How to change the keyboard layout on the Xiaomi smartphone: all ways

Changing the keyboard layout on Xiaomi smartphones is a task that every second user faces after buying a device or installing an update. MIUI 14 The keyboard configuration interface remains unobvious to beginners: menus are hidden in illogical sections, and some functions only work after a reboot. This article will help you understand how to add a new language, remove unnecessary ones, set up a quick switch between layouts and solve typical problems – from the “disappeared” Russian language to conflicts with keyboards from Google or SwiftKey.

Xiaomi’s peculiarity is that the manufacturer uses its own Mi Keyboard (formerly Gboard Xiaomi), which is different from Google’s standard Gboard, which means that the instructions for “pure” Android will not work here. from basic settings to settings → In addition to hidden features for experienced users, including ADB-commands and editing configuration files.

It is important that you use it. POCO or Redmi on base MIUI for POCO, Some menu items may be called differently, we will warn you about this separately, and note that after major updates (for example, with the help of a new menu). MIUI 12 on MIUI 13) The paths to settings change sometimes. This article provides current screenshots and commands for 2026.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in system settings, which is suitable for 90% of users and works on all models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

1. Open the Settings app** (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Scroll down and select the section Additional → Language and input (on some firmware - System and device) → Language and input).
3. Slip on the line “Virtual keyboard” (or “keyboard management” in older versions).

⚠️ Attention: POCO F5 and other devices with MIUI for POCO The path may be different: Settings → System system → Language and input → keyboard POCO. If you do not find the section, use the search by settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen).

Make sure your smartphone is 30% or more charged

Close all apps (especially messengers)

Connect to Wi-Fi to download language packs

Reboot the device if the keyboard has previously “glutched”

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Once you add the language, the layout will be available to switch, by default, this will be done by swiping the space (left/right) or by clicking on the globe icon on the keyboard. If this method does not work, check the gesture settings in the same Input Languages section.

2. Quick switching of layout: gestures and keyboard shortcuts

Many Xiaomi users complain that switching layouts takes too long. MIUI There are hidden functions to speed up this process:

• 🔄 Swipe over space: swipe left or right on the space key - this will switch the language without having to press the globe.Works on Mi Keyboard and Gboard.
• 🌐 Long tap on the globe: Hold the tongue icon (globus) 1-2 Seconds – a menu with all available layouts will appear.
• ⌨️ Keyboard combination: in some firmware Ctrl works + Space (must be included in the keyboard settings).
• 📱 Gesture from the side of the screen: on Xiaomi 13/14 You can configure the swipe at the edge of the screen to change the language (in Settings) → Special facilities → Gestures).

If the swipe space does not work, check if this function is enabled:

1. Open the keyboard settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Language and input → Mi Keyboard).
2. Select "Text Entry Settings» → «Gestures (or "Advanced"** in older versions).

Mi Keyboard (standard)

Gboard (from Google)

SwiftKey

Another.

I don't know what it costs.

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⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 12 and newer after update to MIUI 14.0.5+ A space gesture may conflict with Quick Enter** (word prediction). If the layout is switched arbitrarily, turn off keyboard settings. → Prediction of text → Quick input.

3. Installation of additional layouts (including rare languages)

The standard Mi Keyboard is missing some languages (such as Ukrainian, Belarusian, Kazakh, or even Chinese in global firmware), and you’ll need to use workarounds to add them:

Method 1: Installation of Gboard

Google's keyboard supports more than 100 languages, including regional dialects.

1. Download Gboard from Google Play.
2. Activate it in Settings → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
3. In Gboard settings, add the languages you need in the Languages section**.

Method 2: Manual addition of language packets

For rare languages (for example, Tatar or Bashkir) can be manually installed APK-fold-out:

1. Download the Mi Keyboard language package from Xiaomi.eu (section) MIUI Mods).
2. Install APK through any file manager (e.g. Files by Google).
3. Reboot your smartphone and check for language in the keyboard settings.

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If after installing the language package layout does not appear, clear the keyboard cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Keyboard → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

4. Solving layout problems

Sometimes, after a change of language, the keyboard starts to "glut": spontaneously switch, disappear or show the wrong characters.

Problem 1: The layout spontaneously changes

Reasons:

• 🤖 Conflict with Adaptive Input (predicting language by context).
• 🔄 Failure in gesture settings.
• 📱 Damaged keyboard cache.

Decision:

1. Turn off keyboard settings → Prediction of text → Adaptive input.
2. Reset gesture settings: Keyboard settings → Gestures → Drop it.
3. Clear the keyboard data (carefully – this will delete the words you learned!).

Problem 2: Russian layout disappeared after the update

This is a common error after updating to MIUI 13/14 It's on global firmware, to bring Russian back:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap 7 times on the line "Version" MIUI»** (activates the developer mode).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer Mode.
3. Enable the "Debugging by" option USB»** And connect the phone to the PC.
4. Execute the command in ADB: adb shell settings put secure default_input_method com.miui.internal.inputmethod/.LatinIME
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: If after this procedure the keyboard stopped working at all, reset the settings to the factory (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting. It's a last resort, but it helps 95% of the time.

5. Configure layout for specific applications

V MIUI There's a useful feature here, which is to link the layout to individual applications, so for example, you can make Telegram always have Russian and Chrome always has English:

1. Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Language and input → Keyboard management.
2. Select an active keyboard (such as the Mi Keyboard).
3. Slip on “Input Languages for Applications” (or “Settings for Applications” in older versions).

If this option is not available, use the workaround:

• 📌 Install Gboard and enable the “App Language”** feature in its settings.
• 🔧 Use the Tasker app to automatically switch layout when you open certain programs.

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Language-to-app binding works only for standard keyboards (Mi Keyboard, Gboard), which may not be available on third-party keyboards (e.g. SwiftKey).

6. Change of layout with voice commands

Few people know, but in MIUI You can switch the layout with your voice, which is convenient for drivers or people with disabilities:

1. Activate the Xiao voice assistant AI (If it is disabled, turn it on in Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Xiao AI).

List of supported voice commands:

• 🗣️ «Change your language to English* - switches to English.
• 🗣️ «What is the keyboard language now?* – the assistant will tell the current layout.
• 🗣️ «Add French* - Add a new layout (if installed).

⚠️ Note: Voice switching only works for languages that have already been added to the keyboard settings. If the language is not available, manually set it first (see Section 3).

7. Alternative keyboards: pros and cons

If you don't like the standard Mi Keyboard, you can install a third-party keyboard. Here's a comparison of the popular options:

To install an alternative keyboard:

1. Download it from Google Play.
2. Activate in Settings → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
3. Click on the keyboard icon in the input bar (near the space) and select a new one.

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Before installing a third-party keyboard, check its rating and reviews – some applications (such as AI.type) collect typing data.

8. Reset keyboard settings to factory

If none of these methods worked, the last option is to reset the keyboard settings, which will remove all added languages, words learned and custom settings, but often solves the “glitch” problems.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Mi Keyboard (or other active keyboard) and tap it.
3. Select "Storage» → «Clear the data” (not just a cache!).

After discharge:

• 🔄 You will have to add the language again.
• 📚 All saved words from the dictionary will disappear.
• ⚙️ All the gestures and those will be thrown off.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 12.5+ Resetting keyboard data can also remove system language packets, and if the main languages (e.g. English) are lost after the procedure, you will have to reset the phone completely to factory settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the layout on Xiaomi