How to translate Xiaomi into English: all the ways for smartphones and smart devices

Changing the interface language on Xiaomi devices is a frequent necessity for users who buy gadgets from other regions, plan to sell abroad or simply prefer English as a universal language. Depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13) and the firmware version (MIUI 14, HyperOS), the process may be different. In some cases, several taps in the settings are enough, and sometimes you need to unlock the bootloader or install custom firmware.

Xiaomi devices are uniquely linked to the firmware region, for example, smartphones for the Russian market (RU) often lack English in standard settings, while global versions (Global) or EEA (Europe) offer a full set of languages. This article covers all the current ways of translating into English, including bypassing the restrictions of MIUI, working with ADB and alternative methods for smartwatches, TVs and routers Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: Changes in system settings can cause device failures, and we recommend backing up data before you start manipulating, especially if you plan to use it. ADB or refashion.

1. Standard method: change the language in the MIUI settings

The easiest method is if your device supports English in the standard menu, which is true for most global firmware (Global, EEA, IN – India) and some Chinese versions with multilingual firmware (CN with a patch).

To check the available languages:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to the section Additional settings → Language and input → Language.
3. Scroll down the list – if you have English (United States) or English (United Kingdom), choose it.

⚠️ Note: On some Russian firmware (RU) English may not be available even after updating to MIUI 14 or HyperOS. In this case, move to the next section.

If the language has changed successfully, but some applications (such as Mi Fit or Mi Home) are still in Russian, update them via Google Play or reinstall them. Also check the regional settings in your Mi Account - sometimes they affect the display of content.

2. Hidden English in MIUI: How to Include Through ADB

English is often hidden on firmware for the Russian market (RU), but it can be activated using the commands ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on most devices with MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (path: Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔗 Utility. ADB (Download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer via USB (select File Transfer mode).
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (its serial number should appear).
3. Follow the command to activate English: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings\$LanguageSettingsActivity
4. On the screen of the smartphone will open a hidden menu of languages – choose English.

If the tongue resets after the reboot, repeat the procedure and additionally perform:

adb shell settings put system user_setup_complete 1

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC

Enable debugging over USB on your phone

Download platform-tools with ADB

Connect the phone in the mode "File transfer"

Check the visibility of the device by the team `adb devices`-->

3. Installation of custom firmware with English

If previous methods didn't work, you'd have to flash the device to a global or multilingual version of MIUI, which is a radical way, but it's guaranteed to add English and other languages, and it's important that the flashing resets all the data and can void the warranty.

Suitable firmware:

• 🌍 Global Stable - official firmware for the international market (supports English, but may not work with Russian ones) SIM-maps on some models).
• 🇪🇺 EEA Stable is a European version, similar to Global, but with support GDPR.
• 🛠️ Xiaomi.EU – custom firmware with advanced features and a full set of languages (unofficial, possible bugs).

Instructions for firmware through Fastboot:

1. Download the firmware for your model from MIUI Downloads (for Global/EEA) or Xiaomi.EU.
2. Unclose the firmware file in the folder with the platform-tools (where fastboot.exe is located).
3. Put the phone in Fastboot mode: turn it off, then press Power + Volume down.
4. Connect to your PC and execute the command (example for Global): fastboot flashall lock.cmd Attention: For Xiaomi.EU, use fastboot update name file.zip.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot will block the bootloader if it has been unlocked. Returning to the original firmware will require re-unlocking (waiting 7-15 days).

4. Translation of Xiaomi smart devices (watches, TVs, routers)

Smartphones aren’t the only Xiaomi devices that might require English, but let’s look at the features for other gadgets:

Smartwatches (Mi Band, Amazfit, Watch S3)

• 📱 The language of the watch depends on the language of the Mi Fitness or Zepp app on your smartphone. Change the language in your phone settings, then sync the clock.
• 🔄 On some models (for example, Mi Band 7) the language changes in the watch menu: → Language.

TVs (Mi TV, Redmi TV):

• 📺 Go to Settings. → Preferences → If you don't have English, update your firmware through Settings. → About the device → Updating the system.
• 🔌 For the Chinese versions (CN) You may need to be able to get through USB (Instructions look for in forums 4PDA).

Routers (Mi Router, Redmi Router):

• 🌐 Go to the router’s web interface (usually 192.168.31.1), then select the language in the upper right corner.
• 📱 In the mobile application Mi WiFi language depends on the settings of the smartphone.

5 Problems and mistakes when changing language

Even with the instructions, users are faced with typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them:

1. English is not on the menu after ADB-team

• 🔄 Reboot the device and repeat the command adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings\$LanguageSettingsActivity.
• 📱 Check if the settings have reset after the update MIUI. Security patches sometimes block hidden languages.

2.After the firmware disappeared Russian language

• 🌍 Install Google Translate or Microsoft Translator for emergency interface translation.
• 🔙 Return to the original firmware via the Mi Flash Tool (unlocked bootloader required).

3.A smart watch or TV doesn't sync language

• 🔄 Reconnect the device to the application (Mi Home, Mi Fitness).
• 📲 Remove the app cache in the smartphone settings: Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Memory. → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (POCO F5, Redmi K60) after changing the language ADB Updates may disappear over the air (OTA). In this case, update manually through Settings. → About the device → Updating the system → Three points. → Select a firmware file.

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If banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) stopped working after changing the language, check the region settings in Google Play: open the application, go to Profile → Settings → General → Country and Profiles and select Russia.

Alternative methods: translation without changing the language of the system

If none of the methods are suitable (for example, on corporate devices with locked settings), you can use workarounds:

1. Local translation through applications

• 📱 Install Google Translate and activate Screen Translate (available for Android 8)+). This will allow you to translate the interface in real time through the camera.
• 🔍 For specific applications (such as Mi Home), use the built-in Google Chrome browser translator (open the web version of the service).

2.Regional change in Google Play

• 🌎 Change the country in Google Play settings to the US or UK, adding English versions of the apps, but not changing the language of the system.
• 💳 You will need to create a new profile or use it. VPN confirming the region.

3.Castom launchers

• 🏠 Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) and select English in its settings.

⚠️ Attention: When in use VPN To change the region in Google Play, avoid payment transactions – this can lead to the blocking of the account for suspicious activity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Before any firmware or ADB manipulation, back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or third-party utilities like Swift Backup (requires root).