How to completely disable the Yandex Keyboard on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

The Yandex Keyboard is often installed by default on Xiaomi smartphones in the CIS regions – especially if you bought the phone in official stores or from telecom operators. Despite convenient input and predictive text, it interferes with many users: it takes up space in memory, conflicts with Gboard or SwiftKey, and sometimes even activates spontaneously after MIUI updates, replacing the keyboard you choose.

The problem is that simply uninstalling an application through the Remove menu is often not available – the system blocks this option for preinstalled services. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to get rid of Yandex Keyboard forever, from standard settings to using ADB for deep shutdown. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14, including nuances for specific models of Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi.

Why is the Yandex Keyboard appearing on Xiaomi?

There are several reasons, and they depend on how you got your phone:

• 📦 Operator pre-installation: Many Russian operators (MTS, Beeline, Tele2) supply smartphones with a package of Yandex applications, including a keyboard.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI. After global updates, the system can restore remote system applications, including the keyboard.
• 🛠️ Some custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu or Xiaomi.eu) MIUI Pro) include Yandex services by default.
• 🎁 Bonus packages: When activating your phone through Mi Account, some regions suggest installing “useful” apps, including a keyboard.

It is important to understand that Yandex Keyboard is not a virus or malware – it is a legal application integrated into the MIUI ecosystem. However, its behavior (automatic activation, data collection for predictive input) can annoy users who prefer alternatives like Gboard or Fleksy.

Method 1: Disconnect via keyboard settings

The easiest method is to deactivate Yandex Keyboard in the keyboard management menu, which will not delete the application, but will prevent it from automatically appearing when you type.

1. Open Settings → System and device → Language and input.
2. Tap the current keyboard (or keyboard management in older versions of MIUI).
3. In the list of active keyboards, turn off the slider next to the "Yandex Keyboard".
4. Confirm the action by pressing OK in the window that appears.

If the keyboard still appears after that, check the default settings:

• In the same Language and Enter menu, select the default Keyboard.
• Make sure you select another keyboard (such as Gboard).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI When you turn off the keyboard, you may lose the ability to enter in some applications (e.g., Mi Browser.

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

If the Yandex Keyboard has been updated through Google Play, it can be rolled back to the factory version and then disable the updates, which works even if the standard deletion is blocked.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the list “Yandex Keyboard” and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Remove Updates.
4. Confirm action. The keyboard will return to the factory version (usually 5.x or 6.x).
5. Return to the home screen of the app and click Disable (if the button is active).

To prevent a re-update:

• Open Google Play, search for “Yandex Keyboard”.
• Slip on three dots next to the Update button and uncheck the Auto Update box.

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO X5 Pro) after resetting updates, the keyboard may be activated again after restarting.In this case, use Method 4 (ADB).

Method 3: Complete removal via MIUI Hidden Settings (without root)

If the standard methods do not work, you can use hidden settings MIUI, They allow you to delete system applications without superuser permission. MIUI Hidden Settings (available on Google Play).

1. Install MIUI Hidden Settings.
2. Open the application and provide access to Special Features (required for the tool to work).
3. Go to the App Manager section.
4. Find the list "Yandex Keyboard" (ru.yandex.keyboard).
5. Slip on the app and select Uninstall (if the button is active) or Disable.

If the Uninstall button is inactive, try:

• 🔧 In the same menu, click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📛 Check if deletion is blocked in the security settings (Settings) → Passwords and security → Autostart).

💡

If MIUI Hidden Settings does not find Yandex Keyboard, try manually entering package name: en.yandex.keyboard.

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If all previous methods have failed, the radical way is to disable the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) requires connecting the phone to a computer, but is guaranteed to remove the keyboard at the system level.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version, then return to the additional → For developers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the computer and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Run the command to disable Yandex Keyboard: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 en.yandex.keyboard If the command does not work, try: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 en.yandex.keyboard
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They turn off the app only for the current user, and after the phone is reset to factory settings, the keyboard can come back, and to delete it completely (including system files), you need root rights.

Method 5: Use of Custom Recovery (TWRP)

For users with an unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP, it is possible to delete Yandex Keyboard through the file manager recovery. This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires manipulation of system files.

Step-by-step:

1. Download your phone to TWRP (usually Power + Vol Up) mode.
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Open the /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/ folder.
4. Find a folder called YandexKeyboard or en.yandex.keyboard.
5. Remove the folder or rename it (for example, in the YandexKeyboard_bak).
6. Reboot the phone.

Advantages of this method:

• 🧹 Complete removal without traces.
• 🔒 No risk of re-activation after updates.

Risks:

• ⚠️ System errors can occur if the wrong file is deleted.
• 🔧 A backup (nandroid backup) is required before changes.

💡

Use TWRP only if you are confident in your actions. An error when you delete system files can lead to a bootloop (locked phone boot).

What if the keyboard returns after the update?

Many users experience Yandex Keyboard reappearing after a MIUI update or reset, because the firmware restores the default system applications to prevent this from happening:

• 📵 Turn off auto updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system (⋮) and select Update Settings. Turn off Autoboot and AutoInstall.
• 🔄 Use Magisk modules: If you have root, install Universal module GMS Doze or App Systemizer to block system application recovery.
• 🛡️ Block the package through Firewall: Applications like NetGuard or AFWall+ can block network access for Yandex Keyboard, preventing its updates.