How to change the language on the keyboard Xiaomi: instructions for all models

Changing the language on the Xiaomi keyboard is a task that every second user faces after buying a smartphone or moving to another country. MIUI, UI updates regularly change the location of settings, making the usual actions suddenly become a puzzle. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways, from basic change of layout to solving problems with disappeared languages after updating.

Xiaomi has a different setup, so we'll look at each of these different keyboards, like the standard Gboard (from Google), the proprietary Mi Keyboard, and third-party solutions like SwiftKey. The customization methods are different, so we'll look at each one in detail, and if your language is missing from the list of available ones, we have a separate section with recovery instructions.

Important: if you use Xiaomi with global firmware (MIUI Global, the algorithm will be simpler than the Chinese version (MIUI China? The latter often require additional manipulation of regional settings. But don't worry, we've taken into account all the nuances.

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

Before you change the language, you need to know which keyboard you're using, and that's the way you get to the settings. Here's how to do it.

Open any application where you can type in text (such as Notes or Messages) and tap the input box, and a small icon with its logo will appear above the keyboard:

• 🔹 Gboard (Google): an icon with the letter G on a colored background
• 🔹 Mi Keyboard: Mi logo or the inscription "Xiaomi"
• 🔹 SwiftKey (Microsoft): Blue wave or letters SK
• 🔹 Other keyboard: There may be a unique icon (e.g. Fleksy or Chroom)

If there is no icon, swipe down the notification bar and look at active notifications - there may be a message from the keyboard. Alternative way: go to Settings → Annexes → Manage applications and search for "keyboard" and the system will show all the installed options.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) The default is two keyboards: Gboard and Mi Keyboard. If you accidentally switch to an unfamiliar layout, check the active keyboard according to the instructions above.

2. Change of language on the standard Gboard keyboard

Gboard is the most popular keyboard on Xiaomi smartphones, especially if you use global firmware.

1. Open any text field (for example, in WhatsApp or Browser).
2. Touch the icons ⚙️ (The gear on the keyboard panel is the Gboard settings button.
3. Select languages (Languages).
4. Click Add Keyboard and select the language you want from the list.
5. After adding, go back to the text box and hold the space – a language switching menu will appear.

If the language is already added but not switched, check:

• 📱 Language presence in the active list (in Gboard settings)
• 🔄 Correctness of the switching gesture (by default - swipe on the space left / right)
• 🔍 No restrictions on settings → System system → Language and input

On some versions MIUI 14, the way to Gboard settings may be different. If there's no gear icon, try it:

Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard → Gboard

Language added in keyboard settings

Gboard keyboard selected as the main one in the system

No active VPN regional restrictions

A backup swipe is made on the switching space-->

3. language setting on the Mi Keyboard's proprietary keyboard

Mi Keyboard is the standard keyboard for Chinese versions MIUI (MIUI China, but it's also found on global firmware, and the main difference is that it has a limited default language list:

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Language and input → Current keyboard.
2. Select the Mi Keyboard (could be called the Xiaomi Keyboard).
3. Press the keyboard settings → Input languages.
4. In the list of available languages, mark the necessary ones (for example, Russian, English (USA)).
5. To switch between languages, hold the Globe icon (🌐) keyboard.

If the language is not listed, it means that:

• 🚫 Your Mi Keyboard version does not support this language (relevant to older firmware)
• 🌍 Regional smartphone settings limit the choice (for example, if the device is tied to China)
• 🔄 Requires a keyboard update via Mi App Store

For Chinese firmware (MIUI China may require a change in region in your smartphone settings, which is a risky operation, after which some services (such as Google Play) may stop working. APK-file.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI China may lose access to some system functions after installing Gboard, such as voice input in Chinese. If local services are critical to you, you should use the Mi Keyboard with a limited set of languages.

4. Add a language that is not on the list

Situation: you try to add, for example, Ukrainian or Kazakh, but it's not in the Gboard or the Mi Keyboard. What do you do?

Options:

1. Update the keyboard: - For Gboard: go to Google Play and check for updates. - For Mi Keyboard: Update via Mi App Store or Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
2. Install a third-party keyboard: - SwiftKey (supports 100)+ Languages) - AnySoftKeyboard (open source) - Fleksy (specializes in rare languages)
3. Change the region of the smartphone (extreme case): - Go to Settings → Additionally. → Language and region. - Select the country where the desired language is official (for example, Ukraine for Ukrainian). - After the change of region, you may need to reboot and re-assign your Mi Account.

If you have chosen a third-party keyboard, don’t forget:

• 🔒 Give it permission to access the text (a request will pop up when you first run it)
• 🔄 Set as the default keyboard in the system settings
• 📱 Check compatibility with your version MIUI (Some keyboards are sloppy on MIUI 14)

Gboard (Google)

Mi Keyboard (Xiaomi)

SwiftKey (Microsoft)

Another (I will write in the comments)-->

5. Switching between languages: gestures and hotkeys

Adding language is half the battle, and the key is to make switching between layouts easy. There are several ways Xiaomi can do this:

For Gboard:

• 👆 Swipe to the left/right space (default setting)
• 🌐 Clicking on the globe icon (🌐) keyboard
• 🔢 Retention of the number 1 (if the digital string is enabled)

For Mi Keyboard:

• 🌐 Holding the Globe Badge (language menu)
• 🔄 Double-click on the space (if included in the settings)
• 📱 Swipe down the register change button (⇧)

To customize the gestures for yourself:

1. For Gboard: Gboard settings → keyboard → Gestures.
2. For Mi Keyboard: Keyboard settings → Additionally. → Gesture management.

If the switching does not work:

• 🔍 Check if the gestures are turned off in the keyboard settings
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone (sometimes helps with glitches) MIUI)
• 📱 Make sure the language is actually added (sometimes the list is reset after the update)

💡

If you need to switch between two languages frequently (e.g. Russian and English), you can turn on the "Show language on space" option in Gboard. → Registration → Show the language on the space key. Now the current language will be displayed directly on the space button!

6. Solving the problem: the language is lost or not added

Xiaomi users often complain, "Language was, and now it's gone!" or "Can't add a new language." Let's look at the typical reasons and solutions.

Problem 1: Language is missing after update MIUI

This is because of the keyboard reset.

1. Go to the keyboard settings and add the language again.
2. If the language is not on the list, update the keyboard through the app store.
3. For Mi Keyboard can help reset settings: Settings → Annexes → Mi Keyboard → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Problem 2: You can't add a language because of regional restrictions

Relevant for Chinese firmware (MIUI China) Options:

• 🌍 Temporarily change the region of the device to the country where the language is officially supported.
• 📱 Install Gboard or other keyboard via APK.
• 🔄 Back up your data and run through global firmware (risky but fixes the problem forever).

Problem 3: The keyboard doesn’t switch the language despite the settings

Possible causes:

• 🔕 In the settings MIUI Switching languages for keyboard is disabled: check Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Keyboard setting.
• 🛠️ Keyboard failure: clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → [Keyboard name] → Clear the cache).
• 📱 Conflict with other keyboards: disable unnecessary in Settings → System system → Language and input.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with an employer profile (for example, through Android Enterprise), the administrator can restrict the keyboard settings.

7. Features for specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique nuances when changing the keyboard language.

For Android Go models (like the Redmi A-series), the list of supported languages can be greatly reduced due to system optimization, in which case only installing a third-party keyboard will help.

If your model is not on the list, check:

• 📄 Version MIUI In Settings → The phone.
• 🌐 Firmware region (global or Chinese)
• 🔍 Availability of updates for the keyboard in the app store

💡

On Chinese firmware (MIUI China is often a keyboard language that is often tied to a region of the device. If you want a language that is not listed, it is easier to install Gboard or SwiftKey than to change the region of the system (this can disrupt some functions).

8. Alternative ways to enter text on Xiaomi

If changing the language on the keyboard is difficult, consider alternative input methods:

1.Voice input

Available on Gboard and Mi Keyboard:

• 🎤 Click on the microphone icon on the keyboard.
• 🗣️ Dictate the text (works offline for major languages).
• 🌐 Rare languages may require the Internet.

2. Manuscript input

Supported by:

• Gboard: swipe up from the button 123 → select handwritten.
• Mi Keyboard: Chinese and Japanese language only.

3. Keyboards with gesture support (swipe)

Examples:

• Gboard: swipe letters for quick typing (for example, swipe from K to A will give a "ka").
• SwiftKey: Adaptive input that learns your words.

External keyboards

If you connect a Bluetooth keyboard to Xiaomi, the language on it changes separately:

1. Go to Settings. → Connected devices → keyboard.
2. Select the connected keyboard and configure the language in its own software (if supported).

For users with limited capabilities in MIUI There are special settings:

Settings → Special features → Physical features → Keyboard and text

You can turn on this one.

• 🔍 Enlarged keys
• 🎯 Tips for recruitment
• 🔊 Voice prompts

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard language to Xiaomi