How to change the keyboard layout on the Xiaomi Redmi phone: all ways

Switching the keyboard layout on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones seems like a simple task — until you encounter unexpected nuances. Some users suffer from random language changes when dialing, others can not find the switch button, and still others find that the desired layout disappeared after the MIUI update. This article will not only show the basic ways to change the language, but also reveal hidden settings, help return missing layouts and optimize the keyboard for your needs.

On Redmi (regardless of model, whether it’s Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10C or flagship series), the layout process depends on two factors: the version of MIUI (14 or 15) and the type of keyboard used (standard Gboard, proprietary Mi Keyboard or third-party applications like SwiftKey).

We will focus on common mistakes: why the layout is reset after the reboot, how to return the Russian/English keyboard if it disappeared, and what to do if the system ignores your settings. At the end of the article, we will discuss the FAQ with answers to frequent questions and the compatibility table of methods with different Redmi models.

1. Basic method: switching layout during typing

The most obvious method is to use a language switching bar that appears directly on the keyboard, but its location and appearance depend on the type of keyboard.

On the standard Gboard keyboard (set by default on most Redmi):

• 🔹 Icon with a globe or abbreviation of the current language (for example, RUS)/ENG) It is in the lower row to the left of the gap.
• 🔹 Press it with one finger and the layout will change to the next in the list.
• 🔹 Hold the icon for 2 seconds to open the menu of all available languages.

On the Mi Keyboard (found on older versions of MIUI or in some regions):

• 🔹 The switch button may look like two letters (e.g. Aa or En) and be located to the right of the space.
• 🔹 Sometimes instead of a button, a strip with flags is displayed - swipe it with your finger left / right.

Important: If the switch button suddenly disappears, check if the single-handed input mode is activated (we’ll talk about it in section 4). Also, some MIUI themes may hide interface elements – try changing the theme to a standard one.

2. Configure layouts in the keyboard menu

If you need to add a new language, delete an unnecessary one, or change the switching order, go to the keyboard settings. MIUI:

For MIUI 14/15:

1. Open Settings → System and device → Language and input.
2. Select Virtual Keyboard (or Keyboard Management).
3. Slip on the keyboard you use (such as Gboard).
4. Go to Languages → Add a keyboard and select the right ones.

For MIUI 12/13:

• 🔹 Path: Settings → Additionally. → Language and input → Current keyboard.
• 🔹 On some models (Redmi) 9A, Redmi 8) item may be called Keyboard and input methods.

Hidden Opportunity: You can set up a gesture in Gboard to change the layout.

1. Go to the Gboard settings (cog on the keyboard panel).
2. Select Settings → Gestures.
3. Activate the option to swipe over the space for changing the language.

Now it is enough to swipe the finger on the space to the left or right to switch.

3. Problem Solving: Layout does not change or reset

If the keyboard ignores your commands or constantly returns to the same language, the reasons may be:

A critical feature for Redmi owners with MIUI Global is that some regional firmware versions block the addition of languages that do not match the country of sale. For example, Redmi, purchased in India, may not have a Russian layout, and the solution is to change the region to "Russia" or "Ukraine" in the system settings.

Another common bug is the sticking of the English layout in messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), which is due to a conflict between the keyboard settings and the language parameters of the application itself, to fix:

1. Open the settings of the problem messenger.
2. Find the Chat Language or Interface Language section.
3. Set the language corresponding to the system layout.

Special modes: single-handed input and voice dialing

Xiaomi Redmi has features that indirectly affect the work of layouts:

One-handed mode (Settings → Special Opportunities → Single-handed mode):

• 🔹 When this mode is activated, the keyboard shrinks to one edge of the screen, and the tongue switch button may disappear or shift.
• 🔹 Solution: Turn off the mode or use the gesture of holding the space (see section 2).

Voice input:

• 🔹 If you use voice dialing (a button with a microphone on the keyboard), the system can automatically select a language based on speech.
• 🔹 To disable this, go to Gboard Settings. → Voice input → Language and set the desired manually.

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Redmi Note 11/12 models with MIUI 14 have a hidden feature called Dynamic Change of layout – it analyzes context (for example, if you often write in English in a certain chat) and suggests changing the language. Disables in Keyboard Settings → Advanced → Adaptive input.

5. Alternative keyboards: SwiftKey, Microsoft Keyboard and others

If you don't like the standard Gboard or Mi Keyboard keyboard, you can install third-party apps.

• 🔹 Microsoft SwiftKey: Supports gestures for language change and cloud dictionary.
• 🔹 AnySoftKeyboard: allows you to create custom layouts (for example, for programmers).
• 🔹 Fleksy: Minimalist keyboard with extended themes.

To install an alternative keyboard:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Entering → Virtual Keyboard.
3. Activate the new keyboard and set it by default.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) A1 or Redmi 10A) Third-party keyboards may not work properly due to performance limitations. If the keyboard slows down after installing SwiftKey, try turning off animations in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Developer settings → Animation. = 0.5x).

6. Reset keyboard settings to factory

If all the methods have been tried, but the layout is still unpredictable, the last chance is to reset the keyboard settings. This will not affect your data (photos, contacts), but will return all the input parameters to the post-purchase state.

For Gboard:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Gboard in the list and tap it.
3. Select Memory → Erase Data (not cache!).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

For Mi Keyboard:

• 🔹 Path: Settings → Annexes → All applications → keyboard MIUI.
• 🔹 Press Warehouse. → Clear all data.

⚠️ Note: After resetting, you will have to re-add all the layout languages and adjust the dictionary. If you use cloud sync (for example, through a Google account), check first that the backup of the dictionary is created (Gboard Settings). → Dictionary → Backup).

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Resetting your keyboard is a last resort, and try less radical methods before you do that: rebooting your phone, updating your Gboard via Google Play, or disabling experimental features in your keyboard settings (Settings → Advanced → Experimental Features).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions