How to add an input language to Xiaomi: setting up the keyboard

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have an incredibly flexible localization system, but sometimes when you first turn on a new device or after resetting, users face an unpleasant situation: The lock screen or language selection menu may not have Russian or any other interface language you need, which often causes panic, especially for those who are not used to understanding complex menus in English or Chinese.

Fortunately, adding or activating the right layout and language is easy enough if you know where to click. In this article, we’ll go through all the possible scenarios in detail, from the trivial inclusion of layout in keyboard settings to the more complex cases with Chinese firmware versions. You don’t need to be an Android expert to do these actions yourself.

It is worth noting that the approach to solving the problem will depend on whether you have a global (Global), European (EEA) or Chinese (China). In global firmware, languages are usually already built in and need only be activated, whereas in Chinese versions you may need to install third-party applications or use special activation methods.

Check the current language settings in MIUI and HyperOS

Before you start installing third-party solutions, you need to make sure that the desired language is really missing from the system settings of your Redmi or POCO. Often it happens that the language is added to the system, but not selected as the main one, which leaves the interface in English or Chinese. The first step should always be to diagnose the current state.

To do this, go to the settings menu. If your phone is speaking English to you now, look for Settings, if Chinese is the gear icon, then you need to find the section that provides additional system settings. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, the paths may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same.

Find the Additional settings section or look for Languages & input right away. Inside this menu, you'll see a list of active languages. If the language you want isn't on the list, you'll need to add it manually through the appropriate button, usually marked with a plus or Add a language.

• 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon).
• 🔍 Find the "Additional" or "System and Device" section».
• 🌐 Go to the "Languages and input" section).
• ➕ Click “Add language” and select the one you want from the list.

Once you have selected a language, the system will suggest that you make it your primary language, and you accept that, and the interface of your smartphone will change instantly, and if you don't have Russian or any other language that you want, then your firmware is regionally limited, and you need a deeper intervention, which we'll talk about in the next sections.

Installation and configuration of the Gboard keyboard

Users often confuse the system interface language with the text input language. Even if the phone menu is in English, you can print messages in any language if you have the appropriate keyboard installed. The de facto standard for Android is Google's Gboard, which is usually preinstalled on all global versions of devices.

To add a language, open any application that requires text, such as messages or notes to call the keyboard. On the keyboard toolbar, find the gear icon or pinch the space. From the keyboard settings menu, select Languages. Here you will see a list of installed layouts.

Press the Add keyboard and search for the language you want, such as “Russian.” Select the layout option (usually the E or standard phonetic options are recommended). Once added, you can swipe between languages by space or click on the globe.

If you don't have a standard keyboard or you don't like it, you can always install an alternative from the Google Play store. SwiftKey and Yandex Keyboard are popular, which are great speech recognition and have convenient themes. The process of adding language to them is similar: settings of the application -> languages -> add.

Features of Chinese firmware versions (CN ROM)

Owners of devices imported from China or ordered from marketplaces without global firmware face the greatest difficulties, with Chinese versions of MIUI China initially lacking language packages for other regions, including English and Russian, and targeting Baidu and Alibaba, not Google.

In such cases, simply switching settings will not help, since there are no physical localization files in the system, users have to either reflash the device to the global version (which is difficult and risky for beginners), or use “crutch” Russification methods. One popular method is using the MoreLocale 2 application.

This app allows you to force the system to change the locale if it formally contains translation files, but they are hidden. However, if there are no files, the application will only partially translate the interface, leaving many system messages in Chinese, and to fully work will require root rights, which is not guaranteed.

⚠️ Note: Installing or modifying Chinese firmware can lead to incorrect notifications, the absence of Russian in the menu and problems with banking applications. CN.

An alternative and safer solution for Chinese versions is to install a global language package through the Chinese language. ADB-However, for the average user, it is easier and more reliable to purchase a version with global firmware immediately or install it in an authorized service center.

Using third-party applications to translate the interface

If you can't do a full-fledged flashing, and you can't use your phone in a language you don't understand, specialized interface-translation apps come to the rescue, and they don't change the system files, they put a layer of translation over existing text, and it's not the perfect solution, but it makes the smartphone usable.

One of the most famous tools is the MoreLocale 2 app, which allows you to select an interface language from an extended list. Activating functions may require you to connect to a computer and enter a command via ADB to grant permissions.

adb shell pm grant jp.co.c_lis.ccl.morelocale android.permission.CHANGE_CONFIGURATION

Once you have completed the command, you will be able to choose Russian. The interface will change, but it is worth remembering that this is not a full localization. Some menu items, especially in the new HyperOS updates, may remain in English or Chinese, since the translation is taken from the system cache.

• 📥 Download and install MoreLocale 2 from a trusted source.
• 💻 Connect your smartphone to a PC with installed ADB.
• ⌨️ Enter the command to grant rights (as indicated above).
• 🇷🇺 In the application, select Russian (Russia) and confirm the action.

Comparison of localization methods

The choice of language addition method depends on your technical skills and goals, and below is a table that will help you compare the main ways to solve the problem and choose the best one for your situation.

As you can see from the table, for most users of global versions, standard settings are enough, and the problems arise mainly for owners of Chinese versions, where you have to compromise between convenience and stability.

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If you are planning to buy Xiaomi from China, check with the seller immediately if you have Global ROM or Global Version installed.

Frequent problems and their solution

Users may encounter various errors during the setup process, such as when you add a language, the keyboard may not switch, in which case check if the keyboard itself is disabled in the system input settings, sometimes cleaning the cache of the Language and Input application helps.

Another common problem is the language's "melt" after a system update. An update to MIUI or HyperOS can reset the user settings to factory ones. If you used third-party localization methods, you'll probably have to repeat the procedure after the update.

⚠️ Attention: When using methods with ADB With root rights, the system update "over the air" can be blocked or lead to a cyclical reboot.

If you lose letters or have some characters on your keyboard, try removing the language from your Gboard settings and adding it again. Also make sure that the settings for the phone region (Settings -> Region) are the right country, as it depends on the formatting of dates and some features of the text display.

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The most reliable way to get full Russian and all Google services is to buy a device with official global firmware, not a Chinese version with a “re-stitched” store.

Conclusion

Adding an input language or changing the interface language on Xiaomi smartphones is a solvable task, but it requires understanding the differences between firmware versions. For owners of official global devices, the entire process takes a couple of minutes in settings. Owners of Chinese versions have to be smart using third-party tools.

The key is to be comfortable experimenting within the limits of reason, backing up important data before making system changes. A properly configured language greatly improves the comfort of your device, making typing and navigation fun.

Remember that technology is evolving, and with the release of new versions of HyperOS, methods may change. Keep an eye out for instruction updates and use only proven sources of information to customize your gadget.