Xiaomi smartphones are deservedly popular due to their excellent price-performance ratio, but many users have a problem with the language interface immediately after unpacking the device. Often Chinese versions of gadgets come with a pre-installed system that does not have the usual Cyrillic characters, and the menu is entirely in English or Chinese. This creates significant difficulties for those who do not speak foreign languages perfectly and want to immediately start using a mobile device.
The process of translating the interface can range from simple setup on the menu to complex flashing, depending on which version of the operating system is installed on your gadget. Global Version owners can do with standard means, whereas China Version owners will have to put more effort. Understanding the difference between these versions is key, as improper actions can lead to the failure of the device or loss of warranty.
In this article, we will take a look at all the possible ways to solve a language problem, from basic settings to installing global firmware. You will learn how to determine the type of your device, what tools will be required to flash it, and how to avoid common errors. It is important to read each step carefully so that you do not get confused in the menu and successfully complete the localization procedure.
Determination of firmware version and device type
The first and most important step is to determine exactly which version of the operating system is installed on your Xiaomi smartphone, which directly affects the set of available languages and the ability to switch them at regular expense. If you purchased the device from official retailers in your region, you most likely have a Global ROM installed, which initially supports many languages, including Russian.
When buying from international platforms or gray sellers, the situation may be different: often these devices run on China ROM, a version of firmware designed exclusively for the domestic market of China. In such systems, Russian may be completely absent or presented with incorrect machine translation, which makes using a smartphone extremely uncomfortable.
To check the current version, you need to go to the settings, even if they are in English.Look for the About phone section and look for the MIUI Version string. If the letter C (for example, 12.5.3.0.RKBCNXM) is at the end of the line, this indicates the Chinese version. The letter G or X (for example, 12.5.4.0.RKGEUXM) indicates global firmware.
⚠️ Note: Trying to switch the language in Chinese firmware through the standard menu is often impossible, since Russian is physically absent from the system files.
Also worth noting is the presence of pre-installed apps. If you see a lot of Chinese services on the menu, such as Baidu, WeChat or IQiyi, and there is no Google Play store, this is a sure sign of the Chinese version of the software. Global versions are usually devoid of Chinese software and have a full range of Google services.
Standard language change in Global ROM
If the check showed that you have a global version of the firmware, but the interface for some reason remained in English, you can solve the problem through the standard settings menu. This process takes no more than a minute and does not require a connection to a computer or special knowledge in the field of IT.
To start, unlock the screen and find the settings icon, which usually looks like a gear. In the menu that opens, you need to find the Additional settings section. Depending on the version of MIUI, this item may be called simply Settings and be at the bottom of the list or highlighted by a separate tab.
Next, select Languages & input, which is usually at the top of the list, and clicking on it will show you a list of available languages. If Russian is on the list, just select it, and the interface will instantly switch.
- 📱 Click on the gear icon to enter the settings menu.
- 🌍 Select the Additional Settings or System section.
- ⌨️ Go to Languages & Input.
- 🇷🇺 Find the Russian list and activate it.
In some cases, Russian may be on the list, but not first. To make it the main language, you need to drag it to the top position of the list or click on the corresponding priority button, after which all system notifications, menus and standard applications will appear in Russian.
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If after choosing Russian, some menu items are left in English, try restarting the device, which will help the system fully apply the changes and update the interface cache.
Solving the China ROM problem without flashing
The Chinese version of the firmware (China ROM) is more complicated because standard methods cannot add Russian to it, but there are workarounds that allow you to Russify the interface without completely reflashing the device, although they have their limitations.
One way is to install a third-party launcher, a program that completely replaces the standard desktop and menu. Popular launchers such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher fully support Russian and allow you to customize the interface for yourself, this solution changes only the appearance of the home screen and the application menu, but does not affect the system settings.
Another method is to use the MoreLocale 2 application, which allows you to activate hidden language packets if they are present in the system but are blocked by the manufacturer. ADB-commands to grant special permissions to the application.
⚠️ Note: Using MoreLocale 2 does not guarantee 100% translation. System notifications, settings and some built-in applications may remain in English or Chinese, as the translator is not embedded in the system partition.
In order to activate the debugging mode on Chinese firmware, a sequence of actions is often required, for example, you need to repeatedly click on the version number. MIUI In the About Phone section, you want the developer menu to appear. USB Debugging (Debugging by Debugging) USB).
If you choose to use this method, be prepared for the fact that some of the features will remain unclear. This is a temporary solution that helps to navigate the menu, but does not make the phone fully Russian.
Preparation for the installation of the Global ROM
The most radical, but also the most effective, way is to completely replace Chinese firmware with Global ROM, a process called firmware reflashing that allows you to get a fully Russified device with all of Google's services and without Chinese software, but this action requires careful preparation.
The first thing to do is unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi imposes restrictions on installing third-party software, so without officially unlocking the bootloader, you can't flash the device. This requires a Mi Account account tied to the phone and a wait of 7 to 30 days for the company to give permission.
While waiting for unlock, you need to download all the necessary tools to your computer. You will need the official Mi Flash Tool utility and the firmware itself for your particular model. It is important to download Fastboot ROM, which has the.tgz extension, not Recovery ROM with the.zip extension.
☑️ Preparation for flashing
It is also critical to back up all data, and the process of flashing from Chinese to global means completely formatting the internal memory, and all photos, contacts, messages and apps will be permanently deleted unless they are saved in advance.
Make sure your computer has a good one. USB-ports and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot. Use of unstable USB-A cable or port on the front of the system unit may interrupt the recording process, which will lead to serious consequences for the device.
The process of flashing through the Mi Flash Tool
Once you've got permission to unlock and all the files are ready, you can start the process. Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode. Turn off the device, then press the power and volume buttons at the same time. The image of a hare repairing an android will appear on the screen, which indicates that you've successfully entered firmware mode.
Connect your phone to your computer through USB-Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button to detect the connected device. If a device with a serial number appears on the list, the drivers are installed correctly.
Then press the Select button and specify the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware. Please note that there should be no Cyrillic characters or spaces on the way, otherwise the program may not see the files. After selecting the firmware at the bottom of the window, select the mode of operation.
- 🟢 Clean all: Completely cleanses memory and installs new firmware (recommended when changing region).
- 🔵 Save user data: Trying to save data, but often causes errors when changing China to Global (not recommended).
- 🔴 Clean all and lock: Clears data and re-blocks the bootloader (use only with the original firmware!).
To switch from Chinese firmware to global, you need to choose Clean all mode. Clean all and lock mode can not be used, since global firmware is not designed for a blocked bootloader in the Chinese region, and the phone will stop loading (it will receive the status of "brick").
Press Flash and wait until the process is complete. The progress bar will display the status of the execution. The entire process takes 5 to 15 minutes. Once successfully completed, the phone will automatically restart.
⚠️ Warning: Do not unplug the cable or turn off your computer during the firmware process. Interrupting system file recording is guaranteed to render the device inoperable and difficult to repair.