How to remove the keyboard from the screen on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: the full guide

Why the keyboard doesn’t disappear from the screen and what to do about it

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones (especially Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and POCO) often face a problem: the virtual keyboard remains on the screen even after you complete the text input, it interferes with the work with applications, blocks interface elements and annoys with constant random clicks, the reasons can be different from bugs in the firmware MIUI to incorrect gesture settings.

In this article, we’ll look at 7 proven ways to remove the keyboard from the screen, including hidden Xiaomi features that aren’t described in the official documentation. You’ll learn how to fix the problem on both the standard Gboard and the branded Mi Keyboard, and what to do if the keyboard appears on its own without a call.

Before you go to radical measures (like resetting), try simple solutions — often even rebooting your smartphone or cleaning your keyboard cache helps. But if the problem persists, follow the instructions below: from the fastest method to the most complex.

Method 1: Keyboard concealment gesture (fastest method)

MIUI 12/13/14 has a built-in keyboard concealment gesture that not everyone knows about, which works independently of the Redmi model and firmware version.

1. Open any field to enter text (for example, in Messages or Notes).
2. Touch the empty space on the screen (not in text!) and pull down in one quick move.
3. If you don't do it the first time, repeat the motion with a higher amplitude.

This gesture works the other way around: to call the keyboard again, pull up from the bottom edge of the screen (where the navigation bar is usually located).

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If the gesture does not work, check if the gestures in the settings Special features → System gestures are turned off.

• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI (including HyperOS).
• ✅ No need to require root or additional applications.
• ⚠️ On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) it may conflict with navigation gestures.

Method 2: Cast the keyboard button (for Gboard and Mi Keyboard)

Many users don't notice the small but important button on the keyboard that's responsible for hiding it, and depending on the keyboard it's used, it can look different.

• 🔹 On Gboard (Google): the icon of the arrow down (↓) upper right corner above the digital keyboard.
• 🔹 On Mi Keyboard: Keyboard icon with arrow (🔌) near the tongue switch button.
• 🔹 On SwiftKey: the “Swift” button in the form of an arrow in the right part of the toolbar.

If the button is not, it can be enabled in the keyboard settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Entering → Virtual Keyboard.
2. Select your keyboard (such as Gboard).
3. Find the Toolbar or Layout section and turn on the option to Show the Curtail button.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially custom) may not have a curtail button due to manufacturer restrictions.

Method 3: Forced keyboard closure through settings

If the keyboard is getting stuck on the screen and doesn't respond to gestures or buttons, it can be forced to close through system settings, which works even when the keyboard blocks access to the application interface.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

Open the notification bar (pull down from the top edge of the screen)

Click on the Settings icon (cog) in the upper right corner

Go to the "Applications" section → "Application Management"

Find your keyboard (Gboard or Mi Keyboard) and select Forced Stop"-->

After that, the keyboard will disappear from the screen, but the next time you type it, it will appear again. If the problem recurs often, clear the keyboard cache:

1. In the same Application Management menu, select the keyboard.
2. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

Method 4: Disabling the auto-show of the keyboard in the MIUI settings

There's a hidden option in MIUI firmware that makes the keyboard automatically appear when you open any text fields, and sometimes it doesn't work properly, and the keyboard shows up even when you don't need it. Here's how to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Show the keyboard automatically.
2. Turn off the switch next to this option.
3. Reset the device.

If this item is not in your MIUI version, try an alternative path:

Settings → System and device → Additional → Language and input → Keyboard settings → Automatic display

On some Redmi models (such as the Note 9 Pro or K40), this option may be called Show when you start apps, and turning off this option will also help if the keyboard appears on its own in unexpected places (such as in games or on the home screen).

⚠️ Warning: After you turn off the autoplay, you have to manually call the keyboard by clicking on text fields, which can be inconvenient if you text frequently.

Method 5: Resetting keyboard settings to factory

If the keyboard is not behaving properly (opens itself, doesn’t respond to commands or shows errors), resetting it will help, which will delete all your personal data (dictionary, topics, gestures), but return the keyboard to working condition.

Instructions for Gboard:

1. Open Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Virtual Keyboard → Gboard.
2. Select the Dictionary → Delete the training data.
3. Go back and click Reset Settings.

Instructions for Mi Keyboard:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Keyboard.
2. Click Warehouse → Delete data (this will remove all settings and dictionary!).
3. Reboot the phone.

Method 6: Use alternative keyboards (if the standard one doesn't work)

If a standard Xiaomi or Gboard keyboard is constantly bugged, the best solution is to install a third-party keyboard, which not only eliminates the problem of disappearing, but also offers additional features (for example, swipe input or cloud dictionary).

The best alternatives for Redmi:

• 📱 SwiftKey (from Microsoft) – supports swipe, cloud sync and themes.
• 🎨 Fleksy is the fastest keyboard with gestures and extensions.
• 🔒 AnySoftKeyboard – open source, high security.
• 🌈 Chroom – Minimalist keyboard with color setting.

How to install and configure an alternative keyboard:

1. Download the keyboard from Google Play (like SwiftKey).
2. After installation, go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Virtual Keyboard.
3. Turn on the switch next to the new keyboard.
4. Click on the default keyboard icon and select the installed keyboard.

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), when a third-party keyboard is first activated, the system may request permission to collect data.

Method 7: Radical measures - resetting the phone or flashing

If neither of these methods worked, the problem could be at the system level, leaving two options:

1. Reset to factory settings (will delete all data, but save firmware).
2. Fastboot flashing (for experienced users).

How to reset (without data loss if backup is possible):

1. Create a backup in Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose Reset all settings (does not delete files) or Delete all data (complete reset).

If the reset didn't work, it's left to flash.

• 🔧 Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and use the Mi Flash Tool.
• ⚠️ Beware: Wrong firmware can turn your phone into a brick».

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with locked bootloader (e.g. Redmi 12 or Note 12 Pro)+) To flash it, you will need to unlock Bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool, which will take up to 72 hours to wait for confirmation from Xiaomi.

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Before resetting or firmware, be sure to check if you have an unlocked Mi Account. If the phone is tied to the account, after reset, you will need to enter a login and password!

FAQ: Frequent questions about the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi