Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are equipped with intelligent input systems that are designed to speed up typing. However, often autocorrect and predictive typing functions work aggressively, replacing the right words with those that seem appropriate to the algorithm, which is especially annoying when communicating in messengers or searching for specific terms when the phone persistently “corrects” your text.
Many users are looking for a way to turn off the T9 on Xiaomi to gain full control of the characters they type, which doesn't require complicated manipulation or super-user privileges, but just know where the switches are hidden in the keyboard settings menu.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of deactivating smart input for different versions of the HyperOS and MIUI shell. You will learn how to customize the behavior of the keyboard for yourself, removing unnecessary prompts and automatic replacements.
Difference Between Autocorrection and Predictive Input
Before you get into the settings, it's important to understand what you want to disable. Users often confuse predictive input (word prompts over the keyboard) and autocorrect (automatic word replacement), which are controlled by different sliders, although they are in the same menu.
Predictive typing offers variations on words you might want to type based on the first letters you type. This is convenient, but it can get in the way if you type slang or rare names. Autocorrection changes the word you write to the right word from a dictionary perspective.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling all input functions completely will turn your keyboard into a typewriter without prompts.Be prepared to type every word completely by hand.
For comfort, it's better to turn off only aggressive autocorrection, leaving word prompts active.This will allow you to see options, but won't impose them automatically.Tune in the balance between help and control is a key to personalizing Android.
Disable T9 on the standard Gboard keyboard
Most modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones have Google’s Gboard keyboard installed by default, which is the most common setup issue, and the deactivation process is as standardized and understandable as possible.
You first need to go to the settings menu of the keyboard itself, the easiest way to do this is right while typing. Open any application, like Notes or Telegram, to get the keyboard to appear. Then click on the gear icon, which is usually located in the top toolbar of the keyboard.
If you don’t have a settings icon, go to the system menu: Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Keyboard management. Select Gboard from the list of active input methods.
- 🔍 Click on the “Correction Text” (or “Google Settings»).
- 🚫 Find the "Autocorrection" switch and turn it to the "Off" position».
- 📝 You can also turn off Text Hint if you don’t need pop-up word options.
- 🌐 Check the settings for each language you connect separately, as they may differ.
Once you make the changes, the system will save them instantly, and now when you type, words will no longer be automatically replaced, and if you use multiple languages, make sure that the settings are applied to all active layouts, otherwise T9 will continue to work when you switch the language.
☑️ Checking Gboard settings
Customization of the MIUI keyboard for older versions
Devices running older versions of MIUI, or some regional builds, may use a custom MIUI Keyboard. Its settings interface is different from Gboard, and the path to the desired options may not be obvious.
To change the settings, go to System Settings and select Additional Settings. Go to Languages and Enter. You need to find Current Keyboard and select MIUI Keyboard.
In the menu that opens, look for Predictive input or Autocorrection. In some firmware versions, these settings are placed in a separate Keyboard app in the menu of all programs. If you can't find settings through the phone menu, try pinching a comma or a globe button on the keyboard itself -- sometimes it's an open settings menu.
| Function | Where to find out. | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-replacement | Settings → Text correction | Turn it off. |
| Hints | Settings → Predictive input | Leave it on. |
| Correction of Caps | Settings → Registry correction | Choices. |
| Keyboard sound | Settings → Sound and vibration | If you wish, |
Note that some MIUI modifications for the Chinese market may have different names for settings. If you use global firmware but with a Chinese keyboard, the interface may be partly in English or Chinese, in which case you should focus on icons: gear for settings, letter "A" or word for text options.
Managing dictionary and user words
Even after autocorrecting is disabled, the keyboard can continue to “smarten” if it has your specific words written down with errors in its vocabulary. The personal vocabulary is a database where Android stores words that you often use or that you added manually.
To clear or edit this list, go back to the keyboard settings (Gboard or MIUI). Go to the Personal Dictionary or My Words section. Here you will see a list of all the saved terms.
- 🗑️ Click on the unnecessary word and select “Delete” so that the keyboard stops offering it.
- ➕ Add new unique words (nicknames, terms) to stop T9 from “fixing” them».
- 🔄 Use the Reset Learning Data feature to erase the entire history of your print style.
Resetting learning data is a radical but effective method that causes the keyboard to forget your habits and start learning again, which is useful if you've changed your occupation or started using a lot of new vocabulary and the old one gets in the way.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting training data will remove all of your unique words and usage frequency statistics, and the keyboard will become less "smart" in the early days of use.
Third-party keyboards as an alternative
If Xiaomi and Google’s standard tools don’t provide the right level of control, it makes sense to consider third-party solutions, and there are many keyboards in the Google Play store where T9 management is more flexible or non-existent.
Popular alternatives like Yandex Keyboard, SwiftKey, or minimalist Open Source projects offer detailed customizations, such as setting autocorrect sensitivity as a percentage or creating customized dictionaries for different situations.
To install a third-party keyboard, download the app, launch it, and follow the instructions on the screen. Android will ask you to allow access and switch the default input method, and then you can use the new tool in all applications.