How to change the keyboard theme on Xiaomi: 4 ways to MIUI 12-14

Xiaomi’s keyboard is not just a text input tool, it’s part of everyday interaction with the device. The standard theme can get boring, especially if you’re used to personalizing the interface. Fortunately, MIUI offers several ways to redesign the keyboard, from built-in themes to third-party installations. In this article, we’ll break down all the current techniques, including hidden settings and nuances for different firmware versions.

It’s important to understand that customization options vary depending on the MIUI version and the smartphone model. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13 has some options available, while the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with MIUI 14 has others. It’s also worth considering that some themes require additional downloads, and third-party keyboards (like Gboard) can conflict with system settings. If you want to change the color, but completely transform the input, read on.

Method 1: Using the built-in MIUI themes

The easiest way to do this is to use the standard themes that Xiaomi offers, which are already optimized for the system and do not require additional applications.

1. Open any application where the keyboard appears (such as Messages or Notes).
2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) on the keyboard to open its settings.
3. Select Keyboard Themes (on some models – Design).
4. Scroll through the list of available topics and tap on the one you like. Some topics require downloading, which requires access to the Internet.

MIUI 14 adds dynamic themes that adapt to the desktop wallpaper. If this option is available, you'll see it at the top of the list marked Adaptive. Note that you may need to reboot the keyboard after you change the theme, just close it and reopen the app.

Method 2: Install theme through the “Themes” app

The Themes app (or Themes in the international version) is the central hub for customizing MIUI, and you can find not only wallpaper and icons, but also unique themes for the keyboard that are not in the standard settings.

• 📱 Open the Topic app (in the form of a palette icon).
• 🔍 In the search bar, type “keyboard” or “keyboard».
• 🎨 Choose your favorite theme from the ones you like. Pay attention to the rating and the number of downloads, which will help you avoid low-quality options.
• ⬇️ Click Apply or Download if the theme is not already installed.

Some themes may be paid or require a Mi Account subscription, and compatibility checks are also worth checking: the theme description usually indicates which versions of MIUI it is suitable for, for example, a theme designed for MIUI 12 may not display correctly on MIUI 14.

💡

If the keyboard started to slow down after applying the theme, try clearing its cache in the Themes app settings. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Themes → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 3: Change keyboard to third-party (Gboard, SwiftKey and others)

If the built-in MIUI options don't suit you, you can install an alternative keyboard from Google Play, popular options are Gboard (from Google), SwiftKey (from Microsoft), and Fleksy. They offer extensive customization options, including:

• 🎨 Hundreds of free themes and the ability to create your own.
• 🔤 Support for gestures and swipes (e.g. Swipe in Gboard).

To install a third-party keyboard:

1. Download the app from Google Play (like Gboard).
2. Open the keyboard settings in any text field (icon) ⚙️).
3. Select Current Keyboard → Keyboard Management.
4. Activate the switch next to the installed keyboard.
5. Go back and select it as the default keyboard.

Important nuance: on some Xiaomi models (especially with the MIUI In China, there may be no Google Play, and you'll have to install the keyboard through the Google Play. APK-file, but this is fraught with security risks, and third-party keyboards can conflict with system services, such as the Smart Assistant feature.

Method 4: Manually modifying system files (for advanced)

This method is only suitable for power users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and root rights. It allows you to install custom themes that are not in the official store, or modify the keyboard system files. On devices with a locked bootloader (most Xiaomi smartphones by default), this method will not work.

If you are willing to take a chance, here is a brief instruction:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi).
2. Install custom recovery (such as TWRP).
3. Download the archive with the keyboard theme (see forums like XDA Developers or 4PDA).
4. Sweat the archive through recovery or manually replace the files in /system/usr/keyboard (the path may be different).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect actions can lead to loss of warranty, device blink or system instability. 12T Autocomplete in the browser stops working after manual intervention in the keyboard system files, and some banking applications (such as Sberbank Online) can block access on rooted devices.

Problems and solutions when changing the theme of the keyboard

Even when following instructions, users often face difficulties, and consider the most common ones and how to fix them:

• 🔄 The theme is reset after rebooting. This may be due to optimization. MIUI, Solution: Turn off keyboard optimization in Settings. → Annexes → Special permits → Optimizing the battery.
• 🖼️ The keyboards don't show clearly, because the theme resolution is not compatible with your screen. FHD+ or QHD+, If you have a high-resolution smartphone (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro).
• 🔒 You can't download themes because of regional restrictions. In some countries (e.g. China), access to the theme store is limited. Solution: change region in your Mi Account or use the same. VPN.

Another common problem is that the keyboard disappears after the MIUI update, and it's because the default settings are reset, to get the old keyboard back.

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Current Keyboard.
2. Make sure your keyboard is on and selected by default.
3. If it is not on the list, install it again.

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Before updating MIUI, back up your keyboard settings via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will help you quickly restore personalization after the update.

Tips for choosing a keyboard theme

When choosing a keyboard theme, it’s easy to get lost in hundreds of options, and here are some tips to help you make an informed choice:

• 🌓 Contrast. If you use your smartphone often outside, choose topics with dark backgrounds and light characters, which are better read in bright light.
• 🎯 Functionality: Some themes change not only the design, but also the layout of the keys, for example, those with larger buttons are good for thumbs.
• 🔋 Impact on battery: Animated themes (with moving elements) can increase charge consumption. On Redmi with small batteries (for example, Redmi). 10C) That's particularly noticeable.
• 🖌️ Style. The theme of the keyboard should be in harmony with the overall design of the phone. If you have minimalist wallpaper, avoid too bright and colorful themes.

If you like experimenting, try dynamic themes that change color depending on the time of day or the application you use. For example, MIUI 14 has a Morph theme that adapts to the open messenger color gamut.

For those who want uniqueness, custom community themes are suitable, and can be found on forums or Telegram channels dedicated to Xiaomi, but be careful: download files only from trusted sources to avoid viruses.

✅ Compatible with your version MIUI

✅ Has positive reviews (rated above 4.0)

✅ You do not need root rights (unless you are ready to receive them)

✅ Does not contain advertisements or suspicious permissions-->

How to Get Back a Standard Xiaomi Keyboard

If you're disappointed with the themes or third-party keyboards, you can always go back to the standard version.

1. Open any text field and call the keyboard.
2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) and select the Current Keyboard.
3. In the list of available keyboards, select the MIUI Keyboard (or Xiaomi Keyboard in the international version).
4. Click Enable if it is disabled and set it with the default keyboard.

If the standard keyboard disappeared from the list (for example, after resetting), it can be returned through the system settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and input → Keyboard management.
2. Find the MIUI Keyboard in the list and activate it.
3. If it's not there, it may have been deleted, in which case resetting to factory settings will help (but it will delete all the data from the phone!).

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (such as custom builds Xiaomi.eu) may not have a standard keyboard, in which case it will have to be installed manually through the device. APK-File downloaded from Xiaomi's official website.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard theme to Xiaomi