How to change the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi: from the standard MIUI to Gboard and SwiftKey

Replacing the standard keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is one of the first challenges users face after buying the device. MIUI Keyboard, while functional, is often inferior to alternatives like Gboard or SwiftKey in terms of speed dialing, auto-replacement and integration with Google services.+, Redmi 10C older models complain of bugs with prediction of words in Russian or lack of support for rare languages.

In this article, we will analyze all the ways to change the keyboard to Xiaomi Redmi: from installing third-party applications to manually configuring system parameters. MIUI 14/15, You'll also learn how to return a standard keyboard if the third-party has started to brake, and what settings to change for maximum comfort.

Why users want to change the keyboard to Xiaomi Redmi

Standard. MIUI Keyboard has a number of flaws that become apparent after a few days of use:

• 🔍 Weak autocorrection: often emphasizes correct words as errors, especially in mixed texts + English).
• 🌐 Limited language support: no dialects (e.g. Tatar or Bashkir) or rare languages such as Hebrew.
• ⚡ Delays in recruitment: on budget models (Redmi) 9A, Redmi A1+) The keyboard can “hang” when you enter quickly.
• 🔒 Data collection: By default, sends typing statistics to Xiaomi, which worries privacy-conscious users.

For comparison, Google’s Gboard offers:

• 🤖 Integration with Google Translate (Instant translation of selected text).
• 🎨 Thematic design with support AMOLED-Smartphones like Redmi K60 Pro.
• 📱 Sync the vocabulary between devices through a Google account.

But it's not so clear: MIUI Keyboard consumes less battery and is better optimized for Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, which are found in most Redmi. MIUI (for example, swipe down to close the keyboard, which are not available in third-party analogues.

Preparing a smartphone before installing a new keyboard

Before you change the keyboard, you need to follow several steps to avoid compatibility or security issues:

Update. MIUI last-minute|Check the vacant space (minimum 200 MB)|Turn off battery optimization for keyboard applications|Make a backup copy of the settings-->

The first thing you need to do is update the firmware. MIUI (below 12.5), conflicts may occur when activating third-party keyboards. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If an update is available, install it through Settings. → Updating the system.

Next, check the permissions to install apps. Xiaomi blocks the installation by default APK from unknown sources to unlock this feature:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Special Access.
3. Activate the option Install unknown applications for the browser or file manager, through which you will download the keyboard.

⚠️ Note: If you install the keyboard through APK-A file (not from Google Play), be sure to check the hash file on a site like VirusTotal.Fake versions of Gboard or SwiftKey may contain spyware masquerading as legitimate apps.

For models with small memory (Redmi) 8A, Redmi 9C) It is recommended to clear the cache of system applications before installation:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select App] → Clear the cache

Methods of Installation of Alternative Keyboard

There are three main methods of changing the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi:

Let's look at each method in more detail.

1. Installation from Google Play (recommended for most)

This is the easiest and safest method available for all Redmi models that have Google services pre-installed (Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi 12 and later).

1. Open the Google Play Store and find the keyboard you want (like Gboard or SwiftKey).
2. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
3. After installation, open the application and follow the setup instructions.

To activate the new keyboard:

Settings → Additional → Language and input → Current keyboard → Select the desired

💡

If the keyboard doesn't appear on the list after installation, restart the smartphone. MIUI Does not update the list of available layouts without restarting the system.

Installation APK-File (for models without Google Play)

This is true for Redmi with global firmware without Google services, or for users who want to install a beta version of the keyboard, such as the 13.0 Gboard supports new emojis that are not yet available in a stable build.

APK can be downloaded from official sources:

• 🔗 APKMirror (check the hash file!).
• 🔗 Official developer site (for example, SwiftKey from Microsoft).

After downloading:

1. Open the file through any file manager (e.g. Files by Google).
2. Confirm the installation and wait for the process to be completed.
3. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications and find the keyboard installed.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MIUI 14+ installation APK This is a false security alert — ignore it if the file is downloaded from a trusted source.

Systemic replacement through ADB (power-user)

This method allows you to completely replace the standard keyboard at the system level, but requires an unlocked bootloader and rights. ADB. It is suitable for enthusiasts who want to get rid of MIUI Keyboard forever.

Instructions:

1. Install Platform Tools on PC and connect Redmi to PC USB with debugging enabled (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Allow debugging by USB).
2. Open the command line and execute: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.miuikeyboard This will remove the standard keyboard for the current user.
3. Install an alternative keyboard via Google Play or APK.

Then return MIUI Keyboard will be possible only through a full reset or flashing.

Set up a new keyboard after installation

Simply installing a keyboard is not enough – to make it work as efficiently as possible, you need to configure several key parameters.

1. Activation and default selection

After installing a new keyboard, it should be made the main one:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and input → Current keyboard.
2. Turn on the switch next to the name of the new keyboard.
3. Slip on it and choose Use by default.

If the keyboard doesn’t appear on the list, check:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 📥 Update the keyboard app to the latest version.
• 🔧 Provide all the permissions requested (access to microphone for voice input, access to storage for theme).

2. Optimization for the Russian language

Many Xiaomi Redmi users face the problem of having a keyboard that doesn't predict Russian words well or offers ridiculous options.

On Gboard:

1. Open the keyboard settings (cog in the top menu).
2. Go to the dictionary. → Russian.
3. Turn on the options: 📚 Auto-replacement (correction of typos). 🔤 Predicting the next word. 🌍 Multilingual input (if you type in multiple languages).

Text proofreader

Blocking obscene words

In SwiftKey:

• 📊 Go to Settings. → Languages and download the Russian language package.
• 🔍 Enable Cloud Sync to keep the dictionary updated across all your devices.
• 🎯 In the Predictions section, increase the size of the prediction buffer to the maximum.

3. Personalization of appearance

One of the main advantages of third-party keyboards is customization, for example, in Gboard you can:

• 🎨 Install AMOLED-screen-themed OLED (Redmi K50 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro+).
• 🖼️ Upload your own background image.
• 🔤 Change the height of the keyboard (useful for small-screen devices like Redmi) 10A).

To change the topic on Gboard:

Open the keyboard → Cogs → Topics → Choose the one you like

4. Customization of gestures and additional functions

The side of the keyboard supports unique gestures that are not in the MIUI Keyboard:

To set up gestures in Gboard:

Settings → Gestures → Enable / disable the necessary options

💡

If you often type in two languages, turn on the Multilingual Input function – this will allow you to switch between swipe layouts by space without clicking on the globe.

Solving common problems

Even after the keyboard is installed correctly, there can be failures, and let's look at typical situations and how to fix them.

1.The keyboard disappears when typing

This problem is often found on Redmi. MIUI 13/14 Because of conflict with memory optimization:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🛠️ Turn off optimization for keyboard: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [keyboard] → Battery → No restrictions.
• 📱 Update the keyboard to the latest version.

2. Voice input is not working

If the microphone does not respond to voice commands:

• 🎤 Check the permissions: Settings → Annexes → [keyboard] → Permits → Microphone.
• 🔊 Make sure that the keyboard settings are enabled by voice input.
• 📡 Check your internet connection (voice input requires access to servers) Google/Microsoft).

3.The keyboard brakes or lags

Slow typing may be caused by:

• 🗑️ Cache overflow: clear keyboard data in Settings → Annexes.
• 🔋 Battery savings: Turn off optimization as described above.
• 📱 Lack of RAM: Close background apps (especially relevant for Redmi) 8/9 s 3 GB memory).

⚠️ Note: If the brakes only appear in a specific application (for example, in Telegram or in the app). VK), The problem may be in the messenger itself. Try clearing the cache or reinstall it.

4. User words are not saved

If the keyboard doesn’t remember new words:

• 📚 In Gboard, check if Saving New Words is enabled in the dictionary settings.
• 🔄 In SwiftKey, sync your dictionary with your Microsoft account.
• 🗃️ Clean the keyboard data and reconfigure the dictionary (this will help to reset possible errors).

5. no swipe input (gesture typing)

If the swipe function (input words without removing your finger) is disabled:

• ✍️ In Gboard: Settings → Swipe input → Turn on.
• ✍️ In SwiftKey: Settings → Entering → Flow → Turn on.
• 🔄 If the swipe is not working properly, try recalibrating the keyboard (in gesture settings).

How to Get Back a Standard MIUI Keyboard

If the third-party keyboard does not meet expectations or begins to conflict with the system, it can be deleted and returned to the standard keyboard. MIUI Keyboard.

For this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the keyboard installed (such as Gboard) and click Remove.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → Language and input → Current keyboard.
4. Activate. MIUI Keyboard and make it the default keyboard.

If the standard keyboard has been removed through ADB (As described in the System Replacement section, you can return it in two ways:

• 🔄 Resetting settings: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Reset all settings (app data will be saved, but all system settings will return to factory settings).
• 📥 Hand-mounted APK: Download the original com.miui.miuikeyboard.apk forum XDA Developers and install it through ADB: adb install com.miui.miuikeyboard.apk

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models with MIUI 15 after removing the system keyboard through ADB The virtual keyboard may disappear from the Recovery Mode menu, making it impossible to enter a password when reset via Fastboot. OTG-cable.

Comparison of popular keyboards for Xiaomi Redmi

To make the choice easier, we compared the three most popular alternatives to the standard one. MIUI Keyboard:

For most users of Xiaomi Redmi, the best choice will be Gboard – it offers the best balance between functionality and stability. SwiftKey is suitable for those who value privacy and synchronization between devices, and Fleksy – owners of budget models (Redmi). 9A, Redmi 8, where saving resources is important.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi Redmi