How to change the color of the keyboard on Xiaomi: from changing the theme to customization

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the desire to personalize their device by making it look unique.One of the most visible interface elements that the user interacts with daily is the on-screen keyboard. The standard white or gray background offered by the default system can seem boring, especially if you have installed a bright live theme or wallpaper with an unusual color gamut. Fortunately, the MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS provide ample opportunities to change the visual style of text input without the need for superuser rights.

The color change process depends on which type of application you use. Most of the time, Xiaomi devices have Google's Gboard or Mi Keyboard pre-installed. Each of these programs has its own hidden settings and ways to integrate with system themes. In this article, we will detail the algorithms for different versions of shells, look at the nuances of installing third-party fonts that affect the display of characters, and learn how to create your own designs.

It should be noted that color change is not just an aesthetic whim. The right contrast keys can significantly reduce eye fatigue when typing in the dark or, conversely, improve readability in bright sunlight. Deep customization of the keyboard on Xiaomi is possible only with an updated version of the store theme to 14.0 and above. Below we move from theory to practice and consider step-by-step instructions.

Use of built-in design themes in MIUI and HyperOS

The easiest and safest way to change the look of a keyboard is to use the Themes system application. Xiaomi shells are famous for their deep integration of visual elements, where changing the wallpaper often automatically entails changing the style of system windows, notification curtains and, of course, the keyboard. However, in order for this mechanism to work correctly, you need to make sure that the theme settings are activated by the appropriate component.

To start, open the Themes app on the home screen or in the Tools folder. In the lower right corner, click on the profile icon to go to My Pages. Here you are interested in Subjects. If you select an active theme, you will see the Customize button. The menu that opens will list components that can be changed regardless of the rest of the style. Find the Keyboard or Enter and select the preferred option from the the the theme suggested by the developer.

If standard options are not enough in the current theme, you can download specialized themes that are sharpened specifically for keyboards. When searching for a theme store, type in the query "Keyboard" or "Keyboard." Many designers create themes that change only this interface element, leaving the icons and wallpaper unchanged. Once you install this the system will suggest using components selectively - select only the keyboard so as not to confuse the rest of the settings.

⚠️ Note: When installing themes from third-party sources or older versions of the store, the system font may not work stable. If after applying the theme, the characters on the keyboard have turned into squares or disappeared, immediately return the standard Classic theme through lock screen settings or in Safe Mode.

Setting up the color scheme in Gboard

Since Gboard is the standard keyboard on most global versions of Xiaomi smartphones, let’s take a closer look at its features. This app has its own rendering engine that lets you ignore system themes and set your own style. To access the settings, click and hold the gear icon in the top bar of the keyboard or go through Settings → Additional Settings → Language and input.

From the keyboard menu, select the "Theme" section, and here you will be offered several options preset: classic light, dark, black (for the purpose of the keyboard). AMOLED-But the magic starts when you choose either "My Photos" or "Gradient," and you can upload any image from the gallery, and the system automatically selects the button colors to harmonize with the image. Moreover, the brightness slider allows you to darken the background so that the letters remain readable.

For advanced users, you can customize the color of individual elements. In the theme editing mode, you can select the color of the background, the color of the keys themselves, the shade of the characters, and even the color of the hintbar above the keyboard. This allows you to create a unique design that will perfectly match your watch widget or accessories. Be sure to turn on the option “Use the device theme” if you want the keyboard to automatically switch between light and dark theme along with the system.

Working with the Mi Keyboard keyboard

In Chinese firmware and some global models, the native Mi Keyboard is found, it consumes battery life more easily, but has less flexible design settings than Google's. However, basic color change is also available here. Go to the input settings, look for the "Look" or "Skins" section.

Unlike Gboard, it often offers a skin store where you can download pre-made design packages, some of which are animated and react to presses with vibration or sound effects. If there is not enough built-in store, you can download it. APK-Skin files from third-party resources, but you need to do this with caution, checking files with antivirus.

It is important to understand that the Mi Keyboard is more closely related to the system font. If you change the font through the Themes app, the keyboard layout may change disproportionately, in such cases, it is recommended that the keyboard settings force the font scale to 100% or select the "Follow the system" option, if it is available in your version of MIUI.

Use of third-party keyboards for maximum control

If there's not enough regular funding, Google Play's specialized apps come to the rescue, with Facemoji, AIType and Minuum leading customization apps, and these apps allow you to change not only the color, but also the shape of the keys, add the keys. GIF-animation to the background, use emoji skins and even change the layout to the game for vertical set in shooters.

The installation process is standard: download the application, grant the necessary permissions to access the clipboard and display on top of other windows, then activate a new keyboard in the system. In the settings of such applications, the "Theme" or "Skin" section is usually located on the home screen, many of which offer a cloud library of thousands of custom designs.

But using third-party keyboards carries risks, primarily data security, as you trust third-party developers to enter passwords and personal correspondence. Second, heavy animation themes can consume more battery power and cause micro-lags when printing, which is especially noticeable on Redmi's budget models.

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Tip: If you have installed a third-party keyboard, but it spontaneously shuts down or resets to the system, go to the battery settings, find the keyboard app, and set the power saving mode to "No Limits" position, which will prevent the process from being offloaded from memory.

Change of system font and its impact on the keyboard

Often users confuse the color of the keyboard with the style of display of characters. In fact, font plays a critical role in the perception of text. Xiaomi has a powerful mechanism for replacing system fonts. When you change the font in the Themes app, it applies throughout the system, including menus, messages and, of course, the keyboard.

Some fonts have a built-in color scheme or unusual type that visually changes the look of the keyboard even without changing the background. For example, bold round fonts make the keys more “dressy”. To apply the font, go to Topics → Profile → Fonts. After installation and application, you will need to reboot the device to