How to change the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi: 3 ways + error solving

Replacing the standard keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is one of the first tweaks users make after buying a device. The built-in MIUI keyboard isn't always convenient: it can slow down, offer irrelevant hints or simply dislike the design. Fortunately, Android allows you to install third-party keyboards - from Gboard (Google) to SwiftKey (Microsoft) or specialized solutions for gamers.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to change the keyboard to the Redmi Note 12/11/10, Redmi 9/9A/9C and other models — from basic replacement through settings to solving problems with no sound when dialing or malfunctioning. Also compare popular alternatives for speed, functionality and security. If you want to change the layout, but completely switch to another keyboard, read on.

Why users change the keyboard to Xiaomi Redmi

The standard MIUI keyboard has a few features that not everyone likes:

• 🔍 Inaccurate hints: Auto-replacement often corrects words for incorrect variants, especially in professional vocabulary or slang.
• 🐢 Slowdowns: on budget models (Redmi) 9A, Redmi 8) keyboard can slow down when dialing fast.
• 🎨 Limited design: no themes, animations or the ability to customize the location of the buttons.
• 🔒 Data collection: Some users fear that Xiaomi is analyzing the input text (although this is standard practice for most keyboards).

The side of the keyboard solves these problems, for example, Gboard suggests:

• 🌍 Google Translate built-in translator right in the input field.
• 🎵 Voice input with high recognition accuracy.
• 🖼️ Thousands of themes and stickers for personalization.
• 🔐 Ability to disable data collection (in privacy settings).

However, third-party solutions also have downsides: they can consume more battery or take up additional space in memory. On Redmi with 32 GB of storage, this is critical - check the free space in the Settings → Memory section before installing.

Method 1: Install the keyboard via Google Play

The easiest method is to download an alternative keyboard from Google Play Market, which is suitable for all Redmi models on Android 10 and later.

1. Open the Google Play Market and find the Gboard app, the Google Keyboard.
2. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
3. After installation, open the Gboard app from the menu or through the desktop icon.
4. Click Enable in Settings - the system will redirect you to the Language and Enter section.
5. Activate the switch next to the Gboard.

Now the keyboard is installed, but it's not yet active, so you can make it the main one.

1. Return to Settings → Additional Settings → Language and input → Default Keyboard.
2. Select Gboard from the list.

Check the space available (minimum 100 MB)

Download the keyboard from the official source (Google Play)

Close all applications before activation

Reboot your phone after a change (recommended)

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Important: If the keyboard doesn't appear when typing after installation, restart the device. Redmi with MIUI 13/14 shell sometimes requires additional rights confirmation in the Special Features section.

Method 2: Install the keyboard through APK-file

If you don’t have access to Google Play (for example, on Chinese firmware) or want to install a beta version of the keyboard, you can use it. APK-This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires permission to install from unknown sources.

Instructions:

1. Download. APK-Keyboard file from a trusted source (e.g. APKMirror). For Gboard, select the version arm64 (for most of the Redmi).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Select the browser or file manager through which you will install the APK and allow installation.
4. Open the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

Warning: Installation from unknown sources increases the risk of virus infection. On Redmi Chinese firmware (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G for the Chinese market), some keyboards may not support Russian due to regional restrictions.

⚠️ Attention: If after installation APK The keyboard requests access to SMS, Contacts, or Geolocation without giving a reason — delete it.

Method 3: Change the keyboard through ADB (for advanced)

This method is suitable if you want to force the keyboard to be system (for example, to save battery) or remove the standard keyboard. MIUI Keyboard all. It requires a computer and command knowledge. ADB.

Steps:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to become a developer), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
2. Connect Redmi to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
3. Open the command line (cmd) and enter:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear).

1. Set the keyboard as a system keyboard (example for Gboard):

adb shell pm grant com.google.android.inputmethod.latin android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS


adb shell ime set com.google.android.inputmethod.latin/.LatinIME

These commands make Gboard the default keyboard and give it extended rights. To remove the standard MIUI keyboard, use:

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

⚠️ Note: Removing the system keyboard may cause some Xiaomi apps (such as Mi Home or Mi Fit) to crash. Create a backup through Settings before executing a command. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Comparison of popular keyboards for Xiaomi Redmi

To choose the best keyboard, compare the main parameters: speed, language support, battery consumption and additional functions. MIUI 14 and Android 13:

For most Redmi users, Gboard is the best choice, combining speed, functionality and low resource consumption. SwiftKey is for those who often type long texts and want to save vocabulary in the cloud.

💡

On Redmi with 4GB of RAM and less, avoid keyboards with animations (like Fleksy) – they can cause slowdowns.

Solving problems after changing the keyboard

Even after successfully installing a new keyboard, there may be failures.

1. The keyboard does not appear when typing

Reasons:

• 🔄 The keyboard is not selected as the main one in the settings.
• 📱 The app you type in has its own keyboard (e.g, VK Telegram).
• 🔧 Android malfunction after update.

Decisions:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Language and input → The default keyboard and select the desired one.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📲 In a problem app (such as WhatsApp), go to its settings and turn off the Built-in Keyboard option.

2.No sound when you press the keys

If the sound has disappeared after the keyboard change:

1. Open the keyboard settings (for example, for Gboard: click on the icon) ⚙️ top-down).
2. Go to Sounds when pressed and turn on the option.
3. Check the general sound settings on your phone: Settings → Sound → System sounds.

3.The keyboard brakes or flies off

Possible causes:

• 🗑️ Insufficient RAM (relevant to Redmi) 8A or Redmi 9C with 2GB of RAM).
• 🔋 Battery optimization limits keyboard performance.
• 🛠️ Conflict with other applications (for example, launchers or antiviruses).

Decisions:

• 🗑️ Close the background applications through Recent → Close it all down.
• 🔋 Add the keyboard to optimization exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Find the keyboard. → No restrictions.
• 🛠️ Update the keyboard to the latest version or reinstall it.

💡

If the keyboard is slowing in just one app (like Instagram), clear the cache of that app: Settings → Apps → Instagram → Memory → Clear the cache.

How to Get Back a Standard MIUI Keyboard

If the third-party keyboard fails or causes crashes, you can return the standard MIUI Keyboard.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and input → Default keyboard.
2. Select the MIUI Keyboard (or System Keyboard).
3. If it is not on the list, include it in the Keyboard Management section.

If you have removed the system keyboard through ADB, you can restore it only by resetting the settings to the factory:

1. Create a backup copy of the data.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
3. Select Reset your phone settings and confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: Reset will delete all data, including photos, messages and installed apps. On Redmi with unlocked bootloader, you can restore the system keyboard via firmware MIUI Fastboot mode, but it requires technical skills.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi Redmi