How to completely remove the Chinese keyboard on Xiaomi Poco: from manual removal to system reset

The Chinese keyboard on Xiaomi Poco smartphones is a common problem for users who have purchased a device in the global version, but received firmware with regional settings in China or Taiwan. Even after changing the system language, the Sougou, Baidu IME keyboard or the built-in MIUI Keyboard with characters can remain on the active list, taking up space in the input panel and creating inconvenience.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to remove the Chinese keyboard on the Poco F5, Poco X5, Poco M6 and other models – from standard settings to using ADB and reset to factory settings. We will focus on the nuances for MIUI 14/15 firmware, where the manufacturer has limited access to some system functions. If you encounter a keyboard that returns after an update or reboot, here you will find a solution.

Why Chinese Keyboard Appears on Poco

The reasons for the Chinese keyboard on Xiaomi Poco fall into two categories: software and hardware.

• 📦 Regional firmware: The device was originally sewn under the Chinese market (CN ROM), Even if you choose English or Russian in the settings, the Sougou or Baidu keyboards are set as system and are not removed by standard methods.
• 🔄 Update MIUI: After updating the system, OTA Recover previously deleted keyboards if they were part of the original firmware image.
• 🛠️ Manual intervention: Installation of custom firmware or modified APK-Keyboard files without first removing system analogues.
• 📱 Multilingual settings: Including Chinese in the list of languages of the system (Settings) → Additionally. → Language and input automatically activates the corresponding keyboards.

Important: On Poco models with Global ROM, the Chinese keyboard is usually absent initially, and its appearance is a sign that the device has been re-implanted or purchased in an informal sales channel (for example, on AliExpress marked "For China").

Before you start removing, check the firmware version:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → version of MIUI.
2. If there is a CN at the end of the version number (e.g. MIUI 15.0.1 CN), you have Chinese firmware.

Method 1: Disabling the keyboard in the MIUI settings

The easiest method is to deactivate an unnecessary keyboard through the settings menu, which works if the keyboard is not system (e.g. Sougou or Baidu, installed as separate applications).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Current keyboard.
2. Click Keyboard Management (or Virtual Keyboard in older versions of MIUI).
3. In the list, find the Chinese keyboard (the name may contain characters or words Sougou, Baidu, Pinyin).
4. Turn off the slider next to the name or click on the basket icon (if available).

If the keyboard is not in the list or it is impossible to disable:

• 🔍 Try to find it in Settings. → Annexes → Application management (enter name in search).
• 🚫 If the Remove button is inactive, the keyboard is system (go to Method 3).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 14/15 Disabling the system keyboard can cause text input to fail, in which case, immediately after disabling, install an alternative keyboard (such as Gboard or SwiftKey) from Google Play.

Method 2: Remove through application settings

If the keyboard appears in the application list, it can be removed as normal software, a method that is suitable for Sougou, Baidu IME and other third-party keyboards installed on top of the system.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type the keyboard name (e.g. Sougou).
3. Select the app from the list and click Delete (or Uninstall).
4. Confirm action. If the button is inactive, click Disable (this hides the app, but doesn't delete it completely).

For system keyboards (such as the built-in MIUI Keyboard with Chinese layout), this method will not work.

• 🔧 Use it. ADB-teams (Method 3).
• 🔄 Consider resetting your settings (Method 5).

Alternatively, if deletion is blocked but the keyboard is in the way, install another keyboard (like Gboard) and make it the default keyboard, which will hide the Chinese layout from the input panel, even though it will physically remain in the system.

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Before removing the keyboard, check if it is used in other applications (such as WeChat or Alipay), and some Chinese services may require it to work properly.

Method 3: Remove via ADB (for system keyboards)

If the keyboard is system-based and not removed through settings, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will help.This method requires connecting the phone to a computer, but is guaranteed to remove even secure applications.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press the assembly number → return to → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Find out the name of the keyboard package (for example, for Sougou it is com.sohu.inputmethod.sogou): adb shell pm list packages | grep -i keyboard Or manually check common packages: KeyboardSigoucom.sohu.inputmethod.sogou Baidu IMEcom.baidu.in MIUI Keyboard (China)com.miui.miuikeyboard Google Pinyincom.putogle.android.inhoinhod.ingo.inhod.
5. Remove the keyboard by the command (replace package.name with real name): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package.name Example for Sougou: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.sohu.inputmethod.sogou
6. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Removing system keyboards through ADB This can lead to text input errors if no active keyboard is left in the system. Be sure to install an alternative keyboard (such as Gboard) before you execute the command!

Method 4: Reflashing to the global version of MIUI

If previous methods failed, a radical solution is to switch from Chinese firmware (CN ROM) to Global ROM, which would remove all Chinese components, including keyboards, but require unlocking the bootloader and potentially void the warranty.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Complete removal of all Chinese services and keyboards.
• ✅ The ability to choose the language of the system without restrictions.
• ✅ Stable operation of Google Play and other services.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Risk of "bricking" of the device in case of firmware error.
• ❌ Data loss (backup required).
• ❌ Cancellation of warranty (if the bootloader has been unlocked).

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Apply for unlock through Xiaomi's official website. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and plug your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down when the phone is off).
2. Download global firmware for your model: Official firmware is available on MIUI. Choose the Global Stable version (e.g. V15.0.1.0.TMWEUXM for Poco F5).

Put your phone on.

Fastboot

Recovery

• For Fastboot, use the command: fastboot flash all file name.zip
• For Recovery, copy the firmware file to your phone’s memory and select Install update from the recovery menu.

Important: Fastboot firmware erases all data! backup via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or using Mi PC Suite.

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Reflashing to the global version of MIUI is the only way to permanently get rid of Chinese keyboards and services, but it requires technical skills and can take away warranty.

Method 5: Resetting to factory settings

If the keyboard came on after updating or changing the region, and other methods didn't work, do a hard reset, which will bring the phone back out of the box, but delete all user data.

When to use this method:

• 🔄 After updating MIUI Chinese keyboards appeared.
• 📱 The phone was bought by hand and was previously used in China.
• 🔧 Other methods have not worked, and the firmware is already global.

Instructions:

1. Make a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, set your phone up as a new device by selecting the desired region (not China!) and language.

If the keyboard is still there even after reset, it means that it is sewn into the firmware, in which case only removal through ADB or flashing will help.

⚠️ Note: Some Poco models (e.g. Poco) X5 Pro) after the reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your username and password!

What to do if the keyboard returns after removal

If the Chinese keyboard reappears after a reboot or MIUI update, the problem is automatic system application recovery, which is typical of CN ROM firmware, where some components are protected from removal.

Decisions:

• 🔧 Turn off automatic updates to system applications: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Special Access. → Battery Optimization: Find Google Play Store and select Not Optimize.

Google Play

1. Open Google Play, find a keyboard (like Sougou).
2. Press three points. → Remove updates.
3. Turn off auto-update for this app.
4. 🛡️ Use it. ADB For permanent removal (see Method 3).
5. 🔄 Switch to custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that doesn’t have Chinese components.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Chinese keyboard on Poco