The transparent keyboard on Xiaomi smartphones is not only a stylish interface element, but also a practical solution for those who want to see more content on the screen while typing. Unlike standard themes with opaque backgrounds, a semi-transparent or fully transparent keyboard allows you to observe a background image, video or application without completely closing it. MIUI, and through third-party applications.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can activate a transparent keyboard on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from built-in tools to alternative keyboards, and look at the nuances that can occur on different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), and how to get around the limitations when transparency is not available by default, and if you want to not only change the look but also optimize your text experience, this guide is for you.
Method 1: Built-in transparency settings in MIUI
Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has added the ability to adjust the transparency of the Gboard system keyboard (if it is installed by default) or the standard Mi Keyboard. However, not all users know where to look for this option.
1. Open any application that requires text input (such as Messages or Notes) to call the keyboard.
2.Push the icon. ⚙️ Settings (cogs) on the keyboard.
3. In the settings menu, select Keyboard Themes or Design (the name may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
4. Scroll down the list of topics and find the option Transparency or Background Effects.
Open the keyboard in any application|Press the icon. ⚙️|Select "Keyboard themes"|Find the "Transparency" slider"-->
If there is no transparency slider, then your version of MIUI does not support this function directly, in which case you can try updating the firmware or using alternative methods described below.
⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 with) MIUI 13) transparency can only work for background themes, not all keyboard styles. If the effect does not appear after the change in settings, try changing the theme to a standard one.
Method 2: Using Gboard with a transparent theme
Google's Gboard keyboard offers more customization options than the standard Mi Keyboard.
- Install Gboard from Google Play if it is not already installed.
- Activate it in your phone settings: go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual Keyboard and select Gboard.
- Open Gboard, press on ⚙️ Settings → Topics.
- In the Color section, select Transparent or adjust the transparency level manually (if available).
If there is no transparent option in the list of topics, you can create your own theme:
- 🎨 Choose to Create Your Theme.
- 🖌️ In the editor, set the background transparency to the maximum value.
- 💾 Save the topic and apply it.
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If after applying a transparent theme, the keyboard displays with artifacts (like on POCO X3 Pro), try restarting your phone or clearing the Gboard app cache in the settings.
Method 3: Third-party keyboards with transparency support
If the built-in solutions are not satisfied, you can install alternative keyboards from Google Play.-3 applications with transparent background support:
| keyboard | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| SwiftKey | Full transparency setup, gesture support, cloud dictionary | Download |
| Chroom | Minimalist design, real-time transparency adjustment | Download |
| Fleksy | Transparent themes, GIF and emoji support, low power consumption | Download |
After installing any of these keyboards:
- Activate it in your phone settings (similar to Gboard).
- Open the keyboard settings and find the Themes or Design section.
- Choose a transparent theme or create your own with the right level of transparency.
⚠️ Note: Some keyboards (e.g. SwiftKey) may conflict with MIUI On older models (Redmi Note 8 and below). If the keyboard starts to brake, try turning off animations in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times to unlock).
Method 4: Manual Transparency Change through ADB (for Advanced)
If you’re ready to experiment, you can change the transparency of the system keyboard through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that is suitable for users with unlocked bootloader or root rights, but requires caution.
Instructions:
- Install ADB Tools on your PC.
- Connect your phone to your computer and enable USB debugging in the developer settings.
- Open the command line and type in: adb shell settings put secure default_input_method com.android.inputmethod.latin/.LatinIME (Replace com.android.inputmethod.latin with your keyboard ID if you use another keyboard).
- To change transparency, use the command: adb shell am start -n com.miui.home/.launcher.Launcher --es extra_keyboard_transparency 0.5 (where 0.5 — level of transparency 0 before 1).
What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
Important: Changing system settings through ADB can cause the keyboard to work unstable or reset. Before experimenting, back up your data.
Solving problems with a transparent keyboard
Even after successful transparency settings, users sometimes encounter bugs, and here are the most common problems and solutions:
- 🔄 Keyboard flashes or disappears: Try turning off energy-saving mode for the keyboard application in the battery settings (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
- 🖼️ Background under the keyboard does not blur: Enable background blur in the keyboard theme settings (not available on all devices).
- 📱 Transparency resets after rebooting: Clear the keyboard app cache or reinstall it.
If the problem persists, check the compatibility of your model with the selected keyboard. For example, on the Xiaomi Mi A3 (with pure Android), some MIUI features may not work.
Standard Mi Keyboard|Gboard|SwiftKey|Chroom|Another.-->
Transparent keyboard comparison: what to choose?
To help you make your choice, we compared the key parameters of popular keyboards with transparency support:
| Parameter | Mi Keyboard | Gboard | SwiftKey | Chroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level of transparency | Limited (depending on MIUI) | Full setup | Full setup | Full tuning + blur |
| Sign support | Partially. | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Energy consumption | Low. | Average. | High. | Low. |
| Compatibility with MIUI | 100% | 95% | 80% | 90% |
For most Xiaomi users, Gboard is the best choice, combining flexibility and stability, and if maximum transparency and blurring are important, you should pay attention to Chroom.
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A transparent keyboard can reduce text contrast in bright backgrounds. Choose dark wallpaper for comfortable typing or use keyboards with customizable character highlighting (such as Fleksy).
Bonus: How to make the keyboard translucent without third-party apps
If you don’t want to install additional keyboards, but your version of MIUI doesn’t have built-in transparency, you can go for the trick:
- Install live wallpapers with dynamic backgrounds (such as WallpapersCraft or Kappboom).
- Choose wallpaper with a predominance of dark colors - this will visually create the effect of "transparency" due to contrast.
- In the keyboard settings (Mi Keyboard or Gboard), select a theme with a minimalist design (such as Dark or AMOLED).
This approach will not give true transparency, but visually reduce the "weight" of the keyboard on the screen. AMOLED-displays (for example, on Xiaomi 12 Pro or POCO F4 GT), where black pixels are completely turned off, creating the illusion of transparency.