How to install the keyboard from the iPhone on the smartphone Xiaomi: 3 working ways

Can I transfer the keyboard from iPhone to Xiaomi?

The iOS keyboard is famous for its minimalist design, smooth animations and handy gestures - like a swipe to type. Many Xiaomi users want a similar experience on their Android devices, but standard solutions from Google or Google. MIUI Unfortunately, it is impossible to natively install the original keyboard from Apple on Android — it is rigidly tied to the iOS ecosystem and does not distribute as a separate keyboard. APK.

However, there are workarounds! You can reproduce the look and feel of the iPhone keyboard on Xiaomi with:

• 🔹 Third-party keyboards with an iOS theme (such as Gboard or SwiftKey)
• 🔹 iOS interface emulators (with security caveats)
• 🔹 Rooted solutions for deep customization (for power users only)

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the working methods, from simple to advanced, and what pitfalls await when trying to fully emulate an iPhone keyboard on Android. If you’re interested in not only aesthetics but also functionality (such as text prediction or synchronization with iCloud), prepare for compromises.

Method 1: Install theme for iOS in Gboard

The safest and fastest way is to use Gboard with a theme that mimics the design of iOS.This method does not require root rights and works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Mi 13.

Steps to set up:

1. Download Gboard from Google Play (if not already installed).
2. Open the app and go to Settings → Themes.
3. Choose the theme “iOS” or “Minimalist” (these are as close to the Apple style as possible).
4. Enable the option of Smooth input in Settings → Type text to simulate swipe input (similar to QuickType on iPhone).

To activate Gboard as the default keyboard:

1. Go to Xiaomi Settings → Additionally. → Language and input.
2. Select the Current Keyboard and mark Gboard.
3. Enable full access for Gboard in the special features settings (this is necessary for text prediction).

Download Gboard from Google Play|

Set theme "iOS" or "Minimalist"|

Insert smooth input (swipe)|

Make Gboard the default keyboard|

Set up synchronization of the dictionary (optional)-->

Pros of the method:

• 🔹 Secure – does not require superuser rights.
• 🔹 Free and legal.
• 🔹 Supports swipe input and text prediction.

Cons:

• 🔸 There is no full sync with iCloud (like on iPhone).
• 🔸 The design is different from the original (for example, there are no characteristic pressing sounds).

💡

If Gboard lacks an iOS-style emoji, install the iFont app and download the Apple Color Emoji font.This will make the emojis identical to those on the iPhone.

Method 2: Using third-party keyboards with an iOS theme

If Gboard doesn't work for you, you can try specialized keyboards that copy the iOS interface more accurately.

• 🔹 iKeyboard – imitates the design and animation of the iPhone keyboard, including sounds.
• 🔹 SwiftKey with the theme "iOS 16" (available in the theme store).
• 🔹 Fleksy – supports customization for iOS and gestures.

How to install iKeyboard:

1. Download. APK from an official website (or from a trusted source, such as APKPure).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access.
3. Install the application and activate it in Settings → Language and input.
4. In the keyboard settings, select the theme “iOS Dark” or “iOS Light”.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK Check reviews and reputation before downloading.Some iOS keyboards contain adware or spyware.

If you choose between Gboard and SwiftKey, pay attention to:

• 🔹 Gboard is better integrated with Google services (search, translation).
• 🔹 SwiftKey offers more flexible theme setting and supports multilingual input.

Method 3: Emulate iOS through Launchers and Themes (for full immersion)

If you don't need a single keyboard and want a complete look and feel like an iPhone, you can go further by installing a launcher and theme that mimics iOS. It's not going to replace a system-level keyboard, but it's going to create a single style.

Popular solutions:

• 🔹 Launcher iOS 16 – copies the interface of the latest versions of the iPhone, including animations.
• 🔹 X Launcher – supports iOS-style widgets and dynamic wallpaper.
• 🔹 Control Center iOS – adds control panel, like on the iPhone (swipe from above).

How to set up:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play (such as iOS 16 Launcher).
2. Download the theme for the keyboard (e.g., “iOS Keyboard Theme” in Zedge or Theme Store).
3. Apply the theme in the launcher settings.
4. Install San Francisco fonts (iOS font) through the iFont app.

⚠️ Note: Some iOS launchers may conflict with the company shell MIUI, Especially on new Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70). Before installation, make a backup copy of the data!

For maximum similarity, you can also:

• 🔹 Install iOS-style icons (iOS 16 Icons or Fluid Icons packages).
• 🔹 Set up navigation gestures for iPhone (for example, swipe from the bottom for returns).
• 🔹 Add an iOS-style weather widget through KWGT.

Advanced Method: Install iOS Keyboard via root (for experienced ones only)

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can try to transfer iOS keyboard files to Android through root access, which is only suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and superuser rights, and it's risky and can lead to unstable system operation or even a "brick" of the device.

What will be required:

• 🔹 Unlocked bootloader on Xiaomi (instructions for each model are different).
• 🔹 Installed by Magisk or other root rights manager.
• 🔹 iOS keyboard files (you can extract them from the iPhone backup or download them from specialized forums, for example, XDA Developers).
• 🔹 Root Explorer application for working with system files.

Step-by-step:

1. Make a complete data backup through TWRP or MIUI Backup.
2. Download. APK iOS keyboards (for example, a modified version) AppleKeyboard.apk).
3. Transfer the file to /system/priv-app/ via Root Explorer.
4. Set the rights 644 (r-w-r)--r--) file-wise.
5. Reboot the device and activate the keyboard in the settings.

⚠️ Note: This method can disrupt system services MIUI, Especially on devices with HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Turbo 3), there is also a high risk of blocking your Mi Account account for modifying system files.

An alternative is to use the Xposed Framework with the iOS Keyboard Enabler module, but it only works on older versions of Android (up to now). 9.0). For modern smartphones Xiaomi (on Android) 13/14) this way is irrelevant.

💡

Root methods offer the most similarity to iOS, but the risks outweigh the benefits. For most users, there are enough themes in Gboard or SwiftKey.

Comparison of methods: what to choose?

The choice of method depends on your goals and level of technical training, and below is a comparison table based on the key criteria:

For most Xiaomi owners, the best solution will be a combination of Gboard with an iOS theme. + It'll give you a launcher:

• 🔹 Sufficient visual similarity.
• 🔹 Stable work without risks.
• 🔹 The ability to return the standard interface in one click.

If you’re critical to full sync with iCloud or the original tap sounds, you’ll either have to accept the limitations of Android or consider buying an iPhone.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you try to install an iOS keyboard on Xiaomi, users encounter common errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The keyboard is not installed from APK

If you install iKeyboard or another third-party keyboard, you have an error "Application not installed":

• 🔹 Check if installation is allowed from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications).
• 🔹 Remove previous versions of the keyboard.
• 🔹 Try downloading it. APK from another source (e.g. APKMirror).

Problem 2: The keyboard is slowing down or flying off

If Gboard or SwiftKey is not working properly:

• 🔹 Clear the app's cache in Settings → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔹 Turn off unnecessary features (such as text prediction or voice input).
• 🔹 Check if the keyboard is in conflict with the optimizer MIUI (Turn off autocleaning in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery).

Problem 3: Pressing sounds are not working

To add the characteristic iOS keyboard sounds:

1. Download the iOS Keyboard Sounds package (e.g. from Zedge).
2. Move the files to the folder /system/media/audio/ui/ (root).
3. Or use the Button Sounds app to emulate sounds without root.

Problem 4: The dictionary is not synced with iCloud

Unfortunately, there is no full synchronization of the dictionary with iCloud on Android.

• 🔹 Use Google Account to sync in Gboard.
• 🔹 Export the dictionary from your iPhone via iMazing and import it into SwiftKey.
• 🔹 Manually add frequently used words in keyboard settings.

💡

If you lose your emoji after you change your keyboard, install Google's Emoji Kitchen app, which adds support for all modern emojis, including animated ones.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions