How to change the country in the settings of the Xiaomi phone: 3 working methods

Why to change the region to Xiaomi and what restrictions it removes

Changing the country in the settings of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is a procedure that interests users for various reasons, most often due to geographical restrictions on services (for example, the unavailability of Google Pay in some regions), firmware localization (Chinese version of MIUI without GMS), or pricing policy in official app stores.

Xiaomi Manufacturer Links Many Features to the Device Purchase Region: From Available Design Themes to Supported List LTE-For example, smartphones for the Chinese market (CN) They are often devoid of Google services, but they have advanced features for local social networks (EEA) support NFC For contactless payments, but may restrict access to some system settings, in this article we will discuss legal and non-obvious ways to change the region, their pros and cons, as well as the risks that Xiaomi does not mention in the official documentation.

Change the region through Mi Account

The safest method is to change the country in the Mi Account profile, which is suitable for devices with global firmware (MIUI Global) and does not require root rights or complex manipulation. Importantly, this method does not work for the Chinese versions of smartphones (CN ROM), since they are tied to a local Xiaomi account without the possibility of changing the region.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Mi Account (or Xiaomi Account) app.
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the top corner.
3. Select Account Management → Personal information.
4. Find the Country/Region field and click Change.
5. Select the country from the list and confirm the action by SMS or email.

After changing the region in your account, restart your smartphone. The system will automatically update your localization settings, but some services (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music) may require re-authorization. Please note: frequent region change (usually 1 time every 30 days) can cause suspicions of fraud and temporary account blocking.

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If the list does not contain the country you want, try to log out first, then log in again. VPN s IP-This will sometimes unlock hidden options.

Unofficial methods: circumventing MIUI restrictions

When the official method is not available (for example, on Chinese firmware), users resort to alternative methods, which can be divided into three categories:

• 🔧 Changing the region through ADB (without root, but requires PC and debugging USB).
• 📱 Install custom firmware (for example, xiaomi.eu or PixelExperience).
• 🌍 Use of the VPN + Resetting (a risky method with unpredictable results).

Consider the most popular option, the ADB region change. It works on most devices with MIUI 12-15, but requires preliminary preparation:

Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (stamp 7 times)

Install Xiaomi USB Drivers on PC

Download Platform Tools (part of Android SDK)

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission

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Next, run the following commands in the command line (cmd or Terminal):

adb shell


settings put global carrier_id_value 1




settings put global device_provisioned 1




settings put secure user_setup_complete 1

After that, restart your smartphone and check the region in Settings → Additional → Region. If the country hasn’t changed, try to do more:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings$DeviceInfoSettings

Comparison of methods of changing the region: pros and cons

The choice of method depends on your firmware, smartphone model and willingness to take risks. Below is a table with a comparison of key parameters:

Special attention should be paid to the custom firmware method, for example, firmware from Xiaomi.eu allows you to select a region when you first set up, but have their own nuances:

• 🚫 No support for Mi Pay and some local services.
• ⚠️ Possible problems with OTA-update.
• ✅ Full freedom in setting up the region and removing embedded applications.

Officially through Mi Account

ADB-team

Custom firmware

VPN + reset

Nothing, I'm afraid of the risks.

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What happens after the change of region: expectations vs reality

Many users expect that after the country change to Xiaomi, all previously unavailable features will immediately work, but the reality is often disappointing.

• 📱 Store topics: there will be new themes, but some of the old may disappear.
• 💳 Mi Pay/Google Payment: if the region supports NFC-Payments, services will be available (but you will need to link a local bank card).
• 📡 LTE-ranges: the smartphone will start to support the frequencies of local operators (if they are in the hardware of the device).
• 🔊 Voice assistants: Google Assistant or Alice can change the default language.

Here's what won't change:

• 🚫 Hardware Restrictions: If your Redmi Note 12 does not support range B20 (800 MHz), region change won't add it.
• 🚫 Warranty: If the device is purchased in China, the European service center may refuse to repair the device.
• 🚫 Firmware: Chinese CN ROM It will not become a global one – it will require a complete re-flashing.

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Changing the region does not add hardware capabilities – it only unlocks the software constraints laid down by the manufacturer.

A special case is dual-SIM smartphones. When you change region, the system can automatically reassign priority networks for each SIM card. For example, if you switch from Russia to India, the phone will start to search more actively for Jio or Airtel networks, even if local carriers are weaker, which can lead to a deterioration in roaming communications.

How to avoid dangers: 5 critical mistakes

The wrong change in region can lead to serious problems, and here are the most common mistakes and their consequences:

⚠️ Note: If you are using Chinese firmware (CN ROM) And you try to change the region through ADB, The system can block access to Settings requiring you to enter a password from a non-existent account. MIUI 14, which is solved only by a complete reset.

Mistake 1: Frequently changing region in Mi Account

Xiaomi’s algorithms treat frequent country changes (more than 1 time per month) as an attempt at fraud.

• Temporary account blocking for 24-72 hours.
• Requirement of identification (passport scan).
• Limiting Mi Cloud features (e.g., synchronizing notes).

Solution: If you need to test multiple regions, create a second Mi Account.

Error 2: Using a VPN without resetting your settings

Some users change region through a VPN without realizing that MIUI is cacheing geolocation.

• Time zone conflict (alarm clocks are not working correctly).
• Errors in Google Play Services.
• The gray status of the device in Xiaomi services (for example, it is impossible to activate Mi Home).

Solution: After changing the region via VPN, reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Reset).

Error 3: Install custom firmware without unlocking the bootloader

Attempting to flash xiaomi.eu onto a blocked bootloader leads to:

• Fastboot mode with an anti-rollback error.
• Loss of IMEI (smartphone stops catching the network).
• Need to go to a service center for recovery.

Solution: Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a wait of 7-30 days).

Step-by-step instructions for Chinese firmware (CN ROM)

Smartphones for the Chinese market (CN ROM) are a special case, not only are they devoid of Google services, but they are also highly region-specific, and to change the country on such a device, you would need to:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Link the device to Mi Account. Enable OEM Unlock in Settings → For developers. Use the Mi Unlock Tool (download from the official website).

Install custom recovery (TWRP)

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img

Switching to a European or Global Firmware

• Download the correct version with Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
• In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (enter yes).
• Install the firmware through Install.

If you have been flashing custom firmware, return to stock through the Mi Flash Tool (you will need an unlocked bootloader).