How to completely remove the Chinese layout on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

The Chinese layout on Xiaomi smartphones is a common problem for users who have purchased the device in official Chinese stores or received it with global firmware but with residual Chinese language packages. Even after changing the system language to Russian or English, the keyboard can continue to offer characters, pinyin or inconvenient character panels, a situation that is not only annoying but also slows down typing, especially if you actively use instant messengers or social networks.

In this article, we will discuss all possible methods for removing the Chinese layout, from simple settings in the menu to deep changes in the system. Cover current versions of MIUI 12-14, as well as features for the Redmi, POCO and flagship Xiaomi 12/13/14 models. Importantly, some methods require administrator or unlocked bootloader rights – we will warn you about this in advance so that you can choose the best option without risk to the device.

Why Chinese layout appears and how to recognize it

Chinese layout can manifest itself differently depending on the version of MIUI and the keyboard installed.

• 📱 Automatic switch to pinyin (Latinized Chinese characters) when typing.
• 🔤 Appearance of an additional panel with hieroglyphs above the keyboard.
• 🌐 System language is Russian/English, but the keyboard offers Chinese characters in predictions.
• ⚙️ In the keyboard settings there are unreadable menu items (hieroglyphs).

The main reasons for the appearance:

1. Firmware with Chinese region – even on global devices, language packs sometimes remain.
2. Third-party keyboards (such as Sogou Input or Baidu IME) preinstalled by the manufacturer.
3. MIUI update that restored Chinese language files
4. Manually add layout through settings (for example, by mistake).

Before you start deleting, check which keyboard is active.

1. Open any input field (for example, in Notes).
2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) globe (🌐) keyboard.
3. Look at the keyboard name at the top of the screen (e.g. Gboard, Xiaomi Keyboard, or an unreadable Chinese name).

Method 1: Remove Chinese layout through keyboard settings

The easiest method is to disable unnecessary layout directly in the active keyboard settings, which works if you have a Gboard, Xiaomi Keyboard or other multi-language keyboard installed.

Instructions for Gboard (Google Keyboard):

1. Open any text field and tap the icon. ⚙️ keyboard.
2. Select Languages → Language management.
3. Find Chinese (pinyin) in the list or swipe right on the slider to turn off.
4. Press Ready and check if the layout is gone.

Instructions for Xiaomi Keyboard:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and input → Current keyboard.
2. Select Xiaomi Keyboard → Input Languages.
3. Hold your finger in Chinese (or the character) and swipe it into the basket (🗑️).
4. Confirm the deletion and restart the keyboard (you can just close and open the app again).

Check the active keyboard (Gboard/Xiaomi Keyboard)

Take a screenshot of current languages (in case of error)

Turn off Chinese in keyboard settings

Reboot your smartphone to apply changes-->

⚠️ Note: If after removing the Chinese layout, the keyboard starts switching to English on its own when typing Russian words, check the auto-replacement settings. → Auto-replacement.

Method 2: Disabling Chinese in System Settings

Sometimes the Chinese layout is because the language itself remains active in the MIUI system settings. Even if you use the Russian interface, the background processes can load Chinese language packets.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and Region.
2. Click on the language and check if there is Chinese (or ) on the list.
3. If Chinese is present, select another language (such as Russian) and confirm the change.
4. Go back to the previous menu and select Region. Make sure Russia, Ukraine or another country is installed, not China.

When you change the region, restart the device, which will help you reset the cache of language packets.

⚠️ Note: If some applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) have stopped working after the region change, this is due to geo-blocking.

Method 3: Removing Chinese language packets via ADB

For power users who are ready to work with the Android debugging bridge (ADB), there is a radical method – completely removing Chinese language files from the system, which will help if the layout returns after resetting or updating MIUI.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to click to unlock the developer menu, then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
4. Remove the Chinese language packs (for the purpose of the MIUI): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.sohu.inputmethod.sogou.xiaomi adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.baidu.input_mi
5. Reboot the device: adb reboot

If after completing the commands, the keyboard stopped working completely, install Gboard from Google Play and configure it as the default keyboard.

Method 4: Reset keyboard settings to factory

If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting your keyboard settings, which will delete all user dictionaries and layouts, returning the keyboard to its original state.

For Gboard:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Gboard and select Warehouse.
3. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
4. Run the keyboard again and configure it from scratch (add only the required languages).

For the Xiaomi Keyboard:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Language and Enter → Current Keyboard.
2. Select Xiaomi Keyboard → Reset settings (usually at the bottom of the menu).
3. Confirm the reset and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Reset will remove all saved words from the user dictionary. If you use specific terms (such as medical or technical), take screenshots or export them through the keyboard settings (if such option is available).

💡

After resetting your keyboard, enable synchronization of your dictionary with your Google account (in Gboard: Settings → Dictionary → Dictionary Sync). This will help you quickly recover frequently used words.

Method 5: Reflashing to the global version of MIUI

If the Chinese layout returns after each update or reset, it is a sign that your device has a Chinese firmware version (China ROM) installed. The only drastic solution is to switch to Global ROM, where Chinese language packs are removed by default.

Advantages of Global Firmware:

• 🌍 Full localization in Russian/English without Chinese inclusions.
• 📱 No pre-installed Chinese apps (Mi App Store China, Mi Video China, etc.).
• 🔄 Stable updates via Ota Updater without risk of Chinese layouts returning.

How to search Xiaomi on Global ROM:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Download the firmware for your model from Xiaomi’s website (choose Global or EEA for Europe).
3. Install firmware via Fastboot or Recovery (instructions are available on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums).
4. Reset after firmware (Wipe Data in Recovery).

⚠️ Warning: Firmware erases all data on the device. Pre-backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup or Mi Cloud.Also make sure your device model supports global firmware - some Chinese versions (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra is not officially available to Global ROM.

💡

Firmware reflashing on Global ROM is the only way to permanently get rid of Chinese layouts, if they are embedded in the system files of the firmware.

More tips: how to avoid returning Chinese layout

Even after successfully removing the Chinese layout, it can come back. Here's how to avoid it:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points (⋮) → Settings → Auto-update: Chinese firmware sometimes restores language packets.
• 📱 Install Gboard as the default keyboard and disable Xiaomi Keyboard in the settings.
• 🛡️ Use Magisk modules (for example, MIUI Debloater to block Chinese apps installation.
• 🔍 Periodically check the list of languages in the keyboard settings (once every 1-2 months).

If you often run into problems after updates, consider installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).They are devoid of Chinese components but require an unlocked bootloader and firmware experience.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

2 If the name has a CN (e.g. MIUI 14.0.3 CN) it is Chinese firmware.

3. if Global or EEA is global.

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FAQ: Frequent questions about the Chinese layout on Xiaomi