Xiaomi smartphones often go on sale with Chinese or global firmware preinstalled, where the interface may not be understood by the user. Mi 9 owners need to understand the basic settings immediately to comfortably operate the device. Changing the system language is a paramount task that can be solved through the standard settings menu.
Changing the language to MIUI doesn’t require superuser rights or flashing the device, but it’s important to understand that some firmware versions, especially Chinese (CN), may not have the language package in place initially, so the standard path through the settings will be limited and additional steps will be required.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions for changing the interface language, keyboard and voice assistant. You will learn how to find hidden menus, what to do if the desired language is not on the list, and how to avoid typical errors when setting up the system. Proper localization setting will make using the Xiaomi Mi 9 as convenient as possible.
Determination of firmware version and available languages
Before you start making changes, you need to understand which version of the software you are dealing with. Global versions usually contain a full range of languages, including Russian, Ukrainian, English and many others. Chinese versions (China ROM) are often limited to Chinese and English.
You can check the current version in the Settings section. → Notice the line "Version." MIUI". If there's a letter at the end "CN", So you have Chinese firmware "RU", "EEA" or "Global" is global. It's a critical parameter that determines what we're going to do next.
- 📱 Global firmware: full set of languages, pre-installed Google services, lack of Chinese software.
- 🇨🇳 Chinese firmware: limited list of languages (often only Chinese and English), availability of Chinese applications, lack of Google services out of the box (on older versions).
- 🌍 Regional firmware: may have country-specific settings (India, Indonesia, Europe).
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to install third-party language packs on Chinese firmware through system files can lead to incorrect font display or "collapse" of the interface.
If you have a global version, but the language is lost in Chinese, don't panic. You just need to find the right item on the menu, focusing on icons. If you have a Chinese version and want Russian, the standard methods will not work, you will need to reflash or install third-party localization applications, which we will discuss below.
Language change algorithm in the standard menu
If you already have the language pack, the change process will take no more than a minute. The settings interface in Xiaomi Mi 9 is structured logically, but the icons may not be obvious to the beginner.
Click on the Settings icon. In the menu that opens, look for an item called Additional settings, which is often called three dots or sliders, and inside that section is the parameter you want.
☑️ Language change checklist
Once you select Languages & input, you will see a list of available languages. Click on the first item on the list. In the list that opens, find Russian or any other language you need. The system may offer you to download the language package if it is not built-in, accept this action.
Once you select a language, the smartphone interface will be instantly rebuilt, all menus, notifications and system messages will be displayed in the language you choose, and if the language you want isn't on the list, it means that it's not provided by the manufacturer for your version of the software.
Configuring the language parameters of the keyboard
Changing the system language doesn’t always automatically change the language of typing on the virtual keyboard. The Xiaomi Mi 9 often uses the Gboard or Sogou keyboard by default (in Chinese versions), and the input language settings are on the same menu as the system language.
Go to Settings → Additional Settings → Language and input. Here you will see the section “Current Keyboard” or a list of active input methods. Click on the name of your keyboard (for example, Gboard).
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Language of the system | The main interface language | Russian/English |
| Input language | Keyboard layout | Russian + English |
| Autocorrection | Correction of printing errors | Included. |
| Predictive input | Proposal of words | Included. |
In the keyboard menu, find Languages, you can add or delete layouts, click Add keyboard and select the languages you want, and for comfortable typing, you should keep at least two languages active: Russian and English.
Switching between languages when typing is usually done by swiping over a space or by short pressing the language change button (globus). Make sure that Auto-switch is enabled in the keyboard settings if you often use mixed input.
What to do if the keyboard is Chinese?
Solving the Problems of the Lack of Russian Language
The situation when the list of languages is not Russian, typical of "clean" Chinese firmware, in which case the standard menu will not allow you to add a language. APK-localization files, but this rarely works stably on modern versions of Android and MIUI.
The most reliable way to get full Russian language and localization is to flash the device to the global version (Global ROM) or install custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.eu). Xiaomi.eu firmware is based on the Chinese version, but contains a full translation, cut Chinese software and added Google services.
⚠️ Warning: Flashing the phone requires unlocking the bootloader, a procedure that can void warranty and, if executed incorrectly, turn the phone into a brick".
To unlock the loader, you need to:
- 🔑 Register a Mi Account and link it to your device.
- 💻 Install the Mi Unlock Tool on your computer.
- ⏳ Wait 7 days (168 hours) after the account3unt is tied until the moment of unlocking.
- 📲 Perform the procedure of unlocking via PC in Fastboot mode.
If flashing seems too complicated, you can use localization apps from Google Play, such as Set Locale 2 or MoreLocale 2. ADB-full-time.
To apply localization via ADB, you'll need a computer and a USB cable. Turn on your phone to Debug USB in Developer Mode. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:
adb shell pm grant com.internationalization.morelocale2 android.permission.CHANGE_CONFIGURATIONAfter completing the command, run the application on your phone and select Russian. the interface will change, but some system elements may remain in English or Chinese.
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before any manipulation of the firmware or ADB-commands make sure to make a full backup of data to the Mi Cloud cloud or to your computer, as the process can lead to complete deletion of information.
Changing the language of the voice assistant and Google services
Special attention needs to be paid to setting up the Google Assistant voice assistant and Google services, and even with the Russian interface of the system, the assistant can continue to respond in English if it is not configured separately.
To change the Google Assistant language, open the Google or Google Assistant app. Click on the profile avatar in the corner of the screen, then select Settings → Assistant → Languages. Here add Russian and make it a priority.
Also worth checking is the settings of the Google Play Store. Sometimes the store language depends on your account settings, not your phone. Go to Google Play → Settings → General → Account and device preferences. In the Language section, make sure you select the desired region and language.
For Xiaomi services (Mi Cloud, Mi Video, Mi Music), the language is often automatically pulled from system settings. If this does not happen, check for updates for these applications in the GetApps store or Google Play. In some cases, applications may not have translation if they are exclusively for the domestic market of China.
Frequent questions and troubleshooting
When changing the language, users often encounter nuances that are not described in the standard manuals, and below are answers to the most popular questions that arise when using the Xiaomi Mi 9.
One common problem is when the phone returns Chinese after resetting, which happens if you selected the "China" region when you first switched on or after you reset.
Can you change the language without losing data?
Why did the MIUI update get a language out of hand?
Does the language change affect the banking applications?
How to get it back if the phone is acting strange after changing the language?
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The correct language setting is not only comfort, but also a guarantee of correct voice input, autocorrection and regional services on your Xiaomi Mi 9.
In conclusion, language management on Xiaomi Mi 9 is straightforward for global versions and requires caution for Chinese versions. Understanding the differences between software versions will help you avoid unnecessary actions and keep the device warranty. Always check the firmware version before making deep changes to the system.