How to change the keyboard language on Xiaomi: all the ways to MIUI 14/15

Switching the keyboard language on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces when they first start a device or after resetting. Even if you’ve been using a Redmi, POCO or Mi phone for a long time, suddenly disappearing the desired language or crashing the keyboard can take you by surprise. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to change the language, from the standard settings of the MIUI Keyboard to the intrics of settings Gboard and other third-party keyboards.

The MIUI firmware feature is that it offers users a choice between a branded keyboard and Google solutions, and the algorithm for adding new languages may vary depending on the firmware version (e.g. MIUI 14 vs MIUI 15) and the smartphone model. We took into account all the nuances and prepared universal instructions that will be suitable for most Xiaomi devices released after 2018.

Why can’t I change the keyboard language?

Before you move on to settings, it is worth understanding the possible causes of the problem, most often users are faced with the following situations:

• 🔄 The language is not available in the list of available – this is typical for regional firmware (for example, China), where only Chinese and English can be the default.
• 🔧 Keyboard resets to English after update MIUI — bug that occurs in versions 13.0.4–14.0.3.
• 📱 Language switching by gesture does not work (swipe your finger over the space) – the function can be turned off in gesture settings.
• ⚙️ Third-party keyboard does not save settings – conflict with optimization MIUI, permit-configured.

If your problem doesn’t make it to this list, check if the device has custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS), in which case the keyboard setting algorithm may be radically different from the standard MIUI.

Method 1: Change the language to the standard MIUI Keyboard

The MIUI Keyboard is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones, and to add or change the language, follow the following steps:

1. Open any application where you can type text (such as Notes or Messages).
2. Tap the input field to make the keyboard appear.
3. Press the gear icon (⚙️) in the top row of the keyboard to open the settings.
4. Select Languages and layout (or Languages & layout in English).
5. Use the language management (Manage languages).
6. In the list of available languages, tick the necessary ones (for example, Russian, Ukrainian, Español).
7. Go back and make sure the languages appear in the top panel of the keyboard (switching between them is done by swiping over the space or clicking on the globe). 🌐).

Important: The European Region (EEA) MIUI firmware may not have Chinese by default, and to add it, you will need to change the device region to "China" in the basic settings.

Check the MIUI version in settings (Settings → About phone)

Make sure that the MIUI keyboard is set as the main one (Settings → System → Language and input)

Download the MIUI language packages (if required) via the Mi App Store

Restart your phone after adding new languages-->

Method 2: Setting up Gboard (Google keyboard)

Many Xiaomi users prefer Gboard because of advanced features like voice input or real-time translation, to change the language in this keyboard:

1. Open Settings → System → Language and input.
2. In the Keyboard section, select Gboard (could be called Google Keyboard).
3. Stick to the tongues (Languages).
4. Click Add keyboard and select the language you want from the list (for example, Russian – QWERTY or German – QWERTZ).
5. After adding, go back to any text box, click on the globe icon (🌐) On the keyboard and select the desired language.

If the language you want is not on the list, update your Gboard via Google Play or check your Google account region (some languages are only available for certain countries).

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If it doesn’t appear on the keyboard after adding the language to Gboard, try removing and re-addressing the keyboard in the system settings (Settings → System → Language and Input → Virtual Keyboard).

Method 3: Adding language through system settings

Sometimes changing the keyboard language requires pre-configuring the entire system's languages.

• 📱 You bought a smartphone with Chinese firmware and want to add Russian / English.
• 🌍 Language is not included in the keyboard list due to regional restrictions.
• ⚙️ After resetting, all languages except English were lost.

To add a system language:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and Region (or Language & Region).
2. Add the language (Add language) to the language.
3. Select the desired language from the list (for example, Russian (Russia) or Ukrainian (Ukraine)).
4. Move it to the first position if you want to make it the main one.
5. Reset the device.

The language will then automatically appear on the list of available languages for MIUI Keyboard and Gboard. If this does not happen, clear the Settings app cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Clear cache).

Method 4: Install third-party keyboards (SwiftKey, Fleksy, Chroom)

If the standard solutions do not suit, you can install an alternative keyboard from Google Play.

• 🔠 Microsoft SwiftKey supports more than 100 languages and offers cloud-based dictionary synchronization.
• ⌨️ Fleksy – minimalist keyboard with support for gestures and themes.
• 🎨 Chroom – keyboard with a high degree of customization and support APK-then.

To install and configure a third-party keyboard:

1. Download the app from Google Play (like SwiftKey).
2. Open Settings → System → Language and input.
3. In the Virtual Keyboard section, turn on the switch opposite the installed keyboard.
4. Tap it by its name (for example, SwiftKey) and configure the languages in the app menu.
5. Return to any text field, click on the keyboard icon in the notification bar and select a new keyboard.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13 and below, some third-party keyboards may conflict with the Mi Share function. If gestures stop working or lags appear after installing a new keyboard, disable Mi Share in the settings (Settings) → Connection and sharing → Mi Share).

Problem Solving: Language reset or not retained

If the keyboard language spontaneously changes to English or other undesirable variant, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔄 Automatic update MIUI — after installing a new version of the firmware, the keyboard settings can be reset.
• 📱 Application conflict – some programs (e.g., Clean Master or DU Speed Booster) clears the keyboard cache.
• ⚙️ Xiaomi account sync error – if the language is tied to a cloud profile, the failure can cause a reset.

To fix the problem:

1. Clear the keyboard cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Keyboard name] → Clear the cache
2. Turn off Battery Optimization for Keyboard: Settings → Battery → Application Selection → [Keyboard Name] → Without Limits
3. Reset keyboard settings: In the keyboard menu, find Reset settings or Reset settings.
4. Update the firmware: Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

If the problem persists, try installing a different keyboard (for example, go from MIUI Keyboard to Gboard) or reset your phone settings (pre-saving data!).

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On devices with MIUI 15 and later, the Smart Reply feature can conflict with manual settings. Turn it off in Keyboard Settings → Advanced Features → Smart Reply.

Features for different Xiaomi models

The algorithm for changing the keyboard language may vary slightly depending on the model of the smartphone and the version of MIUI.

For custom firmware devices (such as Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the keyboard setting algorithm will be identical to pure Android.

Settings → System → Languages and input → Virtual keyboard → [Keyboard Selection] → Languages

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the keyboard language to Xiaomi