How to completely remove emoji from the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways

The emoji clave on Xiaomi Redmi 9 can annoy users who prefer a minimalist interface or often mistakenly click on emojis instead of letters. Unlike the iPhone, where it takes 2 clicks to turn off the emoji, on MIUI, this process is hidden deep in the settings — or not available at all by standard methods. The problem is compounded by the fact that the Xiaomi system keyboard (Gboard or Mi Keyboard) integrates the emoji panel into the bottom row by default, and in some versions of MIUI it cannot be removed through the graphical interface.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods, from basic settings to editing system files (for advanced users), and pay special attention to the nuances of MIUI 12-14, where the logic of disabling emojis differs from earlier versions. If you use Redmi 9 (model code lancelot), Redmi 9A (dandelion), or Redmi 9C (angelica), the instructions below will fit with an adjustment for the firmware version.

1. Method: disabling emojis through keyboard settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in Gboard options (if it is installed by default) or Mi Keyboard. However, in MIUI 13/14, some menu items may be missing due to Xiaomi's policy of simplifying the interface.

Instructions for Gboard:

• 📱 Open any field to enter text (for example, in Notes) to appear keyboard.
• ⚙️ Click on the icon. ⚙️ Settings in the top row of the keyboard (or hold the comma if there is no icon).
• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Topics → Keyboard control.
• 🚫 Find the option to Show the Emoji button and turn off the slider.

For the Mi Keyboard (the native keyboard of Xiaomi), the path is different:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Language and input → Current keyboard.
• 🔧 Choose the Mi Keyboard → Settings → Layout and input.
• 😊 Find the Emoji section and GIF And turn off the Emoji button.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 9 firmware (especially with the MIUI Global) the option to disable the emoji may be blocked. If the slider is inactive or absent, proceed to the next method.

2. Method: installation of an alternative keyboard without emoji

If the system settings do not allow you to remove the emoji, the most reliable workaround is to install a third-party keyboard where the emoji panel is disabled by default or not at all.

• 🔹 SwiftKey (Microsoft) – allows you to completely hide emojis through settings.
• 🔹 Fleksy – Minimalist keyboard without unnecessary buttons.
• 🔹 AnySoftKeyboard - open source, flexible layout configuration.

How to install and configure:

1. Download the keyboard from Google Play (like SwiftKey).
2. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
3. Activate the new keyboard and set it by default.
4. In the keyboard settings, find the Emoji or Layout section and turn off the display of emojis.

The advantage of this method is guaranteed removal of emoji without risk to the system, as well as additional features (for example, swipe input or design themes).

3. Method: editing system files (for advanced)

If you're willing to take risks and have root rights, you can delete the emoji at the system file level, which is irreversible and can cause failures if done incorrectly. We recommend only for firmware based on MIUI 12.5 and below - in new versions Xiaomi has tightened the protection of the system partition.

Instructions:

1. Install Root Explorer or Solid Explorer with access to the root file system.
2. Click on /system/usr/keyboard/layouts/ or (for some firmware): /system/usr/keylayout/
3. Find files with the.kl extension (like Generic.kl) and open them in the text editor.
4. Delete or comment (add # to the beginning of the line) blocks containing key 113 EMOTICON or key 213 FACE
5. Save the changes, restart the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can result in loss of the keyboard completely or load cycle.Before changes, back up the files via TWRP or ADB.

4. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To determine a method, evaluate its complexity and risks, and in the table below, compare all options:

For most Redmi 9 users, the second option is the best (installing an alternative keyboard), which requires no technical skills, is reversible and does not affect the warranty. MIUI 14 and don’t want to install third-party apps, try ADB-method (described below).

5. Method: Disabling emojis via ADB (without root)

Since MIUI 13, Xiaomi has blocked some of the keyboard settings, but these can be changed via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that does not require root rights, but requires a computer and a developer mode enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. 7 times click on the MIUI Version until a notification appears You became a developer.

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Redmi 9

ADB-tools

adb shell settings put secure emoji_switch_keyboard 0

For the Mi Keyboard, additionally:

adb shell settings put secure miui_emoji_enabled 0

Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI To get the emoji back, change the 0 to 1 commands.

💡

If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers via Mi PC Suite or manually pointing the path to the drivers in Windows Device Manager.

6. Frequent problems and solutions

Even after the emoji is turned off, Redmi 9 users are faced with typical difficulties.

Problem 1: The emoji button is gone, but the emojis still appear when you press the keys long enough.

• 🔹 This is a text replacement feature in Gboard. Open Settings. → Correction of text → Text substitutions and remove all automatic emoji substitutions.

Problem 2: After the MIUI update, the emojis are back.

• 🔹 Xiaomi resets some settings when updating.Repeat ADB-commands or check the keyboard settings again.

Problem 3: You can’t install a third-party keyboard – the “Enable” button is inactive.

• 🔹 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications, find the keyboard and allow it to display on top of other windows.

💡

If none of the methods worked, check the MIUI version: in MIUI 14 Global, some keyboard functions are locked at the firmware level, in which case only changing the keyboard or rolling back to an earlier version of the software will help.

FAQ: questions about removing emojis on Redmi 9