Changing the interface language is one of the most basic but critical operations when you first launch a smartphone. Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face a situation when after buying a gadget offers to choose a region, but the desired language is not on the list, or the system is installed by default in Chinese or English, which can become a serious barrier to comfortable use of all the functions of the operating system.
With the current MIUI shells and the new HyperOS, localization resetting is as simple as possible for developers. However, there are many nuances that depend on the firmware version (Global, China, EEA) and device model. In some cases, the standard menu path may be hidden or require additional actions, such as changing the region, and understanding these mechanisms will allow you to quickly adapt your smartphone to your needs.
This guide covers all current scenarios, from standard language change through settings to solving problems with the lack of Russian localization in Chinese firmware versions. We will look at working with system parameters, using special applications and important cautions to help avoid errors.
Standard Language Change Procedure in MIUI and HyperOS
For most users who buy a global version of a smartphone, the process of changing the language takes literally a few seconds. The interface of the MIUI shell is logical and structured, which makes it easy to navigate even if you know only basic English words. The main thing is to know which section of the menu the desired switches are hiding. Usually the path lies through the Settings section, which is the entry point for all system changes.
To change the language, you need to sequentially follow the path Settings → Additional settings → Language & input. In the new HyperOS shell, the structure may change slightly, and the item may be immediately in the main settings menu or in the System section. Once you log in to the Language & input menu, you will see a list of available languages. If the desired language is not in the “Recommended” list, click the “Add a language” button.
⚠️ Note: After selecting a new language, the system may suggest changing the region of the device to the corresponding language, which will automatically adjust the format of the date, time and currency, but may affect the operation of some local services and news feeds.
In the list that opens, find the language you want, like "Russian" or "English." Once selected, you can adjust the preference order by dragging the language up the list, making it the default language for all multilingual applications.
☑️ Checking before changing language
It's worth noting that depending on the version of the android, the menu might be called slightly differently. For example, in older versions of MIUI 11, the path might be shorter. If you can't find Additional settings, search by settings by typing in the word "Language" or "Language." It's a versatile way that works even when there's a lot of confusion in the interface.
What to do if there is no Russian language on the list
When Russian is not available in the list of available languages, it is most common on smartphones designed for the Chinese market (China ROM). Global versions of Xiaomi firmware always contain a full set of languages, including Ukrainian, Kazakh and other languages of the CIS countries. If you are faced with a lack of the necessary localization, this is a signal that the device has a specific version of the software.
There are several ways to address this problem: The easiest way to do this, but not always the most effective way, is to try to change a region. Sometimes activating a particular region will unlock additional language packets. To do this, go to Settings → Region and try to pick countries like "India," "Singapore" or "Malaysia," and then check the list of languages again. However, in pure Chinese firmware, this method rarely works.
- 🇨🇳 China ROM: Firmware for the domestic market of China, often does not contain Russian fonts and Google services by default.
- 🌍 Global ROM: Global version that contains all the necessary languages and services, but can cost more.
- 🔄 Recovery Mode: Recovery Mode, through which you can try to reflash the device to the global version.
- 📱 MoreLocale 2: Specialized application for forced installation of any localization.
If the region change didn’t help, the only software solution without a complete flashing is to use the MoreLocale 2 utility. This application allows you to activate hidden language packs that are already in the system, but are blocked by the manufacturer. To work the utility will require a connection to the computer and execution of several commands through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
Risks of using third-party utilities
Using MoreLocale 2 to activate hidden languages
MoreLocale 2 is the de facto standard for Chinese smartphone enthusiasts, and it doesn't require root rights, but it needs one-time activation via a computer, and the idea is that we give the app increased permission to change system settings through USB debugging, which is a safe method if you follow the instructions.
You need to download it first. APK-MoreLocale 2 application file and install it on your smartphone. Since it is not on Google Play, download it only from trusted resources such as APKMirror or Google Play. 4PDA. Once installed, open the app. You'll probably see a message saying that the app doesn't have permissions and the list of languages won't be available to change.
Then you need to activate the debugging mode. → About phone and quickly press the item MIUI version OS version) seven times until "You are now a developer" appears. Then go back to the settings menu, find the Additional settings section. → Developer options and switch on the switch USB Debugging may also be required"USB debugging (Security settings)".
adb shell pm grant jp.co.c_lis.ccl.morelocale android.permission.CHANGE_CONFIGURATIONAfter connecting your phone to your PC and executing the command in the command line (pre-installing ADB drivers), go back to the MoreLocale 2 application. Now you can select "Russian" from the list and click "Set." The phone interface will instantly switch to Russian, including the settings menu and standard applications.
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If the ADB command is unchanged, try restarting the device, and in rare cases, you will need to re-execute the command after each reboot if the system resets the access rights.
Table of correspondence of menu items in different languages
Navigating the menu of an unfamiliar language is easy to get confused. Below is a table matching key menu items for English, Chinese and Russian, which will help you navigate if you accidentally reset your settings or bought a phone with an incomprehensible interface.
| Russian | English (Global) | Chinese (China) |
|---|---|---|
| Settings | Settings | |
| Additionally. | Additional settings | |
| Language and input | Language & input | |
| Language | Language | |
| Region | Region |
Use this table as a cheat sheet. The characters may vary depending on the simplified or traditional, but mainland China uses the simplified version presented in the table. The visual similarity of the icons can also help: the setting icon usually looks like a gear, and the language is denoted by the symbol A or the globe.
Features of changing the language in different versions of firmware
Xiaomi’s ecosystem is divided into several types of firmware, each with its own localization features. Understanding the differences between China ROM, Global ROM, and EEA ROM (European Economic Area) will help avoid many problems. European versions, for example, are required by law to have a full set of EU languages and often lack some Chinese services.
Chinese ROMs often have only Chinese and English, and they have local services that are deeply integrated, and they don't have translations. Trying to install Russian through MoreLocale translates only system menus, but apps like Mi Browser or Mi Video can stay in English or Chinese. It's not a mistake, it's a restriction of the software version.
Global versions (Global) are free of these issues, but may contain ads in system applications that can be disabled. In EEA firmware (for Europe), ads are often disabled by default, but there may be restrictions on some multimedia codecs or call recording features due to privacy legislation. When you change the region in such firmwares to China or India, additional functionality may appear, but the set of preinstalled applications will change.
⚠️ Note: When you change region from Russia to another country, the theme set in the theme store, available widgets in Mi Home and news feed in the browser may change in global firmware. Some banking applications may require re-verification when changing the region of the device.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Even when following the instructions, there may be unforeseen complications. Partial translation is a common problem. After changing the language, you may notice that some menu items, notifications from system applications or folder names remain in English, because not all of the application resources have been updated or cached anew.
To solve the problem, try clearing the Settings and System Launcher cache. Go to Settings → Apps → Manage apps, find the right app, select Clear data, and then Clear cache. Be careful: cleaning the launcher data will reset the icons on the desktop, returning them to the factory look.
- 🔄 Resetting: If the language “flys” or is displayed incorrectly, sometimes a full reset to factory settings (Factory Reset) with the language already selected during the initial setup helps.
- 📶 Font problems: If you have squares instead of letters, you don't have a font for the language you're looking for, and then you can only flash it to the alphabet-enabled version.
- 🕒 Time format: After changing the language, check the time format (12/24 hours) and dates, as they are often confused with the American standard (MM/DD/YYYY).
Another problem may be the automatic language change when you upgrade your system. ROM (or vice versa) through the update menu, the language can return to default for a new firmware, in such cases, the procedure for changing the language will have to be repeated, and it is worth checking whether the function "Automatic language selection" is enabled, which adjusts the interface to the language. SIM-maps or Wi-Fi networks.
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The most reliable way to get the language you want is to buy a smartphone with Global Version, which requires additional actions and may have localization limitations.