Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are equipped with advanced text input systems that are designed to speed up the typing of messages. However, often built-in algorithms autocorrect too aggressively, changing words to those that the user did not plan to write, this is especially annoying when communicating in messengers or searching for information in the browser, when the meaning of the sentence is distorted beyond recognition.
The process of disabling this feature is not always obvious, as the manufacturers of shells MIUI and HyperOS periodically change the location of menu items. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to completely remove T9 or customize it to your needs, so that you can print comfortably and without unnecessary fixes.
Why T9 is in the way and when to turn it off
The predictive text input feature, often called T9, was originally designed to simplify the typing of messages on push-button phones. On touchscreens, it has evolved into an autocorrection system that tries to guess a word from the first letters. For many users, this becomes a problem, as the system often replaces the correct but rare words with more common ones, changing the meaning of the phrase.
This is especially true when using slang, professional terms, or proper names, and autocorrection can make a normal sentence meaningless by forcing the user to constantly monitor the screen and manually return the source code, which reduces the speed of printing and causes irritation.
Disabling this function is advisable in the following cases:
- 📱 You often use specific vocabulary, acronyms, or slang that the system doesn’t recognize.
- 🚫 Auto-replacement is constantly changing words that have been written to others without your consent.
- ⌨️ You are used to typing quickly and accurately, and the tips only distract from the typing process.
Disable T9 via standard Gboard settings
Most Xiaomi smartphones use Google’s Gboard keyboard by default, a standard solution that has flexible settings. To access predictive input management, you need to go to the settings menu of the keyboard itself, not the phone’s general menu.
Open any application that requires text input, such as notes or messages. When the keyboard appears, find the gear icon, usually located in the top toolbar. If there is no icon, press the comma key or space to call an additional menu where you can find input to the settings.
In the menu that opens, select Settings, and then go to Text Correction, where all the key switches that control the input system behavior are, and this is where you can pinpoint or disable intrusive functions completely.
To completely disable the corrections, follow the following steps:
- 🔧 Find the Autocorrect switch and turn it to the “Off” position».
- 💡 Turn off the option to Show replacement options so that the hint bar disappears.
- 🗑️ Remove the box from Autocomplete if it is active.
☑️ Checking Gboard settings
Setting up the Sogou keyboard on MIUI and HyperOS
In some regions and on certain Redmi and POCO models, the Sogou keyboard is pre-installed. The interface of this keyboard is different from the standard Gboard, and finding settings can be difficult for an untrained user.
To get into the settings, click and hold the space icon or find the menu button as four squares or a gear in the toolbar. In the window that opens, select Settings or Preferences. Next, you are interested in the section related to entering and fixing errors.
In the Sogou menu, look for Input or Input. It'll have Predictive Input or Autocorrect. Unlike Gboard, settings can be more disparate, so it's worth checking all the subsections associated with text carefully.
⚠️ Note: On some versions of the firmware MIUI Sogou keyboard may not have a complete autocorrection shutdown, allowing only to reduce its aggressiveness.
Using third-party keyboards for full control
If standard system tools do not give the desired result or the settings interface is too confusing, the best solution is to install a third-party application for text input. Third-party keyboards often offer more flexible settings and are free of the restrictions imposed by the smartphone manufacturer.
One of the most popular alternatives is Yandex Keyboard or Microsoft SwiftKey, which not only disables autocorrection, but also teaches you how to type, and they often work more stable and offer better dictionaries for Russian.
After installing the application from Google Play, you need to activate it in the system. To do this, go to the phone settings, find the section Additional → Language and input → Keyboard management. Here you need to turn on the switchboard opposite the new application and select it as the default input method.
Advantages of using third-party solutions:
- 🚀 Higher speed of work and response when typing.
- 🎨 Flexible customization of appearance, button height and sound effects.
- 🧠 Smart algorithms that are less likely to fail in context recognition.
Security of Third-Party Keyboards
Comparison of the capabilities of different input methods
Different input methods offer different levels of control over text, and understanding the differences between standard and alternative solutions will help you choose the best option for your use case. Below is a table comparing the main characteristics.
| Function | Gboard (Standard) | Sogou (MIUI) | Third-party (SwiftKey) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disabling autocorrection | Complete. | Partial/Full | Complete. |
| Russian Dictionary | Great. | Good. | Excellent. |
| Adjust the height of the buttons | There is. | Limited. | Expanded |
| Style training | Basic | Weak. | Deep. |
As you can see from the comparison, standard solutions are often inferior to specialized counterparts in the flexibility of the setting. If it is critical for you to not have any interference with the printing process, third-party keyboards will be the best choice.
Resetting keyboard settings and cleaning the dictionary
Sometimes the problem isn't with the settings themselves, but with the accumulated dictionary that has "remembered" incorrect words or has been too aggressive in applying old rules, and in these cases, it helps to reset the accumulated keyboard data to factory values.
To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find your keyboard (like Gboard) on the list. Go to Memory and click Clean or Reset.
⚠️ Warning: This operation will delete all the words you added to your personal dictionary and reset all the design settings».
Once reset, the system will start learning again, and at first it may be less efficient, but after a few days of active use, adaptive algorithms will adjust to your handwriting and communication style.
💡
Before resetting the keyboard settings, take a screenshot of the current configuration so that you can quickly restore the usual parameters, such as the height of the buttons or theme of the design.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users often experience a situation where, after updating the system, the settings are reset or changed, and it also happens that the keyboard freezes or stops responding to commands, in which case it helps to restart the device or reconnect the input method.
If the keyboard is gone completely, try clearing the Settings app cache or restarting the phone in Safe Mode to avoid conflict with third-party apps. Sometimes removing the input system updates through the app menu solves the problem.
The main causes of failures:
- 📉 Lack of RAM when working heavy themes of design.
- 🐛 Errors in a specific version of the firmware MIUI or hyperos.
- 🔌 Access Rights Conflict After Android Update.
💡
In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by simply switching the language or rebooting the smartphone, so do not rush to perform a complex resetting.