Google’s Gboard keyboard is the default on most Xiaomi smartphones and often causes inconveniences, from random clicks on ads to conflicts with alternative keyboards like SwiftKey or Fleksy. Despite integration with Google services, many users would like to completely remove or at least deactivate Gboard to free up memory and avoid crashes.
In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to disable Gboard on Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark) running MIUI 12-14. We will analyze both standard methods through settings, and advanced ones using ADB and manually deleting system files. Importantly, some actions require root or unlocked bootloader rights, so assess the risks in advance.
If you just want to hide Gboard from your keyboard list, you just have to turn it off in the settings, and if the goal is to completely remove the system APK without recovery, you need to do something more radical, and let's start with the safest options.
1. disable Gboard via MIUI settings
The easiest way is to deactivate the keyboard in the application management menu, which won’t remove Gboard from the device, but will make it unusable, and is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 In the search bar, type “Gboard” (or “Google Keyboard»).
- 🔘 Click on the app, then select Disable (or Remove Updates if the Disable button is inactive).
- ⚠️ Confirm the action in the dialog window.
After that, Gboard will disappear from the list of available keyboards in Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard. If you want to return it back, just re-enable the application in the control menu.
💡
If the “Disable” button is inactive, remove all Gboard updates through Google Play first, then try again.
2. Removal of Gboard updates (reset to factory version)
Often, problems with Gboard arise from automatically installed updates that add ads or change the interface.
Steps:
- Go to Google Play → Profile → App and Device Management → Gboard.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
- Confirm action. The keyboard will return to the version preinstalled in MIUI.
This method doesn't remove Gboard completely, but it does remove all changes made by the updates, such as the ads in the sentence bar and additional themes of the design disappear.
3. Disconnection via ADB (no root)
If the standard shutdown didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to manage system applications without superuser rights.The method works on all Xiaomi devices with the unlocked USB Debugging option.
Step-by-step:
Install. ADB PC (download from [the official Android site](https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools))|
Turn on Developer Mode on Xiaomi (7 times click on MIUI Version in About Phone)|
Activate "Debugging by USB" in "Settings → Additional → For developers" |
Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer|
Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) file ADB-->
Now, execute the commands:
adb shell
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.inputmethod.latinThis command removes Gboard only for the current user (without affecting system files) to return the keyboard, just reinstall it from Google Play or perform:
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.inputmethod.latinWhat if the ADB can’t see the device?
4. Complete removal of Gboard with root rights
If you have an unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk or other root rights manager, you can physically remove it. APK-Gboard file from system partition. This method is irreversible and requires caution!
Instructions:
- 📲 Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Root Explorer). FX File Explorer).
- 🔍 Cross the path: /system/priv-app/GboardGoogle or /system/app/GboardGoogle (depending on the version MIUI).
- 🗑️ Delete the GboardGoogle folder or rename it to GboardGoogle.bak (in case of recovery).
- 🔄 Reset the device.
Once rebooted, Gboard will disappear from the system, and to return it, you will need to manually copy the APK back or reflash the device.
💡
Deleting system files without a backup can cause MIUI to crash. Always create a backup through TWRP before such operations!
5. Alternative method: Hiding through MIUI Optimization
Some MIUI firmware (especially custom ones) have a hidden MIUI Optimization option that allows you to disable system applications without ADB or root.The method does not work on all devices, but can be useful for the POCO X3, Redmi K40 and other models.
How to check:
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Slip the MIUI version several times to activate the developer mode.
- Go back to the main settings menu and find a new item. → MIUI Optimization.
- Turn off the Optimization option and restart the phone.
- Now try to disable Gboard in the standard way (Section 1).
This method does not guarantee 100% results, but it sometimes helps unlock hidden system application management features.
Comparison of Gboard disabling methods
| Method | Root is required. | Reversibility | Difficulty | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐ 1/5 | All models. |
| Removal of updates | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐ 1/5 | All models. |
| ADB-team | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐ 3/5 | MIUI 12–14 |
| Removal through root | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No (no backup) | ⭐ 5/5 | Unlocked devices |
| MIUI Optimization | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐ 2/5 | Custom firmware |
Frequent problems and solutions
When you turn off Gboard, Xiaomi users often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:
Problem 1: After disabling Gboard, the ability to enter text was lost.
⚠️ Warning: Before disabling Gboard, make sure you have an alternative keyboard installed and activated (e.g. SwiftKey or built-in keyboard). MIUI Without an active keyboard, the system will not allow the last one to be disabled.
Problem 2: The "Disable" button is inactive.
- 🔄 Try to remove updates through Google Play first.
- 📵 If it doesn’t work, use the method with ADB (section).
- 🔧 Some of the firmwares need to be turned off. MIUI Optimization (section 5).
Problem 3: After the reboot, Gboard reappears.
This is because of the automatic recovery of system applications.
- 🛠️ Use it. ADB for complete removal (pm uninstall command with flag) --user 0).
- 🔒 If there is root, freeze the app via Titanium Backup or App Quarantine.