Modern smartphones of the Redmi series are equipped with large diagonal displays, which creates certain difficulties when entering text with one hand. The standard layout often takes up almost half the screen, overlapping the content of chats or browsers. Users are often looking for a way to reduce the size of the keyboard on Android Redmi in order to increase the comfort of using the device in transport or in situations where the second hand is occupied.
The operating system Android, especially with the shell MIUI or new HyperOS, provides flexible tools for setting up the virtual input. Changing the dimensions of the input panel is possible both through standard system settings and using third-party applications, such as Gboard or SwiftKey. Understanding these mechanisms allows you to adapt the interface to the individual anatomical features of your fingers and typing habits.
In this material we will analyze in detail the algorithms for reducing the height and width of the keyboard. We'll cover not only the obvious height adjustments, but also hidden features like the one-handed mode, which physically shifts and shrinks the input area. The nuances of working with third-party launchers and system bugs that may interfere with the correct display of elements will also be touched upon.
Standard height settings in Gboard
Most smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi use the default keyboard Gboard from Google. This solution has the widest functionality for customization. To change the height of the panel, you need to go to the settings of the application itself, and not to the general settings of the phone. Open any text input field to bring up the keyboard and find the gear icon on the top toolbar.
In the menu that opens, select the section Settings, and then go to the item Settings (or Preferences in the English version). Here is the key parameter Keyboard height. The system offers several levels: from very low to very high. Selecting the minimum value visually reduces the occupied area, but makes the buttons less convenient for pressing with large fingers.
⚠️ Attention: When selecting the minimum keyboard height, the likelihood of typos increases due to the reduction in the area of touch buttons. It is recommended to test different height options before fixing the settings.
In addition to fixed height values, a manual adjustment function is available in some firmware versions. To do this, you need to press and hold the gear icon or the special resize icon, if it is displayed on the panel. A slider will appear that allows you to set custom size with pixel precision. This is especially useful for owners of devices with a non-standard screen aspect ratio.
Activating one-handed mode on Redmi
If simply reducing the height is not enough, and the keyboard still blocks too much content, you should use one-handed mode. This feature doesn't just make the keyboard smaller, it moves it to one of the edges of the screen and scales it to a compact size. On smartphones Redmi this option is often built directly into the Gboard interface or accessible through system gestures.
To activate through the keyboard interface, press and hold the key Enter or the comma icon (depending on the layout version). From the pop-up menu that appears, select the icon with a small keyboard and an arrow pointing left or right. Instantly, the input panel will shrink and press against the selected edge, freeing up most of the display for viewing content.
- 📱 One-handed mode is ideal for using a smartphone on public transport when_device_ is held in one hand.
- 🔄 You can instantly switch between the left and right side by clicking on the arrows next to the reduced one keyboard.
- ⌨️ In compact mode, access to all symbols is retained, including the number series and special characters, but they are arranged more densely.
An alternative way to enable it is through the system settings MIUI. Go to Settings → Advanced → Keyboard and input → One-handed control. Here you can configure the function to be activated by double-clicking the Home button (if there is one) or by swiping from the bottom corner of the screen. This approach makes the function universal for any application, and not just for text input.
Using third-party keyboards for customization
When The capabilities of a standard keyboard are not enough, users are turning to alternative solutions. Third-party applications, such as Microsoft SwiftKey, TouchPal or Fleksyoffer advanced tools for changing interface geometry. These applications often allow you to change not only the height, but also the width, padding, and even the shape of the buttons.
For example, SwiftKey there is a separate settings section dedicated to size and layout. The user can select the Compact mode, which automatically rearranges the grid of buttons, making them smaller and closer together. In addition, many third-party keyboards support the creation of custom themes where you can visually highlight the active input area.
⚠️ Attention: Installing third-party keyboards requires permission to access all entered text. Download applications only from the official store Google Playto avoid leakage of personal data.
The process of installing an alternative keyboard on Redmi is standard. After downloading the application from the store, you need to go to Settings → Advanced → Language and input → Manage keyboards. Here you need to activate the switch next to the new application and select it as the default input method. After this, all size settings will be applied globally to all applications.
Setting keyboard float and split
Another effective way to visually reduce the space occupied is to use floating mode. In this state, the keyboard lifts off the bottom edge of the screen, becomes smaller in size, and can be moved anywhere on the display. This is especially true for tablets or smartphones with very large series screens Redmi Note.
To activate the floating mode in Gboard, press and hold the emoji or comma icon, and then select the icon with four arrows or the image of a floating keyboard. The input panel will turn into a compact window that you can drag across the screen with your finger. This allows you to type without blocking the top of a message or web page.
In floating mode, you can make the keyboard as small as possible by pulling the corner of the window. This is the best option for watching videos with subtitles while typing comments.
Some keyboards also support the Split Keyboard feature. The screen is virtually divided into two parts: the left group of keys moves to the left, the right group moves to the right, and an empty space is formed in the middle. Although the overall height remains the same, this format makes it much easier to enter text with your thumbs without having to reach for the center of the screen, which is subjectively perceived as a more compact layout.
Comparison table for resizing methods
For clarity, let's compare the main keyboard reduction methods available to users Redmi. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the scenario for using the device.
| Method | Influence on height | Influence on width | Printing convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height adjustment Gboard | Strong reduction | No change | Medium (small buttons) |
| One-handed mode | Reduction | Strong narrowing | High (for one hand) |
| Floating mode | Decreasing | Decreasing | Low (unstable position) |
| Third-party topics | Depends on the topic | Depends on the topic | Various |
The choice of a specific method depends on what goal is being pursued. If you just want to see more text above the keyboard, just change the height. If the problem is the inability to reach the edges of the screen with your fingers, then the one-handed mode will be preferable. Combining these settings allows you to achieve the perfect balance between ergonomics and usable screen area.
The optimal solution for most Redmi users is a combination of a medium-height keyboard and periodic use of one-handed mode in situations of unstable body position.
Solving problems with display and MIUI bugs
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the keyboard does not shrink, despite the correct settings, or takes up the entire screen after a system update. This may be due to shell conflicts MIUI or application failures Gboard. In such cases, you need to reset your input settings or clear the cache.
The first step is to clear your keyboard data. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications → find Gboard → Memory → Clear cache. If this does not help, you can try Clear all, but keep in mind that this will reset the learned words and personal dictionaries. After rebooting the device, the size settings will have to be set again.
⚠️ Attention: The MIUI settings interface may differ depending on the firmware version (China, Global, EEA) and Android version. If you do not find the item you need, use the search in the settings by entering the query “keyboard” or “input”.
Another reason for the incorrect size may be the screen scaling mode is enabled in Accessibility. Check the section Settings → Advanced settings → Special. features → Zoom. If the scaling factor is set too high there, it can affect the display of all interface elements, including the keyboard, making it look gigantic.
☑️ Diagnosing problems with keyboard size
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why did the keyboard become huge?
System updates sometimes reset user application settings to factory defaults. Also, the new version of the shell MIUI may interpret the screen density (DPI) parameters differently. Check the height settings in the keyboard menu and readjust them if necessary. In rare cases, resetting the screen settings in the “Display” section helps.
Is it possible to make the keyboard smaller in only one specific application, for example, in Telegram?
It is not possible to change the keyboard size for an individual application using standard Android tools. Input settings are applied globally to the entire system. However, some instant messengers have their own font size or interface settings, which can visually affect the perception of the keyboard proportions.
How can I return the keyboard to its original size if I have lost the settings slider?
If you cannot find the slider or the settings are lost, go to settings Gboard, select section Settings and set the height to Default or Medium. You can also remove and reinstall the keyboard from Google Play, which is guaranteed to return the factory settings.
Does the size of the keyboard affect the rate at which the Redmi battery drains?
The size of the visual element itself does not affect power consumption. However, using complex third-party keyboards with animation and constant input analysis may consume more processor resources than the standard one in minimalist mode. Reducing the size does not save battery. Gboard in minimalist mode. Downsizing does not save battery power.
Secret DPI setting for advanced users
If standard methods do not help, you can change the screen density through the engineering menu or ADB commands. The sm density command allows you to globally shrink all interface elements, including the keyboard. Be careful: too low a value will make the system unusable.