Owning an Android device, especially from the Xiaomi brand, often involves imposing standard services, one of which is Gboard. Many users face a situation where this keyboard takes up system resources, causes irritation with its behavior or simply does not correspond to personal preferences for design and functionality. There is a natural desire to get rid of preinstalled software, but standard methods are often powerless.
Trying to simply “delete” an application through the usual settings menu usually fails because the “Delete” button remains inactive or hidden.This is because Gboard is integrated into the Android system partition as the default app, and the operating system protects it from accidental deletion to avoid losing the ability to type text.However, there are proven ways to get around these limitations and free up space or simply stop using this tool.
In this article, we will discuss all available methods, from secure shutdown to complete removal through the computer using debugging over USB. It is important to understand that before starting any manipulations, you need to have an alternative input method to avoid being in front of a locked screen without the ability to enter a password. Complete removal of system components without an alternative keyboard can lead to the inability to unlock the device.
Why Gboard Cannot Be Deleted in the Normal Way
The MIUI operating system installed on Xiaomi smartphones is based on Android, which has a strict hierarchy of access rights. Apps installed from the Play Market store by the user are in the user section and can be removed at any time. However, system applications such as Gboard, Google Play Services or Xiaomi system components are located in a secure partition.
Trying to delete them with standard tools is seen by the system as a potentially dangerous action that could disrupt the stability of the device, which is why the application management menu only has the “Disable” feature, which hides the icon and stops processes, but does not delete files from memory, which creates the illusion of an application that continues to occupy space, although it does not function actively.
In addition, Gboard is often the primary input tool for security and recovery. If you decide to get rid of it completely, make sure you have another keyboard installed and activated, otherwise you risk losing access to passwords in critical situations.
⚠️ Note: Before performing any steps to remove system components, be sure to install an alternative keyboard, such as Yandex Keyboard or SwiftKey, and activate it in the settings.
Preparation of the device and installation of alternatives
Before we start taking drastic measures to remove Gboard, we need to set the stage. The most critical mistake users make is removing the only input method available. To avoid locking the device, the first step is to install a reliable replacement. There are many quality analogues available at the Google Play store or GetApps.
Once you install a new keyboard, you don't just download it, you activate it, and then you go to the system settings, look for "Additional" or "Language and input," and you'll need to turn on the switch opposite the installed application, and then the system will allow you to use the new typing tool.
Then you need to assign a new main keyboard, which is done through the pop-up menu when typing or through the default settings in the Current Keyboard section. Make sure Gboard is no longer selected as the default input method. Now that you have a working replacement, you can proceed to the deletion procedure.
☑️ Preparing for Gboard removal
Disconnection method through system settings
The safest and easiest way to do this, which doesn't require a computer connection or superuser permission, is to permanently shut down, which doesn't physically delete files, but completely shuts down Gboard, hides it from the active apps list, and prevents it from running background processes. For many users, that's enough.
To turn off, open your Xiaomi's settings menu and go to Apps. Select All Apps and search the Gboard list. In the control menu that opens, you'll see either "Disable" or "Disable" button. Click on it and confirm the action in the pop-up window.
After that, the keyboard icon will disappear from the menu and the system will stop using it. If the "Disable" button is inactive (gray), this means that Gboard is the only available method of input or requires a privilege reset. In the latter case, you can try to go to "Settings" → "Extended settings" → "Privacy" → "Special access" → "Access to use" and revoke the rights, but most often just activate another keyboard.
- 📱 Open the smartphone settings.
- 📂 Go to the Appendix section → All applications.
- 🔍 Find it in the Gboard list and click on it.
- 🚫 Click the Disable button and confirm the action.
The good thing about this method is that it's reversible. If you need Gboard in the future, you can easily turn it back on through the application management menu, filtering the list to display disabled programs. Physically, the files will remain in the system partition, taking up space, but they will not affect the performance.
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If the "Disable" button is inactive, try to clear the Gboard app data first, then press the "Disable" button again. Sometimes this removes the lock.
Complete removal via ADB (no Root rights)
For those who want to completely free up space in memory and remove Gboard physically, there is a method of using the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) toolkit, which allows you to remove system applications without having to obtain Root rights, which preserves the device guarantee and does not violate the integrity of the boot system partition.
You’ll need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and a USB cable to start with. On a Xiaomi smartphone, you’ll need to activate developer mode. To do this, quickly click on the build number in the About Phone section seven times. Then, in the Developer menu that appears, turn on the USB debugging option.
Download and install ADB drivers on your computer. Connect your smartphone with a cable and allow debugging in a pop-up window on your phone screen. Open the command prompt on your computer in the ADB folder and enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf the device is identified, you can proceed to remove. The command to remove the Gboard is as follows:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.inputmethod.latinOnce the command is executed, the application will disappear completely from the system. It is important to understand that when the device is reset to factory settings, Gboard will return, since its files remain in the system partition, simply become inaccessible to the current user.
What if the ADB can’t see the phone?
Removal with Root Rights and Systemic Risks
Owners of devices with unlocked bootloaders and established superuser rights (Root) have the widest range of capabilities. Using root-enabled file managers like Root Explorer or MT Manager, you can directly delete apk files from system folders.
Gboard can be linked to other Google services, and its forcible removal can lead to system errors, persistent error notifications, or even a cyclical restart (bootloop).
If you do, make sure to make a full backup before you start, delete only files you are 100% sure of. In the case of Gboard, the package is usually called LatinImeGoogle.apk or has the packet name com.google.android.inputmethod.latin.
- ⚠️ Root rights void the guarantee.
- 🔒 Banking applications may stop working without workarounds (Magisk Hide).
- 💾 Error when removing a system file can "brick" the device.
- 🔄 When reset to factory settings, deleted files can be restored.
⚠️ Attention: Removing system components through Root managers requires absolute accuracy. Deleting an excess file can cause a smartphone to fail.
Comparison of Keyboard Removal Methods
The choice of method depends on your goals and level of training. If you just need to stop seeing the Gboard and use a different keyboard, a regular shutdown is enough. If you are struggling for every megabyte of memory and have technical skills, the ADB method will do.
The table below shows you a comparison of the main characteristics of each method so you can choose the best option for yourself.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk to the system | Liberation of the place | Reversibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | Low. | No. | No (files remain) | Complete. |
| Removal via ADB | Medium | Minimum | Yes (for the user) | Partial (resets returns) |
| Removal with Root Rights | Tall. | High-pitched | Yes (full) | Only through the flashing. |
And remember, Gboard is not just a keyboard, it's part of the Google ecosystem, and it provides voice input, real-time translation, and smart prompts, and you lose those features when you drop it, even though modern alternatives often offer similar functionality.
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The safest and most recommended way for 95% of users is to permanently disconnect through settings, as it does not require a computer and eliminates the risk of system damage.