What is the Emoji Keyboard in Xiaomi smartphones and why you need it
If you own a Xiaomi smartphone (like the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 11), you’ve probably noticed a strange name on the installed app list — Emoji Keyboard. At first glance, it may seem that this is just a keyboard for entering emojis, but in fact the functionality of this tool is much broader. Let’s understand what this application is, how it works and why it should not be removed thoughtlessly.
The Emoji Keyboard is a system keyboard from Xiaomi that is integrated by default into MIUI firmware. Not only does it allow for quick embedment of emojis in messages, but it also serves as a backup option for typing if the main keyboard (such as Gboard or SwiftKey) suddenly fails. Moreover, in some regions, this keyboard is used as the main default, especially in models for the Chinese market.
Many users mistakenly think the Emoji Keyboard is unnecessary junk and try to uninstall it, but this can lead to unexpected problems, from the inability to type in some applications to system failures. In this article, we will explain in detail how to use this keyboard correctly, what hidden functions it has, and what to do if it interferes or does not work correctly.
How to turn on and off the Emoji Keyboard on Xiaomi
By default, the Emoji Keyboard can be hidden or disabled, especially if you use a third-party keyboard. To activate or deactivate it, follow this instruction:
- Open Settings → System and device → Language and input.
- Tap on the Keyboard (or Keyboard Management in newer versions of MIUI).
- In the list of available keyboards, find the Emoji Keyboard (may be called the Emoji Keyboard or the Xiaomi Emoji Keyboard).
- Switch the slider to the On position if you want to activate it, or Off. if you turn it off.
If the Emoji Keyboard is not listed, it could mean one of two things:
- 🔹 It was disabled through the App Settings (more on this below).
- 🔹 Your firmware. MIUI modified (e.g. custom or global version for another region).
In some cases, the MIUI automatically switches to the keyboard if the main keyboard stops responding (for example, due to a failure or lack of memory).
Hidden features of the Emoji Keyboard: what does the built-in keyboard Xiaomi
Many users underestimate the Emoji Keyboard’s capabilities, considering it primitive, and it actually contains several useful features that can be useful in everyday use:
- 🎨 Design themes: you can choose the color scheme of the keyboard (dark / light) and even adjust the transparency.
- 🌐 Multilingual support: Quickly switch between languages without needing to install additional packages.
- 🔍 Emoji Search: Built-in keyword search (e.g., type in “heart” and the system will show all related emojis).
- ⌨️ Gestures and hotkeys: support for swipes for text input (similar to SwiftKey Flow).
- 🔒 Safe Entry: In some versions MIUI Keyboard offers Incognito mode for entering passwords.
To access these features, open the Emoji Keyboard in any text box, then tap the gear icon (⚙️) or hold the globe badge (🌐) It's for language switching. MIUI The settings could be hidden in the settings → Additionally.
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If you don’t have enough emojis in the standard set, try updating the Emoji Keyboard via Google Play (if it’s available there) or install an alternative emoji package like iFont.
One of the most useful things is predicting text in Chinese (if your smartphone supports it), which can be useful for those who are learning the language or communicating with Chinese partners, and the keyboard can also recognize voice input, although this feature works worse than Gboard.
Can I remove the Emoji Keyboard and what happens if I do?
Many users want to get rid of the Emoji Keyboard, thinking it's unnecessary, but you have to be careful, and this is what happens if you try to delete it.
| Action. | Effects of consequences | Risk to the system |
|---|---|---|
| Disconnection through Settings → Applications | The keyboard will disappear from the list of available, but will remain in the system | Low. |
| Removal via ADB (pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.sohu.inputmethod.sogou.xiaomi command) | The keyboard will be uninstalled, but may return after the MIUI update | Medium (possible input failures in some applications) |
| Delete system files manually (via Root) | Complete disappearance of the keyboard, but high risk of disrupting MIUI | High (may lead to "bootloop") |
If you do decide to delete the Emoji Keyboard, the safest way to do so is to disable it through your settings.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the Emoji Keyboard in the list (could be called com.sohu.inputmethod.sogou.xiaomi).
- Turn it off (do not delete!).
What if after removing the keyboard, text input stopped working?
Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3), the Emoji Keyboard is part of the system software and cannot be completely removed without root permissions. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to leave it disabled, but do not delete it.
How to customize the Emoji Keyboard for yourself: personalization and optimization
If you choose to use the Emoji Keyboard, you can adapt it to your needs. Here are some tips for setting up:
- 🎨 Change the subject: go to the keyboard settings and select the color scheme (dark theme reduces the load on the eyes at night).
- 🔊 Customize sounds and vibrations: Turn off key clicks if they are annoying, or, conversely, add tactile recoil.
- 📱 Optimize layout: Reduce the height of the keyboard if it takes up too much screen space.
- 🌍 Add languages: If you communicate in multiple languages, enable them in keyboard settings for quick switching.
To open the advanced settings, do the following:
- Activate Emoji Keyboard in any text field.
- Put the pin on the gear badge (⚙️) top-right.
- Select the keyboard settings or optionally.
☑️ Optimization of the Emoji Keyboard
Note that some versions of MIUI (especially on budget models like Redmi A1) may have their customization functionality cut down, so the only way to change the look of the keyboard is to install an alternative one (such as Microsoft SwiftKey or Fleksy).
Common Emoji Keyboard Problems and Solutions
Like any system application, the Emoji Keyboard sometimes doesn't work properly, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:
⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI keyboard started to brake or spontaneously switch, try to clear its cache through Settings → Annexes → Emoji Keyboard → Memory. → Clear the cache.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The keyboard does not appear when you enter text | Disabled in settings or failure in MIUI | Check if it's enabled in Settings → Language and input. Reboot the device. |
| Switching to Emoji Keyboard | Conflict with a third-party keyboard or system failure | Make the main Gboard keyboard and turn off the Emoji Keyboard. |
| Emojis do not work or they are displayed in squares. | An outdated version of the keyboard or system font | Update your MIUI or install an alternative emoji package through Magisk. |
| The keyboard brakes or hangs | Cache overload or conflict with other applications | Clear the cache and keyboard data in the application settings. |
If none of the methods helped, try resetting the keyboard settings to factory:
- Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
- Select App Settings Reset (this won’t delete your data, but will reset default permissions and settings).
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If the Emoji Keyboard issue occurred after the MIUI update, try rolling back on the previous firmware version or wait for a patch from Xiaomi.
Emoji Keyboard vs Gboard: Which Keyboard to Choose on Xiaomi
Many Xiaomi users face a choice: leave the standard Emoji Keyboard or go to Gboard (keyboard from Google).
- ✅ Emoji Keyboard:
- ❌ Cons:
- ✅ Gboard:
- ❌ Cons:
If you’re actively using Google services (like Google Docs or Gmail), Gboard is a more convenient option, and if you’re interested in performance and minimalism, you can stay on the Emoji Keyboard with third-party emojis via iFont or Textra.