How to permanently remove Gboard from Xiaomi: from disconnection to complete removal

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a problem: a pre-installed Google keyboard (Gboard) takes up memory, slows down the system and constantly suggests changing the layout. Even after installing an alternative keyboard (for example, SwiftKey or Fleksy), the system can automatically return to Gboard after updates or resets.

In this article, 5 proven ways to get rid of Gboard on Xiaomi, including hidden MIUI settings and methods for rootless devices. We will understand how not just to disable, but completely remove the Google keyboard so that it does not recover from updates. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/13 based on Android 13/12 (including HyperOS), but most methods work on older versions.

Important: Some methods require care – doing the wrong thing can cause system failures. If you are unsure of your skills, start with the safest options (sections 2–3).

1.Why does Gboard come back after being deleted?

The fact is that the Google keyboard on Xiaomi is a system application (com.google.android.inputmethod.latin) integrated into the MIUI firmware at the Android level, so:

• 🔄 Automatically recovers after resetting or updating MIUI through OTA.
• 📦 Takes up a seat in the section /system, Where Users Cannot Access Without Root.
• 🔗 Linked to Google Services – Deleting it could affect Google Play, Assistant and other apps.

In addition, MIUI 14 adds a system application protection mechanism: even if you delete Gboard.apk via ADB, the system can restore it the next time you reboot it, so a combination of methods is required to completely remove it.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ or POCO F5) Google keyboard can be part of Google Mobile Services (GMS). Deleting it will cause errors in the Play Market and other services. Check alternatives before you do it (section 4).

2. Method 1: Disable Gboard without removal (the safest)

If you don’t need to completely remove the keyboard, but simply hide it from the list of available keyboards, follow the following steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type Gboard (or “Google Keyboard”).
3. Slip on the application, then select Disable.
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After that:

• 📱 The keyboard will disappear from the list available in the language settings.
• 🔄 It will not be updated through the Play Market.
• 📤 Released. ~50–100 MB of memory (depending on model).

The downside of the method: when you reset or update MIUI, the keyboard can be activated again. To avoid this, use freezing through ADB (section 3).

Method 2: Freeze Gboard via ADB (without root)

This method blocks Gboard but does not physically delete it, but the advantage is that the keyboard will not recover after the updates, as the system will consider it “missing”.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with ADB-tools installed.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm access to debugging on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Follow the command to freeze Gboard: adb shell pm hide com.google.android.inputmethod.latin

If the command fails (Operation not allowed error), try the alternative:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.inputmethod.latin

To defrost the keyboard (if necessary), use:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.inputmethod.latin

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (for example, MIUI Global for Redmi 10) pm hide may not work. ADB AppControl (Section 5) or manual removal through TWRP (section).

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If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers from the official website or using the Mi PC Suite program, and check if File Transfer (MTP) mode is enabled when you connect.

Method 3: Removing updates and resetting to factory version

If Gboard has been updated through the Play Market, it can be rolled back to a factory version that takes up less space and has no unnecessary features.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Gboard.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action.
4. Return to the main settings of the application and click Clear cache and Clear data.

After that:

• 📉 The size of the application will decrease with ~150MB to ~30-50 MB.
• 🔒 Functions like GIF-Searching or Translating Real-Time Will Disappear.
• 🔄 Play Market will no longer offer updates (if you disable auto-update for that app).

To prevent Play Market from automatically updating Gboard:

1. Open Google Play and find Gboard.
2. Slip on three points next to the Update button.
3. Uncheck the auto update box.

5. Method 4: Using ADB AppControl (for power users)

ADB AppControl is a graphical interface utility that makes it easier to work with system applications, not only freezing, but also completely removing Gboard, as well as other unnecessary Xiaomi applications (for example, Mi Browser or Mi Music).

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB AppControl (version 2.3 or later).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and start the program.
3. In the list of applications, find Gboard (com.google.android.inputmethod.latin).
4. Select an action: 🏔️ Freeze - Freeze (analogue of pm hide). 🗑️ Uninstall – Delete completely (requires confirmation).

Reboot the phone.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎯 Visual interface – no need to remember commands ADB.
• 🔍 You can uninstall other Xiaomi apps (such as Mi Video or GetApps).
• 🔄 Supports Recovery of Remote Applications.

⚠️ Note: If, after deleting Gboard, ADB AppControl stopped working Google Play Services or other services, restore the application through the same utility or follow the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.inputmethod.latin

Method 5: Complete removal via TWRP (for stitched devices)

If your Xiaomi has custom recovery (TWRP) installed, you can physically remove Gboard files from the system partition, which ensures that the keyboard will not recover even after resetting.

You'll need:

• 📱 Established TWRP Recovery (installation instructions are available on XDA-Developers for your model).
• 🖥️ Backup of data (deletion of system files can lead to unstable operation).
• 🔧 File Manager with support for root (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).

Instructions:

1. Load the phone into TWRP mode (press Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. In the main menu, select Mount and select System.
3. Go back to the main menu and select Advanced → File Manager.
4. Go to /system/priv-app/GboardGoogle or /system/app/GboardGoogle (the path may vary depending on the model).
5. Delete the entire folder or only the files: GboardGoogle.apk GboardGoogle.odex (if any)

Reboot the phone.

If you have problems with Google Play after deleting, restore deleted files from a backup or reflash MIUI via Fastboot.

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Removing via TWRP is the most radical method, but it is only suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and recovery installed. On devices with a locked bootloader (for example, the new Xiaomi 13/14), this method will not work.

7. Method 6: Using debloater scripts (for advanced ones)

For those who don’t want to mess with ADB or TWRP, there are ready-made scripts to remove unnecessary Xiaomi apps, including Gboard. One of the most popular is Universal Android Debloater (UAD).

How to use:

1. Download Universal Android Debloater (available for Windows, Linux and macOS).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and start the program.
3. In the list of applications, find com.google.android.inputmethod.latin.
4. Select an action: 🏔️ Disable - Disable (analogue of freezing). 🗑️ Uninstall - Remove (requires) ADB).

Apply the changes and restart the phone.

Advantages of UAD:

• 🔍 Supports batch removal of multiple applications.
• 📋 Here are some tips on which apps can be safely removed on Xiaomi.
• 🔄 You can create a backup copy before deleting.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Risk of removing critical system components (read package descriptions carefully!).
• 🖥️ Requires a connection to the PC.

8. Alternative Keyboards for Xiaomi: Which to Choose?

If you removed Gboard, you'll need an alternative. Here are the best options for Xiaomi:

Recommendation: If you want speed and minimal memory consumption, choose Simple Keyboard or AnySoftKeyboard.

To install an alternative keyboard:

1. Download it from Play Market.
2. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Current keyboard.
3. Activate the new keyboard and set it by default.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Gboard on Xiaomi