How to change the language on the phone Xiaomi: 5 ways to MIUI 12-14

Changing the interface language on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task, but many users face unexpected difficulties. For example, after buying a device abroad, the system may be in Chinese or English, and some firmware does not have Russian in the standard menu. This article covers all possible scenarios, from a basic language change to solving problems with missing language packages.

We're going to break down not only the standard way through settings, but also alternative methods for cases where the language you want isn't on the list, and we're going to focus on devices with MIUI Global, MIUI China and POCO Launcher, because the interface and options available can be very different, and if you've purchased a phone with rooted firmware or customized backpacks, there's a section at the end of this article that's specifically for you.

It is important to understand that changing the language affects not only the system menus, but also the operation of some applications (for example, Google Services or Mi Account). In some cases, additional localization adjustments may be required for individual services. MIUI 12-to-14.

1. Standard method: change the language through the MIUI settings

This is the easiest and most secure method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with official firmware, suitable for MIUI Global, MIUI Europe and most regional versions. If your phone is bought in Russia or Europe, start with this method.

The instructions are relevant for all modern models: Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5 and older devices on MIUI 12-14. On earlier versions (MIUI 11 and below), the path to settings may differ slightly, but the logic remains the same.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Scroll down and select the Additional section (some firmware calls it Additional Settings).
3. Tapping Language and Input (or Language and Region on newer versions)
4. At the top of the screen, you'll see the current language of the system. Click on it.
5. In the list of available languages, select the desired one (for example, Russian (Russia) or Ukrainian).
6. Confirm the choice – the system will automatically apply the changes and reboot the interface.

If there is no Russian language on the list, it means that your device has a firmware without Russification (for example, MIUI China), in which case move to the next section.

2 What to do if Russian is not on the list?

The lack of Russian in the settings menu is a common problem on devices purchased in China or with unofficial firmware.

• 📦 Installed MIUI China (Chinese version of firmware without much language support)
• 🔧 The firmware has been modified (castom recaveri, root rights)
• 🌍 The region of the device is tied to a country where Russian is not supported (for example, India or Indonesia)
• 📱 Device made of "gray" imports with unofficial localization

There are several ways to solve this problem, and the most reliable is to install an official global firmware, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and can lead to data loss.

1. Installation of the language package via Mi Community Some users share language packages on the Xiaomi Community forums. APK-It's a Russifier file and you can manually install it, but it doesn't work on all versions. MIUI and may cause conflict.
2. Change device region In settings Language and input → Region try to choose Russia, Ukraine or Belarus. Sometimes this automatically loads the missing language packs.
3. Using MoreLocale 2, an app from Google Play that allows you to force the system locale to change. It requires root rights on some firmware.

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial language packs can cause system failures, especially on devices with a computer. MIUI China.Before experimenting, back up your data via Settings → The phone. → Backup.

3. Change of language to MIUI China (Chinese firmware)

MIUI China devices don't initially have much language support, because they're designed for the Chinese domestic market, and to add Russian, you'll either have to install global firmware or use workarounds. Let's look at both.

Method 1: Installation of global firmware (recommended)

This is the most reliable method, but it requires unlocking the bootloader and can cancel the warranty. If you're not sure about your skills, you'd better go to the service center.

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and wait 72-168 hours).
2. Download the official global firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
3. Install firmware via Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode or via TWRP (if custom recavers are installed).
4. After installation, reset your settings (Wipe Data) to avoid conflicts.

Important: Fastboot removes all data from the device, save photos, contacts and other important files to your computer or to the cloud.

Method 2: Partial Russification via ADB (without firmware)

If you don't want to flash your phone, you can try forcefully changing the system's locale through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which doesn't work on all devices, but it can help temporarily:

adb shell settings put global system_locales ru-RU


adb shell settings put secure user_set_locale 1




adb reboot

After completing the commands and restarting, some of the interface may appear in Russian, but many of the system applications will remain in Chinese.

4. Features of changing the language to POCO and Redmi

POCO and Redmi devices often have their own shells on top of MIUI, which can affect the process of changing the language. For example, on POCO Launcher, the path to language settings may differ, and on some Redmi models (especially for the Indian market), Russian is not available by default.

If you own a custom firmware POCO (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the language change is done through Android settings, not MIUI.

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input.
2. Select Languages and add Russian to the list.
3. Drag it to the first place to make it the main one.

💡

On POCO devices with HyperOS, you may need to clear the application cache after changing the language. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots → Clear the cache of all applications.

5. Solving problems after changing language

Sometimes, when you change the interface language, you get a problem: some of the text stays in the same language, some applications stop working, or the system starts to slow down.

Problem 1: Part of the interface is in Chinese/English

This is because not all system applications support the selected locale.

• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes changes are not immediately applied.
• 📱 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ Clear the cache of system applications (Settings) → Annexes → Show it all. → Three points. → Clear the cache).

Problem 2: Google services are not working

When you change the language on unofficial firmware, you may experience errors in Google Play Services, Play Market or YouTube to fix:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Play Services and click Storage → Clear Data.
3. Restart your phone and wait for the automatic update.

Problem 3: The system slows down after changing language

This may be due to the rearrangement of the localization cache.

• 🗑️ Clear the cache through Settings → Warehouse → Clean up.
• 🔋 Perform a soft reset (press the power button for 10 seconds).
• 📉 Disable animation in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Debugging → Animation. = Off.).

⚠️ Note: If banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) have stopped working after the language change, this is due to a change in the region of the device. → Region and reinstall applications.

6. Change the language on the locked phone (without access to settings)

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, and the interface language does not allow you to unlock the device (for example, inscriptions in Chinese), you can try the following methods:

Method 1: Using a Mi Account

If you have a Mi Account attached to your phone, you can unlock it through i.mi.com:

1. Go to the Access Restoration page.
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
3. Confirm your identity via SMS or backup email.
4. After unlocking your account, reset the lock screen password through Find Device.

Method 2: Fastboot Reset (for advanced users)

If the Mi Account is not tied, you can reset via Fastboot mode:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

This command will delete all data from the device, including photos and apps, and use it only as a last resort!

Method 3: Use of Recovery Mode

On some devices, you can reset the settings through the stock Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After resetting, the language will return to factory settings (usually English or Chinese).

💡

If the phone is locked and you don’t remember the data from Mi Account, the only way to unlock it is to contact Xiaomi Service Center with proof of purchase.

7 Additional localization settings

In addition to the main language of the system, MIUI can configure localization for individual applications, keyboard and voice input, which is useful if you want, for example, the keyboard is in English and the system is in Russian.

Setting up the language for individual applications

Some apps (like Google Maps or Facebook) ignore the language and use their own settings to change them:

1. Open the app settings (e.g. in Google Maps: tap on the avatar → Settings → App settings → Language).
2. Select the language you want from the list.
3. Restart the app.

Changing the keyboard language

By default, the Gboard or Mi Keyboard keyboard inherits the system language, but you can add additional layouts:

1. Open any input field and call the keyboard.
2. Slap the icon. 🌐 (globe ⚙️ (gear).
3. Select the languages and add the necessary ones (e.g. English, Ukrainian).
4. To quickly switch between languages, swipe your finger over the space to the left or right.

Setting up a voice assistant

Google Assistant or Xiao AI also has its own language settings:

• For Google Assistant: Open the app, tap the avatar → Settings → Assistant → Languages.
• For Xiao AI: Settings → Additional → Xiao AI → Language and Voice.

💡

If you want Siri (on iPhone) or Google Assistant to understand commands in Russian, but the system is in English, set the assistant language separately from the phone language.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the language to Xiaomi