How to turn on the translator directly on the keyboard Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide with pictures

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often don’t realize that their devices are hidden powerful tool — built-in translator on the keyboard, which works right while typing. This feature allows you to translate words, phrases or entire sentences without switching between applications, saving time and traffic, especially useful for traveling, communicating with foreigners or learning languages.

But there are nuances: depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14 or 15) and the smartphone model, the path to settings may differ. In addition, in some regions the default function is disabled or hidden. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to activate the translator, including bypassing geo-restrictions, setting up an offline dictionary and solving typical problems. You will also learn how to get the translator to work on Telegram, WhatsApp and other messengers, where he sometimes refuses to appear.

If you are a POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13T user, don’t worry: the instructions will work for you, but the main thing is to correctly determine the firmware version and keyboard type (standard MIUI Keyboard or Gboard).

1. Compatibility Check: Does the translator work on your Xiaomi?

Before you set up the feature, make sure your device supports it. The built-in keyboard interpreter is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12.5 and later, but there are exceptions:

• 📱 Supported models: Xiaomi 11/12/13 series, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Mi 10/11 Lite and newer.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: On devices for the Chinese market (CN ROM) The translator may be absent or require additional manipulation.
• 🔄 Keyboard type: The function only works on standard MIUI Keyboard (not on Gboard or SwiftKey).

To check the version of MIUI, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI. If you have a version older than 12.5 but no translator, it may be disabled in the language settings.

2. Step-by-step setup of the translator on the standard MIUI keyboard

If your device is compatible, follow this instruction, and the entire process will take no more than 3-5 minutes:

1. Open any application with a keyboard (such as Notes or Messages).
2. Call the keyboard and tap the icon. ⚙️ (gear) in the top row.
3. In the keyboard settings menu, select Additional Functions → Translate.
4. Activate the slider next to Show the Translator button.
5. Choose the main languages (from which the translation will be made) and the target languages (to which). → English.

After activation on the keyboard will appear a new button with an icon 🌐. Now you can:

• 🔹 Type in text → press 🌐 → Translation in a separate window.
• 🔹 Select a word in the already typed text → slip 🌐 instantaneous.
• 🔹 Use voice input (if supported by your model).

Important: If the button 🌐 does not appear even after activation, try to restart the smartphone or reset the keyboard settings in Settings → System system → Language and input → Virtual keyboard → Resetting settings.

3. How to enable Gboard translator (if you use it instead of MIUI Keyboard)

Many Xiaomi users prefer Google's Gboard because of the advanced features. Unfortunately, there is no built-in keyboard translator in Gboard, but there is a workaround:

1. Install the Google Translate app from the Play Market.
2. Open Gboard Settings → Text input → Clipboard.
3. Activate the option to Show Offers from Google Translate.
4. Now, when copying text in a foreign language, a translation button will appear in the clipboard.

It's not as convenient as the built-in MIUI translator, but it works in a stable way. Alternatively, you can use translation gestures.

• 👆 Emphasize the text → Tap on the Google Translate icon in the copy menu.
• 🎤 Click on the microphone in Google Translate for voice input.

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If you need an offline translation, download the language packs to Google Translate → Offline Translation. This will save roaming traffic.

4.The solution to the problems: why the interpreter does not work

Sometimes even after the right setup, the translator refuses to function, and here are the typical reasons and ways to fix them:

Critical information for Xiaomi users with Chinese firmware (CN ROM): In some versions of MIUI for China, the translator is locked at the system level. To unlock it, you will need to change the device region to Global or EEA via Settings → Additional → Region. After changing the region, restart the phone.

5. Advanced settings: offline translation, voice input and synchronization

The built-in MIUI translator can do more than it first appears, and here are hidden features that few people know about:

• 📥 Offline translation: Download language packs to Keyboard Settings → Translator → Offline languages: Main languages supported: English, Spanish, German, French.
• 🎤 Voice Translation: Click on the microphone icon in the interpreter window to translate speech into text (only works when connected to the Internet).
• 🔄 Auto-replace with translation: Enable in the settings Automatically translate unfamiliar words – the keyboard will prompt the translations right during the set.
• 📋 Translation history: All translations are saved in Translator Settings → History (can be cleaned manually).

For maximum efficiency, we recommend:

1. Download offline packages for frequently used languages.
2. Add the Translate widget to the main screen for quick access.
3. Set up hotkeys (for example, holding a comma to call an interpreter).

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Offline translation consumes less battery, but requires additional memory (about 50-100 MB per tongue).

6. Alternative ways to transfer to Xiaomi (if the built-in does not suit)

If a standard MIUI translator seems limited, consider these alternatives:

• 🤖 Google Lens: Translates text from photos in real time. Open Google Photos → Lens → Text.
• 💬 DeepL Translator: More accurate translation than Google.Install the app and use the Share feature from any text field.
• 🌐 Yandex Translator: Good for Russian-speaking users thanks to support for slang and dialects.
• ⚡ QuickTranslate: Allows you to translate text directly from the lock screen.

For automation enthusiasts:

Tasker (Automation Application) can be configured to call an interpreter by:


- double tap in text;




- Voice command (OK Google, translate this)




- a gesture on the screen.

If you travel frequently, combine the built-in MIUI translator with Google Lens to translate signage, menus, and documents.

7.Security and Privacy: What Xiaomi Knows About Your Transfers

Many users are worried about whether Xiaomi keeps a history of transfers and transfers data to third parties.

• 🔒 Local Storage: Transfer history is stored only on the device (unless sync with Mi Account is enabled).
• ☁️ Cloud sync: If you are signed in to Mi Account, transfers can be synced between devices (disabled in account settings).
• 🛡️ Encryption: Translator data is transmitted over a secure protocol HTTPS (Like Google Translate).

⚠️ Note: If you are translating sensitive information (passwords, bank details), use offline or open source third-party applications such as Simple Translate.

To completely clear the history of translations:

1. Go to the keyboard settings → Translator → History.
2. Press Clear History.
3. For complete confidence, reset your keyboard settings to Settings → System → Language and Input → Reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the translator on the Xiaomi keyboard