How to add or change the keyboard language on Xiaomi smartphone: all ways

Adding a new keyboard language to Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces when buying a device or changing a region. Despite the intuitive MIUI interface, the process can be difficult due to the variety of keyboards (standard Xiaomi, Gboard, SwiftKey) and firmware versions. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to add languages, including hidden settings for older versions of MIUI 12-14, and also solve typical problems from the lack of the right language in the list to the failures of switching.

Xiaomi devices are often modified by the manufacturer to standard Android applications. For example, some regional firmware has a limited language keyboard installed by default. Meanwhile, Gboard (from Google) supports more than 100 languages and dialects, but requires separate installation. We will show how to work with both options, and also give recommendations on how to choose a keyboard depending on your tasks - whether it is typing in two languages at the same time or using rare alphabets (for example, Georgian or Armenian).

Important: If you use a Chinese ROM device, some languages may be blocked at the system level, which requires unlocking the bootloader or installing custom firmware, which we discuss in a separate section.

1.How to determine which keyboard is installed on your Xiaomi

Before you add a new language, you need to know which keyboard application is currently active, and the algorithm of actions depends on it. MIUI can set one of three solutions:

• 📱 Xiaomi Keyboard – standard keyboard from the manufacturer (set by default on most devices).
• 🎹 Gboard – Google Keyboard (often preinstalled, but not always activated).
• ⚡ SwiftKey or other third-party keyboards (manually installed by the user).

To check the current keyboard:

1. Open any field to enter text (for example, in Messages or Notes).
2. Tap the keyboard icon in the bottom panel (usually an icon with a letter or emoji).
3. If the notification bar says "Using Xiaomi Keyboard" or similar, it's a standard keyboard. The Google logo will be for Gboard.

You can also go to the system settings:

Settings → Additional → Language and input → Current keyboard

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) the path may be different. If there is no additional section, try Settings → System system → Language and input.

2. Adding language to the standard Xiaomi keyboard (MIUI Keyboard)

The standard Xiaomi keyboard supports about 50 languages, but their list depends on the regional firmware. For example, in the European version (EEA ROM) all major languages are available, and in Chinese (China ROM) only Chinese, English and several others.

1. Open Settings → Additional → Language and Enter → Current Keyboard.
2. Select Xiaomi Keyboard (or MIUI Keyboard in Russian firmware).
3. Go to the keyboard settings → Languages.
4. Click Add Language and select the one you want from the list. Use the line at the top for quick search.
5. Once added, the language will appear on the active list. To switch between them, hold a space or click on the globe icon (🌐) keyboard.

If the language is not on the list, it can mean:

• 🔄 Your firmware does not support this language (relevant to China) ROM).
• 📱 Keyboard is outdated – update it via Google Play (if available).
• 🔧 Language hidden in settings – try changing the system language of the device (more on this below).

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

Update the keyboard via Google Play (if available)

Make sure the system language of the device matches the desired keyboard language

Restart your phone if the language does not appear after adding-->

On some devices (such as Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi K40) after adding the language, you may need to reboot it to show up in the switch list. If the language never appears, try changing the system language of the phone to the right one (even temporarily) – this sometimes “unlocks” hidden keyboard options.

3. Adding languages to Gboard (Google keyboard)

Gboard is the most versatile keyboard for Xiaomi, as it supports more than 100 languages and is independent of regional firmware. If it is not installed by default, download it from Google Play.

1. Open any input field and tap the keyboard icon in the notification panel.
2. Select Gboard (if it is not listed, turn it on to Settings → Language and Entering → Keyboard Management).
3. Press the gear icon (⚙️) In the top panel of the keyboard to open its settings.
4. Go to the languages → Add a keyboard.
5. Select the language you want from the list. Additional layouts (QWERTZ, AZERTY) are available for some languages (e.g. German or French).
6. Return to the input field and hold the space or click on the globe icon (🌐), switch between languages.

Gboard also supports multitasking, where you can type in two languages simultaneously without manually switching, to enable this feature:

Gboard settings → Languages → Multitasking → Add languages

For example, if you add Russian and English, the keyboard will automatically prompt words in both languages, which is convenient for users who often switch between languages.

Xiaomi Keyboard (standard)

Gboard (Google)

SwiftKey

Another.

I don't know what I have.-->

4. Problem Solving: Language added but not switched

A common problem on Xiaomi is that the language is added to the keyboard settings but not displayed when switching, and here are the possible reasons and ways to fix them:

If you use China ROM, some languages may be blocked at the system level.

• 🔓 Install Gboard – it bypasses firmware restrictions.
• 🌍 Change the region of the device through Settings → Additionally. → Region (reset may be required).
• 📦 Install custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) if you need full features.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with China ROM Change of region may cause some services to fail (e.g. Mi Cloud or Mi Pay) before changing.

5. How to add keyboard language through MIUI system settings

In some cases, the keyboard language can be added through the system settings of the device.

• 🔄 You want the keyboard language to match the system language MIUI.
• 📱 Your keyboard is synchronized with system settings (relevant to Xiaomi Keyboard).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and Input → Language.
2. Click Add Language and select the one you want from the list.
3. Once added, the language will automatically appear in the keyboard list (if you use Xiaomi Keyboard).

If the language does not appear, check:

• 🔧 Is keyboard synchronization enabled with the system: Keyboard settings → Additionally. → Synchronize with the system.
• 📱 Does the system language conflict with regional settings (e.g., if the device is purchased in China but used in Europe).

Important: On devices with MIUI 14 and later, system and keyboard languages sync automatically, but older versions (MIUI 12 and below) may require manual adjustment.

6. Alternative methods: third-party keyboards and custom firmware

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., on China ROM or older devices), consider alternatives:

• 🎯 SwiftKey supports more than 100 languages and offers advanced features like text prediction. Install from Google Play and add languages to its settings.
• 🔧 AnySoftKeyboard is an open keyboard with support for rare languages (for example, Latvian or Estonian).
• 📱 Custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or LineageOS) – lifts China restrictions ROM Adding full support for languages.

For custom firmware installation:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery and flash custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu).
3. After installation, add the desired languages through system settings.

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware will void the warranty and may result in data loss.Before the procedure, make a full backup via Mi Backup or TWRP.

💡

If you want a language that isn’t in standard keyboards (like Tamil or Bengali), try Google Play’s Multiling O Keyboard app, which supports more than 200 languages and works without the internet.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When adding keyboard languages to Xiaomi, users often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

If after all the manipulations the language is not added, check:

• 🔄 Version MIUI — on older versions (below) MIUI 12) some languages may not be available.
• 📱 Firmware region – Chinese firmware often restricts languages.
• 🔧 Root rights – sometimes editing system files is required (e.g, /system/usr/keylayout).

💡

If you're using a China ROM device, the most reliable way to add any language is to install Gboard or SwiftKey, which are free of firmware restrictions and support all major languages in the world.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions