How to change the language in Xiomi: from simple switching to changing the region

Changing the language interface on Xiaomi smartphones is often the first task after buying a device, especially if the gadget was ordered from China or reflashed incorrectly. The user may encounter a situation when the menu meets it with characters or English terms, which significantly complicates the initial configuration of MIUI or HyperOS. Understanding the basic principles of navigation allows you to quickly adapt the system to your needs without contacting service centers.

It is important to note that the procedure can vary dramatically depending on the firmware version. Global ROMs usually contain a full range of localizations, including Russian, Ukrainian, Kazakh and other languages of the CIS countries. At the same time, the Chinese versions (China ROM) are initially limited to Chinese and English, which requires additional manipulations for full Russification.

In this article, we will take a look at all possible scenarios, from the standard switch in the settings menu to the complex cases with Chinese firmware, you will learn how to correctly determine the type of your system and what tools you may need to achieve the desired result without risking damage to the smartphone software.

Determination of firmware version and available languages

Before you start taking action, you need to be clear about which version of the software you're dealing with, and that depends on whether you can just pick the right item on the list, or whether you need more sophisticated methods of tampering with the system. Global firmware is designed for the international market and initially supports many languages.

If you have a Chinese version of MIUI installed on your device, you won’t be able to add Russian with standard means, in which case only Chinese (simplified) and English will be on the list, and attempts to find hidden settings in such an interface without third-party software will be unsuccessful.

For quick diagnosis, you can use the following table, which will help identify your situation:

Note that the presence of the Google Play app store does not always guarantee a global version, since it can be installed manually on Chinese smartphones.

⚠️ Warning: Trying to flash global firmware over Chinese without unlocking the bootloader can cause the device to fail completely (brick.

Standard language change to Global ROM

If you are sure that you have a global version or a European build, the process of changing the language takes literally a few seconds. the interface of HyperOS and the latest versions of MIUI is built logically, allowing you to find the necessary settings even without knowing the current interface language.

First, you need to get to the main settings menu, which is usually a gear icon. If the interface is in English, look for Settings. If in Chinese, it's a gear icon with characters, then the algorithm is the same for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices.

In the menu that opens, you need to find the section that deals with additional settings. In the English version, it is often called Additional settings or simply System. In the Chinese version, it can be an item with a three-dot icon or a specific character located at the bottom of the list.

Within this section, we look for Language & Input. When you click on it, you'll see a list of Languages. You just have to choose Russian or any other language you want, and the system will instantly redesign the interface.

Sometimes the language you want can be hidden in a submenu or labeled as “regional,” so you should check your region settings, and then you go to the Region and select the country that matches your desired language (e.g. Russia or Kazakhstan) and you can often automatically pull up the language packs you need.

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If you've accidentally set up a language that's not clear and you can't find your way back, use visual memory: icons and menu items usually stay the same. Look for a gear, then an item with an "A" or a globe.

The Chinese Firmware Problem (China ROM)

Owners of devices ordered directly from China often face the unpleasant surprise that Russian is not on the list of languages at all, which is normal behavior for China ROM, since Xiaomi does not plan to sell these devices outside of China with full localization.

There is a common misconception that changing the region in settings will help add language. Alas, at the system level, Chinese firmware does not contain localization files for languages of CIS countries. Changing the region only changes the operation of some services and frequency ranges, but does not add interface translation.

• 🇨🇳 Chinese firmware: Contains only Chinese and English, a lot of pre-installed Chinese software, no Google services out of the box.
• 🌍 Global firmware: Contains all languages, optimized for worldwide frequencies, has a full set of Google services.
• 🔄 The only reliable way to get Russian language in China ROM — Full Flip-through on Global Version.

The flashing process requires unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool.This procedure is not quick: after submitting an application in the Mi Community application, you often have to wait 3 to 7 days (sometimes longer) before the Xiaomi server gives permission to unlock.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader and flashing officially removes all data from the device. Be sure to back up important photos and contacts before starting the procedure.

After successful unlocking, a global firmware image (Fastboot ROM) is downloaded to the computer and a clean installation is made through the Mi Flash Tool program, the only way to legally and stably Russify a Chinese smartphone.

Use of the MoreLocale 2 application

For users who don't want or can't reflash the device, there's an alternative, though not ideal, method: MoreLocale 2 allows you to force the system locale, making apps think they're running in another country.

This method works without superuser rights (Root), but requires one command to run through a computer with an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) connected, which gives access to hidden localization settings that are usually closed by the manufacturer.

You must first download and install APK-MoreLocale 2 application file from a trusted source, run it after installation, and it's likely that when you try to select a language, it will issue an error or request rights you can't give.

adb shell pm grant jp.co.c_lis.ccl.morelocale android.permission.CHANGE_CONFIGURATION

By running this command in your computer console (with a connected smartphone with USB debugging enabled), you activate the ability to change the language. Returning to the application on your phone, select Russian or Ukrainian. The interface of most applications and systems will change.

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The method with MoreLocale 2 changes the interface language, but does not translate the system menus of the deep level (for example, modem settings or some "About phone").

It's worth understanding the limitations: system notifications, the recovery menu, and some deep settings can stay in English, and after a full reboot of the device, the settings can fly off and you have to repeat the procedure, but for everyday use, this is often enough.

Setting up the input language and keyboard

The keyboard can only offer English layout by default, even if the phone interface is in Russian, and this is solved in the keyboard settings section, most often Gboard or MIUI Keyboard.

Go to Settings -> Additional -> Languages and input. Select Keyboard Management or Current Keyboard here. From the menu that opens, look for Languages.

• 🔤 Add layout: Press "Add keyboard" and select the desired language. You can also enable automatic language definition.
• ⌨️ Switching: Standard switching between languages on Xiaomi is done by long-pressing the space or swiping the space key.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary: You can also remove unnecessary language packs so that they do not interfere with fast typing.

If you use a third-party keyboard (like Yandex Keyboard or SwiftKey), the language settings will be inside the keyboard app itself, not in the general system settings.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Sometimes users encounter bugs when the language flies after updating or resetting, this may be due to a system cache conflict or errors in specific MIUI builds. If the language spontaneously changed to English or Chinese, try clearing the Settings cache.

To do this, go to Apps -> All Apps -> Find Settings -> Memory -> Clear cache. Don't confuse "Clean it all" with "Clean it all" or all your personalizations will go wrong.

In rare cases, changing date and time helps. Set up automatic time over the network. Some Google services link language packets to a region, which in turn may depend on the time zone.

If nothing helps, and you are sure that the firmware is global, it may be damaged localization file, in which case only reset to factory settings (Wipe Data) with a preliminary recheck of the availability of system updates through About phone will help.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions