Standard keyboard MIUI on smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO Some people lack functionality, others lack design, and others are just used to alternative solutions like Gboard or SwiftKey. Fortunately, Android makes it easy to replace the system keyboard with any other, but Xiaomi devices have their own nuances - from the limitations of the system. MIUI Up to the features of installation on different versions of firmware.
In this article, we will discuss all the ways to install third-party keyboards, including bypassing possible locks, adjusting gestures and solving typical problems. You will learn how to choose the optimal keyboard for your tasks, which applications work best with the help of the keyboard. MIUI 14/15, What to do if the new keyboard does not appear in the list of available.
Before you go to the instructions, make sure your smartphone is updated to the latest version. MIUI. Some limitations (e.g., forced use of the system keyboard in banking applications) depend on the firmware version. Also check if there is enough free space – modern AI-enabled keyboards can weigh between 100 and 200 MB.
1.Why you should change the keyboard to Xiaomi
System keyboard MIUI There are a number of disadvantages that become apparent when actively used:
🔹 Limited functionality: No built-in translation, offline recognition voice input or advanced design themes.
🔹 Advertising and data collection in some regional versions MIUI Keyboard can display ads or send statistics to Xiaomi servers (even if you have disabled personalization).
🔹 Inconvenient gestures, for example, swipe to move the cursor is not as intuitive as in Gboard or SwiftKey.
🔹 Adding rare languages (such as Ukrainian or kazakh) is often more difficult than alternative keyboards.
On the other hand, third-party solutions offer:
- 🎨 Flexible configuration of appearance (themes, button sizes, transparency).
- 🌍 Support for dozens of languages with auto-definition and on-the-fly translation.
- 🤖 AI prompts (e.g. in Gboard or Microsoft SwiftKey).
- 🔒 Greater privacy (some keyboards don’t collect typing data).
However, there is a downside: some applications (especially banking) can block third-party keyboards for security reasons, forcing you to temporarily return to the system.
2. Which keyboard to choose for Xiaomi: a comparison of options
Google Play has hundreds of keyboards, but not all are optimized for the game. MIUI. We tested popular variants on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and other devices. POCO F5 — Here are the best:
| keyboard | Advantages | Deficiencies | Size (MB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gboard (Google) | Integration with Google services, translation on the fly, voice input | Collects data, sometimes brakes on weak devices | ~120 |
| SwiftKey (Microsoft) | Best AI for word prediction, cloud backup support | Closed project (rare updates), no Russian-language support | ~80 |
| Fleksy | Minimalist design, gestures for quick input | Paid functions, few themes of design | ~50 |
| Chroom | Open source, no data collection, plugin support | Difficult setup, no Russian language out of the box | ~30 |
| Samsung Keyboard | Comfortable gestures, stylus support (for the purpose of POCO Pad) | The Samsung ecosystem may be in conflict with the MIUI | ~90 |
For most Xiaomi users, Gboard is the best choice – it is free, regularly updated and has maximum compatibility with the company. MIUI. If you want to keep your privacy private, look for Chroom or AnySoftKeyboard (open source).
💡 Advice for owners POCO: If you are using a device with a high refresh rate of the screen (120 Hz or 144 Hz), check if the keyboard supports adaptive frequency. FPS when entering the text, which is noticeable on POCO F6 Pro.
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Before installing a new keyboard, back up the auto-replacement dictionary in the old one – this will save time learning the new keyboard to your writing style.
3. Step-by-step instruction: how to install a third-party keyboard
The installation process is the same for most Xiaomi models, but there are nuances for devices with a MIUI Global and MIUI China, follow the instructions:
📌 Step 1. Download the keyboard from Google Play
Open the Play Store, find the keyboard you select (like Gboard) and install it. MIUI without Google services (Chinese version), download APK from the official website of the developer (for example, APKMirror).
📌 Step 2. Activate the keyboard in the settings
📌 Step 3: Set up rights and permissions
Some keyboards (such as SwiftKey) will request access to:
- 📁 Storage (for downloading themes).
- 🔍 Contacts (for auto-filling names).
- 🎤 Microphone (for voice input).
Only allow those rights that are really necessary for your use case.
📌 Step 4: Check the work in the applications
Open any application (like Messages or Telegram) and try to type text. If the keyboard doesn't appear, restart the device or repeat step 2.
☑️ Checking the installation of the keyboard
4. Problem Solving: The keyboard is not installed or is not working
If the keyboard does not appear in the list of available or is not activated after installation, the reasons may be as follows:
⚠️ Problem 1: The keyboard is not displayed in the settings
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI China third-party keyboards are locked by default.To unlock, go to Settings → Special facilities → Manage applications and reset default settings for keyboard.
Also check if the keyboard is installed in the work section (on some devices). POCO Applications are installed in “personal space” by default, which limits their functionality).
⚠️ Problem 2: The keyboard is reset to standard
This is a typical problem for MIUI 14+, where the system forcibly returns the system keyboard in banking applications or after a reboot:
- 🔄 Turn off battery optimization for keyboard in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Battery.
- 🔒 Block the application in the menu of recent tasks (swipe up and hold the icon).
- 📱 Use the "No Limits" modes for the keyboard in the autorun permission settings.
⚠️ Problem 3: Themes or extensions don’t work
If you downloaded Gboard or SwiftKey but no additional themes apply, check:
- 🌐 Internet connection (topics downloaded online).
- 📥 Updates to the application in the Play Market.
- 🗃️ Download folder – sometimes theme files are saved to /storage/emulated/0/Download, but not applicable due to restrictions MIUI.
What to do if the keyboard is lagging?
5. How to set up the keyboard for yourself: useful chips
Install the keyboard is half the battle, and to make it work as efficiently as possible, use these tips:
🔧 Customization of gestures
In Gboard and SwiftKey you can configure:
- 👆 Swipe up/down to move the cursor (included in Keyboard Settings) → Gestures).
- ☝️ Holding the space to move the cursor (convenient on large screens Xiaomi 14 Ultra).
- 🔄 Double tap on Shift to enable Caps Lock.
🎨 Changes in appearance
In most keyboards you can:
- 🖌️ Change the size (e.g., reduce the height for simultaneous use with a split screen).
- 🌈 Set a theme (Gboard even has themes based on your wallpaper).
- 🔠 Set up the button location (for example, move the digital row upwards).
🌍 Languages-related work
To add multiple languages and switch between them quickly:
- Open the keyboard settings.
- Select Languages → Add tongue.
- Download the language packages you need (e.g. English (USA) + Russian).
- Turn on the option to Show the switching button of languages.
🔒 Privacy and security
If you are concerned about data collection:
- 🚫 Turn off personalization in keyboard settings (e.g. in Gboard: Settings) → Personal data → Delete “Personalized offers").
- 🔍 Check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → keyboard → Permits.
- 🛡️ Use open source keyboards (like FlorisBoard or OpenBoard).
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Customizing gestures and themes can speed up typing significantly – especially on the big screens of Xiaomi flagships (e.g., the company’s flagships, 13T Pro or Mix Fold 3).
6. Features for different Xiaomi models
Not all Xiaomi devices work equally well with third-party keyboards.
📱 Flagships (Xiaomi) 13/14, Mix series)
On top-end models, keyboards work stably, but conflicts with hyperrender (Xiaomi's technology for smooth animation) can occur if the keyboard slows down:
- Disable Hyperrender in Settings → Display. → Additionally.
- Set a limit FPS for the keyboard through the Developer Settings.
📱 Budget models (Redmi) 12/13, POCO M6)
On weak chipsets (like Snapdragon 4 Gen 2), AI keyboards (like SwiftKey) can slow down.
- Use lightweight versions (such as Gboard Go).
- Turn off word prediction and key animations.
📱 Devices with MIUI China
On Chinese firmware, third-party keyboards may be blocked due to Xiaomi's policy to circumvent the restrictions:
- Install Google Installer (to access the Play Store).
- Use it. ADB-commands for forced keyboard inclusion: adb shell im enable your.pack.keyboard
- Switch to Global. ROM (But it'll dump all the data!).
📱 Tablets (POCO Pad, Xiaomi Pad 6)
On tablets, keyboards are often not optimized for horizontal mode.
- Enable the screen size binding in the keyboard settings.
- Use keyboards that support stylus (such as the Samsung Keyboard).
7. Alternative installation methods (without Google Play)
If you have a device without Google Mobile Services (e.g. Xiaomi for the Chinese market), you can install the keyboard in alternative ways:
📥 Method 1: Installation through APK
- Download. APK-Keyboard file from a verified source (e.g. APKMirror).
- Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
- Install. APK Follow the standard activation instructions.
📥 Method 2: Through alternative stores
If the Play Store is not available, use:
- 🛒 Aurora Store (an anonymous client for Google Play).
- 📦 APKPure or Uptodown (check reviews before downloading!).
📥 Method 3: Through ADB (power-user)
If the keyboard is installed but not activated, try to force it to be enabled through the keyboard. ADB:
adb shell settings put secure default_input_method your.pack.keyboard/.class
adb shell im enable your.pack.keyboard
adb shell im set your.packet.keyboard🔹 Example for Gboard:
adb shell im enable com.google.android.inputmethod.latin/.LatinIME
adb shell im set com.google.android.inputmethod.latin/.LatinIME⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Requires developer mode enabled (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Use 7 taps. Wrong commands can disrupt the system!