How to turn on the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 8: all ways to solve the problem

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is equipped with both a virtual (screen) and physical keyboard for easy text entry. However, users often face a situation where the keyboard suddenly stops appearing when typing, in the browser or messengers. From accidental shutdown in settings to system failures after update MIUI. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn on the keyboard on Redmi 8, as well as give recommendations for troubleshooting typical problems.

It is important to understand that the algorithm of actions depends on the type of keyboard: on-screen (for example, Gboard or standard). MIUI-Keyboard) and physical (if connected via OTG We'll look at both options, and we'll also look at the cases where the keyboard doesn't appear at all in any app. If your Redmi 8 doesn't respond to the touch of the screen in the input area, the problem may lie deeper in the touch module or firmware.

Before you start settings, make sure that:

• 🔋 Phone charged (minimum 20%) – some functions MIUI lock-in.
• 📶 Internet access (to download keyboard from Google Play or updates).
• 🔄 Rebooting the device didn’t help (sometimes it solves temporary glitches).

1. Enabling a standard on-screen keyboard MIUI

By default, Xiaomi Redmi 8 has a branded keyboard from Xiaomi, which is integrated into the shell. MIUI. If it disappeared after updating or resetting, you can restore it through system settings:

Open the Settings. → Additional settings → Language and input → The current keyboard. Here you'll see a list of available input methods. MIUI disabled, perform the following actions:

Click on "Keyboard management"|Activate the switch next to the keyboard MIUI"|Go back and choose it as your primary.|Restart your phone to apply changes-->

1. Slip on the keyboard control item.
2. Find it in the keyboard list MIUI And turn on the slider next to her.
3. Go back to the previous menu and select the keyboard. MIUI current-input.
4. Restart the device so that the changes take effect.

If the keyboard MIUI not listed, this may mean that it has been deleted (for example, through Settings) → In this case, it will have to be restored through MIUI Cleaner or reinstall firmware. Read more about this in the section about resetting settings.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) may not have a standard Xiaomi keyboard, in which case install an alternative keyboard from Google Play (e.g. Gboard or SwiftKey).

2. Installation of an alternative keyboard (Gboard, SwiftKey, etc.)

If the standard keyboard MIUI If you're not happy or working, the best solution is to install a third-party app, the most popular options are Gboard (from Google) and SwiftKey (from Microsoft), which support gestures, voice input and vocabulary synchronization between devices.

To install and activate an alternative keyboard:

1. Download an app from Google Play Market (like Gboard).
2. After installation, open Settings. → Additional settings → Language and input.
3. Slip on the Current Keyboard and select the installed application.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to set the permission to access the data (this is necessary for text prediction).

Advantages of third-party keyboards:

• 🌍 Support for dozens of languages and dialects (including rare ones).
• 🎨 Design themes and customizable button size.
• 🔍 Built-in translator and search GIF/sticker.
• 🔒 Synchronize your personal vocabulary through your Google or Microsoft account.

Standard. MIUI|Gboard (Google)|SwiftKey|The other side.|I don't know.-->

If the keyboard does not appear after installation, check if the application is blocked in the Settings section. → Annexes → Permits. Also make sure that in the security settings (Settings) → Privacy: Allows access to the keyboard for all applications.

3. Problems with the physical keyboard (Bluetooth/OTG)

Xiaomi Redmi 8 supports external keyboards via Bluetooth or OTG-If the physical keyboard doesn't work, the reasons may be:

• 🔌 Faulty. OTG-plug-in USB-C.
• 🔋 Discharged keyboard battery (for wireless models).
• 📱 Lack of drivers in firmware (rarely, but occurs on customized ROM).
• 🔄 Conflict with other connected devices (e.g., gamepad).

To connect the keyboard over Bluetooth:

1. Turn on the keyboard and put it in pairing mode (usually the power button is held until the indicator flashes).
2. On your phone, open Settings → Bluetooth and turn on device search.
3. Select the keyboard from the list and confirm the pairing.
4. After connecting, check the work in any text field (for example, in Notes).

For USB-keyboards (through OTG):

1. Connect. OTG-plug-in USB-C phone.
2. Connect the keyboard to the adapter.
3. Wait for the driver to install automatically (usually takes 5-10 seconds).
4. If the keyboard is not defined, try another one. OTG-cable or reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Some are cheap OTG-Adapters don't support external power, and if the keyboard doesn't work, try an externally powered adapter or connect it to the charger via a charger. USB-hub.

4.The keyboard does not appear at all: causes and solutions

If the on-screen keyboard doesn’t pop up in any application, the problem may be related to:

First, try to clear the cache of the standard keyboard:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI keyboard (or Gboard if you use it).
3. Slip on the Warehouse and select Clear Cache.
4. Reboot the phone.

If that doesn't work, check if the keyboard is disabled in the special features settings.

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Systemic.
2. Make sure that the option to turn off all keyboards (if any) is turned off.
3. Check if the gesture control mode is activated, which can block input.

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If the keyboard doesn’t appear in just one app (like WhatsApp), try clearing the app’s cache or reinstalling it.

5. Resetting keyboard and phone settings

If neither of these methods worked, the last option is to reset the keyboard or completely reset the phone to factory settings, starting with a more gentle method:

Resetting keyboard settings:

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → keyboard MIUI (Gboard).
2. Slip on Storage and select Clear Data (this will remove all user settings and dictionary).
3. Reboot the phone.

Full reset of the phone (Hard Reset):

This method will delete all data from the device, including photos, contacts and apps.Be sure to back up through Settings before resetting. → Additional settings → Backup and reset.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings.
3. Confirm the action by entering the password (if installed).
4. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will restart and you will have to reconfigure it, including the choice of keyboard, if the problem was caused by a software failure, this method will fix it, but if the keyboard does not work due to a hardware malfunction (for example, a damaged display or sensor), repair will be required.

6. Checking the operability of the touch screen

If the keyboard doesn't respond to touch or appears but the taps don't register, the problem may be in the touch module.

• 📱 Open any application with input fields (e.g. Messages).
• 🖱️ Try tapping on different areas of the screen – if there is no reaction anywhere, the sensor is faulty.
• 🔄 Restart your phone and check again.

Special tests can be used to diagnose the sensor:

1. Enter the code ##6484## in the phone number dialer (on some firmwares) MIUI This opens the sensor testing menu).
2. If the code doesn’t work, install the Touch Screen Test app from Google Play.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to check all touch zones.

Typical signs of a faulty sensor:

• 🎯 The keyboard appears, but the presses are recorded with displacement.
• ❌ The part of the screen does not respond to touch (for example, the lower half).
• 🔄 The sensor is intermittent (responsive, not responsive).

⚠️ Note: If the touch screen is physically damaged (cracks, dents), self-repair is not recommended.Incorrect replacement of the sensor can cause the display to fail completely.

7. firmware update and system recovery

Sometimes problems with the keyboard occur after the update. MIUI Or because of errors in the current firmware version, in which case it will help:

• 🔄 Retracement to the previous version MIUI (If the problem has occurred after the update).
• 📲 Manual installation of the last stable firmware through Recovery.
• 🛠️ System Restore via Mi Flash Tool (for experienced users).

To update the firmware manually:

1. Download the latest version MIUI Redmi 8 from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Place the.zip file in the root folder of the phone’s internal memory.
3. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select a firmware file.
5. Specify the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

If the phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo MI, You will need to use Fastboot:

fastboot flash all [name file firmware].zip


fastboot reboot

This method requires an unlocked bootloader and installed drivers. ADB. Detailed instructions can be found on the forums 4PDA or XDA Developers.

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Before firmware, be sure to check the phone model (in settings or under the battery) - installing firmware from another model can bring the device down.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi 8