How to change the keyboard on Xiaomi: 5 ways + mistake-making

The keyboard on Xiaomi is not just a typing tool, but a whole range of functions that affect the ease of communication, speed of printing and even the security of personal data. MIUI It doesn't work smoothly, it slows down, or it doesn't work well, and fortunately, Xiaomi makes it easy to replace it with an alternative -- whether it's Google's Gboard, Microsoft's SwiftKey, or whatever.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to change the keyboard on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO (including models from 2023 to 2026, you will learn how to:

• 🔄 Install a third-party keyboard from Google Play and make it the main one;
• ⚙️ Set up a standard keyboard MIUI fittingly;
• 🔧 Solve typical problems (keyboard does not change, disappears, slows down);
• 📱 Return the standard keyboard if something goes wrong;
• 🛡️ Protect your data when using keyboards from third-party developers.

Important: instructions are suitable for all current versions MIUI 14/15 HyperOS (including beta) if your device is running on older firmware (e.g, MIUI 12), Some menu items may be different – we’ll mention that too.

1. How to install a third-party keyboard on Xiaomi

The most popular way to change the keyboard is to download an alternative from Google Play.

• 📱 Gboard (Google) – the most versatile keyboard with support for gestures, translator and search GIF;
• 💻 SwiftKey (Microsoft) – known for accurate word prediction and synchronization between devices;
• 🎨 Chroom – Minimalist keyboard with customizable design;
• 🔒 Fleksy – keyboard with a focus on privacy and extended gestures.

To install a new keyboard:

1. Open Google Play and find the app you want (like Gboard).
2. Click “Install” and wait for the download to be completed.
3. After installation, open the keyboard app (such as Gboard) and follow the setup instructions.
4. Enable the keyboard in the system settings (more on this in the next section).

⚠️ Note: Some keyboards (e.g. SwiftKey) require access to your messages to learn how to predict text. If privacy is critical to you, opt out of this feature in the app settings.

2. How to make a new keyboard the main one in the settings MIUI

Installing an application is not enough, you need to explicitly specify to the system which keyboard to use by default.

Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.

• 📌 Turn on the switch next to the name of the new keyboard (e.g. Gboard).
• 🔄 Click on “Current Keyboard” and select the one you want from the list.
• 🔒 If the system requests confirmation, click OK or Change».

On some devices (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), the path may be slightly different:

Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard → Keyboard management

After that, the new keyboard will become active. To switch between keyboards quickly, hold your finger on the keyboard icon in the lower right corner of the screen (near the space) and select the one you want from the list.

Download an alternative keyboard from Google Play|

Enable it in the settings "Language and input"|

Make it the default keyboard |

Check the work in instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)-->

3. Setting up the standard keyboard MIUI (free-to-use)

If you do not want to install third-party keyboards, but standard MIUI Keyboard doesn't suit you, it can be improved significantly through customization:

Go to Settings. → Additional settings → Language and input → keyboard MIUI (The name may vary depending on the model. The following options are available here:

On HyperOS models (such as Xiaomi 14), the keyboard settings are moved to the Personalization section – look for them there.

If you lack features, you can activate hidden options:

4.Why the keyboard on Xiaomi doesn't change: typical problems and solutions

Sometimes, after installing a new keyboard, it does not activate or continues to reset to the standard one.

Problem 1: The keyboard doesn’t appear on the list of available ones.

• 🔄 Solution: Reboot the device. If it doesn't work, reinstall the keyboard app.
• 📌 Reason: The application may be incorrectly installed or conflicting with the optimizer MIUI.

Problem 2: The keyboard is reset to standard after rebooting.

• 🔧 Solution: Open Settings → Annexes → Manage applications, find your keyboard and turn off battery optimization for it.
• 💡 Explanation: MIUI aggressively closes the background processes, which can reset settings.

Problem 3: The keyboard is slowing down or hanging.

• 🚀 Solution 1: Clear the app cache in Settings → Annexes → [Keyboard name] → Memory.
• 🔄 Solution 2: Turn off animations in the developer settings (if enabled).
• 📱 Solution 3: For Gboard, turn off “Next Word Prediction” in the keyboard settings.

⚠️ Note: On devices with minimal memory (e.g. Redmi) 9A With 2GB of RAM, third-party keyboards can run slower than standard keyboards, in which case try Chroom or Simple Keyboard, which are less resource-intensive.

5. How to return the standard MIUI keyboard

If the experiment with the alternative keyboard failed or it began to conflict with the system, return the standard keyboard. MIUI Keyboard can be used in a few steps:

Method 1: Through language and input settings

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input.
2. Click on “Current Keyboard” and select the Keyboard MIUI.
3. If it is not on the list, include it in the "Keyboard Management" section.

Method 2: Resetting keyboard settings

• 🔧 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the keyboard. MIUI (or com.miui.miuikeyboard).
• 🗑️ Click “Clear Data” (this will reset all keyboard settings to factory ones).

Method 3: Reinstallation through ADB (power-user)

If the keyboard MIUI has been removed or removed (for example, through ADB), You can get it back with a team:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.miuikeyboard

After completing the command, restart the device.

💡

If the standard keyboard after reset is unstable, update the firmware MIUI The new builds have fixed many of the typing bugs.

6.Security: What permissions to give keyboards on Xiaomi

Third-party keyboards often request access to:

• 📝 Everything you type (including passwords and bank details);
• 📱 Contacts (for auto-filling names);
• 🌐 Internet (to download a dictionary or cloud synchronization).

This creates data breach risks, to minimize them:

• 🔒 Turn off cloud sync in keyboard settings if you don’t need it.
• 🚫 Don’t use keyboards from lesser-known developers – it’s better to choose Gboard, SwiftKey or Chroom.
• 🔄 Check the permissions in Settings regularly → Annexes → [Keyboard name] → Permits.
• 🛡️ Use a password manager to enter passwords (such as Bitwarden or 1Password), not the keyboard.

On HyperOS devices, we have a Secure Entering feature that blocks the keyboard from accessing passwords and payment data, to enable it:

1. Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Secure input.
2. Activate the switch and add apps where you want to block keyboard access (e.g. banking applications).

💡

Even popular keyboards like Gboard can transmit your input to Google, and if privacy is critical, use offline keyboards like Simple Keyboard or AnySoftKeyboard.

7. Alternative ways to enter text on Xiaomi

If no keyboard suits you, consider alternative input methods:

1.Voice input

• 🎤 Built into the standard keyboard MIUI Gboard.
• 🌐 It works offline (after downloading the language package).
• ⚡ Supports punctuation by voice commands (e.g., comma, new line»).

Manual input (stylus)

• ✍️ Suitable for devices with support for Xiaomi Smart Pen (for example, Xiaomi Pad 6).
• 📝 Included in the keyboard settings (section "Manual input»).
• 🔤 Recognizes printed and capital letters.

3. One-hand keyboards

• 👆 Available in Gboard and SwiftKey (one-handed mode»).
• 🔄 Moves the keyboard left or right for convenience.
• 📱 Useful for large smartphones (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F5 Pro).

External keyboards

• 🖥️ Connected via Bluetooth or USB-C (For example, Xiaomi Bluetooth Keyboard).
• 🎯 Ideal for tablets (Xiaomi Pad 6) or DeX mode.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard to Xiaomi