How to change the type of keyboard on Xiaomi: from standard MIUI to alternative layouts

The keyboard on Xiaomi's smartphone is not just a typing tool, but a field of experimentation. The standard MIUI layout is not popular with everyone: some lack emojis, others lack gestures, and others dream of a dark theme or unusual design. Fortunately, the manufacturer and third-party developers offer dozens of customization options, from changing the font to completely replacing the keyboard with Gboard or SwiftKey.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to change the look of the keyboard on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices – both through the built-in MIUI settings and through third-party apps.

• 🎨 Set up theme and design of a standard keyboard MIUI without installing additional programs
• 🔄 Replace the keyboard with Google Gboard, Microsoft SwiftKey or other alternatives
• ⚙️ Optimize the layout for one hand, add gestures or change the size of the buttons
• 🔍 Return the standard keyboard if the third-party keyboard is not working properly

Important: The instructions are valid for MIUI 12-14 (including hyperos) and most Xiaomi models released after 2018. If you have an older firmware version, some menu items may differ, we will warn you about this separately.

1. How to change the theme and design of the standard MIUI keyboard

If you're comfortable with the functionality of the built-in keyboard, but want to refresh its appearance, MIUI offers several customization options without installing additional applications. All settings are hidden in the Topics menu and the parameters of the keyboard itself.

To open the keyboard parameters:

1. Open any application that has a field to enter text (such as Notes or Messages).
2. Tap the input field and the keyboard will appear.
3. Press the gear icon (⚙️) keyboard.
4. Select the Keyboard Themes item.

Here you will find:

• 🖌️ Color schemes – from classic white to dark mode and gradients.
• 🎨 Background images – you can set your photo or choose from the gallery MIUI.
• 🔤 Styles of buttons – round, square, with or without shadow.
• 🌓 Automatic topic switching (day/night).

An important nuance: on some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11), the list of themes may be limited. If you are not enough options, try updating the firmware or installing an alternative keyboard (for this, see the next section).

2. Complete keyboard replacement: install Gboard, SwiftKey or others

If you don't like the built-in MIUI settings, you can completely replace the keyboard with a third-party one.

• 📱 Google Gboard – Supports gestures, voice input and integration with Google services.
• ⚡ Microsoft SwiftKey is known for accurate word prediction and support for multiple languages at the same time.
• 🎯 Fleksy – Minimalist keyboard with extended gestures.
• 🔒 AnySoftKeyboard – for those who value privacy (no cloud sync).

How to install and activate a third-party keyboard:

Download the app from Google Play (such as Gboard)

Open your phone settings → System and device → Language and input → Current keyboard

Press Keyboard Management and turn on the Toolbar for the new keyboard

Return to the text input field, tap the keyboard icon on the notification panel and select a new layout-->

⚠️

Warning: Once you have installed a third-party keyboard, MIUI may suggest turning off battery optimization for it. Do this, otherwise the keyboard will periodically "hang" or not open.

Xiaomi’s hyperos models (MIUI 14+) may be alerted to a “potentially dangerous app” when the Gboard or SwiftKey first starts. This false positive is simply click “Install it anyway.”

3. Customization of gestures and additional functions

Modern keyboards support gestures that speed up typing, such as Gboard.

• 👆 Swipe your finger up the space key to move the cursor.
• 👇 Swipe down the key to remove – to erase several characters at once.
• ☝️ Hold the comma to open the emoji menu.

To adjust the gestures in MIUI-keyboard:

1. Open the keyboard settings (icon) ⚙️ straight-out).
2. Go to the additional settings → Gestures.
3. Turn on or disable the desired options (for example, Swipe to enter or Double tap on the space for the point).

💡 If you type with one hand often, activate One Hand mode in the keyboard settings. the layout will move left or right, and the buttons will become larger.

💡

In Gboard, you can adjust the vibration when you press it, which will help you avoid typos. To do this, open the Gboard settings → Preferences → Vibration when you press the keys.

4. How to return a standard MIUI keyboard if the third-party one is not working

Sometimes, after you install an alternative keyboard (like SwiftKey), it starts to freeze, doesn't open or predicts words. MIUI-keyboard.

Instructions for return:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Current Keyboard.
2. Press Keyboard Control.
3. Turn off the switch next to the problem keyboard (e.g. SwiftKey).
4. Go back and select the MIUI Keyboard as your primary.

⚠️

Note: If after disabling the third-party keyboard MIUI-No layout appears, restart your phone. In rare cases, you may need to reset your keyboard settings via Settings → Annexes → Application management → keyboard MIUI → Warehouse → Clear the data.

5. Problem Solving: Keyboard doesn't change, disappears or brakes

Sometimes when you try to change the keyboard, you get some mistakes.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the keyboard to the factory.

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Enter.
2. Select the current keyboard and click Reset Settings (or Restore Default Settings).

6. Hidden chips of the MIUI keyboard, which few people know about

Even if you’ve been using a Xiaomi smartphone for a long time, you probably don’t know about some of the hidden features of the standard keyboard:

• 🔍 Search for emoji by keyword: click on the emoji and type in the word (for example, “heart” or “cat”) – the system will show all the appropriate options.
• 📐 Resize keyboard: Clip the strip at the top of the layout and pull down/up to increase or decrease the height.
• 🌐 Quick language switching: swipe the space to the left or right (setting is included in Additional settings) → Gestures).
• 🔑 Hidden number row: hold the key 123 – an extended panel with symbols will appear.

💡 Lifehack: If you're tired of the standard keystrokes, you can replace them.mp3-file (length to) 1 seconds) and place it in a folder MIUI/sound/keypress Then, in the keyboard settings, select the keyboard sound. → Customized.

💡

The standard MIUI keyboard supports voice input -- just tap the microphone icon next to the space. The function works offline, but for recognition accuracy, you'd better connect to the Internet.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi