How to change the keyboard on Android Xiaomi: a complete guide

Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO often find that the pre-installed text input application causes discomfort. Standard system keyboard may have an inconvenient layout, predictive input may not work correctly, or you may simply not like it visually. Fortunately, the operating system Android makes it easy to replace this software with a more advanced one.

The procedure for changing the input tool takes only a couple of minutes and does not require root access or complex manipulations with the system. You can install popular solutions like Gboard from Google, SwiftKey from Microsoft or any other specialized applications from the store. After installation, you just need to correctly configure the priorities in the security system. Play Market. After installation, you just need to correctly configure the priorities in the security system.

In this article we will look in detail at how to change the keyboard on Android Xiomi in order to forever forget about annoying typos and get full control over typing. We will look at both standard methods through settings, as well as the nuances of working with the shell MIUI or HyperOS, which can hide the necessary menu items.

Selecting a suitable application for entering text

The first step is to choose an alternative. In the ecosystem Android there are many options, each of which has its own unique features. Some users prefer minimalism, others value a powerful dictionary and support for multiple languages, and still others are looking for opportunities to deeply customize the appearance.

The most popular choice remains Gboard. This solution from Google integrates perfectly with the system, offers excellent speed, a built-in translator and convenient emoji search. For devices Xiaomi this is often the best choice, since it is devoid of unnecessary advertising and works more stable than third-party analogues.

• 🚀 Gboard —a standard of speed, voice input and integration with Google services.
• 🎨 SwiftKey —the best text prediction system and flexible customization of design themes.
• ⌨️ Yandex Keyboard —excellent support for the Russian language and built-in translator.
• 🛡️ Simple Keyboard —the most lightweight application without unnecessary permissions and functions.

If you use specific functions, for example, entering text with one hand or controlling the cursor with gestures, you should pay attention to the functionality of a specific application before installing. Download the option you like via Play Market or GetApps, but make sure that the application has recent reviews.

⚠️ Attention: Avoid installing little-known keyboards from unverified sources. These apps have access to everything you type, including passwords and private messages. Use only the official application store.

Installation and initial activation of a new tool

After downloading and installing the selected application, it will not become active automatically. This is done for the purposes of data security. You need to manually allow the new application to intercept text input. The settings interface in shells MIUI and HyperOS may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.

Open the settings of your smartphone and find the section responsible for additional system parameters. In new firmware versions, the path may look like Settings → Additional settings → Language and input. In older versions, this item is often located inside the menu Advanced settings.

In the menu that opens, find the item Manage keyboards. Here you will see a list of all installed input applications. Opposite the option you need (for example, Gboard) there will be a switch. Activate it. The system will issue a standard warning that the application can collect entered data.

Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Manage keyboards

Confirm the action by pressing OK or Allow. The app is now technically ready to go, but it has not yet been selected as the default input method. This step is critical, otherwise when you try to type a message, the system will prompt you to select a keyboard manually each time.

Setting the default keyboard in the system

Now you need to report system, which tool to use when typing. Return to the main menu of the section Language and input. Immediately below the keyboard control item there is usually an option Current keyboard or Default keyboard.

Click on this item. A pop-up window will open with a list of available and activated input methods. Select the application that you activated in the previous step. If you did everything correctly, the name of the selected keyboard will be displayed in the status bar when typing.

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where, after rebooting the smartphone, the settings are reset and the standard keyboard returns. Xiaomi. This may occur due to the aggressive operation of the battery optimizer, which “kills” background processes of third-party applications. To avoid this, go to the keyboard application settings, select Activity control and set the value No restrictions.

Settings option	Where to find	Recommended value
Input method	Language and input	Selected application
Keyboard management	List applications	ON switch
Autostart	Application settings	Enabled
Energy saving	Battery / Application	No restrictions

⚠️ Attention: In some regions or on specific firmware versions (for example, Chinese Global ROM), the “Current keyboard” item may be hidden. In this case, try clearing the data in the Settings application or use the search in settings.

Setting languages and layouts in Gboard and analogs

After successfully changing the main input tool, it is important to customize it to your needs. Most users type in both Russian and English, and sometimes a third language is required. In a standard keyboard Xiaomi switching languages ​​is often implemented inconveniently, while in Gboard or SwiftKey this is done by swiping on the space bar.

Go to the settings of the keyboard application itself. Typically, the gear icon appears directly in the input panel or application menu. Find the section Languages. Here you can add new layouts. Click Add keyboard and select the desired language from the list.

For each language you can select the layout type: QWERTY, YTSUKEN, azimuth or even handwritten input. It is important to note that for predictive input (word suggestions) to work correctly, you need to download a language pack for offline use. This will take up a little memory space, but will allow you to type quickly even without the Internet.

• 🌐 Multilingual —the ability to type in two languages simultaneously without switching.
• 🔤 Layout —choose between a classic, compact or split keyboard.
• 🧠 Training —the keyboard remembers your writing style and slang for the best tips.

Don't forget to periodically check for dictionary updates. Modern algorithms are constantly improving the accuracy of predicting next words, based on usage statistics from millions of users. This significantly speeds up the typing of long messages.

The secret of quickly changing the language

In most modern keyboards, holding down the spacebar or swiping left and right on it instantly changes the input language if the corresponding option is enabled in the settings.

Visual customization: themes, size and sounds

Aesthetics and ergonomics play an important role in the daily use of a smartphone. Standard themes Xiaomi may appear boring or difficult to read in bright sunlight. Third-party keyboards offer great opportunities for interface customization.

In the section Topics you can choose a ready-made design from the gallery or create your own. You can set any photo from the gallery as the background, changing its transparency for better readability of the characters. Keyboard height adjustment is also available: if you have large fingers or often make mistakes, increasing the height of the buttons will solve the problem.

Tactile and audio feedback help you feel your presses better. In the sound and vibration settings, you can enable vibration when you press each key. On smartphones Xiaomi with good vibration motors, this creates a pleasant feeling of physical pressing. Adjust the duration of vibration so that it is not too intrusive.

For lovers of minimalism, there is a mode one-handed. It shifts the entire layout left or right and reduces its size, allowing you to comfortably type with your thumb while holding the phone in one hand. This function is activated by long pressing the enter key or through a special settings menu.

⚠️ Attention: Using too bright or colorful backgrounds with low contrast can lead to rapid eye fatigue and an increase in the number of typos. Choose themes where the characters are clearly visible against the background.

Solving common problems and conflicts in MIUI

Sometimes after updating the firmware MIUI or HyperOS users notice that a third-party keyboard starts "crash" or disappear in certain applications, for example, in banking clients or instant messengers. This is due to enhanced measures securitythat block data entry through unverified methods in fields with sensitive information.

If the keyboard does not appear in the password field, check your security settings. In rare cases, you may need to grant an application special permissions to display on top of other windows. The path to this setting is: Settings → Privacy → Special permissions → Display on top of other applications.

Another common problem is the keyboard height being out of sync with the application interface. The keyboard may block the input field or, conversely, leave a large empty area. In the settings of the keyboard itself, find the item Display mode or Height and try changing it from "Automatic" to a fixed value.

If the keyboard is working slow or delayed, try clearing its cache. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find your keyboard and select Clear cache. Do not confuse this with clearing data, as the latter will delete your learned dictionary and settings.

Why does the keyboard reset to standard after reboot?

This is due to aggressive memory optimization in MIUI. The system considers a third-party keyboard to be an unnecessary process. To fix this, pin the application to memory (lock it in the list of running applications) and disable auto-start in the battery settings.

Is it possible to use two keyboards at the same time?

Technically, only one default input method can be active. However, you can quickly switch between them through a notification in the curtain or through the keyboard selection menu, which appears when you long press the keyboard icon in the corner of the screen.

Is it safe to use third-party keyboards to enter passwords?

Most banking applications automatically block third-party keyboards when entering PIN codes, forcing the system one. If the application allows input, make sure that you download the keyboard from the official store and it has a high rating.

How to return the standard Xiaomi keyboard back?

Just go to settings Language and input, select Current keyboard and specify Gboard or Mi Keyboard. If you deleted a standard application, it can be restored by resetting application settings or updating the system.

Why does voice input not work on the new keyboard?

Check the presence of a microphone in the application permissions. Also make sure that the language pack for voice input is installed. In some regions, Google Voice services may require separate activation in your account settings.