How to quickly switch the keyboard to Russian on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Change the input language on Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi line and POCO) Even after purchasing a device with a pre-installed Russian interface, the default keyboard can remain in English, Chinese or another language, a problem that is especially relevant for devices purchased abroad or after resetting settings.

In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to switch the keyboard to Russian - from standard settings. MIUI Before using gestures and third-party apps, you will learn how to add Russian to the system keyboard, set up quick switching between layouts, and solve typical problems (for example, when the language is added but not activated). The instructions are relevant for all modern Xiaomi models based on the MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

1. Standard method: adding Russian through settings MIUI

The most reliable method is to configure the input language through the system menu, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, regardless of the model and firmware version. Importantly, if Russian is not available, add it as the system language first (for this, see the next section).

To add a Russian layout:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the section Additional → Language and input (on some versions) MIUI The path may look like settings. → System system → Language and input).
3. Slip on the current keyboard (or keyboard management).
4. Select the Gboard system keyboard (Google) or Mi Keyboard (if you use a Xiaomi branded keyboard).
5. Click Languages and find Russian (can be designated Russian – Russian or Russian) in the list — QWERTY).
6. Activate the switch next to the desired language.

After adding Russian, you can switch between layouts:

• 🔄 Swipe your finger across the space (left/right) on the Gboard keyboard.
• 🌐 Clicking on the globe icon or language icon next to the space (in Mi Keyboard).
• 🔠 Holding the tongue switch key (if it is configured).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware for the Chinese market may not include Russian in the list, in which case you can change the system region to Russia in the language and region settings.

2.If Russian is not on the list: change in the region of the system

If the keyboard menu does not include the option to add Russian, the problem lies in the regional settings of the device, which is typical for smartphones purchased in China or Asia, where the default region is China or India.

Instructions for changing the region:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Put a few times on the line version MIUI, until the notification appears, you became a developer! (this will unlock hidden options).
3. Return to the main settings menu and go to Additional → Region (or Settings) → System system → Language and region → Region).
4. Choose Russia or Russia from the list.
5. Reset the device.

After the reboot, check the keyboard language list - Russian should appear. If the problem persists, update the firmware through Settings → Update the system or install Gboard from Google Play.

3. Quickly switching the layout with gestures

If you get tired of constantly clicking on the language icon, set up gesture switching, which works on both the Gboard and Mi Keyboard, but the settings are slightly different.

For Gboard:

1. Open any input field (such as notes) and call the keyboard.
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ (gear on the keyboard.
3. Go to Settings. → Toolbar → Tongue switching gesture.
4. Choose to follow the path and choose the right direction.

For Mi Keyboard:

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Language and input → Mi Keyboard → Settings.
2. Activate the Gesture option to switch the language.
3. Select the gesture: Swipe on space or Double tap on Shift.

Once set up, you just need to swipe across the space in a given direction to change the language instantly, a method that is particularly convenient for frequent switching between Russian and English.

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If the gestures don’t work, check if they are disabled in the settings of special features (Settings → Special. features → Gestures).

Installation of an alternative keyboard (Gboard, SwiftKey)

If the standard Mi Keyboard keyboard is unstable or does not support Russian, install a third-party solution.

• 📱 Gboard (Google) – supports more than 100 languages, including Russian layout with autocorrection and voice input.
• ⌨️ SwiftKey (Microsoft) – offers advanced prediction algorithms and design themes.
• 🌍 Multiling O Keyboard – Optimized for multitasking with fast language switching.

To install and configure Gboard:

1. Download the app from Google Play Market.
2. After installation, open any text field and tap the keyboard icon in the notification bar.
3. Select Gboard from the list of available keyboards.
4. In Gboard settings, add Russian (Settings) → Languages → Addition of keyboard).

The advantages of Gboard over Mi Keyboard:

• 🔍 Best autocorrection and word prompts in Russian.
• 🎤 Voice input with support for Russian language.
• 🎨 More themes and styles of decoration.
• 🔄 Flexible gesture settings (such as swipe to switch language).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (especially those with firmware for the Chinese market), Google Play Market may be blocked. APK-Gboard file from the official Google Apps website and install manually.

5. Problem Solving: The keyboard doesn't switch or reset

Sometimes, even after you set it up correctly, the keyboard doesn't change the language, it resets to English, or it forgets the layouts that it added, and let's look at the typical failures and their solutions.

Problem 1: Language is added but not activated when switching.

• 🔄 Reboot the device – it will reset temporary system errors.
• 🧹 Clear the keyboard cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Keyboard name] → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Check if keyboard permissions are disabled in Settings → Annexes → Permits.

Problem 2: After the update MIUI keyboard dropped into English.

• 🔄 Re-add Russian in the keyboard settings.
• 📥 Update the keyboard app via Google Play.
• 🛠️ If the problem recurs, install an alternative keyboard (e.g. SwiftKey).

Problem 3: It is impossible to add Russian to Chinese firmware.

• 🌍 Change the region to Russia (see section 2).
• 📦 Install global firmware via Fastboot or Recovery.
• 🔗 Use MoreLocale 2 (Application for Forced Region Change).

If none of the methods helped, reset the keyboard settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Keyboard] → Storage → Reset Settings

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On Chinese firmware Xiaomi Russian is often blocked at the system level. MIUI or installing an alternative keyboard.

6. Features of settings on different Xiaomi models

Depending on the smartphone model and firmware version (MIUI The process of adding Russian may be different, below are the key features for popular lines.

On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) The keyboard interface has become more minimalistic to find the options you need:

1. Open the Settings. → System system.
2. Select Language and Entering → Virtual keyboard.
3. Slip on the keyboard you use (such as Gboard).
4. Go to the languages and add Russian.

On smartphones with a MediaTek processor (for example, Redmi Note 12) 5G) After updating the firmware, you may lose support for gestures to switch the language, in which case, resetting the keyboard settings or reinstalling Gboard will help.

7.Voice input and other alternative methods

If you are uncomfortable switching layout manually, use alternative methods of entering text in Russian:

Voice input:

• 🎤 In Gboard: tap the microphone icon on the keyboard and say the text in Russian. commands are supported ("comma", "new paragraph»).
• 🗣️ In Mi Keyboard, voice input only works on global firmware. For Chinese versions, install Google Assistant.

Manual input with autocorrection:

• ✍️ Enable Autocorrect and word prompts in the keyboard settings. This will help you enter Russian text even in English layout (the system will correct words).
• 🔤 Use it. T9-Enter (set of text with numbers) – available in Mi Keyboard for Russian language.

Keyboards with support for swipe input:

• 👆 Gboard and SwiftKey allow you to enter words without taking your finger off the screen (swipe by letter). For Russian, turn this option on in the keyboard settings.
• 📱 On Xiaomi with HyperOS, swipe input works more stable than on the MIUI 12.

For users who often type in two languages, we recommend setting up automatic layout switching for the first word.

1. Open the keyboard settings.
2. Go to Settings. → Text input → Auto-replacement.
3. Activate the option of automatic language switching.

FAQ: Frequent questions about switching the keyboard to Xiaomi