How to completely remove search on the Xiaomi keyboard: from Google to Baidu

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often encounter a harassing search bar that appears directly above the keyboard, which not only takes up space on the screen, but also sends your queries to Google or Chinese search engine Baidu — even if you do not use them. Worse, on some MIUI firmware, the search bar can automatically activate the microphone for voice input, which poses privacy risks.

Complicating the problem is that different MIUI versions (12 to 14) and different models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5) have different ways of turning off, somewhere you just remove the tick in the settings, and somewhere you have to edit system files or install an alternative keyboard. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from simple to advanced, including solutions for global and Chinese firmware.

Why Xiaomi Keyboard Search Appears and Why It’s Dangerous

The search bar above the keyboard is not a bug, but a feature that Xiaomi has integrated by default into its MIUI shell.

• 🔍 Partnering with Google (on global firmware) or Baidu (in Chinese), the company generates revenue from display ads and data collection on search queries.
• 📱 Simplification of access to search – according to the developers, the user does not need to open the browser to find information.
• 🎤 Voice input as an alternative to manual dialing (activated by tap to microphone in the search bar).

However, this function has serious disadvantages:

• 🚨 Sensitive data leak: All characters entered (even if you didn't click "Search") can be sent to servers. Google/Baidu analyse.
• 📉 It occupies 10-15% of the screen, reducing the area for text input – especially critical on smartphones with a small display (Redmi). 9A, POCO M4 Pro).
• 🔄 Automatic Internet connection when activating a string, which consumes traffic and battery power.

⚠️ Attention: On Chinese firmware (MIUI China) The search bar often leads to Baidu, a search engine blocked in Russia and some other countries, which can cause connection errors and lags when entering text.

Method 1: Disabling search in the system keyboard settings

The simplest method, which works on most devices with MIUI 12-14 (global/European firmware), is suitable for the standard Gboard or MIUI Keyboard keyboard.

Instructions:

1. Open any application where the keyboard appears (such as Messages or Notes).
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ (Settings) on the keyboard → Select the keyboard settings.
3. Go to Search or Google (the name may be different).
4. Turn off the slider Show search bar or Quick search.
5. Reboot your smartphone so that the changes take effect.

If the search item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

Settings → System and device → Language and input → Current keyboard → Settings (⚙️) → Additional

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) After disabling the search, access may be lost GIF-Inserts and stickers in the keyboard, and you'll have to manually search them through the menu.

Update MIUI to the latest version | Backup settings | Check the current keyboard (Gboard or MIUI Keyboard) | Turn off mobile internet while settings-->

Method 2: Delete the search bar via ADB (without root)

If there is no option in the settings to disable the search, you can use ADB-This method does not require superuser rights, but requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes adb).
2. Activate Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect the phone to the PC and type in the command line:

adb shell pm hide com.google.android.inputmethod.latin/com.google.android.apps.inputmethod.libs.search.SearchActivity

For Chinese firmware (Baidu) use:

adb shell pm hide com.baidu.searchbox/com.baidu.searchbox.SearchActivity

Once you execute the command, the search bar will disappear. To return it back, replace hide with unhide.

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If, after the execution, ADB-commands search bar left, try first to remove updates for the keyboard in Settings → Annexes → Gboard → Remove the updates, then repeat the procedure.

Method 3: Install an alternative keyboard (SwiftKey, Fleksy)

If the system methods don't work, the radical solution is to completely replace the keyboard, which not only removes the search bar, but also adds new features (themes, gestures, improved input).

The best options for Xiaomi:

• ⌨️ Microsoft SwiftKey – supports synchronization between devices, no search bar, there is a cloud dictionary.
• 🎨 Fleksy – minimalist design, advanced gesture settings, no advertising.
• 🔒 AnySoftKeyboard – Open Source, Full Control of Privacy.

How to determine:

1. Download the keyboard from Google Play (like SwiftKey).
2. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Current Keyboard.
3. Select the keyboard installed and activate it.
4. In the new keyboard settings, disable all options related to Google or Baidu.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, POCO F4 GT) After changing the keyboard, system emojis and text prediction in Chinese may disappear (if it was activated).

Gboard (standard)|SwiftKey|Fleksy|AnySoftKeyboard|Another.-->

Method 4: Editing system files (for advanced users)

If none of the previous methods worked, manual editing of system files remains, which requires root rights or Magisk installed, as well as knowledge of working with ADB or a file manager like Root Explorer.

What needs to be done:

1. Get root access (e.g. via XDA Developers).
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Mixplorer).
3. Follow the path:

/system/priv-app/QuickSearchBox/


or




/system/app/GmsCore/

and delete or rename the files:

• QuickSearchBox.apk (responsible for the search bar)
• GoogleSearchBox.apk (on global firmware)
• BaiduSearch.apk (on Chinese firmware)

After the changes, be sure to clear the cache in Settings → Apps → Google and restart the device.

Method 5: Reverse firmware or switch to custom (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

On some versions of MIUI (especially MIUI 14 for Xiaomi 13/Redmi K60), the search bar cannot be removed by standard methods due to the deep integration with Google services.

• 🔄 Reverse to the old version MIUI (For example, from 14 to 13), where the search is disabled through settings.
• 📱 Install custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, where there is no binding to Baidu.

Instructions for rollback:

1. Download the desired version of MIUI from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Click on three points → Select an update package.
3. Select the downloaded file and confirm the rollback.

For custom firmware installation:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery.
3. Flush firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) through the Recovery.

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Sliding firmware or installing custom is an extreme method, it voids warranty, can lead to data loss, and requires technical skills, only use it if other methods have failed.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to remove a search bar, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• ❌ "No 'Search' item in keyboard settings Solution: Check version MIUI — on MIUI 14 for Xiaomi 13, this item is hidden. ADB-method or change keyboard.
• ❌ "After ADB-Search commands returned after reboot Solution: execute adb shell pm uninstall command -k --user 0 com.google.android.inputmethod.latin (removes Gboard updates).
• ❌ "Baidu Search is not turned off on Chinese firmware Solution: Install global firmware via Mi Flash Tool or use Baidu Remover Magisk module.
• ❌ "Missing. GIF and post-disable search stickers" Solution: Install a third-party keyboard (e.g. SwiftKey) with media support.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔹 Availability of updates MIUI (Sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions).
• 🔹 Firmware region (Indian firmware search is disabled differently than in European ones).
• 🔹 Conflicts with other applications (for example, Nova Launcher can block keyboard changes).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions