How to change the language of Xiaomi Mi 4: all ways and solutions to problems

Xiaomi Mi 4 is the iconic 2014 smartphone that is still used by many users today for its reliability and custom firmware installation. However, owners often face the challenge of changing the interface language, especially if the phone was bought abroad or after resetting. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the language to Mi 4, including solutions for cases when the desired language is not on the list.

It is important to consider that the process may differ depending on the version of MIUI (official or custom), as well as regional firmware. If your smartphone runs on an older version of Android (4.4 KitKat or 5.0 Lollipop), some menus may look different. We will look at universal methods that will suit most situations, and also give recommendations for correcting typical errors.

Preparing for a Language Change: What You Need to Know

Before you start changing your language, make sure that:

• 🔋 Battery level not lower than 30% – this will prevent sudden shutdown during the process.
• 📶 Smartphone connected to stable Wi-Fi network (if you plan to download language packs).
• 🔐 You have access to your Mi Account if you need to unlock after a reset.
• 📱 The device has the latest available version. MIUI For Mi 4 (check the settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).

If you bought a smartphone with your hands or after resetting, you may not have Russian in the system, which requires either manually installing the language pack or changing the firmware region. Note that some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) may have different paths to language settings than standard MIUI.

Method 1: Standard language change via MIUI settings

This is the simplest method that works on most official firmware.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select Additional settings (English version).
3. Slip on the item Language and input.
4. At the top of the screen, select Language.
5. In the list of available languages, find the desired one (for example, Russian or English) and tap on it.
6. Confirm the change by pressing OK or Set.

If the language you want isn't on the list, it means it's not installed in the current firmware, so move on to the next method.

Method 2: Install a language pack via Recovery or Fastboot

If the language is not in the settings, you can add it manually.

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 4 smartphone with unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot and the MiFlash program.
• 📁 Language package in.zip format for your version MIUI (You can download it on the forums. 4PDA or XDA-Developers).

Instructions for installation through Recovery:

1. Download the appropriate language package (for example, ru_lang_pack_Mi4.zip) And put it in the root folder of internal memory.
2. Turn off your smartphone and press the Volume Up + Power buttons to enter Recovery.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Install, then specify the path to the downloaded file.
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the process to be completed.
5. Reboot the device (Reboot system).

Important: If you install an unofficial build language package, there is a risk of conflict with system files. Before the procedure, make a backup through TWRP Recovery.

Method 3: Changing the firmware region to add languages

Some firmware (especially Chinese) have limited language lists, so you can change the firmware region to unlock additional languages.

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Region (Region).
2. Select the country for which the desired language is available (for example, Russia for Russian or India for English).
3. Confirm the change and restart the device.

If the language is still missing after the region change, you will need to reflash the device to the global or European version of MIUI.

• 📥 Download the official firmware for the Mi 4 from en.miui.com (select the Global version or the new version). EEA).
• 🔧 Install it via Fastboot using MiFlash or via Recovery (if the file is.zip format).

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Before you run your firmware, check your device model in Settings → About Phone → Model. For the Mi 4, it should be Xiaomi Mi 4 (cancro). Installing firmware from another model will cause the device to crash!

Method 4: Using applications to change language

If you don't want to flash the device, you can try to install the language with third-party apps.

• 📱 MoreLocale 2 allows you to add languages that are not in the system.
• 🌍 SetEdit – edits the system settings of the language (does not work on all versions) MIUI).
• 🔄 Locale & Language – an alternative for root-free devices (limited functionality).

Instructions for MoreLocale 2:

1. Install the app from Google Play or download the APK from a proven source.
2. Open MoreLocale 2 and provide root access (if required).
3. In the list of countries, select the language you need (for example, Russia for Russian).
4. Press Set and restart the device.

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Note: Language change applications may not work in a stable way on older versions of MIUI. If the interface becomes glitchy after the change (for example, characters instead of letters), return the settings to the original or reset.

Problem Solving: What to Do When Language Doesn't Change

Sometimes, even after all the manipulations, the language stays the same or the system gives off an error.

If none of these methods worked, you may have a heavily stripped-down firmware installed on your device (for example, for enterprise customers), in which case the only way out is to completely flash through Fastboot.

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On Xiaomi Mi 4 with the original Chinese firmware (China ROM), Russian is not available by default. The solution is firmware on Global ROM or manual installation of a language package.

Resetting settings as a last resort

If all the attempts to change the language failed, you can perform a hard reset, which will return the device to the factory settings, but delete all the data.

• 📤 Back up your contacts, photos and files (for example, through Mi Cloud or Google Account).
• 🔐 Make sure to remember your Mi Account details (required to unlock after resetting).
• 🔋 Charge the device to at least 50%.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Restore and reset.
2. Select Factory Data Reset (Factory Data Reset).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
4. After restarting, reconfigure the device by selecting the desired language at the initial setup stage.

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Note: Some versions of MIUI may require a link to a Mi Account that was previously linked to the device after a reset. If you don't remember your account details, the smartphone may be blocked!

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the language to Xiaomi Mi 4