How to change the keyboard language on Xiaomi: all the ways to MIUI 12/13/14

Changing the keyboard language on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every second user faces after buying a device or moving to another country. Even if you bought a phone with official firmware for Russia, the keyboard may default to Chinese, English or another language.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to change the keyboard language on Xiaomi, including the standard MIUI Keyboard, Google's Gboard and third-party keyboards. Particular attention will be paid to the typical problems: when the language does not change, the keyboard disappears or resets after the reboot. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 12/13/14 and Redmi Note 10/11/12 models, POCO F3/F4/F5, Mi 11/12/13/14.

1. Standard method: Change the language in MIUI Keyboard

If you use the built-in MIUI keyboard (which is the default on all Xiaomi smartphones), the language change takes less than a minute.

Open any application where you can type in text (such as Messages or Notes) and tap the input field to make the keyboard appear.

• 🔹 Press the gear icon (⚙️) in the top row of the keyboard - this will cause the settings menu.
• 🔹 Select Languages and layout (or Languages & layout in English).
• 🔹 Tap on Add language and select the desired from the list (for example, Russian - Russia).
• 🔹 Return to the input field and swipe the left/right space to switch between languages.

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If the language you want isn't on the list, it's not installed.

1. Return to the main menu of keyboard settings.
2. Choose Download Languages (or Download Languages).
3. Find the language in the list and click Download (web required).

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If the language is downloaded too long, connect to Wi-Fi – MIUI Keyboard language packages can weigh up to 50MB.

2. How to add language to Gboard (Google keyboard)

Gboard is an alternative keyboard from Google, which is often installed by Xiaomi users instead of the standard one, it supports more languages, has advanced vocabulary and synchronization between devices, to change the language in Gboard:

Open any text field and call the keyboard.

• 🔹 Click on the planet icon (🌐) In the top row, this is a language switch button.
• 🔹 If the language is not available, click on Language Settings (or Language Settings).
• 🔹 Select Add keyboard and tick the required languages.
• 🔹 For a quick switch, swipe your finger over the space or press the icon. 🌐.

If Gboard is not installed, download it from Google Play (free). After installation, remember to include the keyboard in the system settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Entering → Virtual Keyboard.
2. Activate the switch next to the Gboard.
3. Click Reset by default and select Gboard as the main keyboard.

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3. Problem Solving: Language is not changed or reset

Sometimes, after a language change, the keyboard continues to work in the old language or resets after a reboot, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI Keyboard on firmware for China (for example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra with a CN ROM), Some languages may be blocked, in which case either install Gboard or flash the global version. MIUI.

4. How to change the keyboard language through system settings

Sometimes it is easier to set up the keyboard language through the phone’s general settings, especially if the keyboard itself is not responsive to taps.

1. Open Settings → System and device → Language and input.
2. Select the Virtual Keyboard (or Virtual Keyboard).
3. Slip on the keyboard you use (MIUI Keyboard or Gboard).
4. Go to Languages and layout and add/remove languages.

If this menu doesn't have the right keyboard, it's disabled.

• 🔹 Return to the Virtual Keyboard.
• 🔹 Press Keyboard Management.
• 🔹 Activate the switch next to the desired keyboard.
• 🔹 Click Reset by default and select it.

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If you travel frequently, add 2-3 languages to your keyboard in advance, which will save you from having trouble typing overseas, where you may not have access to the Internet to download packages.

5. Features for different Xiaomi models

The process of changing the keyboard language is almost the same for all Xiaomi smartphones, but there are nuances for individual lines:

• 📱 Redmi Note 10/11/12: The built-in keyboard may not support some languages (such as Ukrainian or Belarusian) on Chinese firmware.
• 📱 POCO F3/F4/F5: On these models, the default is often Gboard, so it is easier to change the language through its settings.
• 📱 Mi 11/12/13/14: On the flagships with MIUI 14 function AI-Predicting text that might reset your tongue, turn it off in your keyboard settings if you have problems.
• 📱 Xiaomi Pad 5/6: On tablets, the keyboard can be split into two parts, and the language changes separately for each half in the settings. MIUI Keyboard.

On devices with MIUI for Europe (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite EU), all languages are usually available out of the box, while Chinese versions of firmware (CN ROM) often have to install Gboard or flash global MIUI.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Black Shark (gaming smartphones) uses the branded Shark Keyboard. To change the language, download Gboard - standard methods may not work.

6. Reset keyboard settings to factory

If all of these methods are tried, but the keyboard language is still the same, the last option is to reset the keyboard, which doesn't affect the other data on the phone, but it will return the keyboard to the post-purchase state.

For MIUI Keyboard:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find MIUI Keyboard in the list and open its settings.
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

For Gboard:

1. Open Settings → System and Device → Language and Input → Virtual Keyboard → Gboard.
2. Select additionally → Resetting settings.
3. Confirm the reset and add the languages again.

Once you reset your keyboard, you’ll have to reconfigure auto-replace, dictionary, and themes, and if the problem persists, check your phone for viruses or reset all your phone settings (but that will delete all data).

7.Alternative keyboards for Xiaomi

If standard methods don’t help or you need additional features (e.g. swipe input, themes, device-to-device sync), consider third-party keyboards. Here are the best options for Xiaomi:

To install a third-party keyboard:

1. Download it from Google Play.
2. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Entering → Virtual Keyboard.
3. Activate the new keyboard and reset the default settings.
4. Configure the languages and settings in the menu of the keyboard itself.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard language to Xiaomi