Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often encounter a situation where the standard keyboard takes up too much useful screen space. This is especially true for models with a diagonal of less than 6 inches or when using the device with one hand in transport. Understanding this how to make the keyboard smaller on Android Redmican significantly improve the ergonomics of typing and prevent accidental typing. The standard interface MIUI provides flexible tools for customizing input, which are not always obvious to the average user.
The problem is relevant not only because of the physical dimensions of the screen, but also because of the font features and indentations in the system applications. If you're used to typing with two thumbs, the full layout can be convenient, but for speedy one-handed typing it becomes a hindrance. In this article we will analyze all the available methods for changing the dimensions of the virtual keyboard, from built-in settings to using third-party software. You will learn how to activate specific modes that are hidden deep in the settings menu.
Standard Gboard settings on Redmi
Most Redmi smartphones by default use the keyboard Gboard from Google. This is a powerful solution that has built-in resizing functionality. To access these options, you need to open any application that requires text input, such as Messenger or Notes. Once the keyboard appears, click on the gear icon, which is usually located in the top toolbar. If there is no icon, hold down the comma button or the emoji icon to bring up an additional menu.
In the settings menu that opens, find the section responsible for preferences or appearance. Here we are interested in the item Settings, and then the subsection Customizing the keyboard. It is in this menu that the height adjustment slider is hidden. By moving it up or down, you can instantly see changes on the screen. This is the fastest way to adapt the interface to your needs without installing additional software.
It is worth noting that reducing the height of the keyboard also affects the size of the buttons themselves. Making the keyboard too small increases the likelihood of typos. Therefore, it is important to find a balance between saving space and ease of clicking. The system remembers the selected value for all applications, so you do not have to adjust the size again when switching from the browser to social networks.
⚠️ Attention: In some firmware versions MIUI the path to the settings may differ slightly. If you don't find the height slider, check for updates to the Gboard app in the Play Market.
For quick access to keyboard height settings, you can add the Gboard settings widget to your desktop, if your version of the launcher supports it.
Activating one-handed mode
One-handed mode is a radical but effective solution to the problem bulky keyboard. When activated, the keyboard does not simply shrink, but moves to the left or right edge of the screen, freeing up the opposite part of the display. This allows you to comfortably reach all buttons with your thumb without holding your smartphone. In Gboard this function is activated through the same settings menu as changing the height.
Find the item One-handed mode and select the side to which you want to press the keyboard. Once activated, a special icon will appear on the toolbar, allowing you to switch between full mode, left and right offset. You can also temporarily make the keyboard smaller by simply swiping the space bar towards the desired edge of the screen, if this gesture function is enabled in the settings.
- 📱 The mode is ideal for using a smartphone in public transport when the second hand is occupied.
- 🖐️ The reduced layout reduces load on the hand muscles during long-term correspondence.
- ⚙️ The setting is saved even after rebooting the device and works in all applications.
Using this mode is especially convenient on devices with wide screens, where the central zone is often inaccessible to the thumb. You can quickly return the keyboard to its original state by clicking on the extension arrow that appears next to the shifted layout. This gives you flexibility: when you need to write a long text with both hands, you return the full size, and for short answers you use the compact mode.
Resizing through the MIUI system settings
In addition to the settings of the keyboard application itself, the operating system MIUI offers global parameters that affect the display of interface elements. Changing the font size and display scale in system settings can indirectly affect the size of the keyboard. Go to Settings phone, select section Advanced settings and go to Text size.
Here you will see two slider: one is responsible for the font size in the system, and the second is for the size of interface elements. Decreasing the second parameter will make all buttons, including the keyboard, visually smaller. This solution is comprehensive: the size of icons in menus, buttons in applications and other controls will change. Use this method if you need to make not only the keyboard smaller, but also other large elements on the screen.
| Settings parameter | Impact on the keyboard | Impact on the system | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height keyboards (Gboard) | Direct height change | Absent | Basic method |
| One-handed mode | Shift and zoom out | Absent | For large screens |
| Display scale | Proportional reduction | Changes all elements | For global change |
| Font size | Minimal impact | Text only | Not recommended |
It is important to understand the difference between these methods. If your goal is just the keyboard, use the app settings. If you want the entire interface to become more compact and fit more information on one screen, then adjusting the display scale will be the best choice. Experiment with a combination of these settings to achieve the ideal result.
System display scale affects all applications at once, while Gboard settings apply only to the text input process.
Use of third-party keyboards
If the standard capabilities Gboard you are not satisfied, the Android market offers many alternative solutions. Third-party keyboards, such as Yandex Keyboard, SwiftKey or Facemojioften have more advanced customization tools. Some of them allow you not only to change the height, but also to adjust the width of the keys, indents and even the shape of the buttons.
To install a new keyboard, download your favorite application from Google Play. After installation, go to the phone settings in the section Advanced settings → Language and input. Here you need to select your new keyboard as the default input method. Don't forget to also grant the application the necessary permissions, otherwise it will not be able to function correctly.
Many alternative keyboards support creating your own themes and profiles. You can create a “Compact” profile with minimal padding and small height, and a “Full” profile for working with documents. Switching between profiles takes seconds. This provides maximum flexibility not available in stock solutions, allowing you to tailor the input tool to a specific task.
⚠️ Attention: When installing third-party keyboards, be careful when granting permissions to access input data. Choose only trusted apps from reputable developers to avoid leaking passwords and personal information.
Why don't some keyboards shrink?
Some older or specialized keyboards have a fixed button grid size that doesn't scale. In such cases, only changing the application will help.
Fine-tuning via ADB (for advanced users)
For those who are not afraid to work with the command line, it is possible to change the keyboard size at the system level using the tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to specify an exact height in pixels, ignoring GUI limitations. First you need to enable USB debugging in the menu For developers on your Redmi.
Connect your smartphone to your computer and run the command to change the keyboard height. The value is indicated in pixels and must be selected experimentally. The standard height is usually around 250-300 pixels depending on the screen resolution. Decreasing this value will make the keyboard look lower.
adb shell settings put secure keyboard_height 200To return the settings to default, use the reset command. This method works globally for the currently active keyboard. Be careful: setting the value too low may make the keyboard unusable, and you will have to reset via the Recovery menu or reconnect to ADB with a higher value.
- 💻 Requires a computer and ADB drivers installed.
- 🔓 Requires access to the developer menu and debugging enabled.
- 🛠️ Allows you to set a size that is not available in the regular settings menu.
Using ADB gives full control over the interface, but requires technical literacy. An error in the command can lead to unstable operation of the input system. It is recommended to write down the original settings before making changes so that you can quickly roll back them in case of failure.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
Solving problems with keyboard display
Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the keyboard does not shrink or changes are not saved. This may be due to a theme conflict in MIUI or errors in the application cache. If the height slider is greyed out, try temporarily changing the system theme to the default one. Some third-party themes rigidly fix the sizes of interface elements.
It is also worth clearing the keyboard application cache. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find your keyboard and select Clear cache. Do not confuse this with data wipe as it will delete your dictionary and saved settings. After clearing the cache, restart your device and try adjusting the size again.
In rare cases, the problem lies in the specific application where you are trying print. Some apps have their own input field settings that may override the system keyboard settings. Check to see if the problem is reproduced in different applications, such as the browser and notes. If there is only one thing, look for the settings inside this application.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of menu items may vary depending on the version of Android and the MIUI shell. If you cannot find the described item, use the search in the phone settings.
If the keyboard overlaps an important input field in some application, try turning the screen to landscape mode - this often changes the logic of displaying elements.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why did the keyboard appear again after updating the system? big?
Firmware updates MIUI or the application itself Gboard often reset user settings to default values. This is standard behavior for major updates. You will need to re-adjust the height using the slider in the keyboard settings after each major update.
Is it possible to make the keyboard transparent and small at the same time?
Yes, in the settings Gboard there is a section Topicwhere you can choose a transparent background. This visually lightens the keyboard, but the physical size of the buttons will remain the same unless you reduce the height through the settings. The combination of transparency and reduced size provides maximum visibility of the screen.
Does making the keyboard smaller affect typing speed?
Subjectively, the speed may decrease due to a decrease in the pressing area. However, for users with small fingers or one-handed use, ergonomics are improved, which may even improve speed in the long run due to fewer errors and fatigue.
How do I reset the keyboard to factory size if I'm confused about the settings?
The easiest way is to go into the keyboard settings and move the height slider to the far right. If this does not help, find the keyboard in the applications menu, select Storage and press Reset settings (or clear data), which will return all settings to factory settings.