Market, but it can be downloaded from the APKMirror website.

Instructions:

1. Download. APK-keyboard file (e.g, com.google.android.inputmethod.latin_version.apk on a reliable source.
2. Transfer the file to your phone (via USB, Bluetooth, or cloud storage).
3. In your phone settings, allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications → Select a file manager.
4. Open the APK through the conductor and confirm the installation.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK From unreliable sources, it can lead to a virus infection (MD5) For example, the original Gboard is sized. ~45-55 MB – If a file weighs 10 MB, it’s a fake.

Method 3: Set up the MIUI Keyboard system keyboard

If you're happy with the standard MIUI Keyboard, but you want to improve it, you can customize your existing settings. Many users don't know what it has.

• 🎨 Design themes (including transparent background and animations).
• 🌍 Multilingual input without switching layout (up to 5 languages at a time).
• ⚡ Gestures (for example, swipe left to delete a word).

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → MIUI Keyboard.
2. In the “Themes” section, select the design (there are options with gradients and a dark theme).
3. In the Input Languages, add the desired languages and enable the option “Mixed Input”.
4. In "Advanced" set up vibration, keyboard sound and auto-replace.

💡 A useful tip: If you lack emoji in the MIUI Keyboard, install Google's free Emoji Kitchen app. It integrates into the system keyboard and adds hundreds of smiley combinations.

Gboard (Google)

SwiftKey (Microsoft)

MIUI Keyboard (standard)

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

Comparison of popular keyboards for Redmi Note 4

To choose the best keyboard, compare the key parameters based on the tests on the Redmi Note 4 with MIUI 12:

🔍 Bottom Line: SwiftKey is better for multitasking and multilingual input, and Gboard is better for integration with Google services. If you want maximum performance on a weak hardware (for example, after 3-4 years of using a phone), try Chroom or Simple Keyboard (weighs only 5 MB).

💡

On the Redmi Note 4 with 2GB of RAM, heavy keyboards (SwiftKey, Gboard) can slow down when opening 5+ apps in the background, in which case turn off animations in the keyboard settings or use lighter alternatives.

Solving problems after changing the keyboard

Sometimes, when you install a new keyboard, you get errors, and here are the typical scenarios and their solutions.

• ❌ Keyboard not appearing: Check if it is included in Settings → Language and input → Current keyboard. Reboot phone. Clear the keyboard app cache in Settings. → Annexes.
• ❌ Brake on input: Turn off word prediction in keyboard settings. Remove unnecessary input languages. Clear phone memory (should be free at least 1GB).
• ❌ Disappearing themes: Update the keyboard to the latest version. Check storage access rights (you need to download themes).

⚠️ Note: If navigation gestures stop working after changing the keyboard (for example, swipe up to return to the main screen), this is due to a conflict of rights of Special Access. → Annexes → Special access → Continuity of operation and add a new keyboard in exceptions.

🛠 Advanced customization: For power users, there's a way to speed up keyboard performance through ADB. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

This will unlock Android's hidden settings, where you can turn off unnecessary animations on the system keyboard. Careful: the wrong ADB commands could disrupt your phone!

How to Get Back a Standard MIUI Keyboard

If the experiment with alternative keyboards failed, you can return the MIUI Keyboard in 3 steps:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Reset settings”.
3. In the Current Keyboard section, mark the MIUI Keyboard and uncheck the others.

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

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 4 (select your model: mido for the global version).
2. Remove the LatinIMEGoogle.apk file from the archive (this is MIUI Keyboard).
3. Install it via TWRP or manually (as described in Method 2).

💡 Tip: Before resetting your keyboard, export the custom dictionary (if any). In Gboard, this is done through Settings → Dictionary → Export and SwiftKey via Microsoft account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about keyboards on Redmi Note 4