Smartphones of the line Xiaomi Redmi offer a wide screen, but sometimes a standard keyboard covers too much useful space or, conversely, seems overly cumbersome for quick one-handed typing. Users are often looking for a way to adapt the input interface to their anatomical features or specific tasks. Fortunately, the system Android in the shell MIUI provides flexible tools for customizing this element.
In this article we will look in detail at how to change the size of the keyboard, its height and position on the screen of your device. You will learn not only about standard settings Gboard, but also about hidden features that will make text input as comfortable as possible. Proper settings can significantly speed up typing and reduce finger fatigue.
Before making changes, make sure you have the latest version of your text input application. The interface may differ slightly on different versions Android, but the basic principles remain the same. Let's move on to the practical steps to optimize your workspace.
Standard keyboard height settings in Gboard
The main input tool on most devices Xiaomi is the keyboard from Google, known as Gboard. It has a built-in height adjuster that allows you to scale the button area without losing functionality. To access these settings, you need to open any application that requires text input, such as instant messenger or notes.
Once the keyboard appears, look for the gear icon located in the top toolbar. If there is no icon, press and hold the comma key or emoji icon to bring up the settings menu. In the list that opens, select the item Settings, and then go to the section Settings (or Preferences in the English version).
Here you you will find the slider Keyboard height. By moving it, you can choose from five sizes: from extra small to extra large. The small size frees up more space for content on the screen, which is critical on compact models Redmi. The large size is convenient for users with large fingers, as it reduces the likelihood of typos.
If you often type on the go, select a medium or small keyboard height - this will allow you to see more message text and conversation context without constantly scrolling the screen.
Changing this setting is applied instantly. You don't need to reboot your device or restart apps. Experiment with different values to find the perfect balance between button size and screen visibility.
One-handed control mode and keyboard shift
Modern smartphones Xiaomi Redmi often have a screen diagonal of more than 6 inches, which makes entering text with two hands not always convenient in transport or when walking. To solve this problem, a special one-hand control mode has been implemented. It allows you to move the keyboard left or right and reduce its visible width. Gboard A special one-handed control mode has been implemented. It allows you to move the keyboard left or right and reduce its apparent width.
To activate this function, press and hold the key Enter or icon Settings (depending on the interface version) on the keyboard itself. In the menu that appears, select the icon with the image of a keyboard and an arrow indicating the direction of the shift. Three positions are available: center, shift left and shift right.
When the mode is activated, the buttons are grouped in one part of the screen, and the second part becomes free. This also visually reduces the perceived size of the keyboard, since it doesn't take up the entire width of the display. To exit this mode, just click on the arrow in the opposite direction or on the cross to close the mode.
- 📱 The mode is convenient for owners of smartphones with a screen larger than 6.5 inches.
- 👍 Allows you to reach all keys with the thumb of one hand.
- ⚙️ The setting does not affect the height of the keys, only their horizontal position.
- 🔄 Quickly switch between left and right hands without going into a deep menu.
Using this function is especially important when working with MIUI, where interface elements can be located high. The shifted keyboard does not block important buttons for sending or attaching files in instant messengers.
Adjusting keyboard indents and borders
In addition to height, keyboard indents from the edges of the screen play an important role. In some themes or third-party launchers, the keyboard may stick to the very bottom or sides, which looks unaesthetic and inconvenient. In standard settings Gboard you can adjust these parameters through the themes and layout section.
Go to the menu Themes in the keyboard settings. When choosing a standard theme or creating your own, you may notice an option to change the borders. However, finer settings are available through the section Additional in the main settings. Here you can enable the option Key boundaries, which visually separates the buttons, creating the feeling of a smaller size of each individual key due to a clear outline.
It is also worth paying attention to the system settings Xiaomi. In the section Settings → Advanced settings → Language and input sometimes there are parameters that affect the display of the system keyboard. If you're using a third-party app, like SwiftKey or Yandex Keyboard, look for similar settings in their own menus, as they often offer more flexible padding.
Visual key separation using frames can subjectively reduce the size of the keyboard, making the interface cleaner and less busy.
Don't forget that changing the system theme of the entire smartphone can also affect the style of the keyboard. Some themes MIUI offer lightweight versions of the keys with a transparent background, which visually “dissolves” the keyboard in the interface.
Using floating mode to change size
One of the most effective ways to change the perceived size of the keyboard is to switch it to floating mode. In this state, the keyboard lifts off the bottom edge of the screen, becomes smaller in width, and can be moved anywhere on the display.
To activate, press and hold the comma icon or the settings menu on the keyboard, then select the four-arrow or keyboard icon. You will then be able to freely drag the input panel with your finger. In floating mode, the keys automatically scale to become more compact.
This mode is ideal for watching videos in portrait orientation or reading long articles when you need to quickly respond to a message without covering the content completely. The keyboard occupies only a small part of the screen, without blocking the main information.
| Operating mode | Occupied area | Ease of printing | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 100% width and height | Maximum | Long typing |
| One hand | ~60% width | High (for one hands) | Walking, transport |
| Floating | ~40% of the screen | Average | Viewing content, short answers |
| Minimum height | 100% width, low height | Low (risk of typos) | Maximize screen space |
To return the keyboard to its original position, drag it down until the special docking area appears or press the button docking in the floating window interface. This action will instantly restore the full size.
Third-party keyboards and their scaling capabilities
If the standard functionality Gboard does not suit you, the store Google Play offers many alternatives with advanced resizing capabilities. Keyboards like Facemoji, Kika or TouchPal allow you to adjust the height, width and transparency with pixel precision.
When installing such an application, the system Xiaomi will ask for permission to use it as the default input method. After activation, go to the settings of the new application. Usually the section is called Layout, Size or UI Settings. Here you will find sliders that allow you to stretch or shrink the keyboard regardless of system limitations.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party keyboards may ask for "Full Control" permission, which theoretically gives them the ability to read everything you enter, including passwords. Use only trusted applications from well-known developers and avoid entering confidential information (bank passwords, PIN codes) on unverified keyboards.
Some advanced keyboards allow you to create multiple size profiles. For example, one profile with a large keyboard for home use and another with a compact one for outdoor use. Switching between them occurs quickly through the notification panel or widget.
How to return the standard keyboard?
If you installed a third-party keyboard and want to return to Gboard, go to Settings → Advanced settings → Language and input → Current keyboard. Select Gboard from the list. If the application is deleted, the system will automatically prompt you to select an available input method the next time you click on the text field.
The effect of screen resolution and system scale on the keyboard
The size of the keyboard directly depends on the system display settings. If you change the interface scale or font size in the main Android settings, the keyboard will also change proportionally. This is a global parameter that affects all elements of the system. Xiaomi Redmi directly depends on the system display settings. If you change the interface scale or font size in the main Android settings, the keyboard will also change proportionally. This is a global parameter that affects all elements of the system.
Go to Settings → Display → Text and display size. Here you will see a scale slider. Zooming out (shift left) will make all elements, including the keyboard, visually smaller, increasing the usable screen real estate. Increasing the scale will make the keys larger, but they will take up more space.
For advanced users, a hidden developer mode is available where you can change the minimum screen width (DPI). This allows you to fine-tune the size of all interface elements. To enable this mode, click 7 times on the build number in the About phonesection. Then in the menu For developers find the item Minimum width.
⚠️ Attention: Changing the minimum width (DPI) value to incorrect values may result in the interface will become unreadable or some buttons will disappear off the screen. Remember the original value before making changes so that you can return everything back.
This method is the most radical, but also the most effective for globally reducing the size of the keyboard without losing its functionality. It works at the system rendering level, so it is applicable to all applications at once.
☑️ Checking screen settings
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why did the keyboard on my Xiaomi suddenly become very small?
Most likely, you accidentally activated the one-handed control mode or floating mode. Try pressing and holding the comma or spacebar key to see the mode switching menu. Also check the scale settings in the Screen section, they may have been changed.
Is it possible to change the size for only one specific application?
This cannot be done using standard Android and Gboard tools. Keyboard size is a global setting. However, some third-party keyboards allow you to create profiles that can be switched manually before launching the desired application.
How can I return the keyboard to its place if it has flown away and I don’t see the pin button?
Try minimizing the application and opening it again. If this doesn't help, go to Phone Settings → Advanced settings → Language and input → Manage keyboards. Disable and re-enable your keyboard, or select another one, and then return to the main one.
Does installing MIUI themes affect the size of the keyboard buttons?
Yes, some themes change the graphical display of the keyboard, making the buttons visually larger or smaller due to fonts and padding, but the physical clickable area usually remains standard. If the buttons become too small to press, change the theme to the standard one.
Why did the keyboard change size after an Android update?
System updates often reset user settings to default values or introduce new scaling algorithms. Check the height settings in Gboard and the screen scale in the system, most likely they will need to be adjusted again to suit your preferences.