How to install another keyboard on Xiaomi: from MIUI to Gboard

The keyboard on Xiaomi’s smartphone is not just a typing tool, but a set of features that affect the speed of printing, auto-replacement, and even the security of passwords. Many MIUI users find that the standard keyboard from Xiaomi works unstable: languages disappear, input slows down, intrusive prompts annoying, and fortunately, you can replace it with an alternative one – for example, Google’s Gboard or Microsoft’s SwiftKey – in just a few taps.

But there are nuances here: First, on some Xiaomi models (especially global firmware), the MIUI system keyboard is locked from removal and can only be disabled; second, third-party keyboards require additional permissions, without which they can not predict words or synchronize data. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to change the keyboard, from basic to advanced, and also explain how to avoid typical configuration errors.

Why Xiaomi’s standard keyboard doesn’t suit users

According to surveys among Xiaomi owners, more than 60% have tried to change the keyboard at least once for the following reasons:

• 🔄 Inconvenient input: too small buttons, illogical character arrangement, or no gestures (e.g. swipe to delete a word).
• 🌐 Language problems: MIUI Keyboard often “forgets” added layouts or automatically switches to English.
• 🐢 Lags and delays: especially noticeable on budget models (Redmi) 9A, Poco M3), where the keyboard slows down when dialing quickly.
• 🔒 Intrusive censorship: in the Chinese version MIUI Keyboard blocks unwanted words (even in personal correspondence).
• 📱 Lack of sync: Unlike Gboard, the standard keyboard does not store the history of input between devices.

And then there's a lot of people complaining about the ad in the hints -- yes, some versions of the MIUI Keyboard might have banners in the word prediction line that suggest you install apps, which is not a critical issue, but it's annoying.

If you know any of these, it's time to change the keyboard, but before you get to the instructions, it's important to understand what alternatives exist.

Top.-5 Alternative keyboards for Xiaomi in 2026 year

The keyboard choice depends on your priorities: some people care about speed, some people care about privacy, and some people care about design.

If you're not sure which keyboard to choose, start with Gboard, which is the most versatile option with minimal risks. For those who type in multiple languages, SwiftKey is better, and if privacy is above all, look at Fleksy or AnySoftKeyboard.

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Before installing a new keyboard, check if it supports your primary language, for example, some keyboards (like the Grammarly Keyboard) don’t work well with Russian or Ukrainian.

Method 1: Install the keyboard via Google Play (the easiest)

This is a basic method that works for 99% of Xiaomi users: You don’t need root rights or special knowledge – just access to Google Play and 5 minutes of time.

1. Open the Google Play Store and find a keyboard (like Gboard or SwiftKey).
2. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
3. After installation, open the keyboard app (such as Gboard) and follow the setup instructions.
4. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Current Keyboard.
5. Turn on the switch next to the new keyboard and select it as the main one.

If the new option doesn't appear on the list, try rebooting your smartphone. Sometimes MIUI doesn't immediately update the list of available keyboards.

- Is the keyboard enabled in the input settings

- Are the required languages added?

All necessary rights (microphone, access to contacts) are allowed

- Is the old keyboard disabled (optional)-->

Note that some keyboards (like SwiftKey) require access to contacts to auto-complete names, and if you're embarrassed, you can opt out, but you'll have to manually type names when you're texting.

Method 2: Change the keyboard via APK (if there is no Google Play)

On Xiaomi smartphones without Google services (for example, on the Chinese versions of Redmi or Poco), you will not be able to install the keyboard through the Play Store. APK-file.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Download. APK-A keyboard file from a verified source (e.g. APKMirror). For Gboard, it will be a file of the view com.google.android.inputmethod.latin-XXXX.apk.
2. Transfer the file to your smartphone (via Bluetooth, USB or cloud).
3. Enable installation from unknown sources: go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Installation settings and allow installation for your file manager.
4. Open the downloaded APK and press Install.
5. After installation, activate the keyboard in Settings → Language and input, as in the first method.

If the keyboard does not work after installation, check:

• 🔄 Is it correct to set up? APK (Are there any errors in installation).
• 📱 Is the keyboard version compatible with your firmware? MIUI.
• 🔒 Does the antivirus block the installation (on some Xiaomi firmware, the built-in Security App may prevent the installation of third-party software) APK).

Method 3: Disable the MIUI system keyboard (for experienced)

If you want to get rid of the standard Xiaomi keyboard completely, you can turn it off. But here's the caveat: MIUI doesn't allow you to remove the system keyboard, but you can stop it from working. Here's how to do it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Keyboard (or com.miui.miuikeyboard) list.
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

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Turning off the system keyboard won't remove it completely, but it won't appear on the list of available ones. If you want Later back, just turn it back on in the application settings.

Important: on some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi Note 11), disabling the system keyboard can cause MIUI malfunctions, for example:

• 🔄 Search in settings stops working.
• 📱 Some system windows do not open (e.g., input) PIN-code SIM-map).
• 🔒 The ability to enter text in safe mode is lost.

If you have problems after you turn off, return the keyboard back or use ADB for deeper control (more on this in the next section).

Method 4: Remove MIUI Keyboard via ADB (advanced)

For those willing to go beyond just shutting down, there’s a way to remove Xiaomi’s system keyboard entirely using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) that requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and basic command-line knowledge.

Note: Removing system applications can disrupt MIUI stability, especially on newer firmware versions (MIUI 14+).

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB Debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer via USB and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command prompt (CMD on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear, which means that you are connected.)

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.miuikeyboard

If the command is executed without errors, the system keyboard will be deleted for the current user.

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.miuikeyboard

This method is suitable for users who want to get rid of MIUI Keyboard completely and are not afraid of the possible consequences. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to limit yourself to disabling (Method 3).

Method 5: Use the keyboard via Safe Mode (if nothing works)

Sometimes, after changing the keyboard, Xiaomi starts to glittle: the lock screen does not open, the search does not work, or the text is lost, in which case Safe Mode, which loads the system with a minimum set of drivers, will help.

How to start Safe Mode:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button and hold it until the MI logo appears.
3. As soon as the logo appears, release the power button and immediately press Volume down.
4. Keep Volume down until the smartphone boots with the Safe Mode label at the bottom of the screen.

In safe mode:

• 🔧 Check if text input works with a standard keyboard.
• 📱 If so, the problem is with the third-party keyboard. Remove it and install it again.
• 🔄 If not, you may have damaged the system keyboard. Try resetting (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings).

To exit Safe Mode, simply restart your smartphone.

Typical Keyboard Change Errors and How to Fix Them

Even after successfully installing a new keyboard, Xiaomi users face challenges, and here are the most common ones and solutions:

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the keyboard settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find your keyboard (such as Gboard).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Reboot your smartphone and reset the keyboard.

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If the problem only occurs in one application (for example, in Telegram or WhatsApp), try to clear the cache of this application. Often, the conflicts of the keyboard are not related to the keyboard itself, but to the messenger bugs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi