Owners of wireless headsets from the Chinese giant often face an unexpected obstacle immediately after unpacking: the device begins to speak a foreign language. Instead of the usual “Connected” or “Power on”, a strange phrase is heard that can confuse the inexperienced user. This is the standard situation for devices designed for the domestic market of China, which fell into the hands of international buyers through gray deliveries or global versions with dual software.
Fortunately, changing the language on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco headphones is a very real procedure and often does not require complex firmware manipulations. In most modern models, such as the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2, AirDots or more advanced FlipBuds, the switch is built into the logic of pairing. TWS-Headset will help you quickly adapt the gadget to your needs without contacting the service center.
In this article, we will look at all the known ways to translate a voice interface into Russian or English. We will look at the methods applicable to different product lines, from budget plugs to flagship models with noise cancellation. The main thing is to act consistently and closely monitor the indication, since the algorithm of actions can vary slightly depending on the version of the firmware.
Features of localization in the Xiaomi ecosystem
Xiaomi manufactures electronics on a massive scale, and a significant portion of the products are initially focused on the domestic market of China. That is why the box often contains instructions in characters, and the voice assistant meets the owner of Mandarin. However, the company's engineers have envisaged the possibility of globalization of the device by software. The language package is usually already sewn into the memory of the chip, but only one is activated by default, Chinese.
The switching process is based on synchronizing the right and left earphones. In mono-work or when channels are desynchronized, the device may not respond to region-change commands. So before any manipulations begin, it is critical to make sure that both earphones are paired correctly with each other, not just with the phone. If one of them flashes red or blue separately, the procedure should start early.
⚠️ Note: If your headphones have been released more 3-4 And in the early days of the AirDots line, there's a small chance that they don't have a physical English or Russian language pack in their memory.
Modern models, including the Pro, Active and Gaming Edition, almost always support multilingualism, and the mechanism is to send a special signal through the Bluetooth protocol when a specific sequence of touches is performed. This does not require an Internet connection or install additional applications, although the Xiaomi Earbuds or Mi Wear utility can make it easier to diagnose the battery status and firmware versions.
Preparation of headphones for reflashing the language
Before you start active, you need to do a lot of training. Chaotic taps without understanding the current status of the device can lead to the headphones go into pairing mode or, worse, dissynchronize with each other. The first step is always a full reset (Hard Reset), which clears the pairing memory and returns factory settings, which is the perfect starting point.
To do the reset, place both earbuds in the charge case. Make sure the contacts on the devices themselves and inside the case are clean, otherwise the charging won't go and the reset won't activate. Press the touch pads on both earbuds simultaneously and hold them for about 20-30 seconds. The indicators should flash red several times, then go out. This is a signal that the memory is cleared.
- 🔋 Make sure that the case and headphones are at least 50% charged to avoid a sudden shutdown during the process.
- 📱 Open Bluetooth settings on your smartphone and select the “Forget This Device” option for your Xiaomi headphones.
- 🧹 Wipe the touch areas with dry cloth, as wet fingers can distort the touch signal.
- 🔌 Put the headphones in the case and close the lid for 10 seconds before the procedure begins.
After these steps, remove the headphones from the case, they should automatically go into pairing mode, as signaled by a fast flashing indicator (usually white or red-blue). Now the device is ready to accept new commands. If you miss the step of clearing the Bluetooth list on the phone, the smartphone may try to automatically connect to the headphones immediately after they turn on, which will interrupt the process of changing the language.
The universal method of changing language through the sensor
The most common method, which works on most TWS models from Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco, is based on long-term retention of touch panels. This method does not require a physical button on the body, which is true for models like AirDots 2, Essential or Basic 3.
Once you have reset and removed the headphones from the case (they should blink while waiting for the connection), do not rush to connect them to the phone. First, take both earphones in your hands. At the same time, touch the touch areas on the left and right earphone and hold your finger. You need to hold on for about 5 seconds to the first beep or change the color of the indicator, but do not let go of your fingers. Continue to hold for another 15-20 seconds.
At some point, you'll hear a distinctive sound or phrase that's different from the original one, which could be a click, a beep, or a short voice message, and if you hear a familiar word in English or Russian, it's a success, and if you hear a double click or a series of sounds, it might mean that the language has changed, but the headphones have gone into pairing mode, and you can open Bluetooth on your phone and reconnect.
⚠️ Attention: Time is critical. If you let your fingers go too early (up to 5 seconds), the headphones will simply turn off or the voice assistant will start. If you hold on too long (over 30 seconds), the reset to the factory settings can be activated again.
In some cases, especially on active noise cancellation (ANC) models, the sequence may differ, such as pressing 5 times fast or performing a series of 3 long presses, but classical holding for 20 seconds after reset works 90% of the time for the budget and mid-range segment.
What to do if the retention method does not work?
If prolonged retention failed, try the "fast beat" method. After reset, quickly press 5 times on the right earbud, then 5 times on the left. Sometimes the chip responds to rhythmic taps as an engineering menu command. It is also possible that your model requires a connection to the Mi Home app to activate the global mode. "Changing the language through the Xiaomi Earbuds app For more advanced models such as the Mi True Wireless Earbuds Pro, FlipBuds Pro or Buds 4, mechanical methods may not work, as the management is completely tied to the Mi Home app or Xiaomi's app will be installed on the global devices. If your headphones speak Chinese, the app will likely recognize them, but the interface may be partly English. After pairing, go to the device settings (usually the gear icon or three dots in the corner). Find the headphone settings or the Device Settings section. Inside the menu, look for Voice Prompt Language. There's a switch available. Select English or Russian if available. The app will download the required language pack and apply the settings. This is the most reliable way, since it eliminates human error and time. The recommended method is AirDots/Redmi Buds Long-term retention (20s) No High Mi True Wireless Pro Mi Wear/Earbuds App Yes 100% FlipBuds Basic Reset + Hold No Average Buds 3T/4 Pro App Xiaomi Earbuds Application 100% Use of the app also gives access to other useful features such as equalizer setting, firmware update and noise reduction calibration. Regular software updates through the app often solve localization problems, as Xiaomi's Active Buds sensors often add a few newer versions of the subsifix and the newer versions of the Redmi subs. When trying to change the language by holding, users often accidentally activate the voice assistant (Google Assistant or Xiao AI). To avoid this, touch the sensor with a finger pad rather than a nail, and try not to shift the earphone in the ear or in the hand. Poco Buds models (for example, M3 or G1) are often rebranded Redmi. They are the same methods that apply to the main lines. However, there is a nuance with the Poco Buds Pro version. These headphones have an active noise cancellation and require more accurate handling. (For them, it can be used specifically with a flashing light on the red light of the model with a flashing of the Prod, for example, if you, it can use a flashing light in the red light, then you with a flashing mode, for a flashing light, for example, it can be used with a flashing light from a flashing light, for a flashing light from a flashing light to a flashing light of the red light, for example, the red light, the red light, for example, it can be used in the red light, the red light Visual feedback helps to understand whether the headset has accepted the command. 🎧 For Lite models, it is often enough. 3-X quick presses instead of long hold. 🔊 Voice volume may change after changing language – it’s normal. 🔄 If the first time failed, repeat the reset procedure and try to hold the sensor on the 2-3 It's important to understand that the hardware platform is different from generation to generation, and the older models on Realtek chips may require one approach, while the new ones on Qualcomm may require one approach. QCC — If the standard methods don't work, you should look specifically for your model's chipset. 📊 What is your Xiaomi headphone language now?Chinese English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English English. After changing the tongue, one of them can be silent or only one channel is working, and this is solved by re-placing both headphones in the case, closing the lid and waiting 10 seconds, after which you need to remove them simultaneously. The headphones are constantly blinking and not connecting to the phone. This means that the language change command was received, but the process did not end correctly. In this case, only a full reset (Hard Reset), described at the beginning of the article, will help. Don't be afraid to reset the settings - this does not wear out the memory of the device. ⚠️ Warning: Never try to change language when the headphone charge is critically low (less than 10%).During the reconfiguration process, power consumption may increase briefly, and a sudden shutdown may lead to a software failure (brick), after which the headphones will stop turning on. If the headphones continue to speak Chinese after all the manipulations, you may be dealing with an exclusive version for the domestic Chinese market that physically cut other language files. In such a situation, only flashing through a special programmer (DT-Tool) can help, but this is a complex process that requires soldering contacts and technical skills, which we do not recommend to perform at home. It's also worth checking if your headphones are connected to another device nearby, and if a friend's phone or tablet in the next room automatically connects to your headphones, they may ignore your commands, thinking they're already busy. Turn off Bluetooth on all devices within a 10-meter radius before setting up. 💡The main key to success is complete desynchronization from all devices and a full reset before every attempt to change the language. Do not try to change your hot settings when you are actively connected. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can you change the language if the headphones are already connected to the phone? In theory, you can, but the probability of error increases. Better to break the connection (turn off Bluetooth on the phone), reset and change the language, and then reconnect. Active connection can block system commands. What if the headphones are quieter after changing the language? This may be due to the specific codec or the settings of a particular language package. Try turning off the Absolute Volume option in your Bluetooth phone settings or turning it on to synchronize volume. Does this method work for Xiaomi wired headphones? No, this instruction is only for the purpose of using the device. TWS (True Wireless Stereo and Bluetooth Headsets. Wired models don't have internal memory for language packets and a chip for processing voice commands. How do you know if I don't understand Chinese? Usually, when you change successfully, you change the tone of the voice or the melody of the confirmation. You can also tap the sensor once: Chinese is often said to be "Dian liang" (check), and English is said to be "Battery" or simply to say a percentage. The connection phrase "Yi lian jie" will change to "Connected." Does the language reset when you reconnect to another phone? No, the selected language is stored in the headphone, they will use the new language independently of the new device.