Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often strive to personalize their interface to make their device stand out from the rest. One of the most visible elements of interaction with the gadget is the on-screen keyboard, which by default often has a standard white or dark look. Changing its appearance not only pleases the eye, but also allows you to create a single visual ecosystem, matched to the wallpaper or the overall theme of the system design.
The process of customizing color schemes in the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS has become much easier thanks to the deep integration of system fonts and the advanced capabilities of the standard Gboard application. The user no longer needs to look for complex third-party applications that can slow down the device or contain advertising.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for changing the color of the keyboard, from using built-in themes to manually adjusting transparency and gradients. You will learn how to activate hidden features, where to look for quality background images and how to properly adjust adaptive color change depending on the open application. Follow the instructions to make your smartphone shine with new colors.
Use of built-in Gboard keyboard themes
The easiest and most reliable way to change the appearance of the input field is to use the official theme gallery in the Gboard app. This is a regular keyboard that is preinstalled on most modern Xiaomi devices and provides the best compatibility with all the features of the system. To access the settings, you need to go to the menu where all visual styles are stored.
Open any application that requires input, and click on the gear icon or hold the space button to call the menu. In the window that opens, select Subjects. Here you will see a catalog of ready-made solutions that can be activated in one touch. The collection is constantly updated by developers, offering seasonal options, abstract patterns and minimalist designs.
- 🎨 Select the Gradient category for smooth color transitions.
- 🌌 Use the Dark Topics section to save on charge AMOLED-screen.
- ✨ Look for the “Animated” label for dynamic backgrounds.
⚠️ Note: When installing themes from third-party sources through APK-Always check your files for viruses, as they can access the data you enter.
Once you have selected your favorite option, the system will offer you to adjust additional parameters, such as the color of the button boundaries or the shade of text, which allows you to adapt even the finished theme to the specific preferences of the user. If the standard gallery seems too scanty, you can always upload your own image, as we will discuss in the next section.
Installation of your own background and photos
The custom image setup feature makes the keyboard truly unique, and you can use photos from your personal gallery, downloaded wallpaper, or custom-made graphics, especially for those who want to see motivational words or images of loved ones on the keyboard.
To set your background, select My Photos or a Plus icon from the Gboard themes menu. The system will suggest you select an image from the gallery or take a picture with the camera. After selecting the picture, an editor will open where you can adjust the blur level and brightness. Blurring is a critical parameter, since it ensures that characters are readable against a motley background.
It is recommended to choose images with contrasting objects in the center or at the edges, so that the letters do not merge with the details of the picture. If the background is too bright, increase the blackout so that the eyes do not tire during prolonged printing. Experiment with the position of the frame, moving and zooming the image to achieve the perfect result.
💡
For better readability in photos with many details, use the “Blurr” function at 60-80%, this will make the characters clear and contrasting.
Customization of transparency and glass effects
The transparency effect, often referred to as “glass,” is one of the most popular designs in the Android environment.It allows the keyboard to blend into the app’s content, creating a sense of lightness and depth. On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12/13/14 shell and HyperOS, this effect works particularly smoothly thanks to system optimization of animations.
In the Gboard theme settings, find the slider "Transparency" or "Glass." By moving it around, you can adjust the extent to which the application background is seen through the keyboard. This creates a beautiful matte glass effect that is particularly effective on colored wallpaper with gradients. It's important to find a balance where the keys remain visible.
There are several levels of transparency, each suitable for different use cases:
- 🔍 Easy transparency: Keeps boundaries clear but adds depth.
- 🌫️ Average transparency: the perfect balance for daily use.
- 💎 High transparency: maximum fusion with the background, suitable for minimalists.
It is worth considering that on some models of smartphones with budget screens or older versions of Android, a high degree of transparency can slightly affect the performance of the interface. If you notice twitching when printing, it is recommended to reduce the effect or turn it off.
☑️ Set up the perfect transparency
Creating Gradient and Neon Styles
For those who like bright solutions and game aesthetics, gradient and neon styles are great, adding speakers and making typing more fun. Unlike static pictures, gradients often have complex overflow patterns that attract attention.
To create this style, you can use special high-resolution gradient images. However, a more advanced way is to use the Material Design theme or similar in Gboard, where you can manually adjust colors. Choose the base color, and then in advanced settings (if available in your version), add a second accent color to create a transition.
Neon effects are achieved by using a dark, almost black background and bright, acidic colors for symbols and keyboard trimmings, which creates a glowing effect that is especially noticeable in low light conditions.
⚠️ Warning: Excessively bright and contrasting colors can cause rapid eye fatigue when working at night, use night mode.
To create your own neon, look for a high-resolution image on the web that says "Neon Keyboard Background" and set it as a background, and select bright blue, pink, or salad color in your keyboard color settings, and the combination of black background and bright stroke will give you the desired effect.
Adapting color to wallpaper and applications
Modern versions of the Gboard and HyperOS shells support color adaptation, which analyzes the dominant colors on the current screen or desktop wallpaper and automatically adjusts the keyboard hue tone, creating a harmonious and holistic visual experience without the need for manual adjustment for each case.
The Color Scheme or Material You feature (on Android 12 and above) allows the keyboard to pick up the palette of the system. If you change the wallpaper to red, the keyboard will also turn reddish. If you open an app with a blue interface, the keyboard can adapt to it, although this depends on the specific implementation in the OS version.
To activate this function:
- Go to the Gboard settings.
- Select "Theme."
- Find the option “Consist with the system” or “Adaptive color”.
- Activate the switch.
This feature is especially useful for those who frequently change wallpapers or use dynamic live wallpapers. The keyboard will always look appropriate and not be out of place with the overall interface style. However, if you prefer a strictly defined color regardless of the context, this option is best turned off.
Why does adaptive color not work?
Table of comparison of methods of personalization
To make it easier for you to choose the right way to change color, we have prepared a comparative table of basic methods, which will help you estimate the time spent, the resources required and the visual effect of each approach.
| Method | Difficulty | Visual effect | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard topics | Low. | Medium. | Minimum |
| Your photo. | Medium | High-pitched | Normal. |
| Transparency | Low. | High-pitched | Average. |
| Neon/Gradient | Tall. | Maximum | Notable |
* A noticeable effect on the battery is possible only when using complex animated live wallpaper on the keyboard, static neon images consume charge standard.
The choice of method depends on your priorities: if speed and stability are important, choose standard themes. If you want uniqueness and are willing to spend 10-15 minutes setting up, the combination of your own photo and transparency will give the best result. Don't be afraid to experiment, going back to the previous steps if the result did not meet expectations.
💡
The optimal balance between beauty and performance is achieved by using a static image with a high level of blur and medium transparency.