How to change the language on the phone Xiaomi: 5 ways + error solving

Changing the language on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones can be necessary in a variety of situations, from buying a device with foreign firmware to learning a new language through immersion. Despite the seeming simplicity of the task, users often face difficulties - hidden settings in new versions of MIUI, the lack of the desired language in the list or a sudden reset after an update. This article covers all the current ways to change the system language, including the rare cases when the standard method does not work.

Xiaomi firmware is multilingual with regional limitations, such as the global versions (MIUI Global) support up to 60 languages, while the Chinese (MIUI China) only support 2 (Chinese and English), and we’ll look at not only the basic settings, but also alternative methods for custom firmware devices, and explain why some features (such as Google services or themes) disappear after a language change. If you buy a phone from hand and find an unfamiliar interface, here you will find a solution.

1. Standard method: through system settings

This is the easiest and most secure method, and works on 90% of Xiaomi devices with official firmware, the main condition is that the desired language is on the list of available ones. If your smartphone supports MIUI 12 and newer, follow this instruction:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select the Additional section (in some versions System and Device).
3. Tapping on Language and Input (or Language and Region in MIUI 14+)
4. Click on the first paragraph Language - the list of established languages will open.
5. Choose the language you want from the list. If you don't have one, click Add Language (+ in the upper right corner).
6. Confirm the choice and wait for the interface to restart (usually takes 5-10 seconds).

On devices with MIUI 14 and HyperOS (2026), the path may be slightly different:

Settings → System and device → Language and input → Language and region → Language

If after changing the language, some applications (for example, Google Play Store) remain in the same language, it is normal – their settings change separately.

2 What to do if the language is not on the list

The situation when the settings are not Russian, Ukrainian or other required language, typical for devices with Chinese firmware (MIUI China) or custom builds.

• 🔄 Install global firmware is a radical but reliable method, suitable for models officially supported in your area.
• 📦 Add a language pack manually – requires superuser rights (root) or use ADB. Details below.
• 🛠️ Using translation apps is a temporary solution. Apps like Xiaomi EU Translator or MoreLocale 2 can emulate the language, but it doesn’t work well.

To manually install the language package via ADB, follow the following steps:

adb shell


pm install-existing com.xiaomi.miui.region




setprop persist.sys.locale en-RU # for Russian language




setprop ctl.restart zygote

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB-If you are not sure about your actions, consult a specialist or use the first method (firmware).

3. Change of language on the locked screen (without logging in)

If you bought a used Xiaomi phone with a password set and an unfamiliar interface language, you can change the language without unlocking the device, which works on most models with MIUI 11-14:

1. On the lock screen, tap the Emergency Call icon (usually in the lower left corner).
2. Enter any number (e.g. 112) and click on the call icon.
3. In the window that opens, type ##6484## and it will open the test menu.
4. In the test menu, find the Language Switch (also known as the Locale Test).
5. Select the language you want from the list. The system will apply the changes without unlocking.

If this code doesn’t work, try an alternative:

##284##

After using the language, return to the lock screen – now the inscriptions will be in the selected language and you will be able to follow the instructions for resetting the password (if necessary).

4. Features of changing the language on different versions of MIUI

The interface of language settings varies significantly depending on the firmware version, and the table below shows the key differences for the popular versions of MIUI and HyperOS:

Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi introduced Dynamic Language Switching, which allows you to quickly change your sign language.

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Language and Enter.
2. Turn on the switch Quick language switch.
3. Press the Home button (or swipe up with a delay on models without buttons) and select the language from the menu.

5. Solving common problems

When changing languages to Xiaomi, users often encounter common mistakes, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 The language resets after the reset, because of a conflict of regional settings. Go to Settings. → System and device → Language and region → Region and select the country corresponding to the language (e.g. Russia for Russian).
• ⚠️ No Russian language in MIUI China is the only solution, whether it is firmware for the global or European version, and the use of patches (such as RuMIUI) can lead to unstable operation.
• 📱 Some apps stay in the old language – clear the app cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 After the language change, Google services are lost, which is typical of Chinese firmware. Install Google Installer from the Mi App Store or scrolle through the global version.

⚠️ If you have changed your language to MIUI China has stopped working mobile data, check the settings APN. Chinese firmware is often blocked by foreign operators.Solution: manually add APN Your operator in the settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).

For custom firmware devices (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the language change process may be different, usually through:

Settings → System → Language and input → Languages

6. Alternative methods for experienced users

If standard methods don't work, you can use advanced methods, which require technical knowledge and can affect the warranty.

Method 1: Editing the build.prop file

This method allows you to manually write the desired language and region in the system file.

• Root rights or access to ADB.
• File Manager with support for system files (e.g. Root Explorer)

Instructions:

1. Open /system/build.prop file in the text editor.
2. Find the lines: ro.product.locale.language=ru ro.product.locale.region=RU (replace ru and RU with the desired language and country codes).
3. Save the file and restart the device.

Method 2: Using Magisk modules

For Magisk devices, you can install language-addition modules.

• MIUI Multiple Language Enabler – adds support for all languages to Chinese firmware.
• Locale2 allows you to emulate any language without changing system files.

Installation:

1. Download the module in.zip format.
2. Open Magisk Manager and select Modules → Install from Storage.
3. Select the downloaded file and wait for the installation.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Installing Magisk modules can cause conflicts with banking applications (due to the SafetyNet trigger).If you use Sberbank Online or Tinkoff, check their performance after installing them.

💡

Before editing system files, back up the /system partition via TWRP. This will help restore the device in case of an error.

7 How to Get Back the Original Language If Something Goes Wrong

If after experimenting with languages, the interface became unreadable or the system is unstable, you can return everything back in several ways:

• 🔙 Resetting language settings - go to Settings → System and device → Resetting settings → Resetting language and keyboard settings.
• 📱 Hard Reset: Deletes all data, but returns factory settings. To do this, turn off your phone, then press Volume up. + Power before the Mi logo appears. In the recovery menu, select Wipe Data.
• 🔧 Fastboot flashing is a radical method that requires a PC and official firmware. For instructions, see Updates and firmware».

If you don’t remember the path to settings because of an unfamiliar language, use the visual hint:

• Settings icon - gear ⚙️.
• Reset icon - counterclockwise arrow 🔄.
• Language icon – the letter “A” or globe 🌐.

For devices with HyperOS, the language reset process is simplified - just say to the voice assistant "Reset language settings" (in English: "Reset language settings").

💡

Before the hard reset, remove SIM-The card and memory card will save them from random formatting.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the language to Xiaomi