I once struggled with a phone that refused to type in English, no matter what settings I changed. It was frustrating, especially since the numbers worked fine, but the letters just wouldn’t appear. If you recently bought a Motorola Ming A1200 from India and brought it to Canada, you might be facing a similar issue where English letters won’t type, but numbers work fine.
This problem seems to be caused by the lack of an English keyboard option or a software issue preventing the French or Turkish keyboards (which contain English letters) from functioning properly. The available options—Pinyin, Zhuyin, Handwriting, and Number Picker—are primarily designed for Chinese input. Since the French and Turkish keyboards aren’t responding, this means that the phone is likely missing proper English language support.
In this guide, we will go through step-by-step solutions to fix this issue and enable English text input on your Motorola Ming A1200.
What is the Issue About?
The Motorola Ming A1200 was primarily sold in China and India, meaning its default input methods are optimized for Chinese and regional languages. The absence of an English keyboard likely means:
- English language support is disabled or missing in the firmware.
- The French and Turkish keyboards (which include English letters) are either corrupted, disabled, or incompatible with the device’s software version.
- The phone might require additional software or a keyboard installation to enable English input.
Now, let’s go through different solutions to enable English typing on your device.
Fix 1: Check and Enable English Language Support
Tools Needed:
- Your Motorola Ming A1200
- Access to Settings Menu
Steps:
- Go to the Main Menu on your Motorola Ming A1200.
- Open Settings (System Settings / Language & Input).
- Look for Language Selection (it might be in Chinese or another language, so you may need to look for a “Globe” icon).
- If English is listed, select it and save the changes.
- Restart your phone and check if the keyboard now types in English.
If English is not available, proceed to the next fix.
Fix 2: Change Input Method to an English-Compatible Keyboard
Steps:
- Open the text input field (e.g., SMS, Notes, or Folder Rename).
- Tap and hold the keyboard selection button (if available).
- Try selecting Frenchboard or Turkishboard manually.
- Test if letters work now.
- If the keyboards still don’t function, proceed to installing an English keyboard (next fix).
Fix 3: Install an English Keyboard Using a Java App
Tools Needed:
- A PC with a USB Cable
- A Java keyboard app (like Multi-tap English Keyboard for Java phones)
Steps:
- Download an English Java Keyboard app (such as “Multi-tap Keyboard” or “Keypad for Java”) on your PC.
- Connect your Motorola Ming A1200 to the PC using a USB cable.
- Transfer the Java keyboard .jar file to the phone.
- Open the File Manager on the A1200 and locate the Java app.
- Install and launch the new keyboard app.
- Set the newly installed keyboard as default input in Settings > Language & Input.
- Restart your phone and test if English letters now work.
Fix 4: Flash a New Firmware with English Support
If none of the above methods work, you may need to install a firmware version that includes English language support.
Tools Needed:
- A PC
- Motorola Ming A1200 Firmware Flash Tool
- English-supported firmware file
Warning: Flashing firmware is risky and should be done carefully. Backup your data first!
Steps:
- Search for a Motorola Ming A1200 English firmware online.
- Download and install Motorola’s Flash Tool on your PC.
- Connect your A1200 via USB and enter boot mode (instructions vary, check online guides).
- Use the flash tool to install the English firmware.
- Restart the phone and check if English input is now available.
Pros and Cons of Each Fix
| Fix | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Enable English in Settings | Simple and quick | Might not work if English is missing |
| Switch to French/Turkish Keyboard | No need for external apps | Doesn’t work if keyboards are faulty |
| Install Java Keyboard | Adds full English typing support | Requires downloading & transferring files |
| Flash New Firmware | Complete fix with English support | Risky, could damage phone if done incorrectly |
Conclusion
If your Motorola Ming A1200 isn’t letting you type in English, the issue is likely due to missing English language support or a faulty keyboard selection. Start by checking your language settings and attempting to use the French or Turkish keyboards. If that doesn’t work, installing a Java-based English keyboard is a reliable solution. For a permanent fix, flashing an English-supported firmware may be necessary.
Still having trouble? Leave a comment with your specific issue, and let’s figure out a fix together!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why can’t I find an English keyboard on my Motorola Ming A1200?
The phone was mainly designed for Chinese and regional markets, so it may not have English input pre-installed.
2. How do I install an English keyboard on my Motorola Ming A1200?
You can install a Java-based keyboard app and set it as the default input method.
3. Will flashing new firmware delete my data?
Yes, flashing firmware will erase all data. Backup everything before proceeding.
4. What if I can’t find an English firmware for my phone?
Try searching for custom ROMs or modified firmware that include English support. Some retro phone forums may have these files.
5. Can I use a touchscreen keyboard instead of a physical one?
Yes, but you need to install a Java keyboard app that supports touchscreen input.
