How to change the language on the keyboard and in the Xiaomi Redmi 4X system

Xiaomi’s Redmi series is well-deservedly popular for its excellent price-performance ratio. However, owners of the Redmi 4X, especially those who have bought the device in the Chinese market or through international venues, often face a language barrier. Standard firmware can be exclusively in English or Chinese, which creates difficulties in initial configuration and daily use of the gadget.

Changing language settings is not only about the system interface, but also about the virtual keyboard, which is the main input tool. Incorrect layout or lack of the correct alphabet can turn simple communication in messengers into a real quest. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to switch the system language and keyboard, and also consider how to install Russian if it is initially absent from the menu.

It’s worth noting that the MIUI shell installed on the Redmi 4X has its own specific logic, different from pure Android. Here, text input and system language settings can be located in different sections of the menu, and the Russification process sometimes requires additional actions. Understanding the menu structure will help you quickly adapt the device to your needs.

Standard System Language Change in MIUI

The first step in adapting a smartphone is to translate the settings menu into a clear language. In global versions of MIUI, Russian is the default language, but in Chinese versions (China ROM), it may not be on the list. If your phone already has a Russified menu, but you accidentally reset your settings or want to check the current status, the algorithm of actions will be as follows.

You need to open the Settings app and click on Languages & input. In the list, look for the item that is usually at the top of the menu or in the "Additional" section, which is called Settings in English, then select Additional settings and click on Languages & input. In some versions of the shell, the path may look like System → Languages & input.

Once you go to the languages section, you'll see a list of available localizations. If you have Russian or Russian on the list, just click on it and the interface of your smartphone will change instantly. Xiaomi will automatically apply changes to all standard applications that support multilingualism, which is the easiest and safest way to adapt.

⚠️ Note: If you change the language on a device that is under warranty and has seals on screws, avoid self-opening the case for soldering memory chips, which is sometimes offered in questionable services for the "factory" Russification of Chinese versions.

However, if you don't have Russian on the list of available languages, it means you have Chinese firmware installed, and if you just change the switch, you won't need to install global firmware or use specific localization techniques, which we'll talk about later, it's important to understand the difference between changing the keyboard layout and changing the interface language.

Setting and switching keyboard languages

Keyboards in Xiaomi smartphones are most often represented by Google’s standard Gboard solution or the proprietary MIUI keyboard. The process of switching the layout on the screen while printing and setting up available languages is slightly different. To add a new input language, you need to go to the settings of the keyboard application itself.

If you're in any type of input field, you can call the keyboard to the screen. There's often a globe or gear icon on the top of the keyboard or status bar. You can click on it and you'll be in the language management menu, and you can select Languages (or Languages) and add the layout you want, like Russian, and then you can switch between languages by short tapping the space or swiping the space.

If standard methods fail to add language, perhaps the problem lies in the limitations of the installed version of the keyboard itself. Some Chinese versions of input applications do not support Cyrillic out of the box, in which case the best solution would be to install an alternative keyboard from the app store.

For users who prefer physical or software switching, it is important to know the combinations. On a touch screen, it is usually a swipe to the left or right space. In the Language and input settings, you can choose the method of switching: through a pop-up menu or by quick pressing. Input settings play a critical role in typing speed.

• 🇷🇺 Russian layout: provides full text input in Cyrillic with the correct capacity of the keys.
• 🇺🇸 English (US): Standard American layout used for command entry and search.
• 🇬🇧 English (UK): British layout, differing in the location of some symbols.
• 🌐 Multilingualism: the ability to automatically define the language or quickly switch without leaving the chat.

What to do if there is no Russian language on the menu

The situation when the menu Redmi 4X is completely absent Russian, typical of devices imported from China parallel imports. Chinese firmware (China ROM) is sharpened for the local market and often lacks support for languages other than Chinese and English, using such a phone in the Russian segment is extremely inconvenient.

There are two main ways to solve this problem: the first is to install the Russifier through the MoreLocale 2 application. This method does not require flashing, but the translation can be partial: some system notifications and menus will remain in English. To work the method, you need to activate the developer mode and give the application special permissions through ADB-commands or wireless debugging menu.

The second, more radical and reliable method is to flash the device on Global ROM. Global firmware officially supports many languages, including Russian, and lacks Chinese “junk” in the form of pre-installed local applications. However, this process requires unlocking the bootloader, which can take from 7 to 15 days of waiting after submitting an application on Xiaomi service.

When choosing a method, consider your technical skills. Using MoreLocale 2 is data-safe, but it has a temporary effect that can fly when you upgrade the system. Flashing is a complex process that requires accurate follow-up, but it gives a full result. Installing global firmware on the Chinese version of Redmi 4X can lead to blocking of updates "over the air" (OTA).

Instructions for installing a third-party keyboard

If the built-in keyboard doesn't suit you or doesn't support the right languages, the best solution is to install a third-party app. Google Play offers dozens of options, but the leaders are Gboard, Yandex Keyboard and SwiftKey, which are fully adapted to work with MIUI.

The installation process is simple: find the app in the store, click “Install” and wait for the download to be completed. After the first start, the system will prompt you to activate a new keyboard, you will need to tick the name of the application in the list of input methods and allow access to the network (for voice input and dictionary updates).

Special attention should be paid to autocorrect and dictionary settings. Third-party keyboards often have smarter text prediction algorithms than standard ones, and can learn from your communication style, which greatly speeds up messaging on WhatsApp or Telegram.

Once activated, remember to delete or disable the old keyboard if you no longer need it, so as not to get confused in the switching. In the Language and Entering settings, you can select the Current Keyboard and prioritize the new application, which ensures that the interface you choose will appear when typing.

Solving Problems with Symbols Display

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the language is switched, but instead of letters, squares, question marks or “krakozyabr” are displayed, this indicates a problem with font encoding or damage to the system files responsible for rendering text, which can occur after a failed update or installation of custom themes.

The first thing to do is check the font settings. In the Additional → Fonts section (or through the Themes app), try returning the standard system font. Castomy fonts downloaded from unverified sources may not contain the full set of Cyrillic characters, which causes display errors.

If the font replacement didn't help, the system application cache may have been damaged, and cleaning the Settings and Keyboard cache will help. Go to Apps → All Apps, find what you want, select Memory and click Clear Cache, and don't confuse it with the Clear Everything button to keep your settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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If you travel frequently, add a few additional languages to your keyboard, which will automatically switch layouts when you type words in a foreign language, which is very convenient in the navigator and translator.

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Changing the language to Xiaomi Redmi 4X is a combination of setting the system locale and configuration of the keyboard application. For the Chinese versions of the phone, the most stable solution is installing global firmware.

To sum up, Xiaomi Redmi 4X provides flexible language customization tools despite some nuances with regional versions. Whether you use standard MIUI tools or resort to installing third-party solutions, the main thing is to act consistently. The correct language setting will make using your smartphone comfortable and efficient.

Don't be afraid to experiment with input settings, as the keyboard is your main window into the digital world. Modern predictive and voice typing algorithms make communication much easier if they're configured in your native language, and we hope this guide has helped you understand your device's settings.