Changing the language on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every second user faces after buying a device, especially for imported models where Chinese, English or even Indian may be the default language, but even if you’ve been using the phone for a long time, you sometimes need to add a second language or return Russian after accidentally resetting your settings.
In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to change the language to Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark – from standard methods through settings to workarounds for blocked or “Chinese” firmware. Particular attention will be paid to new devices on HyperOS, where the interface has changed significantly from the usual MIUI. Also, you will learn what to do if the desired language is not on the list of available – this is a frequent problem for owners of devices purchased on AliExpress or in foreign stores.
1. Standard method: via the settings menu (MIUI 12–14 and HyperOS)
The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in settings. It works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, including the latest models on HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+).
The instructions are relevant for the firmware:
- 📱 MIUI 12–14 (including global and European versions)
- 🚀 HyperOS 1.0+ (Xiaomi’s new interface, which debuted in 2023)
- 🌍 Firmware with support for multiple languages (many language packages)
Steps to change the language:
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Scroll down and select the Additional (in HyperOS) or Additional Settings (in MIUI) section.
- Tapping Language and Input (or Language and Region in newer versions)
- Click on the first item - Language (or System Language).
- Find Russian (or any other language you want) and select it.
- Confirm the change if a request is made.
☑️ What to check before changing the language
If the list does not include Russian, it means that your device has a monolingual firmware (e.g., the Chinese version of MIUI for the domestic market), in which case you can move to the section on custom firmware.
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) You may need to restart after changing your language. Don't interrupt the process - wait until the phone is fully turned on (usually takes 1-2 minutes).
2. Change language through Recovery mode (if the phone is not turned on)
Situation: The phone only boots to the Xiaomi logo or hangs on the screensaver, but you urgently need to change the language to access the system, in which case Recovery mode, a special menu for recovery, will help.
This method is suitable for:
- 🔧 Devices with damaged firmware (but working Recovery)
- 📵 Phones where language settings have gone wrong after a failed update
- 🔒 Devices with locked screen (if you know the password from the Mi Account)
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button (10-15 seconds).
- Press the key combination: For most models: Volume up + Power For POCO and some Redmi: Volume up + Volume down + Power
Recovery Mode
No command
Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
Wipe & Reset
Wipe All Data
After resetting, the phone will reboot and you will be able to select the language when you first set up.
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
⚠️ Note: Recovery removes all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. If you have Mi Cloud sync enabled, some of the data can be restored after you log in to your account.
3. How to add a second language (multilingual input)
If you don’t need to replace the system language, but add a second one for keyboards, messages, or individual apps, do the following:
For example, you want to:
- 📝 The keyboard switched between Russian and English
- 💬 In messengers, the language of the interlocutor was automatically determined
- 🌐 Some apps (such as Google or YouTube) were displayed in a different language.
Instructions for MIUI and HyperOS:
- Open Settings → Additional → Language and input.
- Slip on the Keyboard and Entering Methods (or Keyboard Management in HyperOS).
- Select your keyboard (usually Gboard or Xiaomi Keyboard).
- Click on the languages and add the necessary ones (e.g. English (USA) and Russian).
- To switch automatically, turn on the option Multilingual input.
To change the language for a particular application:
- Press the app icon on the home screen.
- Select Application Information (or Information).
- Slip the language (if the option is available) and select the right one.
💡
If the keyboard doesn’t have the language you want, update Gboard via Google Play. Often new languages are added only to the latest versions of the app.
4. Problems with Chinese firmware: what to do if there is no Russian language
One of the most common problems for Xiaomi owners who bought on AliExpress or in Chinese stores is the lack of Russian in the settings, which is due to the fact that the device has a Chinese version of MIUI (for example, MIUI CN), which does not support other languages initially.
Signs of "Chinese" firmware:
- 📱 The model name has the letter C (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro C)
- 🔍 In the language settings only Chinese and English
- 🛒 Chinese apps (Mi Pay, Mi Video with Chinese content) installed)
- 📶 No bands for Russian operators (for example, no support) LTE Band 20)
Solutions to the problem:
| Method | Difficulty | Do you need to unlock the bootloader? | Are the data stored? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation of global firmware through Fastboot | ⭐⭐⭐ (middle-class) | Yes. | No (full reset) |
| Installation of custom firmware (xiaomi.eu) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (high-pitched) | Yes. | No (backup recommended) |
| Use of MoreLocale 2 patch | ⭐ (low-key) | No. | Yes. |
| Flashing through the MI Flash Tool | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (high-pitched) | Yes. | No. |
| Contacting the service center | ⭐ (low-key) | No. | Yes (on request) |
The most reliable way is to install a global firmware.
- Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
- Download the official global firmware for your model.
- Use the Mi Flash Tool to run through Fastboot.
If unlocking the bootloader seems difficult, you can try to do without it using the MoreLocale 2 app (available on Google Play), which allows you to emulate a different language of the system, but not all applications support it.
5. Installation of custom firmware (for experienced users)
If official methods have failed, and unlocking the bootloader is not possible for some reason, there is a custom firmware option, the most popular among them is Xiaomi.eu, which supports Russian and is devoid of Chinese software.
Benefits of xiaomi.eu:
- 🌐 Full localization in Russian and other languages
- 🚀 Optimized performance (removed unnecessary Chinese services)
- 🔄 Regular updates (weekly builds)
- 🔒 No Advertising in System Applications
Step-by-step:
- Unlock the loader (required!).
- Download the latest version of Xiaomi.eu for your model from the official website.
- Install custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox)
- Reboot to Recovery and back up the current firmware.
- Squeeze the downloaded ZIP-File via Install in Recovery.
- Clear the cache (Wipe) → Dalvik/ART Cache).
- Reboot the phone.
💡
Before installing, check if the bootloader is locked on your model (for example, on Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Turbo unlocking may not be possible).
⚠️ Note: Some new models (e.g. Xiaomi 14 Ultra or some other models) POCO F6 Pro custom firmware can block banking applications (due to lack of Google Play Protect certification). 4PDA or XDA Developers.
6. Changing the language on smart watches and fitness bracelets Xiaomi
If you have not only a smartphone, but also a Xiaomi Watch or a Mi Band fitness bracelet, the language changes separately.
For Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch S3 or Mi Band 8:
- Connect your watch to your phone via the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app.
- Open the device profile in the application.
- Go to Settings. → Language.
- Choose Russian from the list.
- Wait for the synchronization (can take up to 5 minutes).
Features for different models:
- 🕒 Mi Band 7/8: The language changes only through the app, there is no option in the watch itself.
- ⌚ Xiaomi Watch S2: Supports Russian, but some notifications may be displayed in English.
- 🏃 Redmi Watch 3: the firmware may not be Russian – you need an update through Zepp Life.
If you don't have Russian on the list, update the watch firmware through the app.
- Open Mi Fitness. → profile.
- Slip on the three dots in the top right corner.
- Select firmware update.
- Wait until it is finished (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When changing languages to Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Language changed, but some apps remained in English. | Applications use their default language | Go to the settings of each application and change the language manually (if you have an option) |
| After changing the language, the phone stopped. | Language packs are loaded in the background | Wait 10-15 minutes or restart the device |
| No Russian language in HyperOS | Installed beta version of firmware for the Chinese market | Update to a stable global version via Settings → System Update |
| The keyboard does not switch to Russian | No language added in keyboard settings | Check the settings → Additional → Language and input → Keyboard |
| After the firmware, the Russian disappeared | Incorrect version of MIUI is installed | Flush the correct firmware (e.g. MIUI Global instead of MIUI China) |
If the language has not changed after all the manipulations, check:
- 🔄 Firmware Version: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
- 🌍 Region of the device: C Settings → Additionally. → Language and region → The region should be Russia or Ukraine (for Russian language).
- 📱 Phone model: some devices (e.g. Redmi) K50i for the Indian market, do not officially support Russian.