How to change the language to Xiaomi Mi: from Chinese to Russian

Changing the interface language on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is often the first and most important step after buying a device, a particularly relevant issue for owners of gadgets ordered from Chinese marketplaces, where the Chinese version of the firmware is originally installed. Misunderstanding the characters can turn a new gadget setup into a complex quest that requires accurate instructions and visual landmarks.

Changing the language settings in the MIUI or HyperOS shell is not always smooth, as the menu can be completely hidden behind Chinese characters. In this article, we will discuss not only the standard algorithm of actions, but also the complex cases when the desired language is not on the list or you need to change the region to activate additional options.

Note that the interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the Android operating system and the specific shell modification. However, the logic of the settings in the system menu remains the same for the entire ecosystem of the brand. Below are detailed instructions that will help you understand navigation even without knowing the language.

⚠️ Note: When changing device region, some pre-installed apps may change their availability or menu location, as content is often geolocated.

Standard procedure for changing the language in the settings

If your smartphone is already on and you can navigate the menu by icons or partially familiar characters, the language change process will take only a few minutes. You need to find the Settings app, which looks like a gray gear, usually located on the home screen or in the top tool folder. After you log in, look for the section marked with characters corresponding to the word "Additional" or "System".

Inside the system menu, you'll find the language option item. In the Chinese version, it's often in a subsection that can be visually identified by a globe icon or a character "A." Clicking on this item will put you in the list of available languages. If Russian is not in the first screen, you'll need to press the add button, which is usually located in the lower right corner or top right.

Once you have chosen Russian, the system may offer a reboot or immediately apply changes. MIUI will instantly reset and all menus will become clear. It is important to note that in some cases, additional authorization in the Mi Account may be required for the voice assistant and some system services to work correctly.

In rare situations, especially on older versions of firmware, the fonts may go after changing the language, or some items will remain in English, which is solved by simply restarting the device, a full reboot resets the interface cache and applies all language packets correctly.

What to do if Russian is not on the list

A common problem with devices imported from China is that Russian is not on the base list, and that's because the global language packages are not built into the Chinese version of firmware. The solution is to change the region of the device. Even if you have the phone in your hand, the software region can be set to "China." For many functions to work and language options to appear, it needs to be changed.

To do this, you need to find the Region section in the settings menu (the second item on top in the Chinese version), which is usually indicated by an icon with the letter "A" or a flag. In the list of countries that opens, you need to find Russia or any other CIS country (for example, Ukraine, Kazakhstan), where Russian is the main language. After choosing a region, the list of available languages will automatically update.

If the Russian language didn't appear after the region change, you may have come across a stripped-down version of the firmware for a particular carrier, in which case only the global ROM (Global ROM) will help, a more complex procedure that requires unlocking the bootloader and using the computer.

⚠️ Warning: Self-flashing from the Chinese version to the global version can lead to loss of warranty and, in case of violation of technology, to breakage of the device ("brick»).

Change of language during initial activation

The most critical thing is to first set up a smartphone that you've just bought or dropped, and it's at the Welcome screen that you choose the right language to avoid wandering around the menu later, and the greeting screen usually appears immediately after you turn on the new device or after you reset.

On the first activation screen, where the MIUI or HyperOS logo is displayed, there is often a choice of language already. If you see a list of countries or languages, look for "Russian" or "English." If you choose English, further navigation will be easier, since the technical terms will be clearer. However, it is better to find Russian immediately to avoid errors when connecting to Wi-Fi.

While activating, the system may urge you to connect to a Chinese server or set up Chinese services. Beware: if you are not in China, some steps may not pass or take a long time to wait for a timeout. Skipping extra steps (usually a button in the corner) will allow you to get to the desktop faster.

Once you have completed your initial setup, be sure to check for system updates. Often the first run updates language packs and adds missing characters or corrects translations. Go to settings, find About Phone (the first item on the menu), and click on the MIUI version to check for updates.

Features of the HyperOS shell and new versions of MIUI

With the release of the new HyperOS operating system, which gradually replaces MIUI, the menu structure has undergone some changes. Logic remained the same, but the visual design and location of some items may have shifted. In HyperOS, language settings are often moved to a more prominent place or combined with the settings of the region into a single cluster.

Newer versions of the interface have improved multilingualism support, and the system can automatically suggest language based on the language it has installed. SIM-maps or geolocations. SIM-The card, the smartphone itself can suggest switching to Russian immediately after the detection of the network.

Newer versions also improve fonts, and if some icons may not be displayed correctly when changing the language, HyperOS uses a more flexible text rendering system, but if you notice "squares" instead of letters, try changing the font in the theme to a standard one.

Solving problems with coding and fonts

Sometimes, after changing the language, users are faced with the fact that instead of letters, strange characters or “krakozyabr” are displayed, which indicates a problem with encoding or damage to the system file of the language package, most often when an interrupted update or incorrect installation of third-party themes.

To fix this, try clearing the cache of the Settings app and the Language and Input system app, and go to application management, find the relevant system processes, and select Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with Clear Data, as this can reset your settings.

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If the interface is slower after changing the language, try reducing the font size or disabling animation in advanced settings.

In case a simple cache cleaning didn’t work, you may need to reset all settings to factory settings.Be sure to save important data before doing so, since a full reset will remove all information from the device. After reset, you will need to select the language again at the activation stage.

Frequent questions and additional nuances

Many users are wondering if changing the language affects the operation of banking applications. In most cases, banking applications work independently of the system language, but some of them can automatically switch to the system language. If the bank remains in English or Chinese after changing the language to Russian, check the settings inside the application.

Another important aspect is voice input. When changing the system language, you also need to check the keyboard settings. If you use Gboard or a standard Xiaomi keyboard, make sure that the input settings activate Russian and select the right dictionaries for predictive typing.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications, such as Mi Video or Mi Music in Chinese firmware, may not translate into Russian even after changing system settings, as their content is tightly tied to the region of China.

Remember that to ensure that all Google services work properly and the interface is translated correctly, it is advisable to have a Google account. Sync through a Google account helps to save your preferences, including the chosen language, when you switch to a new device.

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Changing the region is a key step that often solves the problem of the lack of Russian without the need to flash the device.