How to turn on T9 on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: return the classic text input

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still one of the most popular smartphones among users who appreciate reliability and functionality. However, after the updates MIUI many people are faced with a problem: the usual T9 mode (text input from a digital keyboard and word prompts) has disappeared. Instead, the system offers modern keyboards with full-screen set, which are not always convenient for fast dial SMS or contact search.

In this article, you will find 3 working ways to return the T9 to the Redmi Note 7, from standard settings to alternative keyboards. We will also look at why MIUI 14 has T9 mode disabled by default for most applications other than calls, and how to get around it.

Why doesn’t Redmi Note 7 have a T9 keyboard?

With the release of MIUI 12 and more new versions, Xiaomi developers began to actively promote their own Mi Keyboard keyboard with full-screen input.

• 🔢 The T9 digital keyboard remained only in the Phone dialing app, but disappeared in SMS and messengers.
• 📱 In some regional firmware (e.g. India), the T9 mode is completely removed from the system.
• ⚙️ Keyboard settings are hidden deep in the menu, and users simply don't know where to look for them.
• 🔄 Once the settings are reset or the software is updated, T9 may be disabled automatically.

In addition, the Redmi Note 7 uses a hybrid firmware based on Android 9/10 (depending on the version of MIUI), where the support for the T9 is not as obvious as in older phones on Android 7-8.

⚠️ Warning: If you use third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher), the keyboard settings may differ. Before changing the settings, check which keyboard is set by default in Settings → System → Language and input.

Method 1: Enable T9 through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to activate hidden options in the standard Xiaomi keyboard.

1. Open any application where you want to enter text (such as Messages or Contacts).
2. Tap the input field to make the keyboard appear.
3. Press the gear icon (⚙️) in the top row of the keyboard to open the settings.
4. Select Languages and methods of input → Mi Keyboard → Keyboard settings.
5. Scroll down and find the keyboard layout section.
6. Select the Digital Keyboard (T9) or Keyboard for dialing.

If your MIUI version doesn’t have one, try an alternative way:

Settings → Additional → Language and input → Current keyboard → Settings (cogs) → Layout → Digital keyboard

Important: In some firmware, the T9 option only appears after adding a second input language (e.g., English).

1. Go to Settings → Language and input → Mi keyboard.
2. Click the Input Languages and add any additional language.
3. Go back to the keyboard settings and check for the T9 option.

Method 2: Install an alternative keyboard with T9 support

If the standard settings didn't help, you can install a third-party keyboard that supports T9 mode.The best options for the Redmi Note 7 are:

To install and configure Gboard with T9 support:

1. Download and install Gboard from the Play Market.
2. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Current keyboard.
3. Select Gboard and turn it on.
4. Open any text field and click on the G icon in the top row of the keyboard.
5. Go to Settings → Themes and layouts → Digital keyboard.
6. Turn on the option to show the digital keyboard.

⚠️ Warning: In some versions of the Gboard, T9 mode only works in the Phone dialing app. SMS you'll have to use TouchPal or Multiling O Keyboard.

Method 3: Manually enable T9 through the engineering menu (for advanced)

If the first two methods didn’t work, you can try activating the T9 through Xiaomi’s engineering menu, a method that requires caution, as the wrong actions can disrupt the system.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code: ##4636###.
3. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
4. Scroll down and find the Debugging over USB option (if not, skip this step).
5. Return to the main menu of engineering settings and select the keyboard settings (if such item is available).
6. Try to enable the Legacy Input Method or T9 Mode option.

Important: On the Redmi Note 7, the engineering menu may not contain direct keyboard settings. In this case, try another code:

##36446337##

This code opens up the hardware testing menu where you can sometimes find input settings, but on MIUI 13 and later, these codes are often blocked by the manufacturer, so the method does not work on all devices.

How to bring back T9 in specific applications?

Sometimes the T9 keyboard works in some applications but doesn't appear in others, and here's how to fix it for popular services:

1.In the appendix "Messages" (SMS)

If SMS is written with QWERTY- keyboard:

• 📱 Press and hold the space on the keyboard.
• 🔄 Select the Digital Keyboard from the menu that appears.
• 🔢 If you don’t have an option, install TouchPal (see Method 2).

2.In WhatsApp or Telegram.

Messengers often block alternative keyboards to make the T9 work:

• 🔧 Go to the messenger settings (e.g. WhatsApp → Three Dots → Settings → Chat → Keyboard).
• 🔄 Turn off the option to Use the system keyboard.
• 📱 Install Multiling O Keyboard and select it in the messenger settings.

3. in the browser (Chrome, Mi Browser)

To search in the address bar:

• 🌐 Open your browser and tap the search bar.
• 🔧 Press the keyboard icon in the lower right corner.
• 🔢 Select the Digital Keyboard or T9 (if available).

💡

If the T9 doesn't appear in a particular app, try clearing its cache: Settings → Apps → Select App → Storage → Clear the cache. Sometimes this resets the keyboard settings to standard.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the T9 is turned on, Redmi Note 7 users are faced with typical errors.

If the T9 has not worked after all the manipulations, check:

• 📵 Are there any ad blockers (such as AdGuard) that may interfere with the keyboard?
• 🔄 Is the firmware updated to the latest version (many input bugs are fixed in MIUI 14).
• 🛠️ Are there any modified themes installed from the Mi Theme Store that could break the interface?

💡

On the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 12 and later, the standard T9 keyboard only works in the Phone app.

Alternative methods of entering text on Xiaomi

If you can’t get the T9 back or it doesn’t work for you, consider other ways to speed up the dial:

• 🎤 Voice input: works in Gboard and standard Xiaomi keyboard. To activate, click on the microphone icon on the keyboard.
• ✍️ Manual input: available in Google Handwriting Input (download to Play Market) Convenient for Chinese or Japanese.
• 🔤 Swipe gestures: in Gboard or Mi Keyboard you can swipe the letters without detachment (setting in Keyboard Settings → Gestures).
• 📋 Quick Answers: in Settings → Additional → Quick Answers You Can Save Message Templates

For users who often write in several languages, we recommend:

• 🌍 In Gboard, enable Multilingual Entering (Settings → Languages → Add Language).
• 🔄 Use hotkeys to switch languages (e.g., swipe over the space in the Mi Keyboard).
• 📚 Install Multiling O Keyboard – it supports up to 200 languages in T9 mode.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions