Where to find Gboard keyboard on Xiaomi: 5 ways to install and customize

Why Xiaomi doesn’t have Gboard and how to fix it

Did you just buy a new Xiaomi smartphone and find that Google’s Gboard keyboard is replaced by a standard MIUI Keyboard? Or maybe the keyboard suddenly disappeared after the update? This is a situation familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi devices. The fact is that the manufacturer hides Gboard by default in some regional MIUI firmware, especially in models for the Chinese market (China ROM) or in devices with a preinstalled Mi Store instead of Google Play.

But don't panic! Even if the keyboard isn't on the installed app list, it can be easily returned -- and you don't have to be an advanced user. In this article, we'll look at 5 working ways to find, download and activate Gboard on any Xiaomi smartphone, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, and others. And you'll also learn how to solve typical problems like the "keyboard doesn't respond" error or the lack of Russian.

Before you get to the instructions, check one important detail: if your Xiaomi is bought in China or has firmware without Google services (China ROM), you will first need to install Google Play Services.

Method 1: Search for Gboard in standard MIUI settings

Sometimes the Gboard keyboard is already installed on the device, but hidden in the settings, and this is true for smartphones with global firmware (Global ROM), where the manufacturer by default activates the MIUI Keyboard, but leaves the Gboard in the system.

1. Open any field to enter text (for example, in Messages or Notes).
2. Tap the keyboard icon in the bottom panel (usually an icon with the letter “A” or a smiley face).
3. Hold your finger on the icon – the keyboard selection menu should appear.
4. Scroll through the list: If you see Gboard, just select it.

If Gboard isn’t on the list, but you’re sure it was before, try turning it on manually:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Entering → Virtual Keyboard.
2. Tap it on Keyboard Control.
3. Turn on the switch next to Gboard (if it is on the list).

If the keyboard isn't even here, it's not installed.

Check if the internet is on (Wi-Fi or mobile data)

Update MIUI to the latest version in Settings → About Phone → System Update

Reboot your smartphone (sometimes helps to reset the keyboard cache)

Make sure you don’t have China ROM (check Settings → About Phone → MIUI version)

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Method 2: Install Gboard through Google Play Market

The most reliable way to get a Gboard is to download it from the official Google Play store. This works on all Xiaomi smartphones with global or European firmware (Global/EEA ROM).

1. Open the Google Play Market (Color Triangle icon).
2. After installation, go back to Settings → Language & Entering → Virtual Keyboard and turn on Gboard.

If the “Install” button is inactive or instead says “Incompatible with your device,” it may mean:

• 📱 You have China. ROM Google without Google services (solution - flash Global) ROM Or install Google Play manually).
• 🔒 There are restrictions on the device (such as parental controls or corporate policies).
• 📡 No Internet connection or Google Play blocking (check out) VPN or firewall settings).

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If Gboard isn’t installed from Play Market, try clearing the store’s cache: go to Settings → Apps → App Management → Google Play Market → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 3: Installation APK-hand-file

If Google Play is not available (for example, in China) ROM), You can install Gboard through APK-This method is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including Redmi 10, POCO F4 And even older devices like the Mi. A2. Important: Download. APK Only from trusted sources to avoid viruses.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the current version of Gboard from the official website of APKMirror (choose the arm64 option for modern smartphones).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Go to Settings → Applications → Special Permissions → Install unknown applications. Select a browser (such as Chrome or Mi Browser) and enable permission.

Install APK.

Activate the keyboard.

Settings → Language and input → Virtual keyboard

Once installed, you may need to restart the device. If the keyboard does not appear in the list, check if it blocks MIUI Optimization (some firmwares need to disable optimization for Gboard in the battery settings).

Method 4: Configure Gboard as the default keyboard

Even if you installed Gboard, it may not work because MIUI defaults to activate MIUI Keyboard to make Gboard the primary keyboard:

1. Open Settings → System and Device → Language and Entering → Virtual Keyboard.
2. Slip on Keyboard Management and turn on Gboard (if it is turned off).
3. Go back and select the current keyboard.
4. In the list, mark Gboard (the tick should stand next to it).

If the keyboard still does not appear after this, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes MIUI does not apply changes without rebut.
• 🗑️ Clear the keyboard cache: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Gboard → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📱 Check Permissions: In the same Gboard settings, make sure all permissions are enabled (especially “Display on top of other apps»).

Some MIUI firmware (e.g., Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 14) may need to further disable MIUI Keyboard manually, as it conflicts with Gboard.

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If the emoji or voice input is missing after changing the keyboard, check the Gboard settings: go to the Gboard application → Settings → Preferences → Emoji and turn on the necessary options.

Method 5: Solving Gboard problems on Xiaomi

Even after a successful installation, Gboard may not work properly. Consider the most common problems and solutions:

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the keyboard settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Virtual Keyboard → Gboard.
2. Slip on “Reset settings” (or “Reset default settings”).
3. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

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If the MIUI Gboard stopped working after the update, try rolling it back to the previous version. To do this, download the old APK from APKMirror and install it on top of the current one.

How to transfer Gboard settings to the new Xiaomi

If you’ve changed your Xiaomi smartphone and want to save your personal Gboard settings (themes, dictionary, gestures), use the built-in backup feature. This only works if both devices are tied to the same Google account.

Instructions for transfer:

1. On an old smartphone, open Gboard and go to Settings → Backup and Reset.
2. Turn on the option “Sync with Google account” and wait for the process to be completed.
3. On the new Xiaomi, install Gboard (if not) and log in with the same Google account.
4. Launch Gboard, go to settings and tap "Restore."

If the synchronization is not working, check:

• 🔄 Internet connection (synchronization requires stable Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔒 Permissions for Google Play Services (must be included).
• 📱 The latest version of Gboard is available on both devices.

Please note that the dictionary and input history are not portable due to Google's privacy policy, but the themes, layouts and some settings will remain.

Gboard Alternatives for Xiaomi: Should You Try?

If Gboard doesn’t suit you for some reason (for example, due to lags or lack of features), you can consider alternative keyboards.

If you decide to try another keyboard, remember to disable Gboard in the settings to avoid conflicts. Also pay attention to permissions: some keyboards (like SwiftKey) request access to contacts and SMS to autocomplete – this is fine, but if you care about privacy, it is better to refuse such features.

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On Xiaomi smartphones with low RAM (2-3 GB), alternative keyboards can run slower than Gboard due to the optimization of the latter under MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Gboard on Xiaomi