How to change the language on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones, despite the release of new models. But owners of the device often face the problem: how to change the interface language if the phone is bought with Chinese firmware or accidentally lost settings? In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the language, from standard settings to manual editing of configuration files.

The Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) is that the path to language settings may be different on different versions of MIUI firmware, and if your device is running on the Chinese version of the software (e.g. MIUI China Stable), you won’t be able to change the language to Russian or English without additional manipulations, and we’ve taken all these nuances into account and prepared a universal guide that will help even if you don’t have access to the basic settings.

Important: if after changing the language, some applications (such as Mi Store or Mi Cloud) continue to display in Chinese, this is normal. These services are tied to the region of the Xiaomi account, and they will require additional configuration to fully Russify, which we will also talk about.

1. Standard method: through the settings menu

If your Redmi Note 4 runs on global or European firmware (MIUI Global or MIUI EEU), you can change the language in just three clicks, which is suitable for most users and does not require special knowledge.

The instructions are relevant for MIUI 8-14 versions (including older builds for the Redmi Note 4):

1. Open the Settings app** (the gear icon on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Scroll down and select the Additional Settings section (on some versions - Advanced Settings).
3. Tapping on Language and Input (or Language and Region in newer versions of MIUI)
4. In the menu that opens, select the Language (first item in the list).
5. Scroll through the list and select the language you want (e.g., “Russian (Russia)” or “English (United States)”).
6. Confirm the change by pressing Ready or OK in the upper right corner.

After that, the system will suggest restarting the device, and you should agree that all interface elements (including system notifications) will be displayed in the new language.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure you don’t have Chinese firmware (MIUI China)

Reboot your phone after changing your language

Update the firmware to the latest version-->

⚠️ Note: If there is no Russian or English on the list, you have Chinese firmware installed. In this case, the standard method will not work - go to the next section.

Change of language in Chinese firmware (MIUI China)

The Chinese versions of MIUI for Redmi Note 4 don’t support Russian and English at all, and to add them, you’ll either have to install global firmware or manually activate hidden language packs.

Method 1: Installation of global firmware (recommended)

This is the most reliable method, but it requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a customized Recovery (such as TWRP). If you are not ready for such manipulations, skip this paragraph and go to method 2.

• 🔧 Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).
• 📱 Install. TWRP Recovery for Redmi Note 4 (mido).
• 🌍 Download the latest global firmware (MIUI Global Stable from en.miui.com.
• 🔄 Flush it through. TWRP, pre-backup.

Method 2: Activate hidden languages without firmware

This method works for MIUI 9-12 and allows you to add Russian/English without flashing it over. ADB:

1. Enable “USB Debugging”** in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Return to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command in ADB: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings$LanguageSettingsActivity

3. Manual editing of the configuration file (for advanced)

If previous methods did not work, you can manually change the language settings through the system file build.prop. This method requires root rights and works only on firmware up to MIUI 12 (on new versions the file is protected).

Step-by-step:

1. Install any file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing build.prop can lead to bootloop ( looped reboot).Before changes, back up the file!If the phone doesn't start - restore the original version via TWRP.

On MIUI 13+, this method does not work because of system partition protection. Attempt to edit build.prop will trigger anti-rollback protection on some devices.

4. Resetting to factory settings (if nothing helps)

If the language is lost after an update or virus attack, and you can’t get it back in the standard way, hard reset will help, which will return the phone to its original settings, but delete all data (photos, contacts, messages).

How to reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu (manage volume buttons, choose the power button) select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
5. Select Reboot to reboot.

Once reset, the phone will start with factory settings, and at the initial setup stage (MIUI Setup Wizard), you can select the interface language.

Standard settings

ADB-team

Editing by build.prop

Reset to factory

Nothing helped.-->

5. Solving problems after changing language

Sometimes, after a language change, some interface elements remain in Chinese, or there are errors in the system applications.

• 📱 Mi Store and Mi Cloud in Chinese: These apps are tied to the Xiaomi account region. To Russify them, go to your account settings (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Region and change country to Russia or India (for English).
• ⚙️ System Notifications in Chinese: Restart your phone – sometimes it takes 2-3 reboots to get all items updated.
• 🔄 Font or characters lost: Set the default font in Settings → Screen. → font.
• 🚫 Some features don’t work: Update your firmware to the latest version via Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

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If you lost access to Google Play after changing the language, install Google Installer from the Mi Store (if it Russified) or download APK from the APKMirror site.

6. How to avoid problems with buying a Redmi Note 4

If you’re just planning on buying a Redmi Note 4, check out the firmware version so you don’t have to change your language.

• 🏷️ Global Version (Global): The box must have a sticker that says "Global Version"** or the letter M in the serial number (e.g., the box must have a sticker that says "Global Version"** or the letter M in the serial number, 2017M...). Supports Russian and English out of the box».

Also, before you buy, ask the seller to send a screenshot of the Settings → About phone section, which should be MIUI Global (for the global version) or MIUI China (for the Chinese version).

💡

Only buy global versions of the Redmi Note 4 (marked Global on the box) if you don't want to mess around with firmware.The Chinese versions are cheaper, but require extra effort to Russify.

7.Alternative methods: third-party launchers and applications

If you can't change the system language, you can go around the way by installing an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) and configuring it into Russian, which won't change the language in the system menu, but will make using the phone more comfortable.

There are also applications for forced language change of individual programs:

• 🌐 MoreLocale 2 – allows you to change the language for specific applications (requires root on new versions of Android).
• 📱 SetEdit – system settings editor (works on the MIUI 8–11).
• 🔧 App Locale 2 is an analogue of MoreLocale, but with a simpler interface.

Note that these methods don’t give 100% Russification — some system notifications and menus will remain in Chinese, but for basic use (calls, messages, social media) this may be enough.

FAQ: Frequent Questions About Changing Language to Redmi Note 4