How to remove the T9 on Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Many Xiaomi smartphone users are faced with the intrusive behavior of the keyboard, which constantly tries to guess the typed word, a feature known as T9 or autocorrection, often changes the written words to completely different, distorting the meaning of the message, especially annoying when using slang, proper names or professional terms, which are not in the standard dictionary of the system.

Disabling this feature is a simple process, but the path to settings can vary depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, as well as the version of the keyboard installed. Most modern devices use Google’s Gboard by default, but there are also standard solutions from Xiaomi and third-party applications such as SwiftKey. Understanding what type of input program you have is the first step to solving the problem.

In this article, we will take a look at all the possible ways to deactivate autocorrect, predict words, and correct typos, and learn not only to turn off T9 completely, but also to flexibly adjust its operation, leaving only useful features, such as word prompts, if you need them for print speed.

Determine the type of keyboard on your device

Before you get to the settings, you need to figure out which app is responsible for typing. Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones can pre-installed different options. Most often it is Gboard, but in some regions or on older models, you can find the Xiaomi Keyboard or even the Samsung Keyboard in rare builds.

The fastest way to know this is to call the keyboard in any type of input field, like a browser search or messenger. Look at the top of the keyboard: it often has a gear icon or a developer logo. If you see a "G" on a color background, you have a Gboard. If the logo resembles an "M" or just a keyboard icon without Google's obvious signs, it's probably the standard solution from the manufacturer.

You can also check the active keyboard through system settings. To do this, go to the Settings menu, then select Additional and find the Language and Entering section. The current keyboard will indicate the name of the active application, and that is the settings of this application that we will refer to next.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse disabling autocorrect with deleting the language pack. If you delete Russian from your keyboard settings, the T9 will stop working, but you won't be able to type in Cyrillic either.

Disable T9 on the Gboard keyboard

The Gboard keyboard is the standard for most Android devices, including Xiaomi smartphones. It has a powerful prediction algorithm that can be flexibly configured. To remove annoying word corrections, you don't have to turn off all the features at once. You can leave hints, but you can't automatically replace them.

To start, open any application that requires text input to make the keyboard appear. On the top toolbar, find the gear icon. If it's not there, click on the three-dot icon or the Google (G) icon, and then select Settings from the menu that appears. Once in the settings menu, you need to find the Text Correction section. This is where all the tools that affect T9 behavior are concentrated.

Inside the text correction section, you'll see some switches. The most important thing for us is Autocorrect. It needs to be put inactive. After that, the keyboard will stop changing the words you've written. However, if you want to remove the prompt bar above the keyboard, you also need to turn off "Show hint bar" or "Tips when typed."

It is worth noting that in some versions of Gboard, settings can be broken down by language. If the global shutdown did not help, find the Languages item in the menu, select Russian and click on the gear icon next to it. Make sure that the Autocorrection switch is turned off for the Russian layout.

Set up the standard Xiaomi keyboard (Mi Keyboard)

A number of devices, especially global firmware versions or Xiaomi Pad tablets, may use the company's own design. The interface of this keyboard is different from Gboard, and the settings are elsewhere. The principle of operation remains the same: you need to find the partition responsible for fixing errors.

To get into the settings, call the keyboard and find the gear icon on the top panel. If it's not there, press the comma key or the gumbag key to see the additional menu. In the list that opens, select "Keyboard Settings" or simply "Settings." Then you're interested in the Input or Input Settings section.

Here you'll find the Autocorrect or Auto Replace switch. Turn it off. Also, this menu often features "Vibration on press" and "Key Sound" settings, which makes typing quieter and less distracting. Some users prefer to turn off the sound effects completely, leaving only a tactile response.

⚠️ Note: After the firmware update MIUI or HyperOS keyboard settings may reset to factory settings, it is recommended to check autocorrect status after each major system update.

Managing personal vocabulary and exceptions

Turning off the T9 completely isn't the only solution. Often, it's not the function itself that's annoying, but the fact that it's not handling specific words correctly: names, city names, professional jargon. Instead of giving up the convenient feature entirely, you can teach the keyboard to spell correctly.

There's a Personal Dictionary function for that. In Gboard, it's on the path: Settings → Personal Dictionary. By clicking on a plus, you can add a new word and its short form (if you need to). For example, by adding the word "Supervisor," you make sure that the keyboard no longer changes it to "Supervisor" or other variations.

In a standard Xiaomi keyboard, a similar feature may be called "User Dictionary" or "User Dictionary." The addition process is similar. This is especially true for owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note or Poco F series smartphones, where prediction algorithms can be aggressive due to optimization for the Chinese market, even in global versions.

Using a personal vocabulary balances the speed of printing with accuracy, and you get tips for frequently used words, but the system doesn't impose its own variations on unique vocabulary, and it's a perfect compromise for people who talk a lot in work chat rooms.

Third-party keyboards as an alternative

If Xiaomi and Gboard’s regular tools don’t suit you with their logic or interface, you can always install a third-party solution. App stores offer dozens of options, from minimalist to overloaded features. Popular alternatives include SwiftKey, Yandex Keyboard and TouchPal.

Microsoft’s SwiftKey keyboard is famous for its powerful prediction engine, which often understands context better than competitors. It allows you to configure the hint bar and autocorrect separately for each language. Yandex Keyboard is great for Russian-speaking users thanks to its integration with search engine and powerful voice input.

To install a new keyboard, download the app from Google Play, launch it, and follow the instructions on the screen. The system will ask you to allow access and select a new keyboard as the main one. Once activated, you can customize the T9 to your preferences, often with a more user-friendly interface than in the Android system settings.

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Use One-Hand mode in the keyboard settings if you have a large Xiaomi smartphone, which will move the keyboard sideways and reduce its size, making thumb printing more comfortable even if the T9 is turned off.

Solving Common Keyboard Problems

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the settings are not saved, or the keyboard behaves inadequately even after disabling all functions, this can be caused by a software failure, a crowded cache or application conflict, in which case deeper intervention is required.

The first thing to try is cleaning the cache and keyboard application data. This won’t delete your personal vocabulary completely (if it’s synced to your account), but will return factory values to your settings. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find your keyboard (like Gboard), and select Clear Cache. If that doesn’t help, select Clear Everything (or “Reset”).

In rare cases, conflicts with the design themes can cause problems. Some custom MIUI themes change the fonts and keyboard indentations, which can lead to incorrect touch input. If you have recently changed the theme, try going back to the standard "Classic" theme and check if the problem has gone away.

⚠️ Note: When you clean the keyboard data (“Settings Reset”), you will lose all the words stored in the phone’s memory that the device learned during use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Turning off the T9 completely increases your control over text, but it deprives you of typing speed, and the best option is to leave hints, but turn off automatic word replacement.