How to change the country in the smartphone Xiaomi: all the ways and nuances

Changing the region on Xiaomi smartphones is a pressing task for users who travel, buy devices abroad or want to access local services. However, the procedure is not always obvious: the manufacturer limits the possibility of changing the country due to the peculiarities of MIUI, licensing agreements and regional functions.

In this article, we will cover all the working methods for changing the region, from standard settings to technical workarounds, you will learn how to avoid typical errors, which Xiaomi models support flexible configuration, and which will require unlocking the bootloader. Also consider the consequences of the change in the country: from restrictions on Google Play to problems with the Internet. OTA-update.

If you are only planning to buy a Xiaomi device abroad, pay attention to the FAQ at the end of the article – there are frequent questions about firmware compatibility and warranty service.

Why Xiaomi is limiting the change of country?

The manufacturer is linking the devices to the region for several reasons:

• 📱 Firmware localization: different countries have their own privacy laws (e.g, GDPR in EU), requirements for pre-installed applications and language packages.
• 💳 Payment systems: in India ROM integrated UPI, In European versions – Google Pay with support from local banks.
• 📡 Frequency bands: models for China (CN ROM) Not supportive of some 4G/5G-ranges used in Russia or the EU.
• 🔒 License Restrictions: Netflix, Disney+ Mi Video can be blocked in certain regions.

Xiaomi also splits devices into global (Global ROM) and Chinese (China ROM), the latter often cheaper, but their firmware is not intended for use outside of China. Trying to change the region on such a device without flashing it over usually leads to errors in the work of Google Mobile Services (GMS).

⚠️ Warning: Change of region on devices with China ROM (For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G for the Chinese market without the installation of Global ROM You will lose Google Play functionality and system failures. Check your phone model in settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI).

Method 1: Replace the region by setting MIUI

The easiest method is to use built-in MIUI options. It is suitable for global firmware versions (labeled Global, EEA or RU) and does not require technical skills. However, it does not work on all devices: some models (for example, POCO F5 for India) block this option.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Region (on some versions of MIUI, the path may differ: Settings → System → Language and Region).
2. If you don’t have a region, try to set up English first (sometimes this will unlock additional options).
3. Confirm the change and restart the phone.

After changing the region, some settings may reset (for example, the date/time format or the currency in Mi Pay), and the list of available applications in GetApps (the Xiaomi store) will also be updated.

Make sure that the firmware is global (Global/EEA/RU)

Connect to Wi-Fi (required for data synchronization)

Make a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos)

Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

Method 2: Change of country through SIM-map

If the settings do not have the option to change the region, you can try to cheat the system using the SIM-The method works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires physical presence. SIM-country map.

Algorithm:

1. Buy or borrow. SIM-A card of the operator from the target region (e.g. T-Mobile for the US or Vodafone for the UK).
2. Put it in your phone and restart the device.
3. Connect to the mobile network (it is important that the phone determines the location by SIM).
4. Go to Settings → About phone and click on the MIUI version several times to activate the developer mode.
5. Go back to the main settings, open Additional → Region and select the desired country.

If the option is blocked, try:

• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi with IP-address of the target country (for example, through the VPN).
• 🔄 Get out. SIM-Map, restart the phone and try again.
• 📱 Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

⚠️ Attention: Use VPN If you change your region, you may be able to block your Mi Account if the system suspects fraud.

Through MIUI settings

With help. SIM-map

Flip-through

Never changed.

Another way.-->

Method 3: Changing Regions Through ADB (for Power Users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use the Android debugging bridge (ADB), which is suitable for unlocked devices and requires a computer, suitable for MIUI 12-14.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode (click 7 times on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers, and open the command prompt in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Follow the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
5. Enter a command to change region (for example, to Russia): adb shell settings put global region_code RU For other countries, use a two-letter code (US, DE, IN etc.).
6. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot, check the current region with the command:

adb shell settings get global region_code

If the command returned the desired code, but the changes did not appear in the MIUI interface, try resetting the application cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Clear the cache).

Method 4: Reflash to another regional version of MIUI

The last method is to install firmware for another region, and it's a radical solution that's appropriate if you:

• 🔓 You have unlocked the bootloader (bootloader).
• 📱 The device supports Global ROM (Check out the official Xiaomi website).
• 🔄 You are ready for possible data loss (full backup is recommended).

Step-by-step process:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the official website). Since 2023, Xiaomi has tightened the rules: now you need to link your account to the device for 30 days before unlocking.
2. Download Fastboot ROM for the desired region from the Xiaomi website (choose the Global Stable version).
3. Install firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in clean all mode (complete cleaning).
4. After flashing, reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset).

⚠️ Attention: China reflashing ROM Globally ROM on devices with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi) 12S Ultra can cause a "brick" before the procedure, check compatibility on forums. XDA Developers or 4PDA.

💡

Before flashing, save the persist.img file from your current firmware, which contains data on the calibration of the camera and modem, and losing it can degrade the quality of your communication or photo.

Problems after the change of the region and their solutions

Even successful country change can have unexpected consequences, and consider the typical problems and ways to fix them:

• 🚫 Google Play is not working: Clear the app’s cache and data (Settings) → Annexes → Google Play Store → If it doesn’t work, delete your Google account and add it again.
• 🔄 They don't come. OTA-Updates: Manually check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Update system. If no updates, install firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 📵 Missing mobile networks: Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings) or manually select the operator.
• 💳 Mi Pay doesn't work: Remove the app and reinstall it from GetApps. you may need to link a new bank card.

If the phone starts to overheat or run out quickly after a region change, check the active background processes in Settings → Battery → Battery Use. Sometimes system applications (such as Mi Cloud) start to consume more resources due to regional mismatches.

💡

After changing the region, be sure to update all system applications through GetApps – this will help you avoid conflicts with the new regional settings.

How to bring back the original region?

If after the experiments you decide to return to the original settings, use one of the methods:

1. Repeat the steps from Method 1, selecting the original country.
2. Through ADB: adb shell settings put global region_code ORIGINAL_CODE (substitute ORIGINAL_CODE country-source).
3. Reset to factory settings: Returns all settings to default, but deletes user data.

If you have reflashed the device to return the original region, you will have to repeat the procedure with the firmware for the original country, and note that frequent change of firmware can lead to the blocking of your Mi Account due to suspicions of fraud.

On some devices (such as the POCO F4 GT) you may need to re-activate via Mi Account after returning to the original region. If the phone requests a password from an account you don't remember, use the recovery service.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the region to Xiaomi