How to change the language in the Xiaomi application and MIUI system

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation when, after updating the operating system or installing a new application, the interface suddenly becomes incomprehensible. Instead of the usual Russian text, characters or English terms appear, which makes using the gadget a difficult quest. This can occur due to a malfunction of the MIUI or HyperOS shell, as well as when installing global versions of programs that do not have built-in localization.

Changing the language is a basic but critical setup that will help keep the device running. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this process can vary depending on the firmware version and the type of application itself. Some programs are completely dependent on system settings, while others, such as Mi Video or Galaxy Store (on the globals), have their own internal switches.

In this article, we will look at all possible scenarios, from a standard change of system language to forced localization of individual applications through an engineering menu or special utilities, you will learn how to quickly return a familiar interface and understand why automatic determination sometimes fails.

Why the language is lost in the Xiaomi apps

Before you start fixing, you need to understand why the problem is happening. Often users accidentally change the region in their settings, which leads to an automatic change of the interface language to English or Chinese. This is the standard behavior of the Android operating system, which is controlled by the MIUI shell. If the region is changed to China, many system applications can switch to Chinese, even if the language settings are Russian.

Another common reason is a software update: After an update to a new version of HyperOS or MIUI 14, some configuration files can be overwritten with developer default values, in which case the system “forgets” user preferences and returns to factory settings, which are priority for Chinese versions of devices.

⚠️ Note: If you have purchased a device with Chinese firmware (CN Version, then the full translation of all system applications into Russian may not be possible without flashing on the global version (Global). ROM). In such cases, some menus will remain in English or Chinese.

Also worth considering is the factor of third-party applications: many programs downloaded not from the official GetApps store or Google Play, but downloaded from the official GetApps store. APK-files may not have Russian localization in their code, in which case the application will display the interface in the language that is the main for the developer, ignoring the system settings of your smartphone.

Global language change through system settings

The easiest and most effective way to get a clean interface is to check the system settings, and 90 percent of the time, apps are customized to the language that is the primary language for the entire device, and you have to go to the settings menu, which is in English, which is called Settings, and in Chinese, it has the character of a gear.

You need to find the section that handles the extras. In newer versions of the HyperOS shell, the path may be slightly different from the classic MIUI. Usually the icon looks like a gear or the letter "A" in a circle. If you can't find the right item because of a strange language, look at the position of the elements: the language section is often at the bottom of the list or inside the "System" category.

Once you enter the Language & input menu, you will see a list of available locales. It is important not only to add Russian, but also to move it to the top of the list, making it a priority. Android always uses the first language in the list as the main interface for the interface. If Russian is not on the list, you need to add it through the Add Language button (often indicated by a plus).

Sometimes it helps to simply reboot the device after changing the settings, allowing all background services and applications to read the configuration file again and apply the changes. If the language in the applications has not changed after the reboot, it is possible that the particular application has its own settings that need to be adjusted separately.

Individual language setting for applications

Starting with Android 13 and MIUI 14, the system introduced a feature that allows you to set the language for each application separately, which is especially useful if you use messengers or utilities that are better understood in English, while the rest of the interface should be in Russian.

To use this feature, go to Settings → Additional → Languages and Input → Application Languages. Here you will see a list of all installed programs. By clicking on the desired application, you can choose a specific language for it, other than the system one. This solution is ideal for those who want to keep the Russified system interface, but use specific utilities that require English to work correctly.

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If there is no option you need in the application language list, try clearing that application’s cache through the Apps menu in the settings, and then check the list of available languages again.

However, it is worth remembering that not all applications support this feature: Older versions of programs or those that are not optimized for the new Android standards will ignore individual settings and use a system-wide language, in such cases, the only way out is to search for an alternative application or an updated version of it.

Changing the language in Xiaomi system applications

Special attention should be paid to Xiaomi’s proprietary applications, such as Explorer, Cleanup, Security and Gallery. These programs are deeply integrated into the system and are often updated regardless of the main firmware through the GetApps store. If they lost Russian, the problem may lie in the cache of the app store or in the settings of the store itself.

To remedy this, try going to GetApps (or Mi App Store). There's also a language selection option in its settings. Make sure it's "Russian" or "Automatic." Then it's recommended to clear the app store's data. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps → find GetApps → Memory → Clear.

It's important to note that some system applications may not have a visible language change button inside them, in which case they rely entirely on the phone's global settings, and if Russian is installed globally and Chinese is installed in the app, then there is simply no Russian localization file in the package, and you can't fix it with regular means.

Using third-party utilities to change locales

For advanced users who are faced with applications that do not have Russian in principle, there are special utilities. One of the most popular and proven programs is MoreLocale 2. This application allows you to force the locale for any installed package, even if the developer did not provide such an opportunity in the interface.

MoreLocale 2 often requires superuser rights (Root), but there is a method of activation via computer and ADB (Android Debug Bridge) that does not require unlocking the bootloader. Once you install the utility on your smartphone, you connect it to your PC, run the command line and enter a special code to grant permissions.

adb shell pm grant jp.co.c_lis.ccl.morelocale2 android.permission.CHANGE_CONFIGURATION

Once this is done, MoreLocale 2 will have a Custom locale feature, selecting the desired application from the list, specifying the language code (e.g., ru for Russian) and the country code (e.g., RU). The changes take effect instantly, but be careful: a forced language change can lead to incorrect display of text (squares instead of letters) or drops of the application if certain fonts are hardwired into its code.

⚠️ Attention: Using third-party snails to change locales can lead to unstable operation of the system.Be sure to create a full backup of important data before experiments.

Localization problems in different versions of MIUI

Users of different firmware versions face different problems. Chinese version owners (CN ROM) often find that even after installing Russian, part of the menu remains in English or Chinese. This is normal, since Chinese firmware is not originally intended for the international market and contains a stripped-down package of languages.

In the global versions (Global) ROM) and versions for Russia (RU ROM) The situation is reversed: Russian is the default language and is the main one, however, when upgrading from Chinese firmware to global (or vice versa) through third-party methods, file conflicts may arise, which causes the language to “fly”. In such cases, a full reset (Wipe Data) after flashing helps.

Also worth mentioning is the transition period on HyperOS. In new devices, the localization process has become more flexible, but also more complex. Some interface elements can be loaded from the cloud, and if servers experience problems accessing from your region, the language may not apply immediately, in which case it is recommended to check the date and time on the device, as well as the stability of the Internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Changing the language in your system settings is a secure operation that doesn’t delete your data, but it’s always a good idea to have a backup of your contacts and photos in case of unforeseen crashes.