How to change the language on the keyboard of the Xiaomi phone: all ways

Changing the language on the Xiaomi keyboard is a challenge that every second owner of a smartphone of this brand faces. Even if you bought a device with a Russian interface, the default keyboard can remain in Chinese, English or other languages. Especially a problem for devices purchased abroad or through informal channels. But don't panic: the setup process takes no more than 3-5 minutes if you know the right steps.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to change the language – from the standard MIUI keyboard to popular third-party applications like Gboard or SwiftKey. Separately, we will focus on the nuances for different versions of firmware (MIUI 12/13/14) and models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.). If you are faced with a situation where the keyboard language is reset after a reboot or not saved, here you will find a solution.

Before you start, make sure your device has the latest firmware version installed. Older versions of MIUI (below 12th) may have different settings, and check if your phone has child restrictions or work profiles, which sometimes block changes in system settings.

1. How to change the language on the standard MIUI keyboard

The standard MIUI keyboard is pre-installed on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, with the main advantage of full system integration and minimal resource consumption. To add or change the input language, follow the following steps:

Open any application where the keyboard appears (such as Messages or Notes). Tap the input field to activate the keyboard. Then tap the gear icon (⚙️) If you don't have an icon, you can use an alternative path to get into the settings:

Go to Settings → Additional Settings → Language and input → Current keyboard. Here you will see an active keyboard (usually the MIUI Keyboard or the Xiaomi Keyboard).

• 🌐 Adding language: In the Input Languages section, click Language Management → select the language you want from the list (e.g. Russian, Ukrainian, Kazakh). Download the language package if the system offers.
• 🔄 Language switching: Go back to the input field and hold the space, and the menu with available languages will appear.
• ⚡ Quick switching: In some versions MIUI You can assign a gesture: swipe your finger on the space left / right to change the language.

If the language you want is not on the list, check the region of your Mi Account. For example, adding Tatar or Belarusian may require you to change the region to Russia or Belarus in your phone settings.

Make sure your phone is connected to the Internet (you need to download language packs)

Check the MIUI version (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version)

Disable VPN (can block language loading)

Close all applications that use the keyboard-->

2. Setting up the language in Gboard (Google keyboard)

Gboard is the most popular alternative keyboard for Xiaomi, especially among users who are actively using Google services, with advantages such as voice input, gesture control and vocabulary synchronization between devices, to change the language:

Install Gboard from Google Play if it isn't already. Then activate the keyboard in the settings: Settings → System → Language and Input → Current Keyboard → select Gboard.

• ➕ Adding language: Open any text field → tap on the gear icon on the keyboard → Languages → Add keyboard. Select a language (e.g. English (USA) or German).
• 🎯 Language priority: Hold the space for quick switching. To change the order, go to Gboard Settings → Languages → Change the order.
• 🔍 Language search: If you don't find the language you want, use the search bar at the top of the list, for example, Armenian or Georgian may require manually entering the name.

Note that Gboard has a multilingual typing feature that allows you to type in multiple languages simultaneously without manual switching. It activates in language settings.

3. Features for different Xiaomi models

The process of changing the language on the keyboard may vary slightly depending on the model of the smartphone and the version of MIUI. Below are the key nuances for popular lines:

For global firmware devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Lite NE), the list of languages is wider than for Chinese versions (China ROM). If you bought a phone with China ROM, it is recommended to change the region to Russia or India before setting up the keyboard (depending on the languages you need).

💡

On POCO and some Redmi, there is a hidden "Quick Language Change" feature via double-pressing the Shift key. Activated in the MIUI keyboard settings.

4 Problem Solving: Language is not changed or reset

Sometimes, after a language change, the keyboard continues to work in the same language or returns to it after a reboot, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

• 🔄 Reset keyboard settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → keyboard MIUI (Gboard) → Warehouse → Reset the settings.
• 📱 Keyboard conflict: If multiple keyboards are installed, the system can automatically switch. → System system → Language and input.
• 🔒 Work profile restrictions: On corporate phones, the administrator can block language change. → Accounts. → Working profile.
• 📡 Internet problems: Language packets are only downloaded when connected to a stable connection. Try switching from mobile data to Wi-Fi.

If the language is reset after the MIUI update, it may be due to a firmware error, in which case cleaning the system cache will help:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation).
4. Reset the device.

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If the keyboard language resets after each MIUI update, turn off automatic update installation in the system settings.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) When you reset your keyboard settings, you may lose user words from your dictionary.

5. How to add rare languages (Ukrainian, Kazakh, Armenian, etc.)

The standard MIUI keyboard supports about 80 languages, but some (such as Tatar, Chukchi or Esperanto) may not be available.

Gboard or SwiftKey are good for Ukrainian and Belarusian, but Kazakh (with support for Cyrillic and Latin) or Uzbek are better off using specialized applications like Keyman or Multiling O Keyboard.

• 🇺🇦 Ukrainian: In Gboard, select Ukrainian → Ukransk (Ukraine) for the layout with the letter g Install Ukrainian Keyboard from Play Market.
• 🇰🇿 Kazakh: SwiftKey has both layouts: qazak tili (Cyrillic) and Qazaq tili (Latin).
• 🇦🇲 Armenian: Requires font installation. Download Armenian Keyboard and activate in system settings.
• 🇹🇯 Tajik/Kyrgyz: Use Persian/Arabic Keyboard with Cyrillic support.

Languages with non-standard characters (e.g. Georgian, Mongolian) may require manual font installation. Download the font from the Play Market (e.g. iFont), then activate it in the display settings.

⚠️ Attention: On phones from China ROM adding Ukrainian or Belarusian may require a preliminary change of the region to Ukraine or Belarus in the basic settings of the device.

6. Alternative keyboards for Xiaomi: pros and cons

If the standard MIUI keyboard doesn't suit you, consider alternatives, each with unique chips, but may require additional adjustments:

To install an alternative keyboard:

1. Download the app from the Play Market.
2. Activate it in Settings → System → Language and input → Current keyboard.
3. Assign as the default keyboard (the option will appear when you first use).

Some MIUI firmware (especially Chinese ones) may block third-party keyboard installation, in which case permission to install from unknown sources will help:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings (cog at the top) → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
2. Select the browser or file manager you want to install.apk through.
3. Permission to install.

7. Change the keyboard language via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, on phones with locked settings), you can change the keyboard language through the phone. ADB-This is a way for advanced users to connect the phone to a computer.

First, turn on the USB debugging:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to Settings → Additional settings → Developer settings.
4. Activate Debugging on USB.

Install ADB Tools on your PC and connect your phone. Then execute a command to change the language (e.g., Russian):

adb shell settings put secure default_input_method com.android.inputmethod.latin/.LatinIME


adb shell am broadcast -a com.android.intent.action.SET_LOCALE -e locale ru_RU

For other languages, substitute ru_RU coded:

• en_US — English (USA)
• uk_UA — Ukrainian
• kk_KZ — Kazakh
• be_BY — Belarusian

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause phone malfunctions. Before executing commands, back up your data via Settings. → Additional settings → Backup and reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the language to Xiaomi