How to completely remove the Chinese keyboard on Xiaomi Redmi Note: disable, delete and reset

The Chinese keyboard on the Xiaomi Redmi Note is one of the most annoying “chips” of global and Chinese MIUI firmware. Users are faced with the fact that instead of the usual Gboard or SwiftKey, the system stubbornly pushes Sogou Input, Baidu IME or other Asian layouts with characters, unnecessary predictions and advertising. Worse, standard removal through the application menu often does not work: the keyboard returns after a reboot or update.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to get rid of the Chinese keyboard forever – from simple switching off in settings to radical methods using the ADB All instructions are valid for the Redmi Note. 10/11/12 (including Pro/Pro+/5G-model MIUI 13/14 If you are tired of sudden changes in layout or suspect that the keyboard is spying on you – read on.

Why is the Redmi Note using a Chinese keyboard?

There are several reasons, and they depend on the firmware version and the regional version of the smartphone:

• 📦 Chinese firmware (China) ROM). Even if you bought a phone in Russia or Europe, sellers sometimes sew the device with Asian versions. MIUI, where Sogou/Baidu installed by default as system applications.
• 🔄 Automatic Update: Some apps (e.g. com.sohu.inputmethod.sogou) are updated through the Mi App Store and returned after manual removal.
• 🤖 MIUI Optimizations: The Smart Hint feature in the keyboard settings can force the Chinese layout to be activated if the system deems it to be “optimum” for your region.
• 📲 Pre-installed services: Some Redmi Note models have the keyboard tied to system services like MiuiDaemon or MiuiSystemUI, which prevents it from being deleted.

Interesting fact: on the Redmi Note 12 Turbo and new HyperOS models, Chinese keyboards can appear even after a complete reset if the Mi Account settings indicate a Chinese region, due to Xiaomi's policy of linking services to geolocation.

Method 1: Disabling the Chinese keyboard in MIUI settings

The easiest method is to deactivate unnecessary layouts through the system menu, which works if the keyboard is installed as a regular application (not a system one).

1. Open Settings → Additional → Language and input.
2. Tap the current keyboard (or keyboard management in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Find Sogou Input, Baidu IME or another Chinese keyboard in the list and turn off the switch next to it.
4. Go back and select your primary Gboard or other preferred layout.

If you don't have a switch, you're using the system keyboard, so you can move on to the next one.

Make sure you have an alternative keyboard (Gboard/SwiftKey) installed.

Make a backup copy of important data

Check the MIUI version in the settings (About the phone)

Turn off automatic app updates in the Mi App Store

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⚠️ Note: Some firmware may not be able to enter in Xiaomi apps (such as Mi Home or Mi Browser) after disabling the Chinese keyboard, because system applications sometimes require Sogou to work. Solution: Install Gboard as default keyboard before Chinese shutdown.

Method 2: Remove via "Applications" (if available)

If the keyboard is not system, you can uninstall it as a regular app, and the problem is that most Redmi Notes with Chinese firmware have blocked this option.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, type Sogou or Baidu.
3. If there is a Remove button next to the name, press it. If the button is not there or it is inactive, the keyboard is protected by the system.

Alternatively, open a list of all apps, find a Chinese keyboard, tap it, and select Remove Updates (if available), which will return it to the factory version, which can sometimes be deactivated.

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If the Remove button is inactive, try first to turn off the keyboard in the input settings, then go back to the app menu - sometimes this will unlock the delete option.

Method 3: Using ADB to Force Deletion

If the keyboard is system-based and not removed by standard methods, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will help.This method requires a computer, but is guaranteed to remove unnecessary applications forever.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools by Google

Step-by-step:

1. Download and unpack the platform-tools on your computer.
2. On your phone, turn on: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode) Settings → Additional → Developers → USB Debugging (enable)
3. Connect Redmi Note to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
6. Remove the Chinese keyboard by the command (select the right one): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.sohu.inputmethod.sogou # For Sogou adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.baidu.input # For Baidu IME

Important: After completing the command, the keyboard will be removed only for your user (flag) --user 0). The system files will stay, but it will stop working. If you want to completely erase the application (requires root), use the command without the need to use the system. --user 0, But it can cause disruption. MIUI!

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (radical method)

If none of these things work, you'll have to reset completely, and that will delete all the data from your phone, but it will also eliminate Chinese apps, including the keyboard, and it's important that you don't restore the data from your MIUI backup after you reset, and that can bring back the apps that you don't need.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Back up your contacts, photos, and files (e.g., through Google Drive or Mi Cloud, but don’t use Local Backup in Xiaomi’s settings!).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, don't connect to Wi-Fi right away! skip the data recovery step and set up the phone as new.
5. Install Gboard from Play Market before you first sign in to your Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi Note models (e.g. Note 11 Pro)+ 5G) Chinese firmware can return after reset if the phone was originally purchased from China ROM. In this case, you will need to firmware a global version. MIUI via Fastboot.

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Factory reset is the only way to guarantee that you will remove Chinese system applications, but it erases all data. Use it if other methods have failed.

Method 5: Firmware global version of MIUI (for experienced)

If your Redmi Note originally came with Chinese firmware (China) ROM), Even a reset won't help, because the system will pull unwanted applications from Xiaomi's servers. MIUI.

This will require:

• 📱 Unlocked bootloader (on new models requires waiting) 7-15 The following days after the request to Mi Unlock Tool).
• 💻 Computer with Mi Flash Tool and Fastboot.
• 🔗 Global Stable firmware for your model (download only from the official Xiaomi website).

Instructions:

1. Unlock bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the official website).
2. Download Fastboot firmware for your model (for example, vayu_global_images... For the Redmi Note 10 Pro).
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down when the phone is off).
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.
5. Once firmware is in place, set up the phone as new without restoring data from a backup.

The advantage of this method is that you get clean firmware without Chinese software, as well as official updates through Ota Updater.

How to prevent the return of the Chinese keyboard?

Even after removal, the keyboard can come back.

• 🚫 Turn off automatic updates in the Mi App Store (shop settings) → Auto-update).
• 🔒 Block installation from unknown sources in Settings → Privacy.
• 🌍 Check the region of your Mi Account: go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Personal data and make sure that it is not listed in China.
• 📵 Turn off "Smart Tips" in the keyboard settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Language and input → Current keyboard → Settings → Smart input).

If the keyboard still appears, check your phone for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web – some advar apps install Chinese layouts in the background.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Chinese keyboard on Xiaomi