Xiaomi Pad tablets are becoming more popular every year thanks to a combination of performance and affordable price. However, many users face an unexpected problem: how quickly and conveniently to switch the input language on the keyboard, especially if it is connected to the tablet via Bluetooth or USB-C. Unlike smartphones, where the change of language occurs with a single swipe, on tablets with a physical keyboard, the process may seem unobvious.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to switch languages, from standard keyboard shortcuts to hidden MIUI settings. Particular attention will be paid to the unique feature of the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro and Pad 6S Pro keyboards: they support hardware language switching through a special combination that is not documented in the official instructions, and you will learn how to configure switching for the virtual Gboard keyboard or your own MIUI keyboard if you do not have a physical keyboard.
1. Ways to switch language on the physical keyboard Xiaomi Pad
If you use the original Xiaomi Smart Keyboard or a third-party keyboard via Bluetooth/USB-C, there are several language change options available.The basic method depends on the tablet model and the MIUI version.
Most devices have a Win + Space combination (similar to Ctrl + Space on Windows) by default, but on Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro and later, you may need to adjust:
- 🔹 Standard combination: Press Win + Space (Win is usually located between Fn and Alt). If it doesn't work, check the settings.
- 🔹 Alternative combination: Some firmware runs Shift + Alt (left or right).
- 🔹 Touchbar: On touchpad keyboards, you can swipe two fingers left/right on top of the language change panel.
- 🔹 Fn button: On the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro, Fn+ 1/2/3 retention switches languages (if enabled in the settings).
If neither of these combinations works, the system is likely to have a quick switching feature disabled, which we'll discuss in the next section.
2.Setting up language switching in MIUI for tablets
To make the key combinations work, you need to activate the appropriate options in the system settings.
- Open Settings → Additional → Language and input.
- Select the Physical Keyboard (or Hardware Keyboard on older versions of MIUI).
- Activate the switch Enable keyboard shortcuts to change the language.
- Click Set up the pairs and choose a convenient combination (we recommend Win + Space).
On Xiaomi Pad 5 and earlier models, the path may differ: Settings → System → Language and input → Physical keyboard. If you don’t have one, upgrade to the latest version of MIUI.
Has the firmware been updated to the latest version?
Is the "Physical Keyboard" option included in the settings?
Are there any changes after the combination is selected?
- Is the tablet rebooted after settings?-->
After applying the changes, test the combinations in any text field (such as Notes or browser). If the language is still not switching, check if the keyboard conflicts with other connected devices (mouse, gamepad).
3 - Switching the language on the virtual keyboard (Gboard/MIUI Keyboard)
If you don't use a physical keyboard, the language change is done via a virtual keyboard, and depending on the keyboard you have installed (standard from MIUI or Gboard from Google), the process will be different.
For Gboard:
- 🌐 Click on the globe icon (or the current language letter) in the bottom row of the keyboard.
- 🔄 Swipe your finger over the space left/right for a quick switch.
- ⚙️ To add a new language: Gboard settings → Languages → Add keyboard.
For the MIUI keyboard:
- 🌍 The language icon is next to the space (may look like RU/EN).
- 📌 Holding the icon opens the list of available languages.
- ➕ To add language: Settings → Additional → Language and input → Virtual Keyboard → Languages.
If the language icon is missing, check the keyboard settings: the indicator may be turned off or only one input language installed. Also make sure the keyboard is updated to the latest version in Google Play (for Gboard) or through the Software Update (for MIUI Keyboard).
4. Solving Language Switching Problems
Sometimes, even after you've set it right, you don't switch your language, and let's look at the typical causes and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The keyboard combination doesn't work. | Disabled function in settings | Include keyboard shortcuts to change language in Settings → Language and input |
| Language resets after rebooting | Failure in keyboard cache | Clear the cache of the MIUI or Gboard Keyboard application in Settings → Applications |
| No language icon on the virtual keyboard | Only one language has been established. | Add a second language to the keyboard settings |
| Physical keyboard does not respond | Conflict with Bluetooth devices | Disable other Bluetooth devices and reconnect the keyboard |
If the problem persists, try resetting the keyboard settings:
- Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
- Find the MIUI or Gboard keyboard.
- Click Warehouse → Clear the data (Warning: reset all settings!).
What if the reset didn't help?
⚠️ Warning: On the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro with MIUI 14.0.5+ firmware, a bug may occur where the Win + Space combination conflicts with system search. In this case, temporarily disable the gesture to call the search in Settings → Additional → Special Features → Gestures.
5. Unique Switching Features on Different Xiaomi Pad Models
The manufacturer is making changes to the language change mechanism depending on the tablet model and firmware version.
On Xiaomi Pad 5 and Pad 5 Pro:
- 🔧 Uses a combination of Ctrl + Space (similar to Windows).
- 🔄 There is no separate partition for the physical keyboard in MIUI 13 and below — the settings are hidden in Language and Enter →
On Xiaomi Pad 6 and Pad 6 Pro:
- 🌟 Support for hardware switching via Fn+ digital keys (configured in Keyboard Settings) has appeared.
- 🔍 Added a visual indicator of the current language in the status bar (can be turned off in the settings).
On the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro (2026):
- 🎛️ Customized combination settings are implemented – any combination can be assigned (e.g. Alt + Shift).
- 🖥️ Multiplayer support: Each profile saves its own language settings.
If you’re using the Xiaomi Pad SE (budget model), note that it doesn’t have hardware support for quick switching — you’ll have to rely on a virtual keyboard or third-party utilities like the External Keyboard Helper (available on Google Play).
6. Alternative methods of language switching
If the standard methods are not satisfied, you can use alternative solutions:
1. Quick settings panel
Add the language switch to the notification curtain:
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Click on the icon ⚙️ (or Edit).
- Find the tiles of the input language and drag them to the active area.
2.Voice input
If you need to quickly type in another language, use voice input with the language:
- 🎤 Click on the microphone icon on the keyboard.
- 🗣️ Say "In English" or "In Russian" before dictation.
Third-party annexes
For enhanced opportunities, install:
- 📱 External Keyboard Helper – allows you to assign custom keyboard shortcuts.
- 🌍 AnySoftKeyboard supports gestures for language change.
💡
If you type in two languages frequently, turn on the auto-replacement function in context in the Gboard settings, which will automatically prompt the words in the desired language depending on the beginning of the sentence.
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Many users make the same mistakes when setting up their language switching, and the most common are:
1. Inconsistency of layout and input language
Situation: You switched the language, but the characters on the keys don't match the letters you type.
- 🔠 The keyboard layout (e.g. English (USA)) does not match the input language (Russian).
- 🔤 The system has several variants of the same language (for example, Russian and Russian (typewriting)).
Solution: Remove unnecessary layouts in Settings → Language and input → Virtual keyboard → Languages.
Conflict with modifier keys
On some keyboards, the Alt, Ctrl, or Win keys can be reassigned by the manufacturer. For example, on the Logitech K380 keyboard, the Win + Space combination opens the search by default.
- 🔧 Use the keyboard manufacturer's program to reassign keys.
- 🔄 Configure an alternative combination (e.g. Alt + Shift) in MIUI.
⚠️ Warning: On the Xiaomi Pad 6 with the Microsoft Universal Foldable Keyboard connected, there may be a delay in switching languages due to driver conflict. Solution: disable the keyboard, restart the tablet, and reconnect it.
3. Resetting language settings after update
After major MIUI updates (e.g., version 13 to version 14), keyboard settings are sometimes reset to avoid this:
- 📥 Before updating, back up your settings in Settings → About Phone → Backup.
- 🔄 After updating manually check the physical keyboard settings.