How to install the default keyboard on Xiaomi: all ways and life hacks

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

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where, after installing an alternative keyboard (such as Gboard or SwiftKey), the system persistently returns the standard MIUI Keyboard. The reason lies in the aggressive policy of optimizing MIUI 14+ automatically resets the keyboard settings after rebooting or clearing the cache.

Another common problem is that there's no "Default" button in the keyboard settings, which happens if:

• 📱 You have a beta version installed. MIUI experimentally
• 🔄 The keyboard is not fully activated in the special features settings
• 🛠️ System files damaged after failed update
• 🔒 On the smartphone enabled Developer mode with restrictions for third-party applications

In this article, we will discuss all working ways to change the keyboard to Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi, including models 2023-2026 And we'll also talk about how to fix change forever, and let's start with the simplest method that works in this world. 80% case.

Method 1: Standard keyboard change via MIUI settings

This method is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5. The main condition is that you must have at least one alternative keyboard from Google Play.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the Default Apps
3. Scroll to the keyboard section and tap it.
4. In the list of available keyboards, select the desired one (for example, Gboard)
5. Confirm the choice with the button Set by default

If after these actions the keyboard is still reset, check:

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI The default application may not be available, in which case use an alternative method through language settings.

Method 2: Alternative path through language and input settings

This method is especially relevant for devices with MIUI 13 and later, where the standard path can be hidden.

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input
2. Select Current Keyboard (or Keyboard Management on some models)
3. Activate the slider next to the desired keyboard (e.g. SwiftKey)
4. Click on the gear icon next to the keyboard name
5. Choose Use as a system or Make the default keyboard

Some firmwares will need to confirm the choice in the window that appears after this action. If the window does not appear, try:

• 🔄 Switch to another keyboard and back
• 📱 Reset the device
• 🧹 Clear the Settings app data (safe, settings won't reset)

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If the keyboard is not on the list, check if it is included in the special features settings (Settings → Special features → Installed services).

Method 3: Radical Method through ADB (for power users)

If the standard methods do not work, and the keyboard is stubbornly reset to the standard MIUI Keyboard, I'll have to use it. ADB-This method requires a connection to a computer, but it's guaranteed to solve the problem.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Platform Tools installed
• 📱 Developer Mode on Xiaomi enabled
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 🔐 Debugging authorization USB

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and allow debugging
2. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices Must appear serial number of your device
4. Run the command to change the keyboard (replace com.example.keyboard with your keyboard package): adb shell ime set com.example.keyboard
5. For Gboard, use: adb shell ime set com.google.android.inputmethod.latin

Once you've done the command, the keyboard will change immediately. To fix the changes, you'll need to do an additional command:

adb shell ime enable com.example.keyboard && adb shell ime disable com.miui.internal.keyboard

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This may cause system failures. Do not change other settings through ADB, If you're not sure what they're supposed to do, some models. POCO With global firmware, this method may not work due to manufacturer restrictions.

Table: Comparison of popular keyboards for Xiaomi

For most Xiaomi users, Gboard remains the best choice, as it is best integrated with Google services and has minimal compatibility issues. However, if you care about privacy, look at Chroom or AnySoftKeyboard.

Solving problems: Keyboard resets after rebooting

This is the most common complaint of Xiaomi users, and the reason is because of the optimization service com.miui.daemon, which resets the default settings. Here's how to fix it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Find the Settings app (cog icon)
3. Select Warehouse → Clear the cache
4. Reset the device
5. Reset the keyboard by default

If this doesn’t work, try more radical measures:

• 🛡️ Turn off battery optimization for keyboard: Settings → Battery. → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Find the keyboard. → No restrictions.
• 🔧 Turn off automatic system optimization: Settings → The phone. → Tap 7 times on "Version" MIUI" → Return to "Additional settings" → Developer mode → Turn off Optimization. MIUI"
• 📦 Remove updates for MIUI Keyboard through Settings → Annexes → MIUI Keyboard → Three points. → Remove updates

Some firmware (especially Chinese versions) may require disabling com.miui.daemon via ADB:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.daemon

⚠️ Note: Disabling system services may cause the device to work unstable. Before executing this command, back up your data via Settings → Additional settings → Backup and reset.

Features for different Xiaomi models

The manufacturer uses different firmware versions for different lines, which affects the process of changing the keyboard.

For Chinese firmware devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro CN), the process is complicated by the lack of Google services.

• 🌍 Install Google Installer from the official Xiaomi store
• 🔄 Restart your device after installing Google services
• 📱 Install Gboard via APKMirror (if Play Market is not available)

On POCO models with MIUI for POCO (e.g. POCO X5 Pro), a bug is common when the keyboard is reset after the system update.

1. Reverse to the previous version of the keyboard via Settings → Apps → Keyboard → Three Dots → Remove Updates
2. Turn off automatic keyboard updates in Play Market

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi

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If standard methods do not work, the combination of "cleaning the Settings cache" + ADB-team + Disabling optimization solves the problem 99% of the time.