Many Xiaomi smartphone users sooner or later face a situation where the standard keyboard stops working, which may be due to intrusive prompts, an uncomfortable layout or a desire to install a more functional counterpart. However, a simple “Delete” icon for the system application is often not in the settings, which is puzzling.
In the Android operating system, which runs the MIUI shell and HyperOS, preinstalled system components are not removed by standard methods. This is done to protect the device from accidental damage to critical input functions. However, there are effective ways to deactivate or completely remove the Xiaomi system keyboard, freeing up space and regaining control of the device.
In this article, we will discuss all the legal and safe methods of solving a problem, you will learn how to switch to a third-party application, how to disable the system through settings, and what advanced methods exist for experienced users. It is important to follow the sequence of actions so that you do not remain without the ability to enter text on your smartphone.
Why not just remove the app
The standard keyboard is part of the MIUI system image, and the operating system blocks it from being deleted through a regular application manager, believing it to be vital, and if you try to find the "Delete" button in the application management menu, you'll see that it's inactive or hidden, and it's a crash protection mechanism.
Trying to forcefully stop the process or disable the only input means available can cause the smartphone to stop responding to commands. The system requires that at least one input method be always active, which is why an alternative must be installed and activated before any manipulations.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to disable the only available keyboard on your device, which can result in a locking of the interface and the inability to unlock the phone or enter a password.
There are several levels of access to the system that allow you to bypass these limitations, so for the average user, you just need to switch to another input service. ADB-commands that allow you to physically remove a packet from the system, but this requires caution.
💡
Before removing system components, always make sure you have physical access to your computer and USB-cable in case of emergency system recovery.
Preparation: Installation of an alternative keyboard
Before you start removing or disabling a standard component, it is critical to prepare a replacement. Without a working keyboard, you will not be able to enter Wi-Fi passwords, respond to messages or search the Internet. The market offers many quality counterparts.
The most popular and secure options are Google's Gboard, Microsoft's SwiftKey or Yandex Keyboard, which are rich in functionality, support gesture input and are regularly updated, and can be downloaded from the official Google Play store.
Once you install a new application, the system will automatically prompt you to activate it, you will need to allow access to the data input from the keyboard and choose the new default input method, and only after the new keyboard is activated, you can proceed to delete the old one.
☑️ Pre-deletion check
Make sure the switch is successful. Try opening your browser or messenger and typing a few lines. If the new keyboard is displayed correctly and predictably, you can move on to the next step, which is to disable the system component.
Method 1: Disconnection through system settings
The safest and easiest way to get rid of an intrusive keyboard is to turn it off, in which case the application is not physically deleted, but stops running, taking up RAM, and showing up in the list of available input methods, which is enough for most users.
To do this, go to your smartphone’s Settings menu. Find the Settings or Advanced Settings section, and then select Language and Enter. In some versions of MIUI, the path may differ: Settings → General Settings → Language and input.
In the menu that opens, look for the "Current Keyboard" or "Keyboard Management" section, and there's a list of all the input apps installed. Click on the Xiaomi Keyboard (or MIUI Keyboard). The window that opens should have a "Disable" or "Disable" button. Click on it and confirm the action.
| Action. | The result | Possibility of return |
|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | The app is hidden and not working | Instantly, through the same settings |
| Clearing the data | Resettings and dictionary | Requires reconfiguration |
| Removal via ADB | Complete removal from the system | Only flashing or installing APK |
Once you shut down, the system will stop offering this type of input, and if the new keyboard stops working, you can always go back to the same menu section and activate the system keyboard back, making it ideal for testing.
Method 2: Removal via ADB (for advanced)
If you want to completely free up memory and remove traces of the application from the system, you will need to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) toolkit. This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and having basic command line skills. Beware, any errors can lead to instability of the system.
First, you need to turn on USB debugging mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the build number seven times (MIUI Version). After the message “You became a developer”, go back to the Additional Settings → For developers and activate the Debugging by USB option.
Where to download ADB?
Connect your phone to your PC with a cable. Open the command prompt (CMD) or PowerShell in the folder with ADB. Enter the adb device command and confirm the debugging permission on your smartphone screen. If a device with device status appears on the list, the connection is established.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.touchinputThis command will remove the keyboard for the current user. The com.miui.touchinput package name corresponds to the standard Xiaomi keyboard. Once the command is complete, the application will disappear from the installed list. To return it, you will need an adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.touchinput command or a full reset of the phone settings.
Configuring and managing a dictionary
Often, the desire to remove the keyboard is not dictated by its functionality, but by accumulated garbage in the dictionary or uncomfortable predictions. Before you delete the application, try resetting it, which can solve the problem of "grill" behavior without radical measures.
Go to Settings → Additional Settings → Language and input. Select the management of the current Xiaomi keyboard. Find “Reset” or “Clear Data” option, which will return the keyboard to factory status by removing all learned words and personalization.
It's also worth checking your autocorrect and text prediction settings, sometimes turning off aggressive word correction or changing the subject to make it comfortable, and in the keyboard settings section, you can fine-tune the vibration, sounds and height of the panel in detail.
Possible problems and solutions
Unforeseen situations may occur during the deletion or deactivation process, such as when the system keyboard is removed via ADB, when the phone resets, it may reset again, which is normal behavior, because factory reset restores the original system image.
If after turning off the keyboard you can not enter a password when turning on the phone, try to connect the external USB-keyboard OTG-This will unlock the device and change the input settings, and it can also help to have a safe mode that boots the phone without third-party apps, but system components can be available.
⚠️ Note: Removing system packages through ADB It can disrupt other dependent applications, such as search in the system or voice input, which may not function properly without a standard input shell.
In rare cases, the MIUI shell can block the installation of third-party keyboards, requiring the use of only the system keyboard, in such situations, the temporary shutdown of the Internet when a new application is first activated or the use of special activation scripts helps.
Comparison of removal methods
The way you delete it depends on your goals and your level of training. For the average user who just wants to change the interface, you just need to turn it off. For enthusiasts struggling for every megabyte of memory, ADB is the right fit.
Consider the main differences in approaches: Disabling is safe and reversible, but it doesn't free up space in the system applications section. Deleting via ADB is efficient but risky. Using third-party launchers doesn't remove the keyboard, but changes the experience of interaction.
Remember to update your chosen alternate keyboard regularly. Developers are constantly improving text prediction algorithms and fixing security vulnerabilities. The security of entering data such as passwords and banking information depends on the relevance of the keyboard software.
💡
The optimal solution for 95% of users is to disable the system keyboard through settings and installing a proven analogue like Gboard.
In conclusion, removing the Xiaomi keyboard is a very real and affordable process, and the key is to act consistently: install the replacement first, activate it, and then remove or disable the system component, ensuring that your smartphone remains fully functional.