Replacement of keyboard on Xiaomi: the choice of spare parts and step-by-step repair

The keyboard on Xiaomi smartphones is not only a physical panel on older models with buttons (such as the Mi A1 or Redmi 3S), but also a software layout on the touch screen. However, in 90% of cases, users mean hardware replacement of the button plume or repair of the touchpad when the keys stop responding to presses, a problem especially relevant for the budget models of Redmi and POCO, where mechanical elements wear out faster.

In this article, we will discuss both scenarios: how to change the physical keyboard (power/volume button plume) and how to reinstall the software keyboard (such as the Gboard or Mi Keyboard), you will learn what tools you need to disassemble, how to avoid damaging flexible contacts, and what to do if the buttons work incorrectly after replacing, and we will also compare the prices of original and non-original parts - this will help save without risk to the device.

Physical Keyboard vs Software Keyboard: What's the Difference?

Before starting the repair, it is important to understand what kind of "keyboard" problems arose:

• 🔧 The hardware keyboard is a physical button (on, volume, sometimes menu/back on older models) that is connected to the motherboard via a flexible plume and most often fails due to moisture, mechanical damage or wear of contacts.
• ⌨️ A software keyboard is a virtual layout on the screen (such as SwiftKey or the standard Mi Keyboard), and problems here are usually associated with software glitches, viruses or incorrect settings.

If you have a Xiaomi Mi 11 or newer, it’s likely to be a software failure, but Redmi Note 4X, Mi Max 2 or POCO F1 owners are more likely to experience physical wear and tear on the buttons. To determine exactly what type of malfunction, check:

• 🔍 Do buttons react in Test Mode (enter ##4636## → "Equipment test").
• 💧 Have you recently had contact with water (even minimal – steam, condensate).
• 📱 Does vibration appear when pressed (if yes, the problem is in the plume, if not, in the button itself).

Tools for replacing physical keyboard

You'll need a special set to disassemble your smartphone and replace the button plume. Don't try to do it at hand, which almost always causes damage to the case latches or breaks off flexible contacts.

⚠️ Warning: If you've never taken a smartphone apart, practice on a non-working device or watch your model disassembly on YouTube. for example, for the Redmi Note 8 Pro and the Redmi Note 8 Pro. POCO X3 process is different due to different button plume attachments.

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Before disassembly, take a picture of the location of all screws and plumes - this will speed up the assembly and help to avoid "extra" parts.

Step-by-step: Replacement of the button plume

Consider the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (the steps are similar but may differ in mountings) and the entire process will take 30-60 minutes.

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-card/memory card. The battery doesn't need to be turned off, but be careful with contacts.
2. Heat the back cover with a hair dryer (~60°C) around the perimeter for 2-3 minutes. This will soften the glue.
3. Insert a plastic mediator into the gap between the body and the screen (start at the bottom corner) and gently guide along the perimeter. Don't force - the latches are fragile!
4. Unscrew all the screws (usually 8-10 pieces) and remove the metal plate covering the plumes.
5. Disconnect the button plume (it's next to the battery, it's latched) and tweez it on the side, not up!
6. Set a new plume, assemble the device in reverse order, before turning on, check if there are any "extra" screws left.

🔧 Critical moment: On models POCO F3 Xiaomi 11T The button plume is integrated with the fingerprint sensor, and if you damage it, it will be impossible to unlock the phone!

Selection of spare parts: original vs analogues

The cost of the original button plume for Xiaomi varies from 300 to 1,500 ₽ depending on the model:

• 📱 Redmi Note 8/8T: 400–600 ₽ (original), 200–300 ₽ (analogue).
• 📱 POCO X3 NFC: 800–1 200 ₽ (original, 400-600 ₽ (analogue).
• 📱 Mi 10/10T: 1 200–1 500 ₽ (Original only, analogues are unreliable).

Important: on models with IP53 (dust/moisture protection), after the plume has been replaced, the leakage is broken. To restore protection, special adhesives (for example, B-7000) and a UV lamp will be required.

Where to buy spare parts:

• 🛒 Official service centers - a guarantee for the detail, but the price is higher.
• 🌍 AliExpress is cheaper, but the risk of running into a fake (check reviews!).
• 🏬 Local stores (e.g., “Spring Service”) – fast delivery, but limited assortment.

Fixing problems with the software keyboard

If you don't have virtual buttons on the screen (like the Gboard or Mi Keyboard), the problem is with settings or software.

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard and check if the required layout is enabled.
2. Clear the keyboard cache: Settings → Applications → App management → Gboard/Mi Keyboard → Memory → Clear the cache.
3. Update the keyboard app via Google Play or reinstall it.
4. If the keyboard disappears when you enter, check the settings of special features: Settings → Special. features → Show the keyboard.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Especially global) Mi Keyboard may conflict with Gboard, so the solution is to disable one of them in the default settings.

If the problem persists, try resetting the keyboard settings to factory:

adb shell pm clear com.android.inputmethod.latin

(This command only works when connected to a PC with USB debugging enabled.)

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced keyboard designers sometimes make mistakes when replacing keyboards.

• 🔌 The plume break, never pull it upwards. Only disconnect from the side with the latch.
• 🔋 Short circuit - before assembly, check whether there are any metal sawdust from the screws.
• 📶 Signal loss – if the network is not working after assembly, check the antenna plumes (they are often attached next to the buttons).
• 🔊 Speakers do not work – on some models, the button plume is associated with the audio module (for example, Redmi Note 7).

💡 Tip: If the buttons are "once again" after you change them, try updating the firmware. Sometimes the failures are due to incorrect calibration of new parts.

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On NFC models (such as the POCO X3 Pro), the button plume may overlap with the contactless payment antenna. After replacing, check NFC performance through Google Pay!

When is the best time to contact the service?

The keyboard replacement is justified if:

• ✅ You have experience in disassembling electronics.
• ✅ Smartphone model is not newer 2020 yearly (on Xiaomi) 12/13 construction).
• ✅ You have found the original part with a guarantee.

In other cases, it is better to contact the service. The average cost of replacing the button plume in Russia:

• 📍 Moscow/SPb: 1,500–3,000 ₽ (spare-part).
• 📍 Regions: 1,000–2,000 ₽.
• 📍 Official Xiaomi service: 2,500-4000 ₽ (but a warranty for repair).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone stopped turning on after a failed replacement, do not try to "resuscitate" it yourself. There is a risk of damage to the motherboard, and then repairs will cost 5-10 times more expensive.

FAQ: Frequent questions about keyboard replacement