Xiaomi smartphones are known not only for their value for money, but also for their extensive suite of proprietary applications that extend the functionality of devices, such as Keyboard for Xiaomi, which is often installed by default on devices under control. MIUI. Many users do not even suspect that the standard keyboard on their smartphone is not just a typing tool, but a full-fledged application with unique features.
In this article, weβll look at what Keyboard for Xiaomi is for, how it differs from third-party apps like Gboard or SwiftKey, and how to set it up to make typing faster and more convenient. Weβll focus on hidden features that few people know about, but can make everyday smartphone use much easier. If you havenβt used all the features of this keyboard yet, youβre missing out on a lot of useful things!
What is Keyboard for Xiaomi and how it differs from other keyboards
Keyboard for Xiaomi is a branded keyboard designed specifically for the ecosystem. MIUI. It is pre-installed on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, But many users are replacing it with alternatives, unaware of its benefits. Unlike universal solutions (like Google's Gboard), this keyboard is optimized for the interface. MIUI It is closely integrated with other Xiaomi services.
The main differences from competitors:
- πΉ Deep integration with MIUI: Supports gestures and features only available on Xiaomi devices (e.g., quick access to Control Center or Quick Ball).
- πΉ Localization for Russian-speaking users: better recognizes specific words, slang and grammatical constructions of the Russian language.
- πΉ Minimalist design without unnecessary elements, which speeds up work on weak devices (relevant for budget models Redmi).
- πΉ Support for themes from the Mi Themes brand store, which allows you to adjust the appearance to the style of your smartphone.
However, the keyboard has its drawbacks, such as not supporting some of the advanced features available on Gboard, such as built-in translator or search. GIF. But for most users, these disadvantages are overshadowed by advantages β primarily, stability of work and low resource consumption.
Keyboard for Xiaomi: what does the brand keyboard
At first glance, Keyboard for Xiaomi looks like a regular keyboard, but there are a lot of useful features hidden under the hood. Consider the most important ones that make typing faster and more convenient.
1. Intelligent input and auto-replacement
- π Contextual prompts: analyzes previous messages and offers a continuation of the phrase (works even in instant messengers).
- π Automatic replacement of typos, taking into account Russian and English.
- π User learning: remembers frequently used words and expressions (such as your name or address).
2.Gesturals and hot keys
- βοΈ Swipe for dialing (as in SwiftKey): you can drive your finger on the keys without tearing it off.
- π Quick search for emoji: just type in a word (e.g., βheartβ) and the keyboard will suggest appropriate emojis.
- π± Access to the clipboard with one click (clip icon in the top menu).
3. Security and confidentiality
Unlike many third-party keyboards, Keyboard for Xiaomi does not send the input to external servers for analysis. All data is processed locally on the device, which is important for users who value privacy.
How to disable data collection in Keyboard for Xiaomi?
4. Support for multiple languages
The keyboard allows you to quickly switch between languages (up to 5 at a time) and even supports transliteration (for example, automatically converts "privet" to "hello").
| Function | Description | Analogue in Gboard |
|---|---|---|
| Swipe input | Type text by holding a finger on the keys | There is (Google Gesture Typing) |
| Local AI | Auto-replace and prompts without sending data to the cloud | No (Gboard uses cloud-based AI) |
| Integration with MIUI | Quick access to system functions (e.g. Quick Ball) | No. |
| Design topics | Support for branded themes from Mi Themes | Yes, but without reference to MIUI |
| buffer | Storing copy history with quick access | There is (but with a time limit) |
How to enable and configure Keyboard for Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
If you've never used a keyboard or accidentally turned it off, it's easy to get it back.
- Open the settings on your Xiaomi smartphone.
- Go to the System and Device section β Language and input.
- Slip on the item Virtual keyboard β Keyboard management.
- Activate the switch opposite Keyboard for Xiaomi.
- Go back and select Current Keyboard, then set Keyboard for Xiaomi as the primary one.
Now we can start setting up.
- In the same section (Language and input) tap on Keyboard for Xiaomi β Settings.
- Here you can: βοΈ What can be configured in Keyboard for XiaomiChange themeAdd/remove languagesConfigure auto-replace and promptsEnable swipe inputSwitch off vibration when pressed: 0 / 5
Please note the section Additional settings - here are hidden the most useful features:
- π§ Customize keyboard height (comfortable for users with thumbs).
- π± Display of a number series (you can enable a permanent display of numbers).
- π Sounds and vibrations when pressed (can be turned off to save battery life).
π‘
If the keyboard started to brake, clear its cache: go to Settings β Annexes β Application management β Keyboard for Xiaomi β Clear the cache.
Keyboard for Xiaomi: 5 chips you didnβt know about
Even experienced Xiaomi users are often unaware of some of the hidden features of the brandβs keyboard, and here are the most useful ones:
1. Quick access to system functions
If you hold the 123 button (switch to numbers), a menu will appear with quick access to:
- π¦ Lantern (on/off).
- π· Camera (rapid launch).
- π Searching by device.
2. Hidden mode of one hand
For users with large screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5 Pro) has a one-hand mode to enable:
- Hold the icon. βοΈ (settings) on the keyboard.
- Select One-Hand Mode.
- The keyboard will shrink and shift to the left or right corner of the screen.
3. Personal textual templates
You can create your own abbreviations that will automatically be replaced with full phrases, such as type in @address, and the keyboard will match your home address.
Settings β Keyboard for Xiaomi β Text templates4. Built-in translator
Although Keyboard for Xiaomi doesnβt have a full-fledged translator (unlike Gboard), it can transliterate text, for example, if you type βzdravstvuyteβ, the keyboard will offer the option βhelloβ, which is convenient for communicating in foreign chat rooms.
5. Hidden clipboard with history
Many people don't know that the keyboard has an extended clipboard that stores the last 20 copied items (including images!) to open it:
- Slap the icon. π (paper clip) in the top menu of the keyboard.
- Select the clipboard tab.
- Here you can fix frequently used items (for example, phone number or email).
π‘
The hidden functions of the keyboard work only on devices with MIUI 12 and later. Older versions of firmware may not have some features.
Keyboard for Xiaomi vs Gboard: Which Keyboard is Best for Xiaomi
Many Xiaomi users are installing Google's Gboard, which they think is more advanced. But is it really? Let's compare the two keyboards in terms of key parameters:
| Criteria | Keyboard for Xiaomi | Gboard |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of operation | β‘ Faster (optimized for the MIUI) | π’ Slower on weak devices |
| Confidentiality | π Data is not sent to the cloud | βοΈ Uses cloud-based AI (data can be analyzed by Google) |
| Functionality | π οΈ Basic functions + integration MIUI | ποΈ Extended Opportunities (interpreter, search) GIF, voice-input) |
| Language support | π·πΊ It works better with Russian and Chinese. | π Wide selection of languages, but worse recognizes slang |
| Battery consumption | π Minimum | π Higher due to background processes |
Who is the Keyboard for Xiaomi?
- π± Users who appreciate stability and speed.
- π For those who are concerned about privacy (no data sent to the cloud).
- π¨ Customization lovers (support for those from Mi Themes).
Who better to choose Gboard?
- π People who frequently use translators or search engines GIF.
- π£οΈ Users who need high quality voice input.
- π People who work with many languages at the same time.
π‘
If you are using a Xiaomi smartphone on a weak processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3), Keyboard for Xiaomi will run smoother than Gboard.
Common Keyboard for Xiaomi Issues and How to Solve Them
Despite the optimization, sometimes the keyboard may not work properly, and let's look at typical problems and how to fix them.
1.The keyboard brakes or hangs
Reasons:
- ποΈ The app cache is filled.
- π± Lack of RAM (relevant for budget models).
- π Conflict with other keyboards.
Decision:
βοΈ What to do if the keyboard brakes
2. Swipe input is not working
If the swipe function (typing by holding a finger) suddenly stopped working:
- Check if it is included in the settings: Keyboard settings β Swipe input.
- If the option is active but not working, reinstall the keyboard updates via the Mi App Store.
3.The keyboard doesn't switch the language
Frequent issue, especially after update MIUI. To correct:
- Remove and add the language again to Settings β Language and input β Virtual keyboard β Keyboard for Xiaomi β Languages.
- Check if the keyboard conflicts with apps like SwiftKey or Multiling O.
4. The emoji panel has disappeared and GIF
If the emoji icon is missing:
- Press the button?123 (or β¨οΈ) and select Settings β Keyboard layout.
- Make sure the Emoji Panel option is enabled.
What if the keyboard doesnβt appear at all?
5.The keyboard eats up a lot of battery
If you see in the battery settings that Keyboard for Xiaomi is consuming too much power:
- π Turn off vibrations and sounds when pressed.
- π΅ Limit background activity in Settings β Battery β Battery consumption β Keyboard for Xiaomi β Limit background activity.
- π Update the application to the latest version.
π‘
If the problem is not solved, try resetting the keyboard settings to factory: β Keyboard for Xiaomi β Additionally. β Reset the settings.
How to customize Keyboard for Xiaomi: themes, fonts, layouts
One of the great things about a branded keyboard is that it's highly customizable, and you can change almost anything from the color of the buttons to the placement of the characters, and we'll figure out how to do that.
1. Installation of themes from Mi Themes
Xiaomi offers hundreds of free and paid keyboard themes that can be downloaded through the Mi Themes brand store.
- Open the Settings. β Keyboard for Xiaomi β Topics.
- Choose your favorite theme from the suggested ones or tap Download more to open Mi Themes.
- After applying the theme, you can further adjust the transparency and size of the keys.
2. Change the layout of the keyboard
If you are uncomfortable with the standard layout, you can change it:
- π€ Number series: enable constant display of numbers in Settings β layout β Number series.
- βοΈ Keyboard height: adjustable by slider in Settings β Size.
- π€ Symbols: You can swap Enter and 123, and add additional buttons (e.g., arrows for cursor).
3. Font setting
The keyboard supports changing fonts, but for this you need:
- Download the font from Mi Themes (Font section).
- Apply it to Settings β Screen. β font.
- The keyboard will automatically pick up the new font (if it is supported).
4. Creating your own theme
For advanced users, there is an opportunity to create a unique keyboard theme using third-party applications (for example, KLWP However, it requires root rights or use. ADB-For most users, standard themes from Mi Themes are enough.
How to return a standard keyboard theme?
5.Tune gestures
In addition to swipe input, you can configure additional gestures:
- π Swipe up the space: moving the cursor.
- π Swipe down the space: fold the keyboard.
- βοΈ Swipe left/right on space: switching the language.
Configured in Settings β Gestures.