How to turn on Gboard on Xiaomi: instructions with pictures and tips

Google’s Gboard has long been the standard for Android devices, thanks to easy input, gesture support, and integration with the company’s services. However, on Xiaomi smartphones (especially on MIUI models), users often face a problem: instead of Gboard, the Mi Keyboard is installed by default, and attempts to change it lead to errors or resets. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to activate Gboard on Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi devices, from the basic installation to solving typical bugs.

It's important to understand that the process can vary depending on the version of MIUI (12/13/14) and the model of the smartphone. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with HyperOS, the algorithm is slightly different than on the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5. We took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will work for most devices of the brand. If you previously tried to install Gboard, but it disappeared after the reboot or did not appear in the keyboard list, here you will find a solution.

Why doesn’t Xiaomi have Gboard?

Problems with activation of Gboard on Xiaomi are related to the features of the MIUI firmware.

• 🔒 Limitations MIUI: The branded shell blocks third-party keyboards by default to promote its own Mi Keyboard.
• 📦 No pre-setting: On some models (e.g, POCO M5 For the Chinese market, Gboard is not included in the standard set of applications.
• 🔄 Settings reset: After system upgrade or factory reset, Gboard may disappear from the list of available keyboards.
• 🛡️ Security MIUI: In the security settings there is an option “Disable third-party keyboards”, which automatically disables Gboard.

Another common reason is a conflict with Google services: If your Xiaomi doesn’t have Google Play Services (relevant for devices without Google Mobile Services, such as the Chinese versions), Gboard will either not install or will work with errors. Check this out in advance!

Method 1: Install Gboard via Google Play

The easiest method is to download the keyboard from the official store.It is suitable for most Xiaomi devices with Google Play Services (including Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 12T, POCO X5 Pro, etc.).

Instructions:

1. Open the Google Play Store on your smartphone.
2. In the search bar, type “Gboard – Google Keyboard” (it is important to specify the full name to avoid forgeries).
3. Click "Install" and wait for the download to be completed.
4. After installation, open the Gboard app and follow the setup wizard (allow keyboard access, enable full access).

If the Set button is inactive or the Open button is displayed instead, the keyboard is already pre-installed on your device, in which case proceed to activate.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra with Chinese firmware), Google Play may be blocked. APK-file.

Method 2: Activate Gboard in System Settings

Even after installation, Gboard may not appear on the list of available keyboards, which is because MIUI hides third-party keyboards for security reasons, to enable it:

Steps:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Enter.
2. Tap the current keyboard (or keyboard management in MIUI 14).
3. Turn on the switch next to Gboard. If it's not on the list, click "Additional Settings" (three dots in the upper right corner) and select "Reset keyboard settings."
4. Go back to the Current Keyboard section and select Gboard as the primary one.

On HyperOS (like Xiaomi 14), the path may be different: Settings → Settings → Settings → Language and input → Keyboard. If Gboard doesn’t show up, try restarting the device — sometimes it helps.

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If after selecting Gboard, the keyboard still does not appear, try in any text field (for example, in Notes) to hold the input field for a long time - a pop-up window with a choice of keyboard will appear.

Method 3: Install Gboard through APK-file

If Google Play is not available (for example, on the Chinese versions of Xiaomi), you can install Gboard manually through the Google Play Store. APK-This method is also useful if you want to use the beta version of the keyboard with new features.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the current version of Gboard from a reliable source (recommended by APKMirror). Pay attention to the bitwise processor of your smartphone (arm64 for most modern Xiaomi).
2. Before installing, allow installation from unknown sources: go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Browser (or File Manager) → Install unknown applications and enable permission.
3. Open the downloaded one. APK-file and follow the installer's instructions.
4. After installation, do not start Gboard immediately – first activate it in the system settings (see Method 2).

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK From unreliable sources, it can lead to data leakage or viruses. Always check the hash amount of the file (for example, via VirusTotal) and download only from trusted sites.

If Gboard doesn’t appear in the keyboard list after installing, try:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Gboard → Clear the cache.
• 📥 Delete and install APK Repeatedly (possibly the file was corrupted when downloaded).

How to make Gboard the default keyboard?

Even after successful activation, the Gboard can automatically switch back to the Mi Keyboard to anchor it as the main one:

Steps for MIUI 13/14:

1. Open any text box (e.g. in Messages or Chrome).
2. Swipe your finger down the keyboard panel and the keyboard selection menu will appear.
3. Press the badge "⚙️" (gears near Gboard.
4. Enable the option "Use by default".

On HyperOS, the algorithm is slightly different:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Keyboard.
2. Slip on Gboard and select "Enable as primary".
3. In some cases, you will need to confirm the action through Settings → Applications → Permissions → Special Access → Keyboard.

If Gboard is reset anyway, check:

• 🔐 Security settings: Settings → Privacy → Special permits → Keyboard – Full access for Gboard should be enabled here.
• 🔄 Auto Updates: Turn off the automatic Mi Keyboard update on Google Play so it doesn't take over control.
• 🧹 Cash Systems: Clear the cache in Settings → The phone. → Memory. → Clear the cache (do not delete data!).

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On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi K50) after resetting, Gboard disappears from the list. To avoid this, export its settings through Gboard Settings → Additional → Backup before resetting.

Solving Typical Gboard Problems on Xiaomi

Even after successful installation, users are faced with bugs, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

If Gboard doesn't display emojis or load GIFs, check the internet connection and permissions for Google Play Services. On Chinese firmware (Xiaomi.eu or global without GMS), these features can be disabled by default.

Additional settings Gboard for Xiaomi

After successful activation, we recommend you to configure Gboard for yourself.

• 🎨 Themes and design: Go to Gboard Settings → Themes and select design. On Xiaomi with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) We recommend a dark topic to save battery life.
• ⌨️ Gestures: Enable sliding to enter text (Settings) → Sliding input) and adjust the gesture to move the cursor (holding the space).
• 🌐 Languages: Add the required languages to Settings → Languages: Xiaomi with Chinese firmware may require manual downloading of language packs.
• 🔍 Search and GIF: Integrate with Google Search and GIPHY In Settings → Search.
• 🔒 Privacy: Turn off "Personal Offers" in Settings → Dictionary, if you do not want the keyboard to remember the entered data.

On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 Ultra), Intelligent Input is available, which analyzes the context of the correspondence. To enable it, go to Gboard Settings → Text Input → Intelligent Input.

If you use Gboard to work with multiple languages, set up a quick switch:

1. Open the Gboard Settings → Languages.
2. Activate the languages you want.
3. Turn on the option "Show the button to switch languages".
4. Set up a keyboard shortcut to switch (e.g., Space + Comma).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Gboard on Xiaomi