Changing the standard text input tool to a more functional counterpart is one of the first tasks that owners of a new smartphone solve. Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro comes with a pre-installed solution from Gboard, but many users are familiar with the SwiftKey interface or specialized keyboards for programming. the Replacement process does not require root rights or complex flashing the device.
With Android 10’s MIUI 11 operating system installed on the Redmi Note 9 Pro, the virtual keyboard switching mechanism is standardized, meaning that the algorithm will be identical to most modern devices from the Chinese manufacturer, you just need to download the app from the Google Play store and activate it in the system settings.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at each step, from selecting software to fine-tuning tactile response. We will also touch on security issues, as third-party keyboards may have access to input data. Be sure to download apps only from the official Google Play store to avoid installing malware that intercepts passwords.
Selecting the optimal application for text input
Before you change the settings, you need to decide what product you want to see on the screen. The market offers dozens of options, but for the Redmi Note 9 Pro with its diagonal of 6.67 inches, the best solutions with adaptive layout. Standard Gboard is good for its integration with Google services, but often inferior to competitors in predictive typing in Russian.
Microsoft SwiftKey is popular, with its powerful autocorrect engine and flexible customization of the theme, and for those who care about speed, minimalistic options like Typewise with hexagonal layout are suitable, depending on your personal preferences and printing habits.
Pay attention to permission requirements. Some keyboards request access to a microphone for voice input or clipboard for easy linking. Carefully read the rights description when installing to avoid unnecessary access to personal information.
Installation and initial activation
The process of installing new software starts with a standard download procedure. APK-Once the application is downloaded to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro, the system does not activate it automatically. This is done for security reasons to prevent accidental replacement of system components.
You'll need to go to the settings menu to activate it, and the path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same. You usually just need to find a section that is associated with additional settings or an input language.
Follow the instructions below for correct activation:
- 📱 Open “Settings” and go to the “More” section».
- ⌨️ Select "Language and Input" (or "Languages and Input»).
- 🔘 Click on “Keyboard Management” or “Current Keyboard».
- ✅ Find the installed application in the list and transfer the switch to the position "On».
Once turned on, the system will issue a warning that a third-party keyboard can access all the input data. This is a standard Android message. If you trust a developer (for example, this is Google or Microsoft), feel free to confirm the action by clicking “OK”.
☑️ Activation checklist
Set up the default input method
Simply turning on the keyboard is not enough, you need to prioritize it, otherwise, with each type of text, the system may offer you a choice or use the old method. In the MIUI shell, this process is implemented through a pop-up menu or through system settings.
The fastest way to switch is to use a pop-up window, and when you open any input field (such as in a messenger or browser), a small keyboard icon will appear in the lower right corner of the screen, and you click on it and you will see a list of available input methods.
If the icon does not appear, use the system path:
- Return to the Settings menu → Additional → Language and input.
- Click on the current keyboard.
- In the list that opens, select the desired application, for example, SwiftKey.
Now, every time you touch the text box, the Redmi Note 9 Pro will have a layout you choose, so if you plan to use multiple keyboards (e.g., one for work, one for games), you can leave the option to quickly switch over the menu.
⚠️ Note: Some Game Turbo game modes on Xiaomi can block keyboard pop-ups. If the keyboard doesn't appear in the game, check the overlay settings in the game profile.
What to do if the keyboard does not switch?
Fine tuning and personalization of the interface
After successfully replacing the keyboard with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro, it is recommended to adjust to yourself. Standard settings often do not take into account individual handwriting or finger size. Most modern keyboards allow you to change the height of the panels, indentations and even position relative to the edges of the screen.
Special attention should be paid to the setting of vibration and sound. AMOLED-The Redmi Note 9 Pro screen has a well-displayed keylight, which can also be customized. The dark theme helps save battery power, which is important for a device with a capacity of 5020 mAh.
Comparison of popular customization options:
| Parameter | Gboard | SwiftKey | Yandex.Keyboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change of subject matter | Basic | Deep. | Expanded |
| Voice input | Google. | From Microsoft. | From Yandex. |
| Prediction | Tall. | Very high. | Tall. |
| buffer | There is. | There is. | There is. |
Remember to update dictionaries periodically. Machine learning in modern keyboards allows you to adapt to your communication style, memorizing slang, contact names and frequently used phrases. The more you type, the more accurate autocorrection becomes.
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Use the “getting stuck Keyboard” feature in the Gboard or SwiftKey settings if you’re uncomfortable typing with one hand on the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s big screen.
Addressing problems and conflicts
In rare cases, after installing a new keyboard, Redmi Note 9 Pro users experience unstable interfaces, the keyboard may not appear, overlap part of the screen or spontaneously close, most often due to aggressive battery optimization in MIUI.
The system can kill the keyboard process to save energy, considering it to be background. To avoid this, add the app to exceptions. Go to Settings → Battery and performance, find your keyboard, and select No Limits mode.
There may also be conflicts with other applications that use overlays, such as Message Bubbles or Blue Light filters. If the keyboard is buggy, try temporarily disabling these features.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone after installation and setting up.
- 🚫 Turn off energy savings for the keyboard application.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache of a new keyboard if it is not working properly.
If the problem persists, check for updates for the MIUI shell itself. Sometimes, the input bugs are patched with system security patches.
⚠️ Warning: If after installing the keyboard, the phone starts to heat up in the processor area, immediately remove the application.
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Aggressive energy savings of MIUI are the main reason for the failure of third-party keyboards. Always add them to the list of exceptions.
Data security when entering
Using third-party keyboards always carries potential risks. The keyboard has the technical ability to read everything you type, including passwords, card numbers and private messages. While large companies value reputation, the risk of data leakage through vulnerabilities in the code remains.
Android has a Safe Entering mechanism that forcibly disables third-party keyboards when you enter critical data (such as banking applications or entering a password from a Google account), at which point the system automatically switches to a standard, secure AOSP keyboard.
To minimize the risks:
- Do not install keyboards from unknown developers with a small number of downloads.
- Check the permission list regularly in your privacy settings.
- Use different keyboards for different tasks if your level of paranoia is high.
For Redmi Note 9 Pro, it is important to use a secure folder or a second space where you can keep a separate, “clean” keyboard for financial transactions.