How to change the language on your Xiaomi phone: all the ways for MIUI 14 and older

Changing the language on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most common tasks that users face after buying a device or updating a firmware. This problem is especially relevant for owners of gadgets purchased abroad: Chinese versions of Redmi or POCO often come with a confusing interface in Chinese, and European models can automatically install English or local. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to change the language on any Xiaomi model, from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 14 and the gaming Black Shark.

It is important to understand that the process may vary depending on the version of the MIUI firmware (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS), the device’s regional binding, and even the model. For example, on the POCO F5 with global firmware, the path to settings will be one, and on the Xiaomi 13T Pro with Chinese MIUI – quite different. We will look at universal methods, as well as nuances for specific cases, including situations where the settings menu is completely in an unknown language and it is impossible to find the desired item.

If you just bought a smartphone and are facing this problem for the first time, don’t worry. Most modern Xiaomi devices support Russian out of the box, but sometimes you need to activate it manually. And for owners of devices with custom firmware or "gray" imports, we have prepared separate instructions using hidden menus and other devices. ADB-team.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

This is the easiest and most secure method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with official firmware, and is suitable for MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the new HyperOS (starting in 2026).

Sequence of action:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon or wheel icon).
2. Scroll down and find the option Additional (in English - Additional settings, in Chinese - ).
3. Select Language and Input (Language & Input).
4. Click on the first item in the list – Language (Language or ).
5. In the list of available languages, find Russian (or Russian (Russia)) and select it.
6. Confirm the change by pressing Ready or OK.

If you have Chinese firmware (for example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra for the domestic market), the list of languages may not be Russian, in which case you will have to use alternative methods described below, POCO X6 Pro) after changing the language, it may be necessary to restart the device.

2. If the menu is in an unknown language: visual instruction

The hardest part is that you don't know either Chinese or English, and the settings menu is completely in a language that you don't understand, and in this case, visual matching of icons and item locations will help, and we've developed a universal scheme that works on most versions of MIUI:

1. Find the Settings icon on your desktop (usually a gear or wheel with three "spokes").

2.Scroll down the menu to the block with the Globe icon (🌐) — This is the language settings section. It's called (literally, "additional settings") on Chinese firmware").

3. Inside this section, find the first icon with the letter "A" or the acronym "" (Chinese character of the language).

4. In the list of languages, look for a line with Cyrillic alphabet — it's Russian. If it's not available, try English, and then repeat the procedure with a clear interface.

For clarity, we will give the correspondence of key points in different languages:

If you did everything right, but the Russian language never came, then your device runs on Chinese firmware without multilingual support. MIUI use ADB-The team (read about this in section 5).

3. Change the language through Recovery mode (for power users)

This method is suitable if the standard method does not work and the device does not boot in normal mode, for example, after a failed update or reset. Attention: Recovery mode provides access to low-level settings, and careless actions can lead to data loss.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power and Volume button up at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset (on Chinese firmware - ).
4. Then select Wipe All Data (full reset).
5. After resetting, the device will restart, and at the initial setup stage you will be able to choose Russian.

⚠️ Attention: this method removes all data from the device, including photos, contacts and installed applications. Use it only as a last resort if other methods have not worked. SIM-card and memory card, if installed.

Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) There may be no language reset in the Recovery menu, in which case only flashing through Fastboot or EDL-The book, but this is a topic for a separate article.

4.Use of ADB-commands for forced language change

If your Xiaomi device doesn’t have Russian on the list, but it supports ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can force the desired locale through your computer, which works even on locked downloaders and does not require root rights.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to the main settings menu and find a new Developer section. Activate Debugging on USB.

Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.

adb shell


settings put system system_locales ru-RU




settings put system user_locale ru-RU




settings put global user_locale ru-RU

adb reboot

After the reboot, the interface should become Russian. If this does not happen, try to execute the command further:

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.LOCALE_CHANGED --es android.intent.extra.LOCALE ru_RU

⚠️ Note: on some firmware (e.g. Chinese versions) MIUI Xiaomi 12S Ultra) these commands may not work due to manufacturer limitations, and only flashing to the global version will help.

1. Install Mi PC Suite drivers from the official Xiaomi website.

2. Reconnect the cable using a USB 2.0 port (they are better compatible with ADB).

3. Include in the developer settings the Debugging item USB (security settings) and select Allow always from this computer.-->

5. Installation of the language package manually (for custom firmware)

If you use an informal firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience or crDroid), Russian may not be available in the standard set, in which case it can be added through the installation of the Language Pack or Magisk module.

Instructions for firmware based on Android 12/13/14:

1. Download the appropriate language package (such as NikGapps or MindTheGapps) from nikgapps.com.
2. Reboot to Recover (usually TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Install. ZIP-Language Package File (Select Full or Addon).
4. Clear the cache (Wipe) → Dalvik/ART Cache).
5. Reset the device.

Note that some custom firmware (such as Havoc-OS) may require additional locale settings via the Locale Manager app or build.prop file editing.

6. Features for specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi devices have unique nuances when changing language, and we have collected the most common cases in the table:

Redmi K series devices (e.g. Redmi K60 Pro) may require additional activation of Russian via the service menu.

1. In the phone app, dial the code ##5580##.
2. In the menu that opens, select Language Settings.
3. Activate the Russian language if it is displayed in gray.

💡

On HyperOS devices (2026), the path to language settings has changed: now it’s Settings → Personalization → Language and Region. Don’t confuse with older versions of MIUI!

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When changing language to Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and we have collected the most common ways to eliminate them:

• 🔄 Language resets after rebooting Reason: system settings conflict Solution: reset settings via Settings → Memory. → Resetting settings (without deleting data).
• 📵 No Russian in the list of languages Reason: Chinese firmware without multilingual support Solution: reflash the device to the global version MIUI.
• 🔒 You can't change the language because of parental control Reason: user profile restrictions Solution: Remove restrictions in Settings → Accounts. → Parental control.
• ⚙️ Language settings blocked Reason: Enterprise policies (on enterprise devices).Solution: contact administrator or reset via Fastboot.
• 📱 Language changed only in some applications Reason: separate locale settings for applications Solution: check Settings → Annexes → Application management → Language.

If after the language change, some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) remain in English, it is normal – they use their own language packages. Update them through the Mi App Store or install alternatives from Google Play.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions