How to Translate Xiaomi TV from Chinese to Russian: A Complete Guide to 2026

Why is Xiaomi TV sold in Chinese and can it be Russified?

Xiaomi TVs (especially Mi TV 4A/4S/5 Pro, Redmi Smart TV and Xiaomi TV Q2/Q1E) are often shipped to Russia and CIS countries through informal channels with firmware for the Chinese market. The manufacturer does not always adapt the software to local languages due to licensing restrictions or marketing strategy, as a result of which users get a device with a menu in Chinese, lack of support for Google Play and regional services.

The good news is that you can Russify your Xiaomi TV either in official ways (via software updates) or alternative ways (by installing custom firmware or changing the region), but not all methods are equally safe: some can lead to a loss of warranty or even “bricking” of the device. In this article, we will analyze all working methods taking into account the model range and versions of the firmware.

Before you start, check out your TV model — it’s critical. For example, Mi TV 4S 55” and Redmi Smart TV X55 are different. Find a sticker on the back or check the Settings → About TV menu (if you know anything about the characters).

Official method: update firmware via the Internet

The most reliable method is automatic software updates over the network, and Xiaomi periodically releases global firmware with support for Russian for popular models, but this method does not always work: some devices (for example, Mi TV 4A 32 for the Chinese market) may not receive such updates.

To check the availability of Russification:

1. Connect your TV to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable.
2. Go to (Settings) → (About TV) → (System Update).
3. Click (Check Updates).
4. If global firmware is available, confirm installation.

It takes 10 to 30 minutes, and after you reboot, you should have Russian on the menu, and if you don't have any updates, you should go to alternative methods.

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If the TV doesn’t find an update, try changing it. DNS-servers at 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) in network settings.

Russification through a change of region (without firmware)

On some models (such as the Xiaomi TV Q1E or Redmi Smart TV X65), you can change the region of the device, after which the system will prompt you to download language packs.

Instructions:

• 📍 Go to (Settings) → (Account and security) → (Region).
• 🌍 Choose Russia or India (Indian firmware often contains Russian).
• 🔄 Restart the TV. Once turned on, you may be asked to download the language pack.
• 📥 Confirm the download and wait for the installation.

If the Russian language did not appear after the change of the region, try repeating the steps by choosing another country (for example, Ukraine or Kazakhstan).

Installation of Russified firmware via USB

If the official methods do not work, there is a manual firmware through the USB-This is a good way for power users, because if you make a mistake, the TV can stop turning on. TV 4A/4S with an Amlogic processor, use firmware only from trusted sources (for example, a forum) 4PDA Xiaomi Community website).

Step-by-step:

Download the firmware for your model from a verified source|Format the flash drive into FAT32|Copy the firmware file (usually) update.zip) flash-root|Turn off the TV from the internet (pull the cable or turn off Wi-Fi)|Connect the flash drive to USB-port

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1. Download the firmware with Russian language for your model (for example, MiTV_4S_55_global_stable.zip).
2. Unpack the archive and rename the file to update.zip.
3. Copy it to a formatted FAT32 flash drive.
4. Insert the flash drive into the TV and go to → → → (Manual update).
5. Select the update.zip file and confirm the installation.

It takes 5-15 minutes. After the restart, check for Russian in Settings → Language. If the TV doesn't turn on, see What to do if the firmware goes wrong.

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USB firmware is the only way to Russify older models (Mi TV 3S, Mi TV 4A 2018), for which Xiaomi has stopped supporting.

Use of the ADB-commands for forced language change

For advanced users, there's a method that uses ADB (Android Debug Bridge) that allows you to manually change the system settings of the language if other methods don't work, you'll need a computer with ADB drivers installed and USB debugging enabled on your TV.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Debugging. USB on TV: Go into the → → (Build number. Press 7 times until the developer mode message appears. → (Additionally) → (For developers. Activate. USB (Debugging by USB).

USB 3.0

adb devices

Make sure the device is identified.

adb shell am start -a android.settings.LOCALE_SETTINGS

Or, you can force the language to be fixed:

adb shell setprop persist.sys.locale ru-RU

adb reboot

If the language hasn’t changed after the reboot, try repeating the command or check if your model supports this method (on some Xiaomi TVs, access to system settings is blocked).

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If ADB Can't see TV, try using another one. USB-cable or port. Sometimes it helps to turn off the firewall on the computer.

What to do if the firmware went wrong?

Failure to get firmware can cause the TV to “brick” — it will stop turning on or will only boot up to the Xiaomi logo. In 80% of cases, the device can be restored, but this will require firmware cable (for models on Amlogic) or access to recovery mode.

Resuscitation methods:

To recover via USB Burning Tool:

1. Download the utility and firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Connect the TV to your PC via a firmware cable (a regular USB will not work!).
3. Launch the USB Burning Tool, select the firmware file and press Start.
4. Wait until the process is completed (10-20 minutes).

These methods will not replace full-fledged Russification, but will help you to use your TV comfortably while you are looking for a solution.

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The Mi Remote app works even with Chinese models of Xiaomi TV, if the TV is connected to the same Wi-Fi network with a smartphone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Russification of Xiaomi TV