How to change the language on the phone Xiaomi: from MIUI 12 to HyperOS

Changing the language on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every second user faces after buying a device, and this problem is especially relevant for those who purchased the gadget abroad or received it with global firmware, where Russian is not on the default list. Unlike other brands, MIUI (HyperOS offers flexible localization settings, but they are not always intuitive.

Many users mistakenly believe that to change the language, you just need to go to the settings and select the desired option from the list (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi Note 10) require pre-installing the language package, and in older versions MIUI The path to customization may be different. This article covers all possible scenarios, from the standard procedure to solving problems with gray firmware and missing languages.

We're going to look at not only the basics, but also the nuances that are not written in the official instructions, like why the Russian language might disappear after upgrading to HyperOS, how to return it without resetting, and what to do if the system only offers Chinese and English. We will pay special attention to models with Global. ROM China ROM — Their settings are radically different.

If you’ve never changed the language on Xiaomi before, start with the first section.Savvy users can immediately jump to the section on problem solving or instructions for specific versions. MIUI/HyperOS.

Standard language change to Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

For most modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO current-stage (MIUI 13/14 You don't need root rights or any additional software, it's done through a standard menu.

Follow this algorithm:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Scroll down and select the Additional section (in some versions System and Device).
3. Tapping on Language and Input (or Language and Region in HyperOS)
4. Click on the first item in the list: Language (sometimes called System Language).
5. In the list that opens, find the desired language (for example, Russian or Ukrainian) and select it.
6. Confirm the change by clicking Ready or Apply.

The system will automatically reboot the interface (sometimes requiring a full reboot of the device). All menu labels, notifications and system applications (Calls, Messages, Camera) will change the language, except for third-party programs, which depend on the settings within each application.

If the list does not contain the language you want, it means that it is not installed in the firmware, and we will discuss the solution to this problem in the section "What to do if the desired language is not on the list."

Features for different versions of MIUI and HyperOS

The interface of language settings varies significantly depending on the firmware version. MIUI 12 The path to settings was shorter than in MIUI 14, and HyperOS (which replaced the MIUI 2023-2026) moved some items to other sections, and below is a comparison table for popular versions:

HyperOS devices also have Automatic Language Detection, which analyzes your location and suggests localization, but it doesn’t work as well, sometimes offering the wrong language or ignoring the changes.

If you have a version MIUI/HyperOS Not listed in the table, check it in the Settings menu → The phone. → Version. MIUI. For outdated firmware (e.g, MIUI 10 and below) may require an update via System Update or manual firmware via Fastboot.

What to do if the language is not on the list

The situation when the menu of the language change is not Russian, Ukrainian or other necessary option is typical for three cases:

1. You have a Chinese firmware installed (China) ROM), where only Chinese and English are available by default.
2. Language pack is not included in your assembly MIUI/HyperOS (It is relevant to some regional versions).
3. The system crashed and the language files were damaged.

The solutions are different for each case, and we'll start with the most common one, which is the lack of Russian in China. ROM.

Chinese firmware (China) ROM): How to add Russian

Xiaomi smartphones sold in China are initially stripped of most European languages. Even if you bought the device through official resellers (for example, on AliExpress marked "Global Version"), there is a risk of getting China. ROM. Here's how to check and fix it:

Step 1. Check the current firmware

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If there is a name at the end CN (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.5 CN) — You have Chinese firmware.

Step 2: Installation of the language package (without changing the firmware)

For some models (Redmi Note 11, POCO F4) You can install a language package through the themes:

1. Open the Themes app (brush icon).
2. Go to Profile (the person icon at the bottom of the screen).
3. Slip on the avatar and select Settings.
4. Find the language and region and download the package.

If this method does not work, there are two options:

• 🔄 Upgrade to Global ROM Update the system (if available).
• 📱 Install Global ROM manually via Fastboot or Recovery (requires unlocking the bootloader).

Step 3: An alternative method for experienced users

If you do not want to change the firmware, you can manually install the language package through the ADB:

adb shell cmd overlay enable --user 0 com.xiaomi.miui.overseas

This command activates hidden language packets, but it doesn't work on all models. USB-Debugging (included in Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times on the build number, then return to the additional → For developers).

No language in Global ROM

If you have a global firmware but don’t have the right language, try:

• 🔍 Update MIUI/HyperOS Up to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.
• 📲 Install the language package via Mi Community (official Xiaomi app).
• 🔧 Reset language settings: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Resetting application settings.

💡

Before resetting settings, back up the data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. This will save your contacts, photos and app settings.

Solving problems when changing language

Even after a successful language change, users are confronted with bugs: part of the interface remains in English, the keyboard does not switch, or the system spontaneously returns the old language, and let's look at typical problems and their solutions.

Problem 1: Part of the interface is in English/Chinese

This is because some system applications (Camera, Gallery, Browser) have their own language settings.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app that hasn’t changed the language (like Camera).
3. Slip the Warehouse and the cache → Clear the cache.
4. Reboot the phone.

If that doesn’t work, check the language settings inside the app itself (usually in the Settings menu). → Language).

Problem 2: The keyboard doesn't change the language

The Gboard, Mi Keyboard has separate localization settings to sync it with the system:

• 📝 For Gboard: Open any text box → tap the gear icon on the keyboard. → Settings → Languages → add the right one.
• 🔤 For Mi Keyboard: Settings → Additionally. → Language and input → Current keyboard → Settings → Languages.

Problem 3: The system spontaneously sheds its tongue

This is typical for devices with China. ROM, where the system forcibly returns Chinese after the reboot:

• 🔄 Install Global. ROM (See section "Chinese firmware").
• 🛠️ Turn off automatic system updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Settings → Auto-update.
• 📵 Use applications to block system changes (such as App Ops) to disable MIUI reset.

💡

If after changing the language the phone began to work slower, clear the cache system through Settings → Warehouse → Clear cache. This will eliminate conflicts between old and new language files.

Features for popular Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique nuances when changing the language, and here is a list of models with typical problems and solutions:

For models POCO (for example, POCO F5 or POCO X5 Pro) the path to language settings may differ due to customized shell POCO Launcher.If you don't find the Language and Entering section, try it:

1. Hold the Settings icon on the home screen.
2. Select Application Information → Open the default settings.
3. Return to the standard menu MIUI/HyperOS.

Additional localization settings

Changing the system language is only the first step to fully localize your smartphone. To ensure that all interface elements are displayed correctly, pay attention to the following settings:

Regional parameters

Language and region are related but different settings, for example, if you chose Russian but left the U.S. region, then:

• 📅 The format of the date will be MM/DD/YYYY (month/day/year).
• 🕒 Time zone could be off.
• 💰 Currency in the Google Play Store will be displayed in dollars.

To fix this:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Date and time.
2. Choose the correct time zone (for example, Moscow, GMT+3).
3. Return and tap the Region – install Russia, Ukraine or any other country you want.

2. Voice assistant and speech recognition

Google Assistant and Speech Recognition in MIUI/HyperOS They're also linked to the language of the system, and if you change the language, the voice input doesn't work:

• 🎤 Reinstall Google App through Play Market.
• 🔊 Check the settings in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Google → Permits → Microphone.
• 📱 Update Google Play Services to Settings → Annexes → Google Play Services.

3. Localization of third-party applications

Some applications (e.g. TikTok, AliExpress, Banking) ignore the language of the system and use their own settings to force them to change their language:

• 📱 For Android 13+: Use the Application Language function in the settings of each application.
• 🌐 For older versions: install the Locale Changer app (root required).
• 🔄 Reinstall the app – sometimes it resets language settings.

💡

If notifications from some applications stop working after changing the language, check their settings in Settings → Notifications → Notification management, language reset may have reset and permits.

Safety when changing language and firmware

Change system settings, especially on devices with China ROM, This can lead to unexpected consequences, from blocking your Mi Account to "bricking" your phone:

⚠️ Warning: If you buy Xiaomi with your hands, always check your tied Mi Account! After resetting, the phone may require you to enter the previous owner's login and password.

What not to do when changing language:

• 🚫 Install language packets from unverified sources (virus risk).
• 🚫 Use programs to hack regional restrictions (e.g. Xiaomi Tool) without backup.
• 🚫 Reset to factory settings if the phone is tied to the previous owner's Mi Account.

How to safely update the firmware:

1. Download Global ROM Only from the official website of Xiaomi.
2. Before you use Fastboot, unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires linking your Mi Account to your device).
3. Use stable firmware versions (marked as Stable) rather than beta builds (Developer).

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices, bootloader lock can occur automatically after the update. MIUI, Make a backup section persist through TWRP.

If after an unsuccessful attempt to change the language, the phone stopped turning on or stuck on the logo MI, try:

1. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10 seconds for forced reboot.
2. If this does not help, reflash the device through Fastboot (instructions on the forums). 4PDA or XDA Developers).

Frequently asked questions