The sound of keystrokes on Xiaomi’s keyboard is a trifle that can be both annoying and fun. Some want to get rid of the annoying “click” on public transport, while others are looking for original sound effects to diversify the user experience. In this article, we’ll explore all possible ways to change the sound of the keyboard, from basic settings in MIUI to installing third-party keyboards and even manually editing system files for advanced users.
It is important to understand that the features depend on the firmware version (MIUI 14/15 or the new HyperOS), the smartphone model (for example, Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 14) and the type of keyboard – standard Gboard or branded Mi Keyboard. We will look at options for all scenarios, including cases when the desired menu item is “hidden” by the manufacturer. If you are ready to experiment, read on!
Method 1: Standard keyboard settings in MIUI/HyperOS
To start with, the basics are built-in options: In most Xiaomi smartphones (except for the European market models with cropped firmware), the keyboard sound can be turned off or changed through the settings menu. Here's how to do it:
- Open any application where the keyboard appears (such as Notes or Messages).
- Touch the gear badge (⚙️) on the keyboard to go to its settings.
- Select Sounds and Vibration (or Input Settings → Keyboard Sound in HyperOS).
- Activate or deactivate the keystroke sound switch.
Some versions of MIUI (e.g., the POCO X5) also have a choice of 2-3 preset sounds: a standard “click”, “soft touch” or “mechanical”. However, on models with global firmware (e.g., Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G), this item may not be available, then you will have to use alternative methods.
Method 2: Install a third-party keyboard with custom sounds
If the built-in sounds don't suit you, the most reliable way is to install an alternative keyboard, such as Google's Gboard or Microsoft's SwiftKey, which offers a wide range of audio themes, including the ability to download custom files.
- 📱 Install Gboard from Google Play.
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → System system → Language and input → Virtual keyboard and select Gboard as default keyboard.
- 🎵 Open the Gboard settings (cog on the keyboard) → Topics, emojis and GIF → Text input settings → Keystroke sound.
- 🔊 Select one of the suggested sounds or upload yours (format.mp3 or.wav, lasting up to 1 second).
For SwiftKey, the path will be similar, but with one caveat: to download custom audio, you first need to download it to the device in the folder. Downloads/SwiftKey/Sounds. Note that not all formats are supported – the best option is a monophonic file with bitrate. 128 quid.
☑️ Preparation of custom sound for the keyboard
Method 3: Editing system files (for advanced users)
If you're willing to take risks and have root access, you can manually replace the system keyboard sounds, which works on most Xiaomi devices, but it takes care that the wrong actions can cause the system to crash.
- Install a root-enabled file manager, such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer.
- Go to /system/media/audio/ui/ or /vendor/media/audio/ui/ (depending on the model and version of MIUI/HyperOS).
- Find files with the names KeypressStandard.ogg – standard pressing sound; KeypressSpacebar.ogg – space sound; KeypressDelete.ogg – deletion sound.
Make a backup of the original files (copy them elsewhere).
.ogg
644
Reset the device.
Attention! This method does not work on dynamic partitions used in new models (e.g. Xiaomi 13T) and may reset your sounds after the firmware update.
What if the sounds have not changed after the replacement?
Method 4: Using themes for MIUI
Few people know, but in MIUI, keyboard sounds can be tied to the theme of the design. Some themes from the official Themes store include unique sound effects, including a keyboard. Here's how to apply them:
- 🎨 Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
- 🔍 In the search box, type “keyboard sounds” or “keyboard sounds».
- 📲 Choose your favorite theme and click Apply.
- ⚙️ After applying the theme, go to the keyboard settings and check if new sounds have appeared.
Unfortunately, not all themes have sound effects, but often only visual design changes. To avoid wasting time, pay attention to the description of the topic: if it mentions "sound packages" or "audio effects", the probability of success is higher.
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Before installing themes, check the reviews of other users – sometimes the keyboard sounds can conflict with the system ones, causing delays in entering.
Method 5: ADB-commands
On some Xiaomi devices (especially those with global firmware), the keyboard sound options are hidden, but they can be activated via ADB. This method does not require root rights, but you need to debug over USB.
- Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
- Activate Debugging by USB in the Developer Menu.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put system sound_effects_enabled 1 It'll include hidden sound effects.
- To change the sound of the keyboard, use: adb shell settings put secure keyboard_sound 1 (where 1 — included, 0 — switched off).
Once you've done the commands, restart the device. In some cases, this reveals additional items in the keyboard settings menu that were previously unavailable. For example, on Redmi 10, after this procedure, you can choose the sound from 5 options instead of the standard 2.
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ADB-commands are the safest way to unlock hidden features without root rights, but require a connection to a computer.
Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
To make it easier for you to determine, we have collected the key pros and cons of each method in the table:
| Method | Difficulty | Root is required. | Support for custom sounds | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard settings | ⭐ | ❌ No. | ❌ Only pre-installed | Absent. |
| Third-party keyboard (Gboard) | ⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (through file uploading) | Possible conflicts with the system keyboard |
| Editing system files | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (any formats) | Risk of system damage |
| MIUI themes | ⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ❌ Only built-in theme | They may be reset after the update. |
| ADB-team | ⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ❌ Only hidden system | Minimum (needs care) |
If you're a beginner, start with standard settings or Gboard installation. Advanced root users will do well to manually replace system files, but remember: this can disrupt the warranty. The ADB method is a middle ground for those who are not afraid of the command line, but do not want to risk the stability of the system.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When changing the sound of the keyboard, Xiaomi users often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
⚠️ If the keyboard stopped working after the system sounds were replaced, check if you accidentally deleted KeypressStandard.ogg or KeypressDelete.ogg files.>. Restore them from backup or download original forum sounds (e.g., download them from the forums, 4PDA).
- 🔇 Sound gone after update: Reset keyboard settings in Settings → Annexes → Application management → keyboard → Warehouse → Clear the data.
- 🔊 Castomic sound plays with a delay: Reduce the bitrate of the file to 96 kbps or convert it to.ogg.
- ⚙️ No keys in settings: Try changing the region of the device to India (in some firmware, this reveals additional options).
- 📱 Sound works only in some applications: Check if it is disabled in the settings of a particular messenger (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram have their own audio options).
If none of the methods worked, your Xiaomi model may be using hardware acceleration to block changes, in which case you just have to wait for a firmware update or install custom (like LineageOS), but this is a topic for a separate article.