How to change the keyboard on Xiaomi: from standard to alternative

The standard keyboard on Xiaomi smartphones is usually Google’s Gboard or Mi Keyboard (in Chinese firmware), but not everyone likes its functionality: someone wants swipes for quick dialing, someone lacks themes, and some encounter bugs when typed in Russian. Fortunately, Android allows you to flexibly configure the keyboard, from a simple change of language to a complete replacement of the application.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can change your keyboard to Xiaomi, including the nuances for devices with MIUI Global, MIUI China and custom firmware, how to install SwiftKey, Fleksy or even a keyboard from Samsung, and what to do if a new keyboard doesn’t appear on the list of available ones, and focus on the problems with Chinese firmware, where standard methods often don’t work.

Before you get to the instructions, check the firmware version: Settings path → About phone → MIUI version. This depends on what steps will be required to change the keyboard.

1. Method: Install the keyboard from Google Play

The easiest way is to download an alternative keyboard from the official store.

• 🔹 Gboard – Google’s standard with gesture and voice input support.
• 🔹 SwiftKey – known for accurate word prediction and customization.
• 🔹 Fleksy – Minimalist design and extended emoji.
• 🔹 Chroom – for lovers of dark themes and a compact interface.

Once you install the application, the keyboard does not automatically activate.

1. Open Settings → System and device → Language and input.
2. Press Current Keyboard (or Keyboard Management in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Turn on the switch next to the name of the new keyboard.
4. Go back and select it from the Current Keyboard list.

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Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13) may require a device reboot after installing the keyboard to appear on the list of available ones. If the keyboard does not appear, check the application permissions in Settings → Applications → Application Management.

2. Method: Change the keyboard through the MIUI settings

If you want to return the standard Mi Keyboard or switch between options already installed, do the following:

1. Open any field to enter text (such as notes or WhatsApp message).

2. Swipe your finger over the keyboard toolbar (where the emoji button or microphone is located) to the left - an icon will appear. ⚙️ Settings.

3. Click on it and select Change keyboard (or input languages).

4. In the list, tick the desired keyboard and press Ready.

🔧 LAIFHACK: MIUI 14, we got Quick Keyboard Switching to activate it:

1. Clutch the space on the keyboard.
2. In the menu that appears, click the keyboard settings.
3. Turn on the option to Swipe keyboards over the space.

3. Problems with Chinese firmware (MIUI China)

On devices with MIUI China (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro for the Chinese market), it is often difficult to change the keyboard.

• 🚫 Google Play is not available – you can’t download Gboard or SwiftKey.
• 🚫 Limitations MIUI on third-party keyboards due to security policy.
• 🚫 No Russian language in the standard Mi Keyboard.

Decisions:

1. Install Google Play manually through MIUI Global ROM or third-party installers (such as APKMirror).
2. Download the.apk keyboard file (such as Gboard with APKMirror) and install it manually, allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. Use cloud-based keyboards like AnySoftKeyboard, which don’t require deep integration.

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Note: On some Chinese firmware (MIUI 13/14 China), even after installing Gboard, the keyboard may not appear in the settings. In this case, resetting keyboard settings through Settings → Applications → Application Management → Gboard → Storage → Clear data will help.

4. Language customization and auto-replacement

When you change the keyboard, you often need to adjust the languages and auto-replace options, like Gboard.

1. Open any text field and click on ⚙️ Settings on the keyboard.
2. Go to the languages → Add a keyboard.
3. Choose the languages you want (for example, Russian, English, Ukrainian).
4. Go back to the text settings and set up: 🔠 Auto-replacement (turn on or off). 🔠 Prediction of words (recommended to keep on). 🔠 Gestures (for example, swipe to enter).

💡 Tip: If SwiftKey or Gboard starts to “forget” words, clear its cache in Settings → Annexes → [Keyboard name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache. It'll reset the learning base, but it'll solve the lag problem.

5. Resetting keyboard settings to factory

If after experiments with keyboards there are glitches (for example, lost tongue, does not work auto-replacement or keyboard does not open), reset:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Enter.
2. Press on. ⋮ (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Resetting settings.
3. Confirm the action.

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If the keyboard is not installed from the Play Market, check if MIUI Optimization blocks it. Turn off optimization in the developer settings (Settings → Additional → Developers → Disable MIUI optimization).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions