How to Remove Chinese from Keyboard on Xiaomi: 5 Proven Ways

Chinese in the keyboard layout on Xiaomi smartphones is a common problem for users, especially after buying the device in official Chinese stores or when updating the firmware. Even if you have never used characters, the system can automatically add Chinese layout, taking up space in the language switching bar and creating typing inconvenience. In some cases, the language appears after resetting settings or installing proprietary MIUI applications such as Mi Browser or GetApps.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to remove Chinese, from standard MIUI settings to hidden developer settings. Note that on devices with Global ROM and Chinese ROM, the process may be different. Also note that some methods require administrator rights or debugging over USB.

Why does Chinese appear on Xiaomi’s keyboard?

The main reason is regional firmware settings, and devices designed for the Chinese market (China ROM) are default to Chinese layouts, even if you choose English or Russian as your primary language, and the problem may arise from:

  • 📱 Updates MIUI — Some firmware versions automatically add Chinese as a "backup" for system applications.
  • 🔄 Reset to factory settings – after a hard reset, the device can restore default language packs.
  • 📲 Installation of third-party keyboards (for example, Sogou Input or Baidu) IME), which are often pre-configured in Chinese.
  • 🔧 Activate hidden functions via ##6484## or other engineering codes.

On devices with Global ROM, the problem is less common, but it is still possible – for example, if you manually added Chinese for testing or it appeared after synchronizing with a Mi Account account tied to the Chinese region.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 11T pro POCO F4) Chinese can be sewn into system applications, and its removal without the rights of a superuser (root) will lead to failures in the keyboard.

Method 1: Remove via standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in system settings, and it is suitable for most MIUI 12, 13 and 14 devices, including Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi models with global firmware.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Language and input.
  2. Slip on the current keyboard (or keyboard management in newer versions).
  3. Select the keyboard you use, such as Gboard (Google) or MIUI System Keyboard.
  4. Go to the languages (or input languages).
  5. Find the Chinese in the list and swipe it left or click on the basket icon.
  6. Confirm removal by pressing OK.

If Chinese is not on the list, but it still appears when typing, try turning off automatic layouts:

  • 🔹 In the same keyboard settings, find AutoAdvance Languages and turn it off.
  • 🔹 For Gboard: Go to Settings → Systemic → Language and input → Virtual keyboard → Gboard → Languages and Remove Unnecessary.

Make sure that the main language of the system is Russian/English.|

Check if Chinese is used in system applications (e.g. Mi Video)|

Back up your keyboard settings (if you have one) |

Restart the device after the changes-->

Method 2: Reset keyboard settings to factory

If Chinese is not removed via the menu or comes back after a reboot, try resetting your keyboard settings.This method works for all versions of MIUI, but can delete your personal vocabulary and input history.

For the MIUI system keyboard:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find the MIUI (or MiuiKeyboard) keyboard and tap it.
  3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
  4. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

For Gboard:

  1. Open Settings → Apps → Gboard.
  2. Go to the vault and cache → Clear the vault.
  3. Then go back to Gboard Settings → Dictionary → Resetting Learned Words.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi) K50) Resetting the keyboard can cause you to temporarily lose voice input and gestures, and you can restore them by resetting them in the menu Special features.

System keyboard MIUI|

Gboard (Google)|

Sogou Input|

Other (write in the comments)-->

Method 3: Disable Chinese through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can remove Chinese through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and enabling USB Debugging.

Step-by-step:

  1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI Version line until the notification “You are a developer” appears.

USB debugging

  • Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
  • Activate the debugging switch over USB.
  • Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute commands: adb shell pm list packages | grep keyboard Find the keyboard package in the output (for example, com.miui.miuikeyboard or com.google.android.inputmethod.latin).
  • Delete Chinese (example for Gboard): adb shell settings delete secure selected_keyboard_layouts_subtype adb shell settings put secure selected_keyboard_layouts_subtype -subtype1,subtype2 Where subtype1 and subtype2 — identifiers of the languages required (e.g, ru_RU, en_US).

For Gboard:

  • 📁 Delete the folder. /data/data/com.google.android.inputmethod.latin/app_latin/zh_CN/.
  • 🔄 Clear the app cache through Settings → Annexes → Gboard → Warehouse.