Russian keyboard on Xiaomi: how to turn on, add and configure in 3 steps

Buyers of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones often face a problem: the device came with factory firmware without a Russian layout, or the language bar Suddenly disappeared after the update. Even if the system has Russian as the main language, the keyboard can remain in English, Chinese or another language. 80% of the time the problem is solved in 2-3 minutes - just know where to look for settings.

In this article, you will find current ways to add Russian keyboards for all versions of MIUI 12-15, including devices with global, Chinese and European firmware. We will analyze both standard methods through settings and alternative solutions for complex cases - for example, when the list of languages is not Russian or the Gboard keyboard refuses to install.

We will focus on common mistakes: why the keyboard does not switch after changing the language, how to return the original settings if characters are displayed instead of Russian letters, and what to do if the system requires an Internet connection to load the language package. All instructions were tested on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5 models in 2026.

If you’ve just bought a smartphone and aren’t familiar with MIUI yet, don’t worry: every step is accompanied by screenshots (in text format) and explanations. For experienced users, we’ve prepared a unique way to add Russian through ADB – it will come in handy if standard methods don’t work.

1. Check the current keyboard settings

Before adding a new language, make sure that the problem is not in the settings already installed. Often users simply do not notice that the Russian layout is already activated, but hidden behind a long click on the space or the icon of the globe.

Open any field to enter text (such as notes or a WhatsApp message) and pay attention to the keyboard bar:

• 🔍 Globe/globe icon — tap it to change the language. If Russian is not on the list, add it.
• 📱 Long click on the space - on some versions MIUI It opens up a menu of languages.
• ⚙️ Settings gear – press it to get into the keyboard settings.

If there is no Globe icon, then a third-party keyboard (e.g. SwiftKey or Microsoft Keyboard) is used, in which case the language settings change in the application of this keyboard, rather than in system settings.

⚠️ Attention: On Chinese firmware (MIUI CN) The Russian keyboard may not be available in principle, in which case you will need to change the region of the device or install an alternative keyboard from Google Play.

Also check if the One-handed mode is activated with one hand, which sometimes hides some of the language switching buttons, and it is switched off by swipe from the central left/right navigation button or through Settings → Special Options → One-handed control.

2. Adding Russian through system settings

If the Russian layout is not displayed, you need to add it manually, this method works on all versions of MIUI, including global and European firmware.

Step 1. Open Settings → Additional → Language and input → Current keyboard (on some models, the path may differ: Settings → System → Language and input).

Step 2. Slip on the active keyboard (usually the MIUI or Gboard Keyboard) and select Languages or Languages in the window that opens.

Step 3: Scroll down and find Russian (Russia) or Russian (Russia). If not, search (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).

Step 4: Activate the switch next to the Russian language. If the system offers to download the language packet, confirm the download (you will need an Internet connection).

Once you add the language, go back to the input field and switch the layout through the globe icon. If the Russian keyboard doesn't appear, reboot the device - this often helps to apply changes.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI CN (Russian can be blocked by politicians in the region, in which case only installing an alternative keyboard or flashing on the global version will help.

3. Install Gboard (Google Keyboard) to guarantee Russian support

If the MIUI system keyboard is stubbornly reluctant to add Russian, the best solution is to install Google’s Gboard, which supports all languages, including regional versions of Russian (Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan), and works more consistently than the standard one.

Installation instructions:

1. Open the Google Play Store and find the Gboard app, the Google Keyboard.
2. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
3. After installation, open any text field → the keyboard icon in the lower right corner → select Gboard.
4. In Gboard settings, go to Languages → Add keyboard and select Russian.

The advantages of Gboard:

• 🌍 Support for over 100 languages, including rare dialects.
• 🎨 Themes and configuration of the appearance of the keyboard.
• 🔍 Built-in translator and search GIF.
• ☁️ Synchronize the dictionary between devices through a Google account.

If the keyboard doesn’t switch after installing Gboard, go to Settings → System → Language & Input → Current Keyboard and manually select Gboard as the default keyboard.

💡

To speed up your English input, activate the "Swipe input" option in Gboard settings, which allows you to type without taking your finger off the screen.

4. Problem Solving: Why the Russian Keyboard Doesn't Work

Even after adding language, the keyboard may not behave properly. Consider typical problems and solutions:

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the keyboard settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Keyboard or Gboard → Storage.
3. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
4. Restart the device and reset the language.

5. Alternative keyboards with support for Russian

If standard methods don't work, consider alternative keyboards that not only solve the problem with Russian, but also add useful features:

• 📱 SwiftKey – artificial intelligence for predicting words, gestures and themes.
• 🌐 Microsoft Keyboard – Integration with Office 365 and Cloud Dictionary.
• 🎨 Chroom – Minimalist design and high speed printing.
• 🔒 AnySoftKeyboard – open source and maximum privacy.

For installation of any of them:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Activate it in Settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.
3. Add Russian in the settings of the selected keyboard.

Comparison of popular keyboards:

If you often type in multiple languages, look for instant-switch keyboards (like SwiftKey or Gboard) that allow you to swipe over space without opening the menu.

6. Additional settings for convenience

After adding a Russian keyboard, customize it to your needs. Here are some useful options that will make it easier to type:

• 🔤 Auto-Replacement and Auto-Adjustment – Enable keyboard settings to fix typos automatically.
• 🎵 Sound and vibration when pressed – will help control input (located in Keyboard Settings) → Sound and vibration).
• 📏 Keyboard size and position – can be reduced or moved aside for convenience (useful on larger screens).
• 🔍 Searching for emojis GIF — Gboard is available directly from the keyboard.

For Gboard, we also recommend activating:

• Settings → Text Correction → Show sentences – to speed up printing.
• Settings → Gestures → Swipe input – to type without tearing your finger.
• Settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary – to add specific words (such as jargon or terms).

On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5) You can turn on the dark theme of the keyboard to reduce eye strain and save battery power. → Topics.

💡

If you switch between languages frequently, set up a “quick switch” in Gboard: a long space tap or a swipe on the tongue key.

7. Features for Chinese firmware (MIUI CN)

Chinese firmware devices (MIUI CN) often lack support for Russian at the system level, due to Xiaomi’s policies for the domestic Chinese market, and in such cases, standard language addition methods will not work, but there are workarounds:

Method 1: Installation of an alternative keyboard

• Download Gboard or SwiftKey via APK-file (see links in spoiler above).
• Allow installation from unknown sources.
• Activate the keyboard in the settings and add Russian.

Method 2. Change of region of device

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and Region.
2. Choose the region of Ukraine or Russia (if available).
3. Reboot the device and check for Russian in the keyboard settings.

Method 3: Reflashing to the global version

This is a radical method that will require unlocking the bootloader and installing MIUI Global or MIUI EU. Suitable for power users.Warning: improper firmware can lead to a device blink (inoperability).

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (such as Mi Pay or Mi Video) may stop working on Chinese firmware after a region change, and there may be notifications of “disparity of region” that can be ignored.

If you're not sure about your abilities, you should limit yourself to installing Gboard, which works 100% and does not require any interference with system files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Russian keyboard on Xiaomi