How to completely remove Chinese from the keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi: 4 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi smartphone owners often face the unexpected appearance of Chinese characters on the keyboard - even if the phone is bought from an official global firmware store. The reasons can range from accidental tapping to system failure after the update. Chinese layout not only interferes with typing, but also ranks on the list of languages, slowing the switch between them.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can delete Chinese, from basic keyboard settings to deep changes to the system, how to disable auto-add characters, reset to factory settings (if other methods didn’t work), and even manually edit system files for power users, with a focus on the Redmi Note 12 model and newer versions of MIUI 14/15, where the reset algorithm has changed.

To make matters worse, Chinese firmware (even on global devices) sometimes automatically loads Asian languages to "improve the user experience." It's not a bug, it's a feature -- but not a feature that everyone needs. If you see on the keyboard or, then the system thinks you might need to type characters. Let's fix it once and for all.

1. Removing Chinese through keyboard settings

Let's start with the simplest method, which works 80 percent of the time, and most people don't even realize that Chinese can be turned off right in the keyboard menu without resetting or complicated manipulation.

Open any application where the keyboard appears (such as Notes or Messages (⚙️) three-point (⋮) In the upper right corner of the keyboard, to open the settings:

• 🔹 Go to Languages and layouts (or Languages & Input in English).
• 🔹 Find Chinese on the list, which can be called (simplified) or (traditional).
• 🔹 Click on the three dots next to the language name and select Remove or Delete.
• 🔹 Confirm the action – the language will disappear from the list of available.

If Chinese isn't on the main list, check the Additional Languages or Recommended - it sometimes hides there.Some MIUI firmware may require a phone reboot to take effect.

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If you delete the language again, it's written in the system settings. Go to the next method.

2. Reset keyboard settings to factory

If Chinese persists in returning after being removed, the problem is likely to be the keyboard cache or customization, in which case the factory reset will help.

Note: This method will not remove your texts or words from the dictionary, but will reset all personal settings (topics, key sizes, click sounds, etc.) Here's how to do it:

1. Open Phone Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter the keyboard – usually the system finds Gboard (Google) or Xiaomi Keyboard.
3. Select your keyboard and go to Warehouse.
4. Click Clear Cache and Reset Settings (or Clear Data in English).

Once reset, reset your phone and check if the Chinese language has disappeared, and if it doesn't, it's system-based, and more radical measures will be needed.

3. Changing the System Language and Region

On Xiaomi Redmi smartphones with global firmware, Chinese on the keyboard often appears because of the wrong region of the system, even if the interface is in Russian, China (Hong Kong) or Taiwan can be activated in the background.

To fix this:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and Region.
2. Check the current region – it should be Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan or another CIS country.
3. If you are in China, Hong Kong or Singapore, change to the right region.
4. Reboot the phone.

When you change region, check the keyboard again. If you still have Chinese, try adding and removing any other language (e.g. English) that sometimes resets the cache.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C or Redmi A1) Changing the region can cause wallpaper and sound circuits to reset.

4. Chinese language removal via ADB (for power users)

If all previous methods fail, manually delete system files via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the phone to your PC, install ADB drivers and open the command line.
4. Enter the commands: adb shell pm list packages | grep keyboard This will show all packages associated with the keyboard.
5. Find a package with a Chinese layout (usually containing pinyin or a Chinese layout). zh_CN) and delete it: pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.keyboard.zh (replace com.example.keyboard.zh with the real name of the package).

Once you've completed the commands, reboot your phone. Chinese should be gone forever.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause data loss or keyboard failure. If you're not sure, skip this method.

5. Phone flashing (extreme case)

If Chinese is embedded in firmware (relevant to devices purchased in China or with custom ROMs), a full flashing to the global version of MIUI may be required.

You'll need firmware.

• 🔹 Official global firmware for your model (download from Xiaomi website).
• 🔹 Mi Flash Tool for Windows.
• 🔹 Cable USB 100% battery charge.

Firmware process:

1. Unpack the downloaded archive with firmware.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Select the firmware folder and press Flash.

Once you flash it, it's like new, without Chinese or any apps, and it wipes all the data off the device!

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Firmware is the only way to completely remove Chinese from firmware for the Asian market (e.g. Redmi Note 11 China ROM).

6. Alternative keyboards: a workaround

If none of these methods worked (or you don’t want to risk it), it’s easier to install a third-party keyboard.

• 🔹 Gboard (from Google) – supports 100+ Languages but without Chinese unless added.
• 🔹 SwiftKey (from Microsoft) – smart keyboard with customizable layouts.
• 🔹 Fleksy – Minimalist keyboard without unnecessary languages.

After installation:

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input.
2. Select a new keyboard and make it by default.
3. Remove the standard Xiaomi keyboard (if possible).

This won’t remove Chinese from the system, but it will stop appearing when typing.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

FAQ: Frequent questions