There are some types of exercises that require typing in Russian in order to improve your writing skills. For these reasons, you will need to install a Russian keyboard.
There are two main keyboard types:
1) A standard keyboard is mainly used on Russian laptops, PCs, tablets and smartphones.
2) A phonetic keyboard matches Russian letters to Latin letters close in pronunciation. A phonetic keyboard has an obvious advantage if your physical keyboard doesn’t have Russian letters.
Below, please find a device you are using and follow the instructions on setting up your phone or computer.
iOS (iPhones and iPads):
Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Add New Keyboard > Russian > Done
Now you can switch between languages by tapping and holding on the icon to show the keyboard language menu. You’re all set!
Android phones and tablets:
On your Android phone or tablet, install GBoard (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.inputmethod.latin)
Open any app that you can type with (like Gmail or Keep) and tap where you can enter text.
At the top of your keyboard, tap Open features menu > More > Settings > Languages > Add keyboard > Russian > Done
When typing, you can switch between languages by swiping the space bar. Enjoy!
Windows computers:
For Windows 7 or 8, go to Control Panel > Clock, Language and Region > Language > Add a Language > Russian
For Windows 10, navigate to Windows Settings > Time & language > Language > Add a language > Russian > Next > Unselect “Set as my windows display language” > select Handwriting > Install
To switch to your new Russian keyboard, go to the bottom right-hand corner of your screen, where the date and time are, there you should find a button which shows your current keyboard’s language. Just click on it, and select ‘Russian’.
If you’d like to use a phonetic keyboard instead, click Language preferences > Russian > Options > Add a keyboard > Russian (mnemonic).
Done!
MacBooks:
From the Apple Menu (the apple icon in the top left corner of the screen) go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources > “+” button > Russian >Add
In the top right corner, you will see a flag of the language you are currently using, click on it and change it to Russian. Easy-peasy, right?
Tip: There is an integrated keyboard in the web version of Busuu, so if you are using a computer, there is no need to install a keyboard to study on Busuu website.