How to quickly and easily change the keyboard theme on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi’s keyboard is not just a typing tool, but a part of the device’s visual style. Many MIUI users want to personalize it to their liking: choose a dark theme for comfort at night, bright colors for mood or minimalist design for work. However, not everyone knows that there are many more options to change the theme of the keyboard to Xiaomi than you might think.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways, from standard MIUI settings to installing third-party keyboards with advanced capabilities. We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of firmware (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15) and smartphone models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.).

1. Standard method: change the theme through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in features. MIUI offers several pre-installed keyboard themes that can be activated in a couple of clicks, a method that is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 12-15.

To change the subject:

1. Open any application where the keyboard appears (such as Messages or Notes).
2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) on the keyboard panel to open its settings.
3. Select the Topic or Design (the title may vary depending on the version of MIUI).

If your menu doesn’t have a Topic item, it could mean one of two things:

• 🔹 You use a third-party keyboard (such as Gboard or SwiftKey) rather than a standard keyboard. MIUI Keyboard.
• 🔹 Your version. MIUI It is very small (relevant to some models). POCO Redmi for the international market).

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If there are too few options on the theme list, try updating your firmware to the latest version of MIUI. Often new themes are added along with system updates.

2. Installation of additional themes through MIUI Themes

MIUI has a separate MIUI Themes app, where you can download not only wallpaper and icons, but also additional themes for the keyboard, which expands the choice to hundreds of options, including animations and dynamic backgrounds.

Installation instructions:

1. Open the Topic app (a brush-shaped icon) 🎨).
2. Go to the Keyboard section (may be in the Other or Tools category).
3. Select your favorite theme and click Apply. The system will automatically download and install it.
4. If the theme requires payment, confirm the purchase through Mi Account.

Importantly, some MIUI Themes can slow down keyboards, especially if they contain complex animations, and once the MIUI is updated, downloaded themes are sometimes reset and will have to be re-installed.

3. Use of third-party keyboards (Gboard, SwiftKey, etc.)

If you have few built-in themes or they don't suit the functionality, you can install a third-party keyboard.

• 🔹 Gboard (from Google) – supports themes, gestures and voice input.
• 🔹 SwiftKey (from Microsoft) – known for accurate text prediction and a wide range of designs.
• 🔹 Fleksy – Minimalist keyboard with flexible appearance settings.
• 🔹 Chroom – keyboard with support RGB-lighting (relevant to some models) POCO).

To install and activate a third-party keyboard:

1. Download the app from Google Play (like Gboard).
2. Open your phone settings → System and device → Language and input → Current keyboard.
3. Turn on the switch next to the name of the new keyboard.
4. Return to any text field, tap the keyboard icon on the notification panel and select the keyboard installed.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (especially with the MIUI For China, third-party keyboards may not work as well due to system limitations, and this will help install Google Play Services or switch to global firmware.

4 Manual modification of the themes through APK-Files (for advanced users)

If you want to install a custom keyboard theme that is not in the MIUI Themes, you can use it. APK-This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires manual installation and sometimes correction of system files.

Step-by-step:

1. Download. APK-Theme file from a trusted source (e.g., Xiaomi.eu or XDA Developers).
2. Install the file through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager).
3. Reset the device.
4. Open the keyboard settings and select a new theme in the list.

Warnings:

• 🚨 Installation APK from unknown sources may disrupt the keyboard or contain malicious code.
• 🚨 On devices with a blocked bootloader, some themes may not apply.

5 Reset keyboard settings when errors occur

Sometimes, after changing the theme, the keyboard starts to slow down, not display characters or unwittingly reset, in which case resetting to the factory settings will help.

How to reset your settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Enter.
2. Select MIUI Keyboard (or the name of your current keyboard).
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

If the problem persists, try:

• 🔧 Remove updates for the keyboard (in the application settings).
• 🔧 Reinstall the keyboard via Google Play (for third-party apps).
• 🔧 Reset all phone settings to factory (extreme case).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 with) MIUI 13) Keyboard data reset can delete the input history and dictionary. It is recommended to make a backup copy in advance through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

6. Comparison of ways to change the theme of the keyboard

To choose the best method, compare all options on key parameters:

Important: On devices with MIUI for China (without Google Services), third-party keyboards may not be installed, in which case the only reliable way is to use embedded themes or reflash the smartphone to the global version.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing the keyboard theme, Xiaomi users face common mistakes, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Theme applies, but the keyboard slows down.

• 🔹 Turn off animations in the theme settings (if there is such a setting).
• 🔹 Clear the keyboard cache in Settings → Annexes.
• 🔹 Switch to a simpler topic without 3D-effects.

Problem 2: After the MIUI update, the theme dropped.

• 🔹 Check if the settings have been dropped in MIUI Themes.
• 🔹 Reset the theme again.
• 🔹 If the problem recurs, roll back to the previous firmware version.

Problem 3: You can’t change the theme to POCO F5 or Redmi K60.

• 🔹 Check if personalization settings are disabled in Settings → Special facilities → Simplified regime.
• 🔹 Update the firmware to the latest version.
• 🔹 Install a third-party keyboard (such as Gboard).

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If the keyboard stopped working after changing the theme, the first thing you should do is try switching to the standard MIUI Keyboard in the input settings, which will help you determine if there is a problem in the theme or system failure.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions