Buying a Xiaomi or Mi Box TV is often a pleasant surprise in terms of price and performance, but when you first turn on the user can expect a surprise – the complete absence of Russian from the menu. This is standard for so-called “Chinese versions” of devices that are supplied to the domestic market of China or in countries where localization is not required. If your Smart TV meets you with characters or English interface, this does not mean that the device is defective or requires complex repairs.
Modern operating systems based on Android TV Or PatchWall allows you to manage regional settings flexibly, but manufacturers often hide this opportunity to optimize logistics. ADB-In any case, the process of Russification is accessible even to the user without deep technical knowledge, if you follow proven algorithms of actions.
Before you start taking action, you need to clearly define your device model and the version of the firmware installed, which depends on whether you can simply switch the switch in the settings or have to download special.apk files. Ignoring this step can lead to incompatible software installation, which in the worst case will require a flashing through the service center.
⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulation of system settings or installing third-party apps, make sure the TV is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and the remote has fresh batteries so as not to interrupt the process halfway through.
Determination of firmware version and device region
The first step should always be diagnostics. The Global version already contains all language packages, including Russian, but it can be hidden due to the wrong choice of region during the initial setup. The Chinese version (CN) often lacks support for Cyrillic at the system level, which requires the installation of a third-party launcher or complete flashing.
To understand what you're dealing with, you need to go to the device information section. Even if the menu is in English or Chinese, you can visually find the About or Settings section (usually a gear). There, look for the MIUI for TV Version or Android Version line. The presence of the letters "RU" or "EEA" in the firmware name indicates a European build, where Russian should be the default language.
If you only see English letters in the software version, for example, 3.4.56_EN, You're probably looking at an international, but not localized build, and then you're going to have to set up Russian as a system, and if you're going to have chaos of characters that look like characters, you're going to need MoreLocale. 2 or similar instruments for forced localization.
Language Change Methods through Settings
The safest and most appropriate way is to try to find the language you want in the standard menu, and users often miss this option because it's not there because of the incomprehensible interface. The navigation logic in Xiaomi TV is the same: look for the gear icon, then the section with the letter "A" or the person (system/general settings).
- 🔍 Find Settings in the top corner or in the drop-down menu.
- 🌍 Go to Device Preferences or System).
- 🗣 Select Language and scroll through the list before the letter "R" or look for the flag/name of the Russian language.
- ✅ Confirm the choice and the interface should reboot with the new language.
In some models, especially older or specific versions of the Mi TV Stick, the language may be region-specific, in which case, before changing the language, you need to change the region of the device to Russia or Ukraine.
☑️ Checking settings
If you don't have Russian in the list of languages, but you can add a keyboard or input language, that's a good sign, it means that the system core supports encoding. However, if the list is limited to 3-4 languages (English, Chinese, Thai), you can't do it with standard methods and you will have to use third-party applications.
Using MoreLocale 2 for Russification
The most effective tool for hidden localization settings is the MoreLocale 2 utility. This application does not require superuser rights (Root), but to activate functions it needs to issue special permissions through debugging. USB (ADB). This is the standard procedure for customizing Android TV.
The process is as follows: first you need to download APK-Application file (for example, through the built-in browser "bootloader" or toss from the phone via Send Files to TV). After installation, MoreLocale 2 will start, but when you try to select "Russian" will give an error or do nothing without activating the developer mode.
⚠️ Attention: Activation ADB-Debugging opens up access to system settings. Don't install applications from unverified sources, and don't give unnecessary permissions to unknown programs.
To activate, you need to turn on the developer mode. Go to Settings → About and 7 times, quickly click on Build. You will see "You are now a developer." Then turn on the developer menu. USB Debugging (Debugging by Debugging) USB).
Next, you will need a computer or smartphone with a remote application installed (for example, TV Remote or CetusPlay for input ADB-This is what the team looks like:
pm grant com.android.locale2 android.permission.CHANGE_CONFIGURATIONOnce you have this command (via ADB Shell), MoreLocale 2 will be able to change the system language. Go back to the app, find Russian and click on it. The interface should be instantly reclassified to Cyrillic.
What to do if ADB is not connected?
Installation of a Russified Launcher
If system Russification is impossible or not working properly (fonts "dance", the text goes beyond the frame), the best solution is to install a third-party launcher.
A popular solution is ATV Launcher or F Launcher, which fully supports Russian and allows you to customize the appearance of the launcher, after installing such a launcher, it becomes the main screen, hiding the “Chinese” menu Xiaomi.
- 📥 Download. APK-file of the selected launcher (for example, ATV Launcher Pro).
- 📂 Install the file through the File Manager or File Commander app.
- ⚙️ When you first start the system ask how to open the Home button – select the installed launcher and click “Always” (Always).
- 🇷🇺 In the settings of the launcher itself, select the Russian language of the interface.
Importantly, replacing the launcher does not translate system messages (such as network errors or updates), but makes app navigation and settings completely understandable.
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Use Google Assistant voice search on the remote, saying “Settings” or “Settings” to get to the menus you want faster if the navigation buttons are confused.
Changing the region to access content
Often, the problem is not just the menu language, but access to services. When changing the language, it's important to correctly identify the region. In Xiaomi TVs, the region affects the list of available apps in the GetApps store or Google Play, as well as the work of the voice assistant.
When installing a Russia or Ukraine region, the TV may require new terms of the agreement, in some cases triggering a check for updates that may load missing language packs, but if the device was originally intended for the Indian or Chinese market, a change in region may not allow full access to local services like Kinopoisk or IVI through regular funds.
| Parameter | Global version (Global) | Chinese version (CN) | Indian version (IN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability of the Russian language | There's a default. | Absent (requires APK) | Often absent |
| Google Play | Installed | Installation required | Installation required |
| Netflix / YouTube | Certified (4K) | You may not be able to work in 4K. | You may not be able to work in 4K. |
| Voice search | It's working full-time. | Restricted or in Chinese | Limited. |
Users of Chinese versions often have to accept that some system features will remain in English, the main thing is to gain an understanding of the main menu and the ability to install applications.
Solving problems with coding and fonts
After successful installation of the Russian language, users may encounter artifacts: instead of letters, "squares" or question marks appear, which indicates the lack of necessary fonts in the system, this is often the case when using the utility MoreLocale 2 on stripped-down versions of Android TV.
To solve the problem, you can try to install the system font manually, which requires Root rights, which is a complex and risky procedure, leading to the loss of warranty, and a safer method is the use of launchers that have their own built-in fonts and do not depend on the system resources of the TV.
⚠️ Note: Attempts to replace system font files (fonts.xml) Without a backup, the TV can “brick” when it stops loading the interface.
If the squares only appear in app names, try clearing the app cache or reinstalling them, sometimes resetting the TV to factory settings after you have already installed the language in MoreLocale 2, but before installing heavy apps, helps.
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The safest way to get a Russian interface without the risk of breaking the system is to install a third-party launcher (ATV Launcher) on top of a standard shell.