How to change the language on the keyboard Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: all the ways and nuances

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is still popular among users due to its reliability and functionality, but its MIUI firmware (especially older versions) sometimes raises questions from owners. One of the common problems is the inability to quickly switch the keyboard language or the lack of the right layout in the list. If you are faced with the fact that when typing instead of the Russian alphabet displays Latin characters (or vice versa), and the standard space retention does not work, this article will help to understand.

Unlike modern Xiaomi models, where language changes are intuitive, the Redmi Note 3 (released in 2016) can have nuances. For example, depending on the version of MIUI (global, Chinese, custom firmware), the keyboard settings menu can look different. We will look at all the current ways, from basic switching to installing alternative keyboards if the regular Google Keyboard or MiuiKeyboard works incorrectly.

Before you start settings, make sure that:

• 📱 The smartphone has the latest available firmware version for your model (updates often fix layout bugs).
• 🌐 A stable Internet connection is connected (required for downloading language packs or alternative keyboards).
• ⚙️ You have administrator rights if you plan to install third-party applications (Chinese firmware may have restrictions).

1. Standard method: switching through the notification panel

The fastest way to change language is to use a notification bar, which works if you've already added multiple layouts.

1. Open any application where you can type text (such as Messages or Notes).
2. Tap the input field to make the keyboard appear.
3. Press and hold the space button (on some versions) MIUI — globe-icon 🌐).
4. In the menu that appears, select the desired language (for example, Russian or English (US)).

If this method does not work, check:

• ❌ Is the language missing from the list (you need to add it first in the settings).
• ❌ Is there a third-party keyboard (such as Gboard or SwiftKey) that overrides standard gestures.
• ❌ Is One Hand mode activated – it can block some keyboard functions.

2. Adding a new language in keyboard settings

If the layout is not in the switching list, you need to add it manually. MIUI Keyboard:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.
2. Select MIUI Keyboard (or Google Keyboard if installed).
3. Use the Input Languages (or Input Languages).
4. Click Add language and tick the necessary (for example, Russian, English (USA)).
5. Go back to the input field and check if you have the ability to switch.

Important: On Chinese firmware (China ROM), the list of available languages may be limited, and you will need to:

• 🔄 Install a global firmware (e.g, MIUI Global Stable).
• 📥 Download an alternative keyboard from Google Play (if the store is available).
• ⚙️ Manually add a language package through Settings → Language and region.

3. Installation of an alternative keyboard (Gboard, SwiftKey)

If the standard Xiaomi keyboard is unstable, the best solution is to install a side keyboard from Google Play.

• 🔹 Gboard (from Google) – supports gestures, voice input and more than 100 languages.
• 🔹 SwiftKey (from Microsoft) – smart word prediction and synchronization between devices.
• 🔹 Fleksy – Minimalist design and advanced themes.

Step-by-step instructions for installing Gboard:

1. Open the Google Play Market and find the Gboard app, the Google Keyboard.
2. Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
3. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.
4. Activate the switch next to the Gboard.
5. Return to the input field, click on the keyboard icon in the notification bar and select Gboard.

After installation:

• 🎨 Set the theme and key size in the Gboard Settings menu (cog icon on the keyboard).
• 🌍 Add the necessary languages to the languages → Add a keyboard.
• ⚡ Enable Gesture Control for Quick Swipe Switching over the Space.

Make sure your phone has enough memory (minimum 100MB)

Connect to Wi-Fi (downloading the keyboard can take up to 50 MB)

Check if installation from unknown sources is allowed (if you download APK)

Backup your current keyboard settings (if saved words are important)-->

4. Solving Language Switching Problems

Sometimes even after adding a language, switching doesn't work, so let's look at the typical causes and ways to fix them:

A critical feature for Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: Some versions of MIUI (especially 7.x and 8.x) may reset the keyboard layout when changing the system language.

1. Take a screenshot of the current keyboard settings.
2. Save the user dictionary (if it is important).
3. After changing the system language, re-add the necessary layouts to the keyboard.

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If your keyboard languages are missing after the MIUI update, try resetting the MIUI Keyboard app to factory settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → MIUI Keyboard → Storage → Settings Reset. This won’t delete language packets, but will return standard settings.

5. Switching languages with gestures

On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, you can configure swipe switching, which is more convenient than holding the space.

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.
2. Select your keyboard (such as MIUI Keyboard).
3. Go to Keyboard Settings → Gestures (or Gestures).
4. Activate the Swipe option on the space to change the language (or similar).
5. Check the work: swipe left or right on the space button to switch.

For Gboard, the gesture setting is slightly different:

1. Open any input field and tap on the icon ⚙️ keyboard.
2. Select Settings → Gestures.
3. Turn on Swipe by space and select Change language.

Note: In Chinese firmware, gestures may not work properly due to manufacturer restrictions, in which case only changing the firmware or installing an alternative keyboard will help.

6. Reset keyboard settings to factory

If none of these things worked, the last option is to completely reset the keyboard, which will bring all the settings back out of the box, but it won't delete the language packs.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find the MIUI Keyboard (or Google Keyboard) and tap it.
3. Select Storage → Settings Reset (or Clear Data – this will delete all user settings, including saved words).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: After resetting your keyboard settings, you'll have to re-add languages and adjust text prediction. If you're using Gboard, the user dictionary (entry history) will also be removed. To avoid data loss, export the settings to Gboard Settings before resetting. → Dictionary → Exports.

If the reset didn't solve the problem, the system files might be damaged, and then it might help:

• 🔄 Update MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📥 Flashing the phone through the Mi Flash Tool (requires unlocking the bootloader).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When working with language settings on Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, users often make common mistakes, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🚫 Removing System Language: If you delete a language that is installed as the main language in the system (e.g. English), it can cause menu malfunctions.
• 🚫 Ignoring Updates: Older Versions MIUI (below 9.0) may not support some languages (e.g. Tatar or Kazakh) → The phone.
• 🚫 Installation of keyboards from unverified sources: APK-files from third-party sites may contain malicious code. download keyboards only from official Google Play.

Another common problem is the conflict between several keyboards, and if you have multiple keyboards installed at once (e.g. MIUI Keyboard + Gboard + SwiftKey), the system can switch between them arbitrarily, to avoid this:

1. Open Settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.
2. Turn off unnecessary keyboards, leaving only one main one.
3. If you need to switch between them, use the keyboard icon in the notification bar.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 with Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Installation of some alternative keyboards (e.g. SwiftKey) may be blocked by security, in which case, before installation, disable Mi Security in the settings or use global firmware.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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If none of these methods worked, the most reliable solution is to install an alternative keyboard (such as the Gboard) that supports all languages, gestures, and is independent of the MIUI version.