Previous articleDisappeared keyboard on Xiaomi: what to do and how to return it without losing data

Have you opened a messenger or browser on Xiaomi, and instead of the usual keyboard, an empty field or an error “Unfortunately, the Gboard keyboard stopped”? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones. The reasons can be different: from an accidental system failure to a conflict after the MIUI update. In 90% of cases, the keyboard can be returned without contacting the service center – just perform a few simple actions.

In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of the disappearance of the keyboard on Xiaomi and offer step-by-step solutions - from basic (reboot, clear cache) to radical (reset settings). MIUI 14/15, If you're not sure what you're doing, use the safe methods in the first three sections.

Why Xiaomi Keyboard is Losing: 5 Reasons

Before you start a recovery, it's important to understand what caused the failure, and here are the most common scenarios.

• 🔄 Failure after update MIUI — New firmware versions sometimes conflict with the standard Gboard keyboard or third-party counterparts (SwiftKey, Microsoft Keyboard).
• 🗑️ A filled cache – if you haven’t cleaned temporary files for a long time, the system can block the keyboard due to a lack of memory.
• 🔋 Optimizing the battery — MIUI aggressively closes background processes, including the keyboard, if not used frequently.
• 🛠️ Damage to keyboard files – for example, after incorrectly removing updates or manually tampering with system folders.
• 🦠 Viral software is rare, but some malware applications block text entry to steal data.

On Xiaomi models 12/13/14 Redmi Note 11/12 The problem is often associated with Automatic Optimization in battery settings. The system may forget keyboard permissions after a long device downtime. The developer mode may also be the culprit if you previously enabled debugging. USB or changed the animation settings.

⚠️ Note: If the keyboard is missing after rooting or installing custom firmware, standard methods may not work.

Method 1: Rebooting the smartphone is the simplest solution

In 30 percent of cases, the keyboard returns after a normal reboot, which is because MIUI sometimes hangs over the system processes.

1. Hold the power button for 5-7 seconds.
2. In the menu that appears, select Reboot (not “Switch off!”).
3. Wait for the full shutdown and automatic switching on (usually takes 30-60 seconds).

If the keyboard does not appear after the reboot, try to forcefully close the problem application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the messenger or browser where the keyboard is missing (such as WhatsApp or Chrome).
3. Slip Forced to Stop, then start the app again.

💡

If the power button doesn’t respond, use the Volume Up + Power combination (hold 10 seconds for a forced reboot).

Method 2: Clearing the cache and keyboard data

Clogged cache is one of the main causes of Gboard and other keyboard failures, and clearing temporary files helps in 40% of cases.

Make sure the keyboard is not system (check in Settings → System → Language and input)

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Dots → Show All Apps

Find your keyboard (Gboard, SwiftKey, etc.)

Tap “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data” (Warning: Keyboard settings will reset!)

Reboot your smartphone-->

On the POCO F4/F5 and Redmi K50 models, you may need to reconfigure the keyboard after cleaning the data (language selection, microphone permission for voice input). If the keyboard never appears after cleaning, check if it is disabled in the input settings:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and input → Current keyboard.
2. Make sure your keyboard is ticked, and if it's not on the list, press Keyboard Management and turn it on.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After cleaning the data, the keyboard may disappear from the list of available ones. In this case, proceed to Method 4 (installation) APK).

Method 3: Verifying Permits and Battery Optimization

MIUI is known for aggressively optimizing background processes, which can cause the keyboard to lock, to fix this:

• 🔒 Permissions: Open Settings → Annexes → Application management → Gboard (or your keyboard) Go to Permissions and turn on all available ones (especially Display over other windows).
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization. Find the keyboard in the list and select Unlimited.

On Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 12 Pro+, check the autorun settings further:

1. In the same app menu, tap AutoRun.
2. Turn on auto-start for the keyboard.

💡

If the keyboard is missing after the MIUI update, try rolling back the update through Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Delete the latest update (not available on all models).

Method 4: Install the keyboard via APK (if it has disappeared from the system)

If the keyboard is completely removed from the list of available (for example, after resetting settings or conflict with firmware), it can be installed manually.

1. Download the official APK-Gboard file from APKMirror (select the Android version) 11+, if MIUI 13/14).
2. Transfer the file to your phone (for example, via Telegram or Google Drive).
3. Install APK by pre-allowing installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Installation of Unknown Applications
4. After installation, go to Settings → Additional → Language and Enter → Current Keyboard and turn on Gboard.

Xiaomi models with boot loader lock (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra) may require permission to install system APKs.

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in your phone settings).
2. Turn on USB debugging and connect the phone to the PC.
3. Use the ADB command: adb install -r -t gboard.apk

⚠️ Warning: Installing modified versions of Gboard (such as those with an iOS theme) may cause the keyboard to disappear again. APK.

Method 5: Reset keyboard settings via Safe Mode

If the keyboard is lost due to a conflict with another application, Safe Mode will help, in which only system applications work, which allows you to identify the culprit of the failure.

How to start Safe Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the power button until the MI logo appears.
3. Immediately after 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:

• 🔍 Check if the keyboard is on, and if so, there's a problem in one of the apps installed.
• 🗑️ Remove recently installed programs (especially optimizers, antiviruses, or keyboards from third-party developers).
• 🔄 Restart your phone in normal mode.

On the POCO M4 Pro and Redmi 10, the safe mode may not work the first time. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times or use an alternative method:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Slip 5 times on the MIUI version, then select Reboot in Safe Mode.

Method 6: Hard resetting (if nothing worked)

If all the previous methods didn't work, you're left resetting to factory settings. It's a radical solution, but it's guaranteed to return the keyboard. Importantly, before reset, back up your data via Settings → About Phone → Backup or Mi Cloud.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Erase All Data (not Reset!).
3. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, set the phone as new. The keyboard will be set automatically.

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T) reset can take up to 10 minutes.Do not interrupt the process, even if the screen is permanently getting stuck on the MI logo. If after reset the keyboard is again lost - this indicates a hardware problem (damage to memory or motherboard).

⚠️ Note: On phones with a bootloader unlocked, resetting your settings may result in your Mi Account being blocked. Make sure you remember the username and password from Mi Account!

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the problem worse by trying to fix it in the wrong way, and this is what you can't do if the keyboard is missing.

• ❌ Remove system applications via Root access – this can lead to bootloop (a looped reboot).
• ❌ Install keyboards from unverified sources – high risk of catching a virus.
• ❌ Resetting your settings via Recovery without backing up – it will delete all data, including photos and contacts.
• ❌ Ignore updates MIUI — In new versions, bugs with the keyboard are often fixed.

If you use Xiaomi.eu or other custom firmware, the problem may be due to incorrect build.

• Check the forum xiaomi.eu for complaints from other users.
• Update the firmware to the latest stable version.
• If the bug is confirmed, roll back to the previous build.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions