How to turn on the keyboard on Xiaomi: 5 working methods

The screen keyboard on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones can suddenly disappear after updating MIUI, resetting settings or installing third-party applications. Without it, you can not enter passwords, write messages or search for information - the phone turns into a "brick" with limited functionality. 90% of the time the problem is solved in 2-3 minutes, but many users lose hours to find a solution.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to turn on the keyboard on Xiaomi devices (including models from 2023-2026), from basic to advanced. We will look at cases where the keyboard disappeared after the MIUI 14/15 update, was removed by the system as “malware”, or simply does not appear in the settings. Each method is tested on real devices – no “water” or theoretical tips.

1. Basic method: switching the keyboard in the settings

If the keyboard doesn't appear when you tap the input field, but the phone responds to touch, check the language and input settings first. This method works on 95% of devices with MIUI 12-15.

Open Settings → Additional → Language and Input → Current keyboard. The layouts available (e.g. Gboard or Xiaomi Keyboard) should be displayed here.

• 🔄 Activate the system keyboard: press “Keyboard Management” and turn on the switch next to the Xiaomi Keyboard (or Android keyboard). AOSP old-model).
• 📱 Reset the default settings: If a third-party keyboard (such as SwiftKey) is active, click on it and select Reset to factory keyboards".
• 🔧 Clear the cache: in the same menu tap on three dots in the upper right corner → "Clear the keyboard cache".

After the changes, restart your phone (power button → reboot). If the keyboard never appears, move on to the next method.

2. Restore the keyboard through "Safe Mode"

If the keyboard disappeared after installing a new application or update, it is the fault of third-party software that conflicts with system services.

To boot in Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Press the finger to turn off (do not let go!).
3. After 2-3 seconds, you will be asked to go to Safe Mode - confirm.

This mode only runs system applications. Try to open any field to enter (e.g., Messages or Google Search):

• ✅ If the keyboard came up → Remove the latest installed programs (especially keyboards, launchers or "optimizers").
• ❌ If there's no keyboard → System files are damaged. Go to method 3.

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Safe Mode is displayed at the bottom of the screen, and if you don't have Safe Mode, you've done something wrong, repeat the steps.

3. Installation of the keyboard via ADB (for advanced)

If the keyboard is removed by the system or disabled at the Android level, it can be returned via the ADB debugging bridge. This method requires a computer, but works even when other methods are powerless.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux;
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original);
• 🛠️ Google's Platform Tools utility;
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB On the phone (if not, see method 4).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer and open the terminal (or Command Prompt in Windows).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
3. Install the system keyboard Xiaomi: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.touchassistant
4. If the command fails, try the alternative: adb shell settings put secure. default_input_method com.miui.touchassistant/.LatinIME
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

If after the reboot the keyboard did not appear, but in the settings it is displayed as active - try to manually select it in any text field (long press on the input field → "Select the input method").

4. Enable debugging over USB without keyboard

The paradox is that to use ADB, you need USB debugging, and to turn it on, you need a keyboard, and if you're in this situation, there's a workaround through voice input or a physical keyboard.

Method 1: Google Voice Assistant

• 🎤 Open Google Assistant (long press home or say “OK, Google").
• 🗣️ Say “Open Developer Settings” (if already enabled) or “Open Phone Information".
• 🔧 Next, by voice: "Click on version MIUI seven times" (to activate the developer mode), then "Enable debugging by USB".

Method 2: Connecting a physical keyboard

If you have a USB-OTG adapter and keyboard (or a keyboard game controller), connect it to your phone.

• ➡️ Move the menu with arrows;
• ⏎ Confirm the selection by the Enter button;
• ⎋ Return to the Esc button.

This will enable USB debugging and use ADB (see Method 3).

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Voice input only works when you're connected to the Internet, and if you're not connected to Wi-Fi, turn on your mobile data with a voice command, "Turn on mobile Internet."

5. Reset keyboard settings via MIUI Hidden Settings

MIUI has a hidden menu for resetting system applications, including the keyboard, which does not require a computer and works even if the keyboard is not displayed in standard settings.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and type in: ##6484###
2. The Hidden Settings MIUI menu will appear (if the code doesn't work, try ##64663###).
3. Select the Input Method Test (or the Input Method Test).
4. Press Reset Settings (Reset Settings).
5. Reboot the phone.

After you restart, check for the keyboard in any text field, and if it doesn't work, go to extremes.

Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If none of these methods work, you have a hard reset, which will delete all the data from the phone, but it will restore the keyboard to work. SIM-card and memory card, if any.

How to reset Xiaomi without a keyboard:

• 🔄 Using the Recovery menu: Turn off the phone. Press the power button. + Volume up until the Mi logo appears. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
• 📱 Through Settings (if available): Open Settings → The phone. → Settings reset. Select "Delete all data." Confirm reset (if you need a password, use a pattern lock or fingerprint).

⚠️ Note: After resetting, the phone will require you to enter a Mi Account if it was previously linked.If you forgot the password from your Xiaomi account, it will be impossible to unlock the phone without official confirmation (this can take up to 72 hours).

Once reset, the keyboard will be restored, but all data (photos, messages, apps) will be deleted. To avoid future losses, backups regularly through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

Make sure that SIM-map extracted|Copy important files on the PC|Remember the Mi Account details|Unrespond to Google Account (if any) 2FA)|Check the battery level (minimum 50%)

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FAQ: Frequent questions about the keyboard on Xiaomi