Smartphone Honor 9 Lite from the factory firmware EMUI offers users a standard keyboard from Huawei, which does not always suit owners in terms of typing speed, design or functionality. Replacing the keyboard with an alternative one is one of the first tasks new device owners face. However, not everyone knows that the process of installing and configuring a new keyboard on Androiddevices, especially with customized shells like EMUI 8.0/9.0, has its own nuances.

In this article we will analyze all the available methods for changing the keyboard on Honor 9 Lite —from installation through Google Play before manual activation in the system settings. We will pay special attention to solving typical problems: when a new keyboard does not appear in the list of available ones, does not switch, or malfunctions. We will also compare popular alternatives - Gboard, SwiftKey and Microsoft Keyboard - based on key parameters to make it easier for you to choose the best option.

If you have never changed your keyboard to Android or have encountered errors when trying to do this, these instructions will help you avoid common mistakes and customize your text input as much as possible convenient.

Why you may need to change the keyboard on Honor 9 Lite

The standard keyboard Huawei has a number of features that not all users find convenient: Honor 9 Lite has a number of features that not all users find convenient:

  • 🔹 Limited functionality: lack of gesture input (swipe) in early versions EMUI, poor integration with cloud services.
  • 🔹 Design and themes: minimal number of design options compared to third-party solutions.
  • 🔹 Speech recognition: less accurate voice typing compared to Googlesolutions.
  • 🔹 Localization: problems with support for some languages or layouts (for example, rare dialects or specialized characters).

In addition In addition, third-party keyboards often offer:

  • 🔹 Synchronization between devices (for example, SwiftKey remembers your typing style on all gadgets).
  • 🔹 Extended emoji and GIF-selections directly in the interface input.
  • 🔹 Adaptive input: word prediction taking into account your vocabulary and frequently used phrases.

According to statistics, more than 60% of users Android install an alternative keyboard in the first three months of using the smartphone. If you also belong to this category, read on.

📊 What keyboard do you use on your smartphone?
Standard (from the manufacturer)
Gboard from Google
SwiftKey
Microsoft Keyboard
Other

Preparation of the smartphone to install a new keyboard

Before you start replacing, make sure that your Honor 9 Lite is ready for the procedure:

Update the firmware to the latest version of EMUI|Free up at least 200 MB of memory|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi|Open access to Google Play (if blocked)-->

First of all, check the version EMUI: Settings → System → About phone → EMUI version. For Honor 9 Lite the current versions are 8.0 (Android 8.0) or 9.0 (Android 9.0). If you have an older firmware, some keyboards (for example Gboard) may not work correctly.

Also make sure that the installation of applications from unknown sources is allowed on your device (if you plan to download APK-file manually): Settings → Security → Unknown sources. However, for Google Play this item is not required.

⚠️ Attention: On some versions EMUI for Honor 9 Lite may be disabled Google Play Services due to regional restrictions. In this case, before installing the keyboard, you will first need to activate the services Google via Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Enable.

Method 1: Installing the keyboard via Google Play

The simplest and safest method is to download an alternative keyboard from the official store. Let's look at the process using an example Gboard (keyboard from Google):

  1. Open Google Play Store on your Honor 9 Lite.

  2. In the search bar, enter "Gboard" and select official application from Google LLC.

  3. Click “Install" and wait for the download to complete.

  4. After installation, open the application Gboard and follow the setup instructions (selecting a language, theme, permission to access SMS to improve predictions).

To activate a new keyboard:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Current keyboard.

  2. Turn on the switch opposite Gboard (or another installed keyboard).

  3. Click "Current keyboard" and select Gboard as the main one.

If Gboard does not appear in the list, try restarting the device or check if the rights for the application are disabled in Settings → Applications → Gboard → Permissions.

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After installing a new keyboard, do not rush to remove the standard one. applications (for example, screen lock) may require it to enter a password.

Method 2: Installing the keyboard via an APK file

If you do not have access to Google Play or you want to install a beta version of the keyboard, you can download the APKfile from a verified source (for example, APKMirror). Algorithm of actions:

  1. Download the file of the desired keyboard (for example, APK-file of the required keyboard (for example, SwiftKey) to your Honor 9 Lite or to your computer with subsequent transfer to your smartphone.

  2. Open the file through any file manager (for example, Files by Google).

  3. Click "Install" and confirm the permissions.

  4. After installation, activate the keyboard in the settings, as described in Method 1.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK from unverified sources can lead to data leakage or virus infection. Always download files only from official sites or trusted repositories, such as APKMirror.

If after installation the keyboard does not appear in the list of available ones, try:

  • 🔹 Restart your smartphone.
  • 🔹 Clear cache in Settings → Applications → [Keyboard name] → Memory To To make the choice easier, we compared the three most popular alternatives to the standard keyboard.
  • 🔹 Check if the application is blocked by the battery optimizer (Settings → Battery → Launch applications).

To make your choice easier, we've compared three of the most popular alternatives to a standard keyboard Huawei:

Characteristics Gboard (Google) SwiftKey (Microsoft) Microsoft Keyboard
Gesture input (swipe) ✅ (Google Swipe) ✅ (SwiftKey Flow) ✅
Cloud synchronization ✅ (via Google account) ✅ (via Microsoft account) ✅
Voice input ✅ (integration with Google Assistant) ❌ ✅ (limited)
Themes 100+ (including creating your own) 50+ 30+
Language support 100+ 150+ 80+

Important for Honor 9 Lite: Google-based keyboards (for example, Gboard) may require additional permissions to work with the microphone and contacts. On EMUI 8.0, these permissions are sometimes reset after a system update - check them manually.

If confidentialityis important to you, pay attention to AnySoftKeyboard or OpenBoard - open alternatives with minimal data collection, however, their functionality is more modest than that of market leaders.

Solving problems when changing keyboards

Even after proper installation, users Honor 9 Lite sometimes encounter difficulties. Let's consider typical scenarios and ways to solve them:

Problem 1: The keyboard does not switch

If you have activated the new keyboard, but it does not appear when typing:

  • 🔹 Make sure it is selected as current in Settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.
  • 🔹 Check if the rights to display on top of other applications are disabled (Settings → Applications → [Keyboard] → Advanced → Display on top of other applications).
  • 🔹 Restart your smartphone - sometimes EMUI does not apply changes without restarting.

Problem 2: The keyboard lags or is slow

Slowdowns when entering text are often associated with:

  • 🔹 Lack of RAM: close background applications via Recent applications.
  • 🔹 Conflict with the battery optimizer: add the keyboard to the list of protected applications (Settings → Battery → Startup applications).
  • 🔹 Too aggressive animation: disable effects in the keyboard settings (for example, Gboard: Settings → Themes → Key animation).

Problem 3: Suggestions disappear words

If the keyboard has stopped prompting words:

  • 🔹 Turn on adaptive input in the keyboard settings.
  • 🔹 Clear application data (Settings → Applications → [Keyboard] → Memory → Clear data) - this will reset the dictionary, but return the predictions.
  • 🔹 Check if access to data-i="198">or SMS or Contacts (needed for AI training).
What to do if the keyboard is not installed at all?

If the installation is interrupted with the error "Application not installed", try:

1. Delete cache and Google Play Store data (Settings → Applications → Google Play Store → Storage).

2. Install APK via ADB (for advanced users).

3. Check if it is blocked whether installed by the device administrator (relevant for corporate smartphones).

Additional keyboard settings on EMUI

Honor 9 Lite on EMUI offers several hidden options for fine-tuning text input. To find them:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.

  2. Select your current keyboard (for example, Gboard).

  3. Examine the sections:

    • 🔹 Text correction —setting up autocorrection and autocorrection.
    • 🔹 Size and layout —change the keyboard height or button placement.
    • 🔹 Sounds and vibration —disable clicks or haptic feedback.

For EMUI 8.0/9.0 a unique function is available - one-handed mode. To activate it:

  1. Open any keyboard.

  2. Press and hold icon ⚙️ (gear) in the top menu.

  3. Select "One-handed mode" and specify the offset side (left or right).

This function is especially useful for Honor 9 Lite with its 5.65-inch screen, when it can be difficult to reach the top keys with one hand.

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On EMUI 9.0 and later, some keyboard settings can be duplicated in the Huawei Assistant menu. You can check them through Settings → Smart Assistant →. Entering text.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about changing the keyboard on Honor 9 Lite

Is it possible to return the standard Huawei keyboard after installing an alternative one?

Yes, the standard keyboard remains in the system. To return it:

  1. Go. in Settings → System → Language and input → Current keyboard.
  2. Select "Huawei Keyboard" (or "Huawei Swype" depending on the version EMUI).

If it is not in the list, it may have been disabled. Enable it in Settings → Applications → Show system processes → [Huawei keyboard name] → Enable.

Why after EMUI updates reset the keyboard settings?

Updates EMUI sometimes reset the rights and settings of third-party applications. To restore:

  1. Reinstall the keyboard (without deleting data).
  2. Set it as the default keyboard again.
  3. Check permissions in Settings → Applications → [Keyboard].

If the problem persists, roll back to the previous version of the keyboard or wait for a patch from the developer.

How to transfer the dictionary and settings from one keyboards to another?

Most keyboards (for example, Gboard and SwiftKey) support export/import of settings via account Google or Microsoft. data-i="259">In the old keyboard, find the option “

  1. In the old keyboard, find the option "Backup
  2. In the new keyboard, log in to the same account and restore the data.

For Honor 9 Lite s EMUI 8.0 You may need to manually export the settings file (if supported).

Can you use a keyboard from another manufacturer (for example, Samsung) on the Honor 9 Lite?

Technically yes, but:

  • 🔹 Keyboards from other brands (for example, Samsung Keyboard) may require additional services that conflict with EMUI.
  • 🔹 Some functions (for example, integration with Bixby) will not work.
  • 🔹 There may be problems with text prediction due to lack of optimization for Huawei.

We recommend using universal solutions like Gboard or SwiftKey.

How to completely remove a standard Huawei keyboard?

It is not recommended removing the system keyboard, as this may lead to malfunctions. EMUI (for example, the inability to enter a password after a reboot). Instead:

  1. Disable it in Settings → Applications → Show system processes → [Huawei Keyboard] → Disable.
  2. Use a third-party keyboard as the main one.

If you have removed the system keyboard, you can only restore it by resetting the settings or flashing it.