How to remove the keyboard on Xiaomi: instructions for MIUI 12-14

A standard MIUI keyboard or a third-party keyboard installed (e.g. Gboard, SwiftKey) may be slowing, glitching, or just plain disliked by the design. But it's not as easy to remove as a regular application — the system blocks uninstallation of system components. In this article, we'll discuss all the working ways to remove the keyboard on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO smartphones, including hidden MIUI settings and ADB commands.

Some methods require superuser (root) rights, others work without them, and we will also tell you how to turn off the keyboard if you can not completely delete it, and what to do if you lose text after manipulation. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions of firmware).

⚠️ Attention: Removal of the system keyboard MIUI without alternatives, you will not be able to enter text, make sure you have at least one third-party keyboard (such as Gboard) installed before starting the procedure.

If you use POCO Launcher or custom firmware (like LineageOS), some menu items may be different, in which case refer to the ADB section, which is universal for all versions of Android.

1. Method: Disabling the keyboard through MIUI settings

The easiest method is not to physically remove the keyboard, but to disable it in the settings, which is suitable for third-party keyboards (for example, Microsoft SwiftKey or Yandex.Kayboard), as well as for duplicate system components.

To disable the unnecessary keyboard:

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input.
2. Tapping on Virtual Keyboard (or Keyboard Management in older versions of MIUI)
3. Select the keyboard you want to disable and move the slider to the off position.

✅ Pros of the method: does not require root rights, reversible (can be turned back on), safe for the system.

❌ Cons: The keyboard remains in the device’s memory, taking up space (albeit insignificant).

Install an alternative keyboard from Google Play

Make a backup copy of important messages

Make sure that at least one keyboard is included in the settings.

Reboot your phone after the changes-->

If the keyboard you want isn’t listed, try clearing the Settings app cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Storage → Clear cache) this often helps when system components fail.

2. Method: Removal via ADB (without root)

If the keyboard is not disabled through the menu or you want to completely remove it, you can use the ADB debugging bridge. This method works without superuser rights, but requires connecting the phone to the computer.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the ADB folder and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
3. For standard MIUI: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.miuikeyboard For Gboard: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.inputmethod.latin
4. Reboot the phone.

Important: Once the MIUI system keyboard is removed via ADB, it cannot be restored by standard methods, you have to reset the phone to factory settings or manually install the keyboard via APK.

3. Method: Removal by root rights

If your Xiaomi has Magisk or another root manager installed, you can remove the keyboard as a regular system application.

Instructions:

• 📱 Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Root Explorer). FX File Explorer).
• 🔍 Go to the folder. /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/ (depending on the version MIUI).
• 🗑️ Find a folder with a keyboard (such as MiuiKeyboard or LatinIME for Gboard) and delete it.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect deletion of system files can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).Before manipulation, back up the partition /system through TWRP ornamental.

If the keyboard still appears in the settings after removal, clear the cache and Settings app data (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Storage → Clear all data).

4. Method: Resetting keyboard settings to factory

Sometimes the problem isn't with the keyboard itself, it's with the settings, so if it's buggy, slowing down, or not switching languages, you can reset the keyboard without deleting it.

How to reset your settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
2. Select a problem keyboard and tap on the three-point (⋮) top-right.
3. Click Reset (or Clear Data if the first item is not available).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

This method helps in 70% of cases when the keyboard:

• 🔤 He doesn't switch the layout.
• 🐢 Brakes during printing.
• 📱 It's closing spontaneously.
• 🔍 Doesn't offer word cues.

Standard MIUI

Gboard (Google)

SwiftKey (Microsoft)

Yandex.Keyboard

other-->

5. Method: Remove via Safe Mode (if the keyboard blocks the system)

There are situations when the keyboard freezes when you start or blocks the password, in which case Safe Mode (Safe Mode) will help, where all third-party applications are disabled.

How to get into Safe Mode on Xiaomi:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button before the MI logo appears.
3. Once the logo appears, press and hold the volume button until the phone boots.
4. In the lower left corner of the screen should appear the inscription Safe mode.

In safe mode:

• 🔧 Remove the problem keyboard through Settings → Annexes.
• 📥 Install an alternative keyboard (e.g. Gboard).
• 🔄 Restart your phone in normal mode.

If the keyboard was causing the failure, the problem should disappear after the reboot, and if it isn't, you'll have to reset to factory settings.

What to do if after removing the keyboard missing the text entry?

If you delete all keyboards (including the system keyboard), the phone will lose the ability to type text, in which case there are three options:

1️⃣ Set the keyboard through ADB:

• Download the APK keyboard (such as Gboard) to your computer.
• Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb install name file.apk

2️⃣ Restore the system keyboard through MIUI Recovery:

• Load the phone to the recaveri (Power + Volume up).
• Select Wipe & Reset → Reset to factory settings.

3️⃣ Use a physical keyboard:

• Connect a physical keyboard via USB OTG or use a Bluetooth keyboard to install software.

⚠️ Note: If you have removed the system keyboard MIUI rooted ADB, It can only be restored by flashing the phone, and resetting to factory settings won't help!

Comparison of Keyboard Removal Methods on Xiaomi

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The safest method is to turn off the keyboard in the settings. Use ADB or root to completely remove system components, but only if you are confident in your actions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing the keyboard on Xiaomi