How to Set the Default Keyboard on Xiaomi: A Detailed Guide to MIUI 14/15

Why Xiaomi can’t change the keyboard and how to fix it

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones often face a situation when, after installing a new keyboard (for example, Gboard or SwiftKey), the system continues to use the standard MIUI Keyboard. The reasons can vary from firmware bugs to the features of MIUI 14/15. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to change the default keyboard, including hidden settings and workarounds for stubborn devices.

The thing about MIUI is that it aggressively protects its system applications, and even if you installed an alternate keyboard from Google Play, it can automatically return the standard one after you reboot or update it, and it's not a bug, it's a planned MIUI behavior to "optimize the user experience" -- that's how the manufacturer tries to keep users in its ecosystem, but you can get around that limitation.

Preparation: which keyboards are compatible with Xiaomi

Not all keyboards work correctly on MIUI. Check compatibility before installing:

• 🔹 Gboard (Google) – the most stable alternative, supports gestures and voice input.
• 🔹 SwiftKey (Microsoft) – Good for multitasking, but can slow down on budget models (Redmi) 9A/10A).
• 🔹 Fleksy is minimal, but requires manual settings of rights in MIUI Optimization.
• 🔹 Chroom is for customization lovers, but may conflict with MIUI 15.

Avoid little-known keyboards from third-party sources – they often contain ads or spyware. Install only from Google Play or Mi App Store (the latter checks apps for compatibility with MIUI).

Method 1: Standard keyboard change via MIUI settings

The most obvious method is to use the settings menu. It works on most devices, but may not work on the POCO F5 or Xiaomi 13T due to the firmware features.

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Language and input.
2. Slip on the Current Keyboard (or Keyboard Management in MIUI 15).
3. Turn on the slider next to the desired keyboard (such as Gboard).
4. Go back and select it from the default keyboard list.

If you still reset the keyboard after that, you have MIUI Optimization on your device, which blocks the changes.

Install an alternative keyboard from Google Play

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

Turn off the power saving for the keyboard (Settings → Battery)

Restart your phone before setting up-->

Method 2: Disable MIUI Optimization (for advanced users)

MIUI Optimization is the main culprit behind keyboard problems, and it automatically resets the settings to standard ones if detects "non-optimal configuration" to turn it off:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
3. Find the MIUI Optimization option and turn it off.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Disabling this function may result in:

• 🔋 Increase battery consumption by 5-15%.
• 📱 The appearance of lags in animations MIUI.
• 🔄 Automatically activate after firmware update.

Repeat Method 1 - the keyboard should be saved. If not, try the following method.

Method 3: Reset keyboard settings via ADB (for tech-savvy)

If previous methods have failed, the ADB commands are still “heavy artillery” – a method that is guaranteed to work on all Xiaomi devices, but requires a PC connection.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm access via USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Follow the commands in order: adb shell pm clear com.android.inputmethod.latin # Reset the standard adb shell im enable com.google.android.inputmethod.latin # Enable Gboard adb shell im set com.google.android.inputmethod.latin/.LatinIME # Default setting For SwiftKey, replace com.google... with com.touchtype.swiftkey.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause your phone to malfunction. If you're not sure what you're doing, skip this.

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Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup. This will help restore the system if you make errors.

Table: Compatibility of keyboards with popular Xiaomi models

Problem Solving: Keyboard resets or doesn't save

If after all the manipulations the keyboard is still reset to the standard, check the following points:

• 🔄 Auto-update MIUI: After updating the firmware settings may reset. Check the version in Settings → The phone.
• 🔋 Energy saving: Include the keyboard in the list of exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 📱 Application Conflict: Remove keyboards other than the one you want to use.
• 🔒 Administrator rights: Some keyboards (e.g. SwiftKey) require additional permissions in Settings → Annexes → Special access.

If the problem persists, try resetting the app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset app settings.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

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Keyboard problems are less common on MIUI Global Stable devices than on MIUI China or EU. If possible, reflash the phone to the global version.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi