How to change the size of the keyboard on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 working ways

Keyboards on Xiaomi smartphones are a key element of interaction with the device. Inconvenient button size can slow down typing, lead to errors or just annoying. Fortunately, the manufacturer and third-party developers offer several ways to adapt the keyboard to individual needs, from standard MIUI settings to fine-tuning through Gboard or alternative applications.

In this article, we will look at all the current keyboard resizing methods, from basic to advanced. You will learn how to scale keys depending on the Xiaomi model (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark), what restrictions exist in different versions of MIUI, and how to circumvent them with third-party tools.

1. Standard keyboard settings in MIUI

Most Xiaomi smartphones use the MIUI Keyboard (formerly the Mi Keyboard) by default, which offers basic zoom options, but their location depends on the shell version. Consider the universal algorithm for MIUI 12-14:

Open any application where the keyboard appears (such as Messages or Notes).

1. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) on the keyboard panel to open the settings.
2. Go to Size and layout (or Display settings in English).
3. Slider Keyboard size adjust the height of the keys. In some versions, the option is also available Transparency.
4. Click Ready or go back to save the changes.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 11 and below may be different. If the gear icon is not there, hold the space with your finger, which in some versions opens the settings menu.

2. Size resizing via Gboard (Google Keyboard)

Gboard is the most popular alternative to the standard keyboard on Xiaomi, offering flexible zoom settings, including separate key height and width adjustments. Here's how it works:

First, install Gboard from Google Play if it is not already installed.

1. Open the keyboard in any application.
2. Tap the tripod badge (⋮) → Settings.
3. Select Themes and layout → Keyboard size.
4. Move the Height slider to resize the keys vertically. The Width option is not available on all devices.

🔹 The benefits of Gboard:

• 🎯 Accurate key height setting (75 to 125% of standard size).
• 🌈 Ability to change the color scheme and font.
• 🔄 Synchronize settings between devices through a Google account.

3. Alternative keyboards with advanced settings

If standard solutions are not satisfied, consider third-party keyboards with advanced zoom options:

💡 Tip: Before installing an alternative keyboard, check that it is compatible with your version of Android. Some apps (like Chroom) require Android 9.+.

Adjust keyboard size via ADB (for power users)

If the system settings do not give enough freedom, you can change the keyboard settings through ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This method is suitable for users with unlocked USB-Debugging and installed drivers ADB.

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate it. USB-debugging → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times on the build number, then return to the additional → For developers).
2. Open the command line on PC and type: adb shell settings put secure default_input_method com.android.inputmethod.latin/.LatinIME (Replace com.android.inputmethod.latin with your keyboard ID if you use another keyboard).
3. To change the size of the Gboard keys, use the command: adb shell am start -a android.settings.SETTINGS -n com.google.android.inputmethod.latin/com.google.android.inputmethod.latin.settings.LatinIMESettingsActivity

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

💡

If, after the changes, ADB keyboard stopped appearing, restart the device or reset the application settings in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Keyboard name] → Warehouse → Clear the data.

5. Features for specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi devices have unique nuances when setting up the keyboard.

📱 Xiaomi Redmi Note 10/11/12 and POCO X3/X4:

• 🔄 V MIUI 13 on these models, the option is available with one hand in the keyboard settings, which automatically reduces its size when shifted to the side.

📱 Xiaomi Mi 11/12/13 and Black Shark:

• 🖥️ On the flagships with AMOLED-screens recommend turning off the Adaptive Brightness of the keyboard in the Gboard settings to avoid flickering when changing size.
• 🔧 V MIUI 14 on these models appeared the option Dynamic layout, which adjusts the keyboard to the position of the fingers.

On the Xiaomi Pad 5/6 and other tablets, the default keyboard has enlarged keys. To return the standard size, go to Settings → Features → Tablet Mode and turn off the Adaptive UI option.

6. Solving problems when changing the size of the keyboard

Sometimes, when you change your settings, the keyboard doesn't behave properly, like missing buttons, lags, or resets, and then you look at the typical problems and how you can fix them.

🔧 Problem 1: The keyboard doesn’t keep the size after the reboot.

• 🔄 Reinstall the keyboard (such as Gboard) via Google Play.
• 📱 Check if the energy saving mode is included in the Settings → Battery – it can reset background app settings.

🔧 Problem 2: The keys are too small or too big.

• 🔍 In Gboard, try resetting your settings through Settings. → System system → Resetting settings (does not affect personal data).
• 🖼️ If you use an alternative keyboard, check if it conflicts with the theme of the design. MIUI. Try to set a standard theme.

💡

If the keyboard brakes after resizing, clear its cache in the application settings. → Annexes → Application management → [keyboard] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up the keyboard on Xiaomi