Xiaomi Redmi Go is one of the few smartphones of the brand that runs on a lightweight version of Android called Android Go Edition. This feature affects not only performance, but also the interface of settings, which is markedly different from the usual MIUI. If you bought a device with an unfamiliar language or accidentally changed it in the settings, you can return Russian (or any other) in several ways β from standard to hidden.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of changing the language to Redmi Go, including cases when the desired language is not on the list, the system is suspended or the menu is displayed in an unknown language. If you have previously only encountered MIUI, prepare for the surprises!
1. Standard method: through the settings menu
The easiest way is to use the built-in settings of the system, and this is fine if:
- π± The smartphone is on and responds to touch;
- π The list of available languages is necessary (for example, Russian);
- π You donβt have a lock on the screen or you know the password.
Instructions:
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Scroll down and select System (or System if the current language is English).
- Slip on languages and input (Languages & input).
- Select Languages β Add a language (Languages).
- In the list, find Russian (or another language you need) and click on it.
- Drag your chosen language to the first position on the list to make it the primary language.
If there is no Russian on the list, try to find it through a search (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner). On Android Go, languages are sometimes hidden behind additional tabs - scroll through the list to the end.
βοΈ What to check before changing the language
2. If the interface language is unknown: how to find the settings?
This is complicated when the menu is displayed in Chinese, Arabic or another unfamiliar language, and then focus on visual cues:
- βοΈ Settings icon β gear (usually on the home screen or in the app menu).
- π± System icon - smartphone with a gear (inside the settings).
- π Icon of Languages β the globe or letter βAβ in a circle.
Algorithm of action:
- Go to Settings (cogs).
- Find the smartphone icon and gear (this is the System).
- Inside, look for an icon with the letter "A" or the globe.
- Slip on the first item in the list that opens β itβs the current language.
- Click on the plus button (Add language) and select English (English) or Russian (Russian).
On Redmi Go, there may be no search bar in the languages menu β scroll through the list manually to the end, as the language you want is sometimes hidden on the second page.
What does the language menu look like in Chinese firmware?
3. Resetting settings to factory: a last resort
If you canβt change the language through the menu (for example, because of a system failure or the lack of the desired language in the list), hard reset will help. This method will delete all data from the device, so use it only as a last resort.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off your smartphone.
- Press the Power + Volume buttons up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Xiaomi logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu (black screen with English text), select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
- Confirm the reset by selecting Yes.
- Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.
Once reset, the device will turn on with factory settings, and at the initial setup stage (Welcome Screen), you will be able to select a language, including Russian.
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If you don't have Russian after reset, check the region of the device. From the Settings menu β System β About the phone, find Region and select Russia or Ukraine (for some firmware, this adds Russian to the list of languages).
β οΈ Attention: Setting reset deletes all data, including photos, contacts and apps. If you sync with your Google account, contacts and some settings will be restored automatically upon login.
4. Installation of the language package via ADB (for power users)
If the language is not listed, it can be added manually through the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires a computer and basic command line knowledge.
What you need:
- π» A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB;
- π USB-cable (preferably original);
- π Language packet file (e.g., language packet file, ru-RU.apk Russian).
Instructions:
- Download the language package for Android Go (for example, from the 4PDA forum or XDA Developers).
- Connect Redmi Go to your computer and enable USB Debugging (Settings β About Phone β Assembly Number β tap 7 times, then go back to Settings β System β Developer).
- Open the command line on your PC and type in: Adb devices (should display your device).
- Install the language package: adb install ru-RU.apk
- Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot
After the reboot, the new language will appear in the Settings β System β Languages list.
β οΈ Attention: Installation of language packs incorrectly can cause system failures. Use only files intended for Android Go Edition and your firmware version.
Problems and Mistakes: What to Do When the Language is Still Changing?
Sometimes even after doing the right thing, the language stays the same, or the system makes mistakes, and let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The language has changed, but the interface parts have remained the same. | Not all apps support the chosen language | Update apps via Google Play or change the language separately in each appβs settings |
| After the reset, the Russian language disappeared from the list | The firmware is designed for another region | Install Global ROM via Fastboot or Recovery |
| When choosing a language, the system makes an error. | Language package damaged | Remove the Settings app cache (Settings β Apps β Settings β Memory β Clear cache) |
| Language menu not open (hang) | System failure or memory shortage | Restart the device in Safe Mode (press the power button β βReboot in Safe Modeβ) |
If none of the methods worked, check the firmware version in Settings β About Phone. For Redmi Go, the current versions of Android Go are 8.1 Oreo or 9 Pie. If you have an older version installed, update it through Settings β System β System Update.
6. Alternative methods: third-party applications and launchers
If you can not change the language of the system, you can use workarounds:
- π± Install a launcher that supports the desired language (for example, Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher). This will change the language only on the home screen, but not in the settings.
- π Use on-screen translation applications (e.g. Google Translate or Yandex Translate) that allow you to point the camera at text and see the translation in real time.
- π Create a second user with the language you want: Settings β System system β Users β Add a user.
These methods do not solve the problem completely, but they will help to adapt temporarily to an unfamiliar interface language.
π‘
Third-party launchers and translation apps donβt change the system language, but make it easier to interact with the device while youβre looking for a permanent solution.