The screen keyboard on Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV, Redmi TV, Xiaomi TV A/S/P) is often required to enter Wi-Fi passwords, search for content or log in to apps. However, many users face the problem: the keyboard either does not appear automatically or cannot be called through a standard remote. In this article, we will discuss all working activation methods, from basic to hidden functions, including solutions for cases when the remote does not respond or the keyboard is “hanged”.
PatchWall is a feature of the firmware, which is Xiaomi's signature TV shell, that the on-screen keyboard can behave differently depending on the software version, the TV model, and even regional settings. For example, the 2020 Mi TV 4S keyboard is called by holding the OK button for a long time, and the 2023 Redmi Smart TV X by using a special menu. We tested all methods on current firmware (up to MIUI TV 3.0 inclusive) and identified a universal algorithm that works even when the system fails.
1. Standard keyboard call through the remote
The most obvious way is to use the original remote from Xiaomi. The keyboard should appear automatically when you select text fields (for example, in YouTube, Netflix or Wi-Fi settings).
- 🔘 Hover the cursor on the field for input (it will be illuminated by a frame) and hold the button. OK 2-3 seconds.
- 📱 On remotes with a microphone (such as Xiaomi Mi Remote Pro), try saying “keyboard” after pressing the voice input button.
- 🔄 If the keyboard appears but disappears immediately, check Settings. → Special facilities → The button retention time (should be “Mediternary” or “Long»).
On some models (e.g. Mi TV Q1), the keyboard may not appear due to a conflict with the connected devices (mouse, Bluetooth keyboard).
⚠️ Warning: Disable all external input devices via Settings → Devices → Bluetooth or physically disconnect USB-Sometimes the system locks the on-screen keyboard when a hardware input device is detected.
Replace the batteries in the remote|Make sure the remote is connected to the TV (click Menu)|Disable other input devices (mouse, keyboard)|Check if the “Children’s Castle” mode is activated (Settings) → Parental control)-->
2. Alternative call through the settings menu
If the keyboard doesn't appear when OK is held, it can be called manually through the system menu, which works on all Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall:
- Open the Settings (button with a gear on the remote).
- Go to the General section → Language and input.
- Select the Screen Keyboard (or Virtual Keyboard on old firmware).
- Activate the switch Show automatically.
If the screen keyboard is not on the menu, then your model uses a simplified firmware (for example, Redmi TV A Series).
- 🔧 Try to update the software through Settings → On TV. → Updating the system.
- 📲 Install the Xiaomi app TV Assistant on your smartphone and use it as a remote with a full keyboard.
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On Xiaomi TVs with Google TV firmware (such as Mi TV Q2), the on-screen keyboard is called up from the bottom bar in any text box.
3.Using a remote application from a smartphone
If the standard remote is not working or lost, you can call the keyboard via your smartphone.
- Download the official Mi Remote app (Android/IOS).
- Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- In the app, select Add Device → Television → Xiaomi.
- After connecting, click on the Keyboard icon in the bottom panel of the application.
The advantage of this method is full-fledged QWERTY-It's a multilingual keyboard, and Mi Remote has a multilingual keyboard:
- 🌐 Quick switching of layouts (Russian/English).
- 🔍 Built-in content search by voice commands.
- 📱 The ability to use a smartphone as a touchpad to control the cursor.
⚠️ Note: On TVs with Wi-Fi off, Mi Remote will not work, in which case, connect to TV via Hotspot (distribute the Internet from your phone and connect the TV to this network).
4. Voice input instead of keyboard
If the physical keyboard is not available and the on-screen keyboard does not appear, you can use voice input. This method works on all Xiaomi models with a microphone (built-in or on the remote):
- Hover over the text field (it should be illuminated).
- Press the microphone button on the remote or select the microphone icon on the screen (if any).
- Dictate the text in a clear voice (for example, “Password from the Wifi one two three four five”).
Voice input supports:
| Language | Support for figures | Support for symbols | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russian | Yes. | Partially (point, comma) | It works better with a neutral accent. |
| English | Yes. | Yes (all basics) | Recommended for passwords |
| Chinese | Yes. | No. | Requires connection to Chinese servers |
If voice input is not working:
- 🔊 Check if the microphone is switched off in Settings → Confidentiality → Microphone.
- 📶 Make sure your TV is connected to the internet (voice commands are handled by Xiaomi’s cloud service).
- 🔄 Restart the TV (press the power button on the remote for 5 seconds).
5. Connecting a physical keyboard
For easy input of large volumes of text (for example, when setting up) IPTV or registration in the services can be connected USB-Keyboard or Bluetooth keyboard. Xiaomi TVs support:
- 🖥️ Anybody. USB-Keyboards (connect to the port) USB 2.0/3.0 back-end).
- 📱 Bluetooth keyboards (turn on keyboard search mode, then select Settings in TV) → Devices → Bluetooth).
- 🎮 Keyboard-enabled gamepads (e.g., Xbox Controller with a connected keyboard).
Instructions for connection:
- Put it in. USB-keyboard to the TV port or activate pairing mode on Bluetooth device.
- On TV, go to Settings → Devices → Keyboard (or Additional Devices).
- Select your keyboard from the list and confirm the connection.
⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) TV X55 older) USB-Ports are turned off when inactivity is longer than 10 minutes. To avoid this, activate the "Always Active" mode in Settings → Energy conservation.
Which keyboards don’t work with Xiaomi TV?
6. Reset keyboard settings when crashes
If the on-screen keyboard has completely stopped appearing or is not working correctly (for example, symbols are not displayed), resetting its settings will help.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
- Find the screen keyboard (or Android System Keyboard) in the list.
- Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
- Restart the TV (Settings → About TV → Reboot).
If the keyboard doesn’t work after reset, check:
- 📥 System File Integrity: Go to Settings → On TV. → Updating the system → Error checks.
- 🛠️ Application Conflict: Remove recently installed programs (especially launchers like the ones you have installed). ATV Launcher).
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Resetting a keyboard doesn't delete stored Wi-Fi passwords or accounts; it only returns the keyboard settings to factory values.
7. Solving keyboard problems on older models
On Xiaomi TVs from 2018 to 2020 (e.g. Mi TV 4A, Mi TV 4X), the keyboard may not work due to outdated firmware or hardware limitations.
- 🔄 Update the software manually: Download the latest firmware for your model from the official website. Copy the file update.zip flash drive (format) FAT32). Connect the flash drive to the TV and select Settings → On TV. → Update through USB.
- 🔧 Activate the hidden developer mode: Go to Settings → About TV. Press 7 times in a row on Version. MIUI TV. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and enable debugging by USB.
For models without on-screen keyboard support (e.g. Mi) TV 3S) The only way out is the outside USB-keyboard or smartphone control via Mi Remote.
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On Xiaomi TVs with an Amlogic processor (such as Mi TV Stick), the keyboard can slow down due to a lack of RAM. Close background apps through Settings → Apps → Launched.