Standard keyboard MIUI On smartphones Xiaomi has long been the subject of controversy: some users praise it for integration with the ecosystem, others scold for inconvenient input, lack of flexible settings or intrusive advertising. Fortunately, Android allows you to install third-party keyboards, from the popular Gboard to niche solutions like Fleksy or Chroom. But how do you do this correctly so you don't run into bugs or security issues? In this guide, we'll go through all the steps: From choosing an alternative to fine-tuning and solving possible errors.
It is important to understand that the process of installing the keyboard on Xiaomi has nuances due to the features of the shell. MIUI. For example, some models (especially with MIUI 14+) They can block third-party keyboards by default, requiring additional permissions, and it is also worth considering that not all keyboards work equally well with Cyrillic layouts or support gestures. MIUI (We’ve tested more than 10 popular solutions on devices ranging from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra — and we’re ready to share the findings.
If you've never changed a keyboard before, don't worry: it takes less than 5 minutes and it's worth the time, and the key is to follow the instructions and not skip the steps with the permissions setup. And yes, some Xiaomi models may need to reboot after installing the new keyboard, otherwise it won't appear on the list of available ones.
Why you should change the standard keyboard to Xiaomi
Standard keyboard MIUI (Mi Keyboard has several critical flaws that make users look for alternatives:
- 🔍 Advertising and promotional content: on some versions MIUI (Especially in regional firmware, banners or suggestions to install apps may appear in the keyboard, which is annoying and distracting from typing.
- ⚙️ Limited settings: No flexible gesture settings, themes or predictive input, such as the ability to turn off vibrations when pressed or change key height.
- 🌍 Language problems: Users notice bugs when switching between layouts (especially if you need more than 2 languages), and there is no support for some dialects or rare languages.
- 🛡️ Privacy issues: Mi Keyboard collects typing data to improve predictions - not everyone likes it, especially if the text contains sensitive information.
For comparison, third-party keyboards offer:
- 🎨 Customization: In Gboard or SwiftKey you can change themes, key sizes, add your own wallpaper.
- 🤖 Smart Prediction: Google or Microsoft algorithms better analyze context and suggest relevant words.
- 🔒 More control over data: You can disable statistics collection or use open source keyboards (e.g. AnySoftKeyboard).
- 🌐 Support for rare languages: SwiftKey offers layouts for more than 150 languages, including regional dialects.
Of course, third-party solutions also have downsides, such as Gboard being able to consume more memory, and SwiftKey sometimes slowing down on budget smartphones, but in most cases the benefits outweigh the benefits.
Which keyboard to choose for Xiaomi: comparison top-5 variant
Before you install the first keyboard you see, it’s worth comparing the popular options. We tested them on the Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi. 10C latest-edition MIUI. Here's what happened:
| keyboard | Pluses | Cons | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gboard (Google) | Free, Google integration, gesture support, real-time translation | Collects data, sometimes brakes on weak devices | Users who actively use Google Search, Translate, Gmail |
| SwiftKey (Microsoft) | Prediction of words, support 150+ Languages, synchronization between devices | Paid topics, sometimes bugs with Cyrillic | People who are very interested in printing and customization |
| Fleksy | Minimalist design, gestures for editing, support for extensions | Paid version for full functionality, there is no Russian language in the free version | Minimalists and lovers of gesture control |
| Chroom | Open source, no data collection, lightweight | Fewer features than competitors, limited language support | Privacy paranoids and weak smartphone owners |
| AnySoftKeyboard | Flexible configuration, support for rare layouts, open source | Complex settings interface, outdated design | Technicians who need non-standard layouts (for example, for programming) |
Our choice for most users is Gboard, which is free, runs on all Xiaomi models and offers a balanced set of features. If you care about privacy, look at Chroom or AnySoftKeyboard. For multilingual users, SwiftKey is better.
Tip: Before installing, check the keyboard reviews in Google Play for your Xiaomi model. POCO Some keyboards may conflict with optimizations for gamers.
Step-by-step: how to install a new keyboard on Xiaomi
The process of installing a third-party keyboard on Xiaomi is slightly different from other Android devices due to the features of the device. MIUI. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid errors:
- Download the keyboard from Google Play: 📱 Open the Play Store and find the selected keyboard (e.g. Gboard). 🔽 Click “Install” and wait for the download to be completed. 🚫 Do not start the keyboard immediately after installation – you need to configure permissions first.
- Activate the keyboard in the settings: ⚙️ Go to Settings. → System and device → Language and input → Current keyboard. 🔧 Click on Keyboard Management (or Virtual Keyboard in older versions) MIUI). 🔘 Turn on the switch next to the keyboard installed (e.g. Gboard).
- Set up permissions: 📝 Go back to the “Language and Input” section and select a new keyboard. 🔒 Allow access to contacts (to auto-fill names) and SMS (if you want to predict words). ⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14+ Additional permission may be required in the settings → Annexes → Permit management → Special permits → Access to data on use.
- Make the keyboard the main one: 🔄 Return to the Current Keyboard and select the installed keyboard from the list. 📱 Now, when opening any input field (for example, in messengers), a new keyboard will be used.
If the keyboard does not appear in the list of available ones after installation, try:
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
- 🔧 Check to see if it's blocking it. MIUI Optimizer (in the developer settings).
- 📥 Remove and install the keyboard again.
Downloaded the keyboard from the official source (Google Play)
Checked compatibility with the version MIUI
Prepared a backup copy of the settings of the current keyboard
I know how to roll back if something goes wrong.-->
On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) If you change the keyboard, you may miss the swipe to go back. MIUI And the keyboards:
- Go to Settings → Display → Navigation gestures.
- Turn off “Swipe off the edges” or add an exception for the keyboard.
How to set up a new keyboard for yourself
Installation is only half the story. In order for the keyboard to be really user-friendly, you have to configure it. Let's take Gboard for example, but most of the stuff is relevant to other keyboards as well.
Basic settings:
- 🎨 Theme and design: Open Gboard (cog icon on keyboard) → «Topics. Choose a finished theme or upload yours through Create a Theme. Set up transparency, keyboard color and boundaries.
- ⚙️ Languages and layout: Select “Languages” in the settings» → Add the layouts you want. Set up a swipe between languages by space or button.
- 🔊 Sounds and vibrations: Turn off the tap sounds in Settings → Press the sound. Adjust the vibration force or turn it off completely.
Advanced functions:
- 🤖 Prediction and Auto-Replacement: Enable "Text Prediction" and "Auto-Replace" in the settings. Add your words to the dictionary via "Personal Dictionary." Turn off prediction for specific applications (for example, for passwords).
- 🔄 Gestures and Hot Keys: Set the swipe left/right on the space to move the cursor. Add quick access to the emoji or GIF semicolonial.
- 🔒 Privacy: Turn off Personalization of Predictions in your privacy settings. Clear your entry history in the Dictionary → History of input».
SwiftKey and other keyboards have similar settings, but can be in different sections, like SwiftKey, which has a unique feature called Cloud Sync, which saves your settings and vocabulary across all devices.
💡
If you type in two languages often, set up the "Bilingual Input" feature in Gboard, which allows you to mix words from different languages in the same sentence without manually switching.
On Xiaomi MIUI 13/14 There may be a problem when the keyboard is spontaneously returned to the standard after rebooting:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find your keyboard (like Gboard) and turn off Battery Optimization.
- Add the keyboard to “Secure Apps”.
Solving common problems when changing the keyboard
Even after installation is correct, problems can occur, and here are the most common problems and solutions:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The keyboard does not appear in the list of available | Conflict with MIUI Optimizer or incompatibility with the Android version | Reboot your smartphone, check the compatibility of the keyboard, disable optimization in the developer settings |
| The keyboard is lagging or braking | Lack of RAM or background optimization MIUI | Clear the keyboard cache, disable battery optimization, reinstall the app |
| Prediction of the text does not work | Lack of permissions or Conflict with system dictionary | Check the permissions in the settings, update the dictionary, switch the language |
| The swipe disappears to return | Keyboard gesture conflict and MIUI | Turn off gestures in keyboard settings or configure exceptions in system gestures |
| The keyboard is arbitrarily reset to the standard | MIUI Resets settings after updating or optimizing | Add keyboard to secure applications, disable automatic optimization |
If the keyboard stopped working after the MIUI update, try:
- Remove keyboard updates in Settings → Annexes → Gboard → Three points. → Remove updates.
- Reset the keyboard settings to factory.
- Install the beta version of the keyboard (if available).
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 with) MIUI 13) when using third-party keyboards, the function of “Smart Reply” in messengers may be disabled. MIUI So, we don't have a solution yet, so we have to choose between smart answers and an alternative keyboard.
If you encounter a bug where the keyboard doesn’t appear in some apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram), try:
- Clear the cache of the problem application.
- Reset the keyboard.
- Check if the access is blocked. MIUI Security (in the security settings).
How to Get Back a Standard MIUI Keyboard
If the alternative keyboard experiment failed, or you just want to go back to the standard option, do the following:
- Activate the standard keyboard: ⚙️ Go to Settings. → System and device → Language and input → Current keyboard. 🔘 Select Mi Keyboard (or Keyboard) MIUI») list.
- Disable the third-party keyboard (optional): 🔧 Return to Keyboard Management and disable the unnecessary keyboard. 🗑️ If you wish, delete it through the settings. → Annexes.
- Reset the settings (if the keyboard is glitchy): 🔄 In the Mi Keyboard settings, find the item “Reset settings». 📱 Reboot your smartphone if the keyboard is not working properly.
If you notice that your input history or user dictionary is missing after returning to the standard keyboard, don’t worry: this data is stored in the Mi Account cloud to recover it:
- Make sure you are logged in to your Mi Account.
- Go to the Mi Keyboard settings → «Synchronization and backup».
- Turn on synchronization and wait for data recovery.
⚠️ Note: If you have used a beta version of a third-party keyboard (such as Gboard Beta), be sure to unsubscribe from beta testing on Google Play before returning to the standard keyboard.
Security: What permissions to give the keyboard
Third-party keyboards request access to sensitive data, which is a concern, and let's see what permissions are really needed and what permissions can be refused:
- 📝 Access to input: It's for word prediction and autocomplete, and without that, the keyboard would be dumb, without any clues. If you enter passwords or sensitive information, it is better to disable prediction for such cases (there are exceptions for applications in the keyboard settings).
- 📞 Contact access: You need to auto-complete names and phone numbers, you can turn it off if you're embarrassed, but then you'll have to manually type names when you send messages.
- 📊 Access to use data (only MIUI 14+): This permission is requested by yourself. MIUI, It's not a keyboard, it's for the proper functioning of gestures and for the prevention of accidental clicks. It's not recommended to refuse, because without it, the keyboard can be unstable.
- 📍 Location access: Some keyboards (like SwiftKey) request geodata for contextual cues (like the weather or nearby locations.
If you’re concerned about privacy, consider open source keyboards:
- Chroom does not collect data, lightweight, but with limited functionality.
- AnySoftKeyboard – allows you to completely disable the collection of statistics.
- FlorisBoard is a new keyboard with a focus on privacy (also in beta testing).
For maximum safety:
- Turn off the synchronization of the input history with the cloud.
- Clean the keyboard cache regularly.
- Use a separate keyboard to enter passwords (such as OpenBoard without network access).