Buying smart appliances from abroad is often a pleasant surprise for the wallet, but can become a headache if the device greets you with characters. Owners of Xiaomi and Roborock often face a situation where the device ordered from China does not understand either Russian or English, this is standard practice for local versions designed exclusively for the domestic market of China.
Fortunately, the modern smart home ecosystem is flexible enough that changing the interface language is often solved by software without having to sell the chips. You don't have to be an engineer to do this, but you need to be careful and follow the algorithm precisely.
In this guide, we will discuss all the current ways to translate your cleaner’s menu into understandable language.We will look at the official application, the use of third-party utilities and the features of different firmware versions. It is critical to know the exact model of your device before starting any manipulation, since the methods for the V1, S5, S6 and newer models can be radically different.
Definition of device version and compatibility
Before you look for a way to install a language package, you need to clearly understand what kind of "beast" you are dealing with. Global versions of robot vacuum cleaners, which are officially shipped to Europe and Russia, usually already have built-in multilingual support. CN-versions (Chinese), which are often cheaper when ordering on marketplaces.
There's a misconception that any robot supports language change by simply re-binding a region. In fact, hardware and firmware can have limitations. Some models require complete firmware reflashing, others are content with changing the region in the application, and still others need to install modified software through a computer.
- 🔍 Look at the bottom panel of the device: if there is a sticker that says "Made for China" or there is no sign CE, Here's the Chinese version.
- 🌍 Try changing the region in the Mi Home app to China: if the robot interface language has changed to English, you are lucky, and deep flashing is not necessary.
- 📱 Check the model in settings: the exact model name (e.g, roborock.vacuum.s5) Helps you find specific instructions for your case.
Don't ignore this stage of diagnosis. Trying to flash an inappropriate file can lead to a device "bricking" when it stops responding to commands. If you're (not sure) in your power, it's better to limit yourself to changing the region, even if the voice assistant stays speaking Chinese.
Change of region in the Mi Home app
The simplest and most secure method that is often overlooked is to change the geographic location of the account, and the logic of Xiaomi servers is built so that when you choose a region "China", the device can be transferred to other configuration files, including language.
You don't need any additional software to implement this method, you just need to have the Mi Home app installed on your smartphone, but you should be warned that if you change region, your list of devices in the app may clear, because they are tied to a particular server, and you will have to add the robot vacuum cleaner to the system again.
The process is to go to a profile, select a region, and specify China, then reset the Wi-Fi module on the vacuum cleaner itself (usually by simultaneously clamping the power and return buttons) and re-add the device. Often, after this procedure, the menu automatically becomes English.
⚠️ Note: After changing the region to China, the app may have banner ads and features that are not available in your time zone, such as Beijing weather instead of Moscow.
Use of modified firmware (Valetudo)
If standard methods fail, a community of enthusiasts comes to the rescue. The most popular solution for advanced users is the installation of alternative firmware Valetudo. It is an open-source project that completely replaces the robot's cloud dependency, allowing it to be managed locally through the browser and, importantly, changes the interface language to any available one.
Installing such firmware requires a computer running Windows, Linux or macOS. You will also need to download a special firmware tool, such as miio or specialized scripts available on GitHub. The process is technically more complicated than simple setup in a phone, but gives you complete control of the device.
The main advantage of this method is that it is independent of the manufacturer's servers, and you get a clean interface, no advertising, and the ability to integrate with smart home systems like Home Assistant, but it's worth remembering that installing third-party software can void the warranty if it's still valid.
Risks of installing custom firmware
The process of flashing through the computer
For those who decide to install custom software, it is important to prepare all the tools in advance. USB-cable (if the model supports wired debugging) or running Wi-Fi network. Most modern robots are sewn through the air" (OTA) local server.
You first have to access the device, often by shutting down the Internet during the robot's launch, or using special utilities to intercept the authorization token, and the token is an access key that you can't send a command to upgrade without.
After receiving the token and preparing the firmware file (usually a file with the.pkg extension), the update process starts. The robot connects to the local server on your computer, thinking that an official update from Xiaomi has arrived, at which point the system files, including language modules, are replaced.
| Phase | Action. | The result |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Preparation | Collection of token and firmware file | Ready for installation |
| 2. Launch. | Launching the update command via CLI | Robot Requests Update |
| Installation | Downloading data from a PC | The indicator flashes orange |
| 4.Reboot | Automatic restart | New interface language |
Configuring the voice packet
Voice support is a special consideration, and even if the text menu is clear, the robot can continue to give commands in Chinese, and in most cases, the voice packet is part of the system update, but sometimes it can be selected separately in the application settings.
In the original Mi Home app, go to your device settings, find Voice Package (or similar), where you can choose between Chinese, English and German, and not all models, especially older ones, officially support Russian voice pack.
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If the list does not have the language you want, try using the Valetudo app (when you install it) to download third-party voiceover audio files that the community creates for different models.
For models that support Google Assistant or Yandex Alice through integration, the robot’s voice can be replaced by the assistant’s voice, in which case the robot itself will only execute commands, and your smart speaker will talk to you in a clear language.
Possible problems and solutions
Language change is rarely perfectly smooth, and users may experience a robot getting stuck during the logo stage, loss of Wi-Fi, or cyclical reboot, most often due to a data interruption or an incorrect firmware file.
If the robot gets stuck when you upgrade, don't panic. Try resetting to factory settings. Most models have a small Reset hole or a combination of hard reset buttons. Hold them for a while. 10-15 seconds.
⚠️ Warning: Never interrupt the firmware process by turning off the power! If the indicator is on or flashing, the data is written to flash memory.
In case the device has stopped responding to Wi-Fi commands, but the indicators are working, recovery through the UART console may be required.This is a complex method that requires disassembling the case and connecting the soldering iron to contact areas on the board, so it is recommended only to experienced engineers.
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The main reason for failure is to use firmware from another model or hardware revision version. Always check the file compatibility before installing.