How to install Gboard on Xiaomi by default: full instruction with problem solving

Google’s Gboard has long been the standard for millions of users with easy input, integrated translator and gesture support. However, Xiaomi’s MIUI-enclosed smartphones have a default keyboard that doesn’t always suit owners. Switching to Gboard seems like a simple task, but in practice users face nuances ranging from hidden settings to conflicts with system applications.

In this article, we will not only explain how to make Gboard the default keyboard on Xiaomi, but also analyze common errors (for example, why the keyboard resets after a reboot), alternative methods for older versions. MIUI, And we'll also give you some suggestions for optimizing your work, and this is relevant to all of the current models, from the Redmi Note. 12 Xiaomi 14 Ultra including devices on MIUI 14/15 HyperOS.

Why is Gboard better than Xiaomi’s standard keyboard?

Xiaomi’s signature keyboard (com.miui.miuibasicinputmethod) has a number of limitations that make Gboard a more attractive choice:

• 🌍 Multilingual support without switching: Gboard can be used to type text in multiple languages at the same time (e.g. Russian) + English, while in the standard keyboard MIUI manual switching.
• 🔍 Google's built-in search and GIF: Quick access to search directly from the input field, which is not in the standard solution.
• 🖼️ Themes and Customization: Gboard has hundreds of themes available, including adaptive desktop wallpaper, while Xiaomi’s keyboard has limited options 3-5 variant.
• 📱 Gestures and swipes: Advanced gestures (such as swiping left to delete a word) are more intuitive than a standard keyboard.

In addition, Gboard syncs vocabulary and settings through Google Account, which is convenient when changing devices, while the Xiaomi keyboard is tied to Mi Account and does not always correctly transfer data.

Preparation: What to do before installing Gboard

Before installing Gboard, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid problems:

1. Check out the MIUI version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. On versions older than MIUI 12, additional actions may be required (see the section on older versions).
2. Update Google services: open Google Play → Profile → Settings → Update everything. Outdated services can block keyboard installation.
3. Clear the cache of the standard keyboard: go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Keyboard → Storage → Clear the cache.

Important: If you are using MIUI beta or custom firmware, some settings may be missing or not working properly, in which case it is recommended to roll back to the stable version before setting up the keyboard.

Make sure that MIUI version is not lower than 12.0|

Update Google Play and Google | Services

Clear the cache of the standard MIUI | keyboard

Check the vacant space (required) ~100MB)-->

Step-by-step: how to install Gboard by default

The process of installing Gboard on Xiaomi consists of three steps: download, activation and default assignment. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid typical errors.

1.Install Gboard from Google Play

Open the Google Play Store and find the Google Keyboard app (developed by Google LLC) and make sure you download the original app, not a clone.

1. Press Open.
2. Accept the terms of use and allow access to the keyboard (the system window will appear).
3. Turn on the Gboard switch in the keyboard list.

2.Gboard assignment by default keyboard

Now you need to make Gboard the main keyboard.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and input → Current keyboard.
2. Select Gboard from the list. If it's not available, go back to step 1 and check the permissions.
3. Some versions of MIUI will require you to further disable the standard keyboard: go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Keyboard → Disable.

Note: The path may be different on MIUI 14/15 – instead of looking for System and Device.

3. Verification and adjustment

To make sure everything works:

• Open any application with an input field (such as Messages or Notes).
• Tap the input field – the Gboard keyboard should appear.
• If the keyboard does not change, restart the device.

Typical problem solving

Even after installation, users are confronted with bugs, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If the problem is not solved, try resetting the keyboard settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Entering → Virtual Keyboard → Gboard.
2. Click Reset (in some versions – Reset default settings).
3. Reset the device.

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If the MIUI Gboard has stopped working after the update, try to temporarily roll back to the previous version of the keyboard. To do this, download the old APK version from the APKMirror site and install it manually, pre-deleting the current one.

Alternative method: install Gboard via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods do not help (for example, on custom firmware or beta versions) MIUI), apply ADB-The default command for the forced Gboard assignment is this method requires you to connect to your computer and enable Debugging by USB.

Step 1: Preparation

Download and install:

• ADB-Drivers for your Xiaomi model (can be found on the official website).
• Google Platform Tools (available from Android Studio)

Step 2: Connecting and Executing a Command

Connect your phone to the PC by USB, Turn on the debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB) and execute on the command line:

adb shell im disable com.miui.miuibasicinputmethod


adb shell im enable com.google.android.inputmethod.latin




adb shell im set com.google.android.inputmethod.latin

After you execute the commands, restart the device. Gboard will become the default keyboard, and the standard MIUI keyboard will be disabled.

⚠️ Attention: use ADB This method can cause system instability if the instructions are entered incorrectly.

How to Get Back a Standard Xiaomi Keyboard

If Gboard didn’t live up to expectations or there were compatibility issues, you can return the standard MIUI keyboard.

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Current Keyboard.
2. Select the MIUI Keyboard (or com.miui.miuibasicinputmethod).
3. If the keyboard is not listed, include it in Settings → Applications → Application Management (find the keyboard disabled and click Enable).

To completely remove Gboard:

• Go to Settings → Apps → Gboard → Delete.
• Clear the cache and data in Settings → Storage → Clean.

If words from the user dictionary are lost after returning to the standard keyboard, restore them through Mi Account (if synchronization was enabled).

Optimizing Gboard on Xiaomi: tips for convenience

To make Gboard work as efficiently as possible on your Xiaomi, take advantage of these tips:

• ⚡ Turn off animations: in Gboard settings (Themes) → Select key animations without animation – this will speed up the keyboard response.
• 🔄 Set up gestures: in Settings → Toolbar enable swipe to move the cursor and delete words.
• 📱 Synchronize the dictionary: in Settings → Dictionary → Synchronize the dictionary link Google Account.
• 🎨 Use Responsive Themes: In Themes → Select Adaptive Color Scheme – the keyboard will adjust to the wallpaper.

For MIUI 15 and HyperOS users, the Floating Keyboard feature is available – it can be enabled in the Gboard settings (Size and layout → Floating keyboard), which is convenient for simultaneous text input and viewing content.

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On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) Turn on a dark theme in Gboard to reduce battery consumption. → Topics → Dark.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Gboard on Xiaomi