How to change the language on the phone Xiaomi Redmi: 5 working ways

Introduction: Why it is important to set up the system language correctly

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones come with MIUI firmware, which supports dozens of interface languages, from English to Hindi. However, after buying the device (especially foreign versions), users often face a problem: the system is displayed in an incomprehensible language, and Russian is not on the list, which creates difficulties not only in everyday use, but also in configuring key functions, from connecting to Wi-Fi to installing applications.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to change the language to Xiaomi Redmi, including hidden methods for firmware without Russian localization. You will learn how to act through standard settings, MIUI Recovery mode, as well as using the computer and the ADB tool. Separately, we will consider typical errors (for example, when the language is reset after an update) and give recommendations for their elimination.

Importantly, if you have a Global ROM device, the language change process will take no more than a minute, and the Chinese ROM or custom firmware may require additional manipulations, which we will describe in detail.

Method 1: Change the language through standard MIUI settings

This is the easiest and safest method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi Redmi devices with official firmware, the instructions are relevant for models from Redmi 9A to Redmi Note 13 Pro+, as well as for the POCO and Mi lines based on MIUI 12-14.

To change the language:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select the Additional Settings section.
3. Slip on the item Language and input.
4. Click on the first line of Language.
5. In the list, find “Russian” (or Russian (Russia)) and select it.
6. Confirm the change by pressing Ready or OK.

If the list does not include Russian, it means that your device has Chinese firmware (or custom assembly without localization), in which case you go to Method 3 or Method 4.

Check out the MIUI version in the About Phone section.

Make sure your phone is at least 30% charged.

Connect to Wi-Fi to download language packets (if required)

Backup important data (in case of failure)

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Note for Android 13/14 Redmi owners: The path to language settings may be different in newer versions of MIUI. If you don't find the Additional Settings section, try:

• 🔍 In the settings search bar, enter “language” (without quotes).
• 📱 On some models (for example, Redmi Note 12) the language is directly in the main settings menu under the item System.
• 🌐 If the interface is in Chinese, look for characters (meaning "language»).

Method 2: Adding Russian through regional settings

Sometimes Russian is hidden in the system, but it can be activated by changing the region of the device, which works on global firmware, where the language is in the system, but does not appear in the main list.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Region.
2. Choose Russia (Russia or Russian Federation).
3. Return to the language section, now Russian should appear in the list.
4. If the language never appears, restart the phone.

This won't work on China ROM, because you've blocked your regional settings, so you'll have to use Recovery or ADB.

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If the phone needs to be confirmed after the change of region SIM-map (for example, for Google services), insert Russian SIM 5-10 minutes, then remove it. This will help to avoid synchronization errors.

Method 3: Change the language through MIUI Recovery (for Chinese firmware)

If your Xiaomi Redmi comes with Chinese firmware (China ROM), standard language change methods will not work, in which case the MIUI Recovery mode, where you can install Global ROM or add a language package, will help.

Warning: This method involves data resetting. All photos, contacts and apps will be deleted unless backed up!

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official global firmware for your model from MIUI Downloads. Select the Global Stable version (e.g. V14.0.4.0.TMCRUXM for the Redmi Note 12).
2. Rename the firmware file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off your phone. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold on for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
4. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if any) or leave English. Then tap on Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).

When you reboot, you'll see Russian in your settings. If you don't have Install update.zip in Recovery, you're locked, and then the ADB method will help.

Method 4: Forced language change via ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can change the language of the system through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a universal way that works even on blocked Chinese firmware, and you’ll need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and an ADB tool.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (including ADB) on your computer.
2. On the phone, activate the developer mode: go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times tap on the item MIUI version.
3. Return to Settings → Additional settings → Developer settings and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect your phone to your computer via USB (use the original cable!) and allow debugging in the window that appears on your phone.
5. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
6. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear serial number of your device.
7. Install the Russian language command: adb shell'am start -n com.android.settings/.LanguageSettings" Or force locale: adb shell settings put system system_locales ru-RU
8. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

If the language hasn’t changed after the reboot, try an alternative command:

adb shell setprop persist.sys.locale ru-RU; adb shell setprop ctl.restart zygote

This method does not require a data reset, but the next MIUI update may cause the language to reset. To record the changes, install the global firmware via Recovery (see Method 3).

Standard settings MIUI|Recovery mode|ADB|Another method|I haven't tried it yet.-->

Method 5: Install custom firmware with Russian language

If none of these methods worked, the last option is to install custom firmware with Russian support, a radical solution that is suitable for power users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and potentially depriving them of warranty.

Popular firmware for Xiaomi Redmi with Russian:

• 📱 xiaomi.eu - modified MIUI Full localization and remote Chinese software.
• 🔄 LineageOS – “pure” Android without a shell MIUI (suitable for weak devices).
• ⚡ Pixel Experience – firmware with an interface, like on Google Pixel.

Algorithm of action:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires an account binding Mi).
2. Install custom Recovery (TWRP) for your model.
3. Download the firmware (for example, from Xiaomi.eu) and transfer it to your phone.
4. Boot to TWRP, make a full backup (in case of an error), then run the firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware will void warranty and may result in a device blink (completely inoperable).Before the procedure, check the firmware compatibility with your Redmi model on the forums 4PDA or XDA Developers.

Problem Solving: Language reset or not retained

Sometimes, after a language change, it's reset to English or Chinese after a reboot or update, which is a typical Chinese firmware (China ROM) problem.

Reason 1: Update of MIUI

After the system update, the language may reset if the firmware is not global.

• 🔄 Reverse to the previous version MIUI recover.
• 📥 Install a global firmware (see Method 3).
• 🚫 Turn off automatic updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Cause 2: Locale conflict

If multiple languages are active at the same time, an automatic switch can occur to fix this:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Language.
2. Remove all languages except Russian (slip the language and select Delete).
3. Reboot the phone.

Reason 3: Failure of system settings

If the tongue does not persist even after resetting, try:

• 🧹 Reset the settings to factory (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).
• 🔧 Recover your phone using the Mi Flash Tool (requires a computer).
• 📞 Contact the Xiaomi service center (if the device is guaranteed).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) K50) After resetting, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. If you forget the login details, your phone will remain locked! Before reset, make sure you remember your login and password.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions