Did you buy a Xiaomi TV with Chinese firmware and encounter the characters on the menu? Or did the system reset the language to English after the update? In this article, all the current ways to install Russian menus on Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV and other models of the brand. We will analyze the official methods through settings, manual localization, as well as workarounds for old firmware.
Importantly, the procedure varies depending on the software version and regional TV binding: for example, models for the European market (Mi TV 4S EU) already have Russian in the standard set, and Chinese versions (Mi TV 4X CN) require additional manipulation.
If you are not sure about your TV model, check it by the sticker on the back or in the Settings → About TV menu. For convenience, we have compiled the instructions in the compatibility table below.
1. Check the current version of firmware and language
Before you change the language, make sure that the problem is not a system failure. On some Xiaomi firmware, Russian can be hidden or disabled by default.
- Open the main menu of the TV with the Home button on the remote.
- Go to Settings → Device Preferences → Language (or Settings → Device → Language if the menu is already partially Russified).
- Scroll through the list of available languages. If there is no Russian, then you need to add it manually.
⚠️ Note: Chinese firmware may look different — → → (If you're not sure about the translation, use the "pump" method, look for the icon of the globe or flag.
If there is no Russian in the list of languages, but there is English, try updating the firmware via the Internet - sometimes the manufacturer adds localization in new versions of the software.
2. Update firmware via the Internet (the easiest way)
The official method of installing Russian is to update the firmware to the latest version. In new builds, Xiaomi often adds support for additional languages, including Russian.
- 📶 Connect your TV to the Internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable. A stable connection is required - a break during the upgrade can cause the system to crash.
- 🔄 Go to the Settings → About → System update (or settings) → On TV. → Updating the system).
- 🔍 Click Check for updates. If a new version is available, follow the instructions on the screen.
- 🕒 Wait until the process is complete (usually 10-20 minutes) and the TV will restart automatically.
Once updated, check the list of languages again. If Russian never appeared, go to manual methods.
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If the TV doesn’t find an update, try changing the region to “Russia” or “Europe” and go to Settings → Device Preferences → Location and select the appropriate country.
Manual installation of Russian language via USB (for advanced users)
If automatic updates don’t work, you can manually set Russian localization, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models, but requires care.
- 💻 Computer with Internet access.
- 📁 Empty flash drive (formatted in FAT32).
- 🔗 Localization file for your model (you can download it on the forums) 4PDA Xiaomi Community).
⚠️ Attention: Incorrectly selected localization file can cause menu failure or complete failure of the TV.Always check the file compatibility with your model and firmware version!
Installation instructions:
- Download the archive with Russian language for your model (for example, mi_tv_russian_lang_v2.1.zip).
- Unpack the archive and copy the language folder to the flash drive.
- Put the flash drive in. USB-television-port.
- Go to Settings → Device Preferences → Storage → [Name of the flash drive].
- Run the installation file (usually install.apk or update.zip).
- Follow the instructions on the screen and restart the TV.
Format the flash drive into FAT32|Download the correct version of localization|Check the integrity of the archive|Disable antivirus when copying files-->
If the language hasn’t changed after the reboot, try repeating the process or check if your model supports manual localization.
4. factory reset (if the language went wrong after the update)
Sometimes, after updating the firmware, the Xiaomi TV will reset the language to English or Chinese, even if the Russian was installed earlier.
- ⚙️ Go to the Settings → Device Preferences → Reset.
- ⚠️ Select Factory Data Reset ("Reset to factory settings").
- 🔑 Enter. PIN-code (by default 0000 or 1234 if you have not changed it).
- 🔄 Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.
After the reset, the TV will start with the initial setting, where you can choose Russian (if supported by your firmware).
What if the tongue is lost again after the reset?
⚠️ Warning: Reset will delete all installed apps, accounts and personal settings. Write down important data in advance (such as logins from Netflix or YouTube).
5. Alternative methods: change the region and firmware to the EU-version
If none of these methods work, radical measures remain:
- Changing the region to European, sometimes it unlocks the hidden languages: 🌍 Go to the Settings → Device Preferences → Location. 🇷🇺 Choose Russia or Europe. 🔄 Restart the TV.
Flip-on EU-This method is suitable for advanced users and requires unlocking the bootloader, 4PDA).
Risks of flashing
Before resorting to flashing, weigh the risks. If the TV is guaranteed, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center - self-intervention can deprive you of warranty service.
6. Problem Solving: Frequent Errors and Corrections
When installing Russian, users often encounter typical errors, and we put them together in a table with solutions:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Russian is on the list, but not used. | System cache failure | Go to Settings → Apps → System UI → Storage → Clear cache and restart the TV. |
| After the update, the language lost in Chinese | Firmware for CN-region | Set manual localization (section 3) or change region to European. |
| The TV does not see the localization file on the flash drive | Incorrect USB flash drive format or file path | Format the flash drive in FAT32 and check that the file is at the root (not in the folder). |
| When installing localization, an error occurs | Incompatibility of the file with the firmware version | Download another version of localization or update the firmware to the latest. |
If your problem is not described in the table, check the following points:
- 🔌 Make sure the TV is connected to a stable power source (not via an extension cord).
- 📶 Check the speed of the Internet – it takes at least 5 Mbit / s to download the firmware.
- 🕒 Give the TV time to process changes – sometimes the language is only used after 2-3 reboots.
7. Download official and unofficial localizations
Official firmware with Russian language can be found on the websites:
- 🌐 Xiaomi official support (select the TV section).
- 📥 Xiaomi Firmware – firmware base for all brand devices.
For informal localizations, look for forums:
- 💬 4PDA — Xiaomi-themed TV (registration).
- 🤝 Xiaomi Community – official community (use search for keywords in Russian language) + model TV).
⚠️ Note: Only download files from trusted sources; viruses or damaged archives can cause the TV to fail; check the hash amounts of files before installing them (if listed on the site).
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If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center.