How to change the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi: from standard to custom

Replacing the standard keyboard with a Xiaomi Redmi is a challenge that every second owner of the smartphone in this series faces. The reasons are different: someone does not like the design of the Gboard (Google keyboards), someone has lags when printing, and some just want to try alternatives like SwiftKey or Fleksy. But the process of replacing on devices with a MIUI shell has its own nuances — especially if we are talking about models with a Mi Keyboard preinstalled (branded Xiaomi keyboard).

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the keyboard on the Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and other models - from the basic installation through settings to bypassing the limitations of MIUI. Also, you will learn how to return the standard keyboard if the new one is unstable, and what to do if the system does not allow you to choose an alternative. All instructions are tested on MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 (Android 13/14).

1. Standard method: Installation of the keyboard through settings

The easiest method is to download an alternative keyboard from Google Play and activate it in the settings, which is suitable for most Xiaomi Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and Redmi A2+.

1. Open the Google Play Store and search for a keyboard (e.g. Microsoft SwiftKey, Fleksy, or Chroom).
2. Install the application and launch it.
3. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Entering → Virtual Keyboard.
4. Turn on the switch opposite the installed keyboard.
5. Press the current keyboard and select a new one.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI If you put the keyboard in, you might get an "unsafe input" warning. This is standard behavior -- confirm the choice by pressing OK.

If the keyboards that are available are not just installed, check:

• 📱 Application permissions: go to Settings → Annexes → Manage applications, find the keyboard and give all the necessary rights.
• 🔄 Reboot: Sometimes helps the usual restart of the smartphone.
• 📦 Cash Systems: Clear the Cache in Settings → Memory. → Cleaning (do not delete data!).

Features of MIUI: why it is not possible to change the keyboard

The MIUI shell is known for its limitations, and changing the keyboard is no exception. Here are the typical problems and solutions.

Redmi models with global firmware (e.g. Redmi Note 12 5G Global) sometimes require additional confirmation via SMS when the third-party keyboard is first activated – this is a MIUI security measure.

If you use Chinese firmware (without Google services), the standard keyboards from the Play Store will not be installed.

• 🌐 Install. APK-manual keyboard file (e.g. from APKMirror website).
• 🔧 Use alternative stores like the Aurora Store.
• 📲 Switch the global version MIUI (requires unlocking the loader).

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Before installation APK-Check the hash amount on the VirusTotal website – this will save you from malware.

3.How to get back the standard Xiaomi keyboard

If the experiment with the alternative keyboard failed, you can return the Mi Keyboard or Gboard in a few steps:

Remove the unnecessary keyboard in Settings → Applications |

Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and input |

Select Mi Keyboard or Gboard from the list |

Clear the system cache in Settings → Memory.-->

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) After removing the third-party keyboard, the system can automatically return the Mi Keyboard, even if you preferred the Gboard:

1. Reinstall Gboard from the Play Store.
2. Start it and go through the initial setup.
3. Return to the language and input settings, select Gboard as the default keyboard.

If a standard keyboard is removed from the list altogether, it could mean that it has been disabled as a system application to return it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Dots (menu) → Show all apps.
2. Find the Mi Keyboard or Android Keyboard (AOSP).
3. Click Enable and Reset settings.

4. Hidden settings: how to turn on AOSP-keyboard

Few people know, but in the firmware MIUI hidden AOSP-Keyboard (clean Android) It's lightweight and devoid of functions, but sometimes it saves you when other options don't work:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone.


2. Click 7 times on the line "Version MIUI" (unlocks the developer mode).




3. Go back to the main settings menu, open "Additional" → "Developers".




4. Find the option "Enable AOSP- keyboard" and activate it.




5. The keyboard will now appear in the Settings → Language and Entering list.

This keyboard does not support swipes and advanced themes, but it works consistently even on weak models like the Redmi 8A or Redmi 9C.

5. Solving keyboard issues after MIUI update

After major updates (for example, from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), keyboards often start to glittle: the themes disappear, gestures fail, or settings are reset altogether.

• 🔄 Reset keyboard settings: Go to the keyboard application settings (e.g. SwiftKey) and select Reset to factory.
• 📥 Reinstall: Remove the keyboard and reinstall – sometimes a firmware update breaks the app cache.
• 🛠 Clearing the data MIUI: Go to Settings. → Memory. → Clean and select Deep Clean (do not delete personal files!).

If after the update, the ability to choose the keyboard at all disappeared, this may be due to:

• 🔒 Blocking. MIUI: Chinese firmware sometimes turns off third-party keyboards – requires firmware global version.
• 🐞 Firmware bug: check the forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA-Developers) for patches.

Example: After upgrading to MIUI 15 on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, many users complained about the Gboard's disappearance, the solution being to roll back firmware to a stable version or wait for a patch.

6.Alternative methods: keyboards via ADB and Magisk

For advanced users who want to install a keyboard without the limitations of MIUI, there are two ways:

Method 1: Installation via ADB (without root)

If the keyboard does not want to be activated through the menu, you can force it to be enabled via ADB:

adb shell ime enable com.example.keyboard/.KeyboardService


adb shell ime set com.example.keyboard/.KeyboardService

Replace com.example.keyboard with a real application package (for example, for SwiftKey it is com.touchtype.swiftkey).

Method 2: Magisk module for unlocking keyboards

On rooted devices, you can use the MIUI Debloater module or Xiaomi EU to:

• Remove the Mi Keyboard forever.
• Unlock hidden system keyboards.
• Disable the MIUI security check for third-party keyboards.

⚠️ Note: Using Magisk voids warranty and may result in bootloop ( looped boot) if the module conflicts with firmware. TWRP.

7. Top.-5 Keyboard for Xiaomi Redmi in 2026 year

The keyboard choice depends on your needs: gestures are important to someone, privacy is important to someone, and customization is important to someone. We tested dozens of options and selected the best ones for Xiaomi Redmi:

For gaming smartphones (for example, Redmi K60) it is better to choose Gboard or SwiftKey – they support game mode and do not conflict with Game Turbo.

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On weaker models (Redmi 7/8), avoid heavy keyboards like SwiftKey, which can cause lags when typing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi Redmi