How to change the region in MIUI 12 on Xiaomi smartphones: all working ways

Why users want to change MIUI region and what it does

Shell MIUI 12 from Xiaomi automatically determines the region of the device when you first set up, binding to SIM-But many owners of Redmi, Poco or Mi smartphones have to manually change the region of the system. From wanting to get global firmware with Google Services support to needing to use local services (such as Mi Pay or Mi Cloud) in another country.

The change in MIUI 12 could solve several key problems:

• 🌍 Access to global services: If your smartphone is originally set to China, you won’t be able to use Google Play, YouTube or Gmail without a workaround.
• 📱 Local Features: Some applications (such as Mi Fit or Mi Home) only work correctly in the “home” region.
• 🔄 Software Updates: Chinese-based devices often get updates later or don’t get them at all for global models.
• 🛒 Mi Store and payments: Exclusive promotions or payment methods are available in some regions (e.g. Mi Credit).

But before you change your region, it’s important to understand that it’s not just a change in interface language, but rather a deep link to Xiaomi servers that affects system applications, push notifications, and even performance (due to different synchronization servers), and in some cases, a misaligned region change can lead to a Mi Account being blocked or a loss of warranty.

Change the region through the settings of MIUI 12

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for most global and European firmware (MIUI Global, MIUI EEU), but does not work on Chinese versions (for example, MIUI China). If your smartphone is originally purchased for the Chinese market, skip this section and read about the method through ADB.

Step instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find Region (or Region in English) if you don't have one, your firmware doesn't support official shifting.
3. Choose the country from the list: Russia for Russia, European Union for Europe, India for the global version (often used as a “universal” region).
4. Confirm the change and restart the device.

After the reboot, the system may request re-entering of Mi Account data. This is normal, as Xiaomi synchronizes settings with the new region.

⚠️ Note: If you choose a region that does not match yours SIM-map (for example, India in the Russian Federation) SIM), Some operators block roaming for "disparate" regions.

The way for Chinese firmware: changing the region through ADB

If your smartphone is running MIUI China (like the Redmi K40, Mi 11 or Poco F3 models for the Chinese market), the official method won’t work, and Android Debug Bridge (ADB) – a tool for debugging Android devices – will help, requiring a PC connection and basic command line knowledge, but doesn’t need to unlock the bootloader or root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You're a developer" appears.
2. Activate USB Debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on the USB Debugging Switch.

adb shell


settings put global region IN

Replace the IN with the desired region code (list below).

Codes of popular regions for the team:

Once you have completed the command, restart the device. The changes will not take effect immediately - MIUI may require up to 24 hours to sync with Xiaomi servers.

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If the ADB command fails, try adb shell settings delete global region first, and then repeat the installation of the new region.

What happens after the change of the region: consequences and risks

Changing the region to MIUI 12 is not a harmless procedure, but it affects the way system services work, so it is important to understand the possible consequences of:

Positive developments:

• ✅ Google Services (if you move from Chinese firmware to global).
• ✅ Access to local promotions in Mi Store or Mi Credit.
• ✅ Use Mi Pay or Mi Cloud in your country.
• ✅ Faster software updates (if you move to a region with active support).

Potential problems:

• ❌ Blocking your Mi Account: if you change your region frequently (more than 1 time per month), the system may suspect fraud.
• ❌ Loss of warranty: In some countries (e.g. China), a change of region is considered a breach of warranty conditions.
• ❌ Mobile network problems: if the region is not the same as SIM-map, may disappear LTE VoLTE.
• ❌ Setting resets: Some system applications (such as Mi Fit) may require re-authorization.

⚠️ Note: If you use banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.), changing the region may lead to blocking access on suspicion of changing the geolocation.

How to get back to the old place if something goes wrong

If you have problems after changing your region (calls are not working, Mi Account is blocked or updates are missing), you can roll back the changes.

If you used the MIUI settings:

1. Back to Settings → The phone. → Region.
2. Select the previous region (for example, China, if you had Chinese firmware).
3. Reset the device.

If you used ADB:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global region CN (replace CN with the desired code).
2. Reset the device.

If problems persist after rollback, try:

• 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
• 📱 Log out and re-enter Mi Account.
• 🔧 Make reset to factory settings (preliminary saving data!).

⚠️ Note: If your Mi Account is blocked after a region change, don’t try to create a new one – this can make things worse. Contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase of the device (check, box) and explain that the region change was a mistake.

Alternative methods: when standard methods do not work

In rare cases, neither the settings nor the ADB help change the region.

• 📱 Devices with locked bootloader and Chinese firmware (Mi 10 Ultra, Black Shark 3, etc.).
• 🔒 Smartphones tied to an operator (e.g. models for AT&T or Verizon).
• 🛠️ Devices with a damaged system (for example, after a failed update).

In such situations, two options remain:

1. Installation of custom firmware

Firmware like MIUI EU, Pixel Experience or LineageOS can circumvent regional restrictions, but require:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (risk of loss of warranty).
• 🛠️ Ability to work with Fastboot and TWRP.
• ⚠️ Understanding that custom firmware can deprive you OTA-Updates and certain functions (e.g, IR-Blaster or Always-on Display).

2. Using VPN + resetting settings

This method is suitable for cheating Xiaomi system services:

1. Install a VPN with servers in the right region (like ProtonVPN or Warp).
2. Connect to the server and reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Reset settings).
3. When first set up, the device can determine the region by IP-address VPN.

The efficiency of this method is about 30%, since MIUI 12 is primarily focused on the binding of the Mi Account.

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If none of these methods worked, your device is likely to be regionally-specific (such as a Japanese or Korean model), and the only way out is to buy a global version of the smartphone.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the same mistakes when changing their region, resulting in account locking or loss of functionality.

Frequent change of region

Xiaomi limits the number of changes to the region for one account. If you change it more often 1 time in 30 days, the system can block Mi Account for 24-72 hours. Exception: switching from Chinese firmware to global (and vice versa) usually does not cause blocking.

Region inconsistency SIM-maps MIUI

If you have chosen a region IN (India, and using Russian SIM-The map may have problems with:

• 📞 Calls (no VoLTE).
• 🌐 Mobile Internet (some of them) APN not working).
• 💳 Payment through Mi Pay.

3. Ignoring backup

A change in region can lead to:

• ❌ Mi Cloud data loss (if the region does not support this service).
• ❌ Reset the Mi Fit or Mi Home settings.
• ❌ Delete local backups (if they are linked to a previous region).

4.Use of informal instruments

You can find programs like Mi Region Changer or MIUI Region Unlocker on the web. Don't use them!

• They may contain viruses or spyware.
• Often, root rights are required, which deprives of guarantees.
• They can damage system files by making the smartphone a “brick”.

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Before changing region, check if your model supports official global firmware, and type the device name on MIUI Downloads and see if there is a Global or EEA section.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions