How to make a standard keyboard on a Xiaomi phone: 3 working methods

The standard keyboard on Xiaomi smartphones is either the branded MIUI Keyboard (on new models) or Google's Gboard (on global firmware). But after installing third-party keyboards like SwiftKey, Fleksy or Microsoft Keyboard, the system often switches automatically to them, and it becomes not so easy to return the native keyboard. In this article, we will discuss why this happens, how to force the standard keyboard to return through the MIUI settings, and what to do if it disappeared from the list of available.

The problem is especially acute for users who have experienced third-party keyboard bugs: brakes, lack of Cyrillic support or incorrect display of emoji. Sometimes the native keyboard simply disappears after the MIUI update, in which case additional steps will be needed to restore it. We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13T models with the latest firmware versions (MIUI 14/15).

Why does Xiaomi change the default keyboard?

Xiaomi smartphones automatically switch the keyboard in three cases:

• 🔄 Install a new keyboard from the Play Market, and the system suggests that you make it the main one right after you install it.
• 📱 Update MIUI. Sometimes after the update, the default settings are reset, and the first keyboard in the list is activated (often it is Gboard or a third-party keyboard).
• ⚙️ Reset application settings. If you cleared the cache or data for all applications through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Resetting settings, keyboard can be reset to factory.

In addition, some models (e.g. Redmi) 10C or POCO M5) built-in MIUI Keyboard can conflict with Gboard if both are installed simultaneously, causing the system to accidentally switch between them — MIUI Sometimes it stops the work of background keyboards, if they have not been used for a long time.

Method 1: Switching through MIUI settings (the easiest)

If the standard keyboard simply ceased to be the main one, but remained in the system, you can return it in 30 seconds:

1. Open any field to enter text (such as notes or WhatsApp message).
2. Swipe your finger over the keyboard panel (where the line with emojis or numbers is located) left or right – so you will see a list of available keyboards.
3. Click on the icon. ⚙️ "Settings" (cogs) in the lower right corner of the keyboard.
4. In the menu Keyboard and input methods tap on the item Current keyboard.
5. Select MIUI Keyboard (or Gboard if it was standard) and confirm the choice.

If the keyboard is not on the list, it has been disabled or deleted, in which case you can go to Method 2.

Method 2: Enabling a standard keyboard in system settings

If the keyboard has disappeared from the list of available, it must first be activated:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Keyboard and input methods.
2. Press Keyboard Management (or Virtual Keyboard on older versions of MIUI).
3. Turn on the switch next to the MIUI Keyboard (or Gboard). If it is not in the list, click Download the keyboard and select the one you want.
4. Go back and tap the Current Keyboard, then select the activated keyboard.

On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), the Keyboard and input methods may be called Language and Keyboard or Entering Methods. If you don't find a partition, search by settings (the magnifier icon at the top of the screen) and type in the "keyboard" query.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using POCO Launcher or third-party shell, the path to keyboard settings may be different.In this case, temporarily switch to a standard launcher MIUI: Settings → Topics → Launcher → Standard.

Method 3: Reset keyboard settings via Safe Mode

If the keyboard is not working properly (e.g., it doesn’t open, slows down, or shows errors), resetting it to Safe Mode (Safe Mode) can also help if a third-party keyboard has blocked access to settings:

1. Turn off the phone, then press the power button until the MI logo appears.
2. Once the logo appears, press and hold the volume button until the phone boots into Safe Mode (the "Safe Mode" label will be at the bottom of the screen).
3. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
4. Find a problem keyboard (like SwiftKey) and click Stop, then Clear the cache and Clear the data.
5. For a standard keyboard (MIUI Keyboard or Gboard), only Cache Cleanup (no data need to be erased!).
6. Restart your phone in normal mode.

After restarting, check the keyboard. If the problem persists, try removing updates for Gboard (if it's standard):

• Open Settings → Applications → All Apps → Gboard.
• Click on the three dots at the top → Remove the updates.
• Reboot the phone.

💡

If the keyboard still doesn’t work after reset, check if the Battery Savings feature for system applications is enabled. Open Settings → Battery → Charge Savings and add the keyboard to the exclusion list.

Table: Comparison of standard Xiaomi keyboards

If you choose between MIUI Keyboard and Gboard, keep in mind that the former is better optimized for Xiaomi (less slows down and does not conflict with firmware), but inferior in functionality. Gboard is suitable for those who actively use Google-translator, voice input or GIF-search straight from the keyboard.

What to do if the standard keyboard is removed?

On some custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience), the system keyboard can be removed as unnecessary software.

1. Installation APK manually: Download APK-file MIUI Keyboard from a verified source (e.g, 4PDA). Install the file through any file manager (allow installation from unknown sources in Settings) → Annexes → Special rights, restart the phone.

Fastboot flashing through Fastboot

• Download the full firmware package for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
• Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down when turned on).
• Run the command in the terminal: fastboot flash system.img

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK From unverified sources, you may leak data (some keyboards collect typing information). Always download files from official forums or sites like APKMirror, which checks the integrity of packets.

How to prevent automatic keyboard change?

To prevent MIUI from changing the keyboard without your knowledge, follow a few simple steps:

• 🔒 Turn off auto-update for keyboards: Go to Play Market → Profile → Settings → Auto Update Apps and select Do Not Update Automatically for Gboard, MIUI Keyboard and others.
• 📵 Stop Battery Optimization: Open Settings → Battery → Saving charge → Apps and add your keyboard to exceptions.
• 🚫 Remove unnecessary keyboards: The fewer keyboards installed, the less likely the system will switch to the wrong one.Remove all unused ones via Settings → Annexes.

It is also useful to disable suggestions to change the keyboard after installing new applications.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Points → Special Access → Battery Optimization.
2. Find the keyboard you want to lock and select No Limits.

💡

If you often switch between keyboards, use the quick access panel: swipe your finger over the keyboard line left/right to select the right one without going into the settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the keyboard on Xiaomi