How to change the region on the Xiaomi device: all the ways and nuances

Changing the region on Xiaomi smartphones is a procedure that may be necessary when you move to another country, buy a device with foreign firmware or want to access local services (such as Google Pay or regional applications), but not all users know that changing the region incorrectly can lead to blocking the Mi Account account or loss of functionality of some system applications.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the region on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI 12-15, including official and alternative methods. Particular attention will be paid to the consequences for the work of Google Mobile Services (GMS), Xiaomi services (for example, Mi Cloud or Mi Video), as well as the risks of using informal firmware, if you plan to sell a device or travel with it abroad – these nuances are critically important.

Why are users changing their region to Xiaomi?

The main reasons for the change in the region are related to the restrictions imposed by MIUI firmware depending on the country of sale:

• 🌍 Access to local services: For example, Google Pay only works on devices with a region where contactless payment is supported (EU, USA, Russia until 2022).
• 📱 Regional Annexes: Some countries have unique programs (e.g. Mi) TV for India or Mi Finance for China).
• 🔄 Software Updates: Devices with China region receive updates later or do not receive them at all for global versions.
• 💰 Prices in Mi Store: In some regions, accessories and services Xiaomi cheaper.
• 📡 Frequency support LTE/5G: Firmware for different regions are optimized for local networks (for example, in the United States and China, different bands are used).

However, not all limitations can be avoided by simply changing the region. For example, hardware-dependent features (such as VoLTE or Wi-Fi 6E support) are determined not only by the firmware but also by the hardware of the device.

Official method: change the region through the settings MIUI

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI functionality, which is suitable for most global firmware (MIUI Global) and does not require additional tools.

⚠️ Note: If your device is originally intended for China (MIUI China, the official change of region may be blocked, in which case it will be necessary to unlock the bootloader and install global firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the Region line (or Region in English firmware) if it is not available, your version of MIUI does not support official shifting.
3. Click on the current region and select the right country from the list.
4. Confirm the change and restart the device.

After the reboot, the system may request re-authorization to Mi Account and Google Account, and it is also possible to remove some pre-installed applications (for example, regional services Xiaomi).

Change of region through ADB (for experienced users)

If the official method is not available, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires the inclusion of Developer Mode and a connection to a PC. Incorrect use of ADB can lead to a device reset or data loss.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the device to a PC and execute the command in the terminal: adb shell settings put global region [country code ] Examples of codes: RU (Russia), US (US), IN (India), EU (Europe).
4. Reset the device.

After completing the command, check the region change in Settings → If the region hasn't changed, maybe your firmware is blocking. ADB-In this case, only the flashing of the team will help.

The consequences of the change in the region: what is breaking and how to fix

Changing the region can cause a number of problems, especially if the device is originally intended for a different market, and here is a table of the most common consequences and ways to address them:

Especially careful should be the owners of devices with Chinese firmware (MIUI China), such devices often do not have Google Mobile Services (GMS), and their installation after a change of region can lead to unstable operation of the system.

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Before changing the region, check the compatibility of your model with the desired region on the MIUI Downloads website. If there is no firmware for your country, it is better not to take risks.

How to return the original region if something went wrong

If you have a critical error after changing the region (for example, the device does not boot or constantly restarts), you can try to return the previous settings.

• 🔄 Reset via Settings: Go to Settings → System system → Reset settings and select Reset all settings (does not delete data).
• 📱 Hard Reset: Hold the Volume Up + Power when the device is turned off, then select Wipe Data from the Recovery menu.
• 💻 Fastboot Flash: If the device doesn’t turn on, you’ll need a PC and official firmware for your region (instructions on Xiaomi Flash Tool).

If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center.Incorrect flashing can lead to a breeze (complete inoperability) of the device, especially on models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11 Pro+).

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Resetting to factory settings deletes all data, including photos and apps. Before the procedure, be sure to back up through Settings → System → Backup or Mi Cloud.

Change of region on devices with custom firmware

If your Xiaomi has unofficial firmware installed (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu), the process of changing the region may be different. In most custom builds, the region is defined at the kernel level or Xiaomi proprietary libraries, so standard methods often don’t work.

Alternative solutions:

• 🔧 Editing build.prop: Change the ro.product.locale.region line in the file /system/build.prop (Root rights are required).
• 📦 Installation of Magisk module: Some modules (e.g. MiuiRegion) allow you to change the region without deep changes to the system.
• 🔄 Firmware reinstallation: Select the build with the desired region on the forums XDA Developers or Xiaomi.eu.

Keep in mind that custom firmware is unwarranted and can lead to problems with Widevine L1 (lower streaming quality on Netflix or Disney+).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users experience the same problems when changing their region, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

• 🚫 Ignoring backup: Before any manipulation of the region or firmware, save data to your PC or the cloud.Recovery via Mi Cloud may not work if the region of the device and account do not match.
• 🔌 Interruption of the process ADB: If you turn off the device while you're running a command, the system can get damaged.
• 🌐 The discrepancy between the firmware region and SIM-Cards: If you use firmware for India (IN), SIM-card of the Russian operator, there may be problems with mobile Internet.
• 🔒 Mi Account lock: If you change region frequently (for example, to circumvent restrictions), the system may consider this as fraud.

Another common mistake is trying to change region on bootloader devices. On new Xiaomi models (such as Xiaomi 13 or Redmi K60), unlocking requires waiting 7-30 days after you have your account attached.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions