How to change the language on a Xiaomi phone: instructions for all models (2026)

Why Xiaomi may not have the right language and what to do about it

Changing the interface language on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones usually takes less than a minute if you know where to look for settings. However, many users face a situation where the list of available languages does not include Russian, English or even native Chinese, the reasons can vary from regional firmware to errors after the MIUI update.

In this article, we will not only look at the standard way to change the language, but also the solutions for the “complex” cases: when the desired language is not on the menu, after resetting or when buying a phone from abroad, especially with models with global (Global), Chinese (China) and European (EEA) firmware, which directly depends on the set of available languages.

If you’ve just bought a Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 or POCO X6 and you’ve encountered an unfamiliar interface, don’t panic. 90% of the time, the problem is solved without flashing it back – just follow the instructions below.

How to Change Languages through MIUI Settings

This is the simplest method that works on all current versions of MIUI 12/13/14 and most Xiaomi models.The instruction is suitable for phones with already installed Russian or English interface, when you just need to switch to another language.

Open the Settings app (the gear icon) and follow the following steps:

1. Scroll down and select the Additional Settings section (or Additional Settings in English).
2. Slip on the item Language and input.
3. At the top of the screen, press Language.
4. In the list of available languages, select the desired one (for example, Russian or English (United States)).
5. Confirm the change by clicking Ready or Apply.

The phone will automatically reboot the interface, and all the labels in the menu, notifications and system applications will change. Note that some applications (such as the Google Play Store or Mi Browser) can save their language separately, and you will have to change it in the settings of each application.

Find the Settings icon on the home screen or in the app menu |

Make sure your phone is connected to the Internet (to download language packets)|

Check battery power (minimum 20% to avoid failures)|

Close all background applications (to speed up the process)

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What to do if the language is not on the list

The situation when the language menu does not contain Russian, English or other required language is typical for phones with Chinese firmware (China ROM) or purchased in other regions.

• 📦 Chinese firmware (China) ROM): The default is only Chinese and English (sometimes without Russian), the solution is to install a global firmware or manually add a language pack.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: some models (e.g. Xiaomi for India) do not support Russian, changing the region in settings or reflashing the firmware.
• 🔄 Setting reset: After resetting to factory settings, the phone may "forget" downloaded language packs. MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ System Error: If the language is missing after the update, try clearing the Settings app cache in the App menu → Application management.

If your phone doesn’t support the language you want, but you don’t want to browse it, you can use language packs from MIUI.

1. Download a file with a language package (for example, ru_RU.miui.miui_languagepack) From the official forum Xiaomi or trusted resources.
2. Transfer the file to your phone’s memory (not to your folder!).
3. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Install from the file and select the downloaded package.
4. Restart your phone and check for a new language in the settings.

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Before installing the language package, check its compatibility with your version of MIUI. Version mismatch can cause interface failures.

Features of changing the language on different firmware Xiaomi

The firmware type (Global, China, EEA) has a direct impact on the languages available and how they are changed, and the table below shows the key differences:

To check the firmware type, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If at the end of the name there is CN - Chinese firmware, Global - global, EEA - European.

If you are not sure about the type of firmware, but want to add Russian without risk, try changing the region of the phone:

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Region.
2. Choose Russia or Russia (if you have one on the list).
3. Reboot your phone and check for Russian in the settings.

Global (world) |

China (Chinese)|

EEA (European)|

India (Indian) |

I don't know.

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How to change language on a locked Xiaomi phone

If the phone is locked (for example, after resetting or buying used) and the interface is in an unfamiliar language, changing the language becomes more difficult, in which case emergency mode or recovery will help.

Method 1: Using Fastboot (for unlocked bootloader):

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and use the command: fastboot set_active b fastboot reboot recovery
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (this will reset all data!).
4. After the reboot, select the language at the initial setup stage.

Method 2: For phones with Mi Account (if linked to an account):

• 🔓 If the phone asks for a password from Mi Account, try logging in through the official website and remotely unlock the device.
• 📱 At the password entry stage, click on the Language icon (usually in the upper right corner) and select English or Russian.
• 🔄 If the language doesn’t change, try connecting to Wi-Fi and updating your firmware through Recovery.

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On phones with a locked bootloader, you can't change your firmware through Fastboot without officially unlocking. Use only methods through Recovery or Mi Account.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When changing languages to Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Note: If after changing the language, the phone started to slow down or fly out of the applications, this may indicate the incompatibility of the language package with the version. MIUI. Return your previous language or update your firmware.

• 🔴 The language has changed, but some apps have stayed the same: some apps (like Google or Facebook) have their own language package. Go to the settings of each application and change the language manually.
• 🔄 After the reboot, the language reset: it happens due to a system settings failure. Try clearing the Settings app cache in the App menu.
• 📵 No Internet connection to download a language pack: use mobile data or connect to Wi-Fi. Without the Internet, some languages may not appear in the list.
• 🔒 You can’t change the language because of parental controls: request access from the device administrator or reset your parental controls via Settings → Accounts. → Family access.

If after all the manipulations the desired language did not appear, check:

• Update the firmware (update through Settings → About phone → System update).
• Root rights (if any, language packs may not be installed).
• Free space in memory (at least 500 MB is required to install packets).

Change of voice and keyboard language: separate settings

Even if you successfully change the language, the XiaoAI voice assistant and the Gboard/Mi Keyboard keyboard can remain in the same language.

For XiaoAI's voice assistant:

1. Open the XiaoAI app (Micon Icon).
2. Slip on the avatar in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the language and voice and select the language you want (e.g. Russian or English).
4. Download the voice packet if necessary.

For the Gboard (Google) keyboard:

1. Open any field to enter text (for example, in Notes).
2. Click on the gear icon on the keyboard to open the settings.
3. Select Languages → Add a keyboard and mark the desired languages.
4. To switch between languages, swipe your finger over the space or click on the globe icon.

For the standard MIUI keyboard:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and input → Current keyboard.
2. Select the Xiaomi keyboard settings.
3. Slip the input languages and add the ones you need.

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If the keyboard lost sentences of words after changing the language, go to its settings and turn on the option Predict text (Text correction).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions