How to change the keyboard layout on Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Switching the keyboard layout on Xiaomi smartphones seems like an easy task - as long as you don't encounter unexpected nuances. Users often complain that the standard Probel keyboard shortcut is a "switch" + Z doesn't work, and the settings don't have the usual switch, and the reason is because of the firmware. MIUI: The manufacturer is actively modifying the Android interface by adding its own solutions, for example, in new versions of the system, switching languages may depend on the selected keyboard (Gboard, SwiftKey or standard keyboard). MIUI Keyboard).

Another common problem is the accidental deletion of the language pack, and if you lose your Russian/English language after you update or reset, you'll have to add it again through the Language and Input menu. EEA (for example, Xiaomi 13T Pro or Redmi Note 12) are sometimes faced with a limited set of layouts due to regional settings. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the layout, including hidden functions and workarounds for unusual situations.

Particular attention will be paid to devices with hybrid firmware (for example, POCO F5 on MIUI For global markets, but with a Chinese core, keyboard settings can be duplicated in different menu sections, confusing users, and we'll also look at how to return the usual gesture switching if it gets lost after the update.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The most reliable method is to use the built-in tools of the system, which is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO base MIUI 12-14, including the latest updates from 2026.Important: if you use a third-party keyboard (like Gboard), some menu items may differ.

The instructions are relevant for the firmware:

• 📱 Global (MIUI Global)
• 🇪🇺 EEA (European version)
• 🇷🇺 Russian (with pre-installed services)
• 🇨🇳 Chinese (requires a Russifier)

To add or change the layout:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.
3. Select an active keyboard (such as MIUI Keyboard or Gboard).
4. Click on the Input Languages or Manage Input Languages.
5. Activate the desired languages with a switch (for example, Russian, English (USA)).
6. To change the switching order, hold your tongue and drag it up/down.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) Language and input hidden in Settings → System system → Language and region: If you can't find a section, search by settings (lamp in upper right corner).

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure the keyboard is updated via Google Play

Turn off VPN – it can block language packs from loading

Take a screenshot of the current settings in case of a crash-->

2. Quick gesture switching

V MIUI There are several ways to change the layout instantly without going into the settings, and the most popular is to swipe the space to the left or right:

• 🔄 Disabled in keyboard settings.
• 📱 Uses a third-party keyboard (e.g. SwiftKey) where the gesture is reassigned.
• 🔧 After the update, the gesture settings were lost.

To enable or adjust the gesture:

1. Open any keyboard (for example, in messages).
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ (gear) on the keyboard toolbar.
3. Select Keyboard Settings → Gestures (or Gestures).
4. Activate the swipe option on the space for changing the language.
5. If necessary, change the direction of the swipe (left/right).

If the gesture doesn’t work even after setting up, try alternative methods:

• 🔁 Double press on Shift (on some keyboards).
• 🎯 Holding the button 123 (digits) to call the language menu.
• 🔠 Clicking on the globe icon (🌐) near-space.

A blank gesture

Globe button (🌐)

Keyboard combination (e.g. Shift)+Gap)

The Appendix (Tasker, MacroDroid)

Another option-->

3. problems with layout after the update MIUI

Firmware updates often reset keyboard settings.

• 🔤 Added languages disappeared.
• 🔄 Signal switching doesn't work.
• 📛 Unknown layouts appeared (for example, Chinese).

Solutions for each problem:

If all languages other than Chinese are missing after the update, the regional settings are likely to have gone wrong.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Repeatedly tap the version MIUI, activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → Region.
4. Choose Russia or the United States.
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: On Chinese firmware devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 for the domestic market), changing the region may require a factory reset. → Additionally. → Backup.

4. Use of third-party keyboards (Gboard, SwiftKey)

If it's standard MIUI Keyboard is not satisfied, you can install an alternative keyboard from Google Play:

• 🎹 Gboard (from Google) – supports gestures, voice input and themes.
• ⚡ SwiftKey (from Microsoft) – smart word prediction and cloud synchronization.
• 🔍 Fleksy – minimalist design and advanced gesture settings.

To install and configure Gboard:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open Settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.
3. Activate Gboard and set it with the default keyboard.
4. Launch Gboard, go to Settings → Languages and add the required layouts.
5. Set up the switch to Settings → Switching layout (for example, swipe over space or globe button).

Advantages of third-party keyboards:

• 🌍 More supported languages (including dialects).
• 🎨 Flexible configuration of appearance (themes, key sizes).
• 🤖 Integration with voice assistants (Google Assistant, Bing).

💡

If the keyboard does not appear after installing Gboard, restart the phone and check what is in Settings. → Annexes → Gboard has no restrictions on background work.

5. Hidden functions MIUI layout-control

MIUI It contains some non-obvious features for working with input languages that are not documented in the official certificate. For example, on devices with an infrared port (for example, Xiaomi Mi 10), you can use the remote control to switch the layout, this feature remains with early versions of the firmware.

Other hidden options:

• 🔑 Password for changing language: C Settings → Language and input → Security can be established PIN-code to prevent accidental switching of layout (useful for parental control).
• 📊 Usage statistics: in MIUI Keyboard has a hidden Analytics section that shows you which languages you use more often (available through long-term click on the gear icon).
• 🔄 Automatic switching: if words in another language are frequently encountered in the text, MIUI can offer to change the layout automatically (included in the keyboard settings) → Smart input).

To activate experimental functions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. 7 times tap the version MIUI, to enable the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the Force option GPU Rendering and turning it on (this can speed up the switching of layouts).
5. Reset the device.

6. Solving keyboard problems on POCO redmi

Linear devices POCO Redmi often has a simplified version. MIUI, For example, the Redmi Note 11 does not have a separate section for controlling keyboard gestures, it has to be configured through third-party utilities.

Typical problems and solutions for budget models:

For devices with low memory (e.g. Redmi) A1 from 32 GB recommended:

• 🗑️ Remove unused language packs (up to 50MB each).
• 🔄 Turn off automatic keyboard updates in Google Play.
• 📱 Use lightweight keyboards (e.g. Simple Keyboard).

💡

On the devices. POCO firmware MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO F4 GT) Keyboard settings can be in a separate section POCO Launcher → Settings of the topic.

7 Automation of layout switching

If you have to change the input language frequently (for example, when working with bilingual texts), you can automate the process using the following applications:

• 🤖 Tasker – Creates rules for switching layouts by time, location or running specific applications.
• 🔄 MacroDroid – a simplified alternative to Tasker with ready-made templates for the keyboard.
• 📱 SwiftKey Flow – allows you to swipe languages without clicking on the buttons.

Example of settings in Tasker:

1. Create a new task (Task → New Task).
2. Add the Input Method action → Select Input Method.
3. Indicate. ID the required keyboard (for example, com.google.android.inputmethod.latin/.LatinIME Gboard).
4. Create a profile (Profile) → Application) and select applications where you need to change the layout automatically (for example, Telegram or Word).
5. Link the task to the profile.

For MacroDroid suitable ready template:

1. Open the application and go to Templates → keyboard.
2. Select Automan of the language when you start the application.
3. Specify the app (such as WhatsApp) and language (such as English).
4. Save the macro.

⚠️ Note: Automatic tools may conflict with optimization MIUI. If after setting up Tasker, the keyboard starts to lag, add the app to the battery exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Tasker → No restrictions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the layout on Xiaomi