Search and install Gboard on Xiaomi smartphones: where to find and how to turn on

Google’s Gboard keyboard is one of the most popular alternatives to the standard MIUI keyboard on Xiaomi smartphones, offering enhanced features such as gesture support, built-in translator, GIF and emoji search, and high accuracy of text recognition. But many users are faced with the problem that, after buying a new phone or resetting, Gboard suddenly disappears from the list of available keyboards. Where to look for it? Why does it disappear? And how to return your favorite keyboard?

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to find Gboard on Xiaomi, from checking pre-installed apps to manually installing them through Google Play, and learn why a keyboard may be hidden from the settings menu and how to avoid accidentally removing it in the future.

If you just bought a Xiaomi smartphone (like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5) and you don't see Gboard on your keyboard list, don't panic. Most of the time, it's solved in minutes -- just know where to look for it, and if the keyboard is removed, we'll show you how to restore it without losing data.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi often shipped its devices with a pre-installed keyboard from MIUI, and Gboard could be hidden in the depths of system applications.

1. Check pre-installed Gboard on Xiaomi

The first thing to do is make sure that the Gboard keyboard is even present on the system. Many Xiaomi models (especially those sold in Europe and Russia) come with a pre-installed Google service package, which includes this keyboard, but it can be disabled by default or hidden in the list of applications.

To check for Gboard:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type in Gboard or Google Keyboard.
3. If the application is found but disabled, click on it and select Enable.

If the search didn’t work, the keyboard was removed (for example, when resetting or manually), in which case, move to the next section – install via Google Play.

It’s also worth considering that on some budget models (like the Redmi A1 or POCO C50), the Gboard may not be available initially, due to memory optimization and the lack of pre-installed Google services, in which case installing the app store is the only option.

2.Install Gboard via Google Play

If the Gboard keyboard is not in the system, it can be easily installed from the official store.

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. In the search bar, type Gboard – Google Keyboard.
3. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
4. After installation, go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Current Keyboard.
5. Include Gboard in the list of available keyboards.

Note: Some Xiaomi models (especially the lighter version) MIUI For weak devices, Google Play Store may not be available, in which case you have to install the keyboard through the APK-The file downloaded from the official APKMirror website, however, this method requires caution - download files only from verified sources!

Once you install Gboard, you need to activate it.

• 📱 Open any field to enter text (for example, in Messages or Notes).
• 🔄 Swipe your finger down the notification bar and tap the keyboard icon (if there is one).
• 🔧 Select Gboard from the list of available keyboards.
• ⚙️ When you first start, allow access to the microphone (for voice input) and other functions.

3.Why does Gboard disappear from Xiaomi's settings?

Many users complain that Gboard suddenly disappears from the keyboard list, although it was previously installed.

1. Disable or delete the application. Sometimes MIUI automatically disables underutilized applications to save battery power, and the keyboard can also be removed when cleaning the cache or resetting settings.

2. Keyboard conflict MIUI. Xiaomi’s standard keyboard can block third-party solutions, especially after system updates.

3. Google Services Misfunction: If the phone is disabled, some features (including Gboard) may not work properly.

4. MIUI Update: After major system updates, some applications (including keyboards) may be reset to factory settings.

To avoid problems, check the list of installed apps regularly and do not turn off Google Play Services in your battery settings.

4.How to make Gboard the default keyboard?

If Gboard is installed but not automatically activated, you can make it the default keyboard.

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Current Keyboard.
2. Select Gboard from the list.
3. Turn on the default Use switch (if any).
4. Return to any application with a text input field and check that the keyboard has changed.

On some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 14), the path may be slightly different:

• 🔍 Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Keyboard and input methods
• 🔄 Turn on Gboard and turn off the standard keyboard MIUI (if she interferes).

If the keyboard doesn’t change after these steps, try clearing the Gboard cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Gboard.
2. Click Clear the cache and Clear the data.
3. Reboot the phone.

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If Gboard doesn’t appear when you type text, try a long tap on the input field – sometimes this triggers the keyboard selection menu.

5. Alternative ways to install Gboard (without Google Play)

If your Xiaomi does not have a Google Play Store (for example, on devices for the Chinese market or with custom firmware), you can install Gboard in other ways:

Method 1: Installation through APK-file

• 🌐 Download the latest version of Gboard from the official APKMirror website (select the version for the app). ARM64, If you don’t know the processor architecture).
• 📁 Transfer the file to your phone (e.g., via Bluetooth or cloud storage).
• 🔧 Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Annexes → Special rights → Installation of unknown applications.
• 📱 Install. APK-file and activate the keyboard in the settings.

Method 2: Use of alternative stores

On devices without Google Play, you can install Gboard via:

• 🛒 Aurora Store (open client for Google Play).
• 📦 APKPure or Uptodown (check reviews before downloading!).

Method 3: Manual copying from another device

If you have a second phone with Gboard, you can copy it. APK-file:

1. On the first phone, find the keyboard file in /data/app/com.google.android.inputmethod.latin-... (root access required).
2. Copy it on the second phone and install it.

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Installing APKs from unverified sources can be dangerous! Always download files only from official sites or trusted repositories.

6. Solving Gboard problems on Xiaomi

Even after a successful installation, Gboard may not work properly.

Problem 1: The keyboard does not appear when you type text

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🔧 Check if the keyboard is included in Settings → Language and input.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache and Gboard data.

Problem 2: Voice input is not working

• 🎤 Check if the microphone is allowed in the settings → Annexes → Gboard → Permits.
• 🔊 Make sure the voice input language is supported (e.g. Russian or English).

Problem 3: Themes or settings are missing

• 🎨 Update Gboard to the latest version.
• 🔄 Reset the keyboard settings in its menu (Settings) → Reset).

Problem 4: The keyboard is slowing or lagging

• 🗑️ Clear the app's cache.
• 🔋 Turn off energy saving mode for Gboard in battery settings.
• 📱 Reboot the phone.

If problems persist, try removing and re-installing the keyboard, and if you want to, contact Google or Xiaomi’s forum (such as Mi Community).

7. Comparison of Gboard and standard MIUI keyboard

Many Xiaomi users are wondering whether to replace the standard keyboard with Gboard, and to make an informed decision, compare their key features:

As the table shows, Gboard offers more customization and integration with other Google services, but a standard MIUI keyboard may be preferable to those who value minimalism and don’t want to customize additional features.

If you use Google Search, Translate or Gmail a lot, Gboard is a great choice thanks to deep integration.

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On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 and later, you can use both keyboards simultaneously, quickly switching between them through the notification bar.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

⚠️ Attention! On custom firmware devices (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), Gboard may not work smoothly. Check firmware compatibility with Google services before installing.

⚠️ Attention! If after installing Gboard, the phone started to brake, try turning off animations in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Animation).