Changing the interface language is one of the most common challenges faced by Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners, especially after buying a device from China. Often users purchase global versions of gadgets, but find that the system menu is configured in English or even Chinese, which creates a significant barrier to comfortable use of all the functions of a smart device.
The process of changing the language settings in the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS is almost identical, but the names of items may differ depending on the version of the firmware. It is important to understand that the translation of the interface does not affect the operation of applications or system processes, but only changes the visual display of text for the user.
In this guide, we will take a detailed look at the algorithm for various situations, including when the device is locked in a foreign language, and we will look at the nuances of switching the keyboard layout and system text so that you can confidently control your gadget.
Basic language change in MIUI and HyperOS settings
The standard language change procedure is available immediately after the initial setting of the smartphone or at any time of use. First, you need to go to the main settings menu of the system. If your phone speaks English now, look for the gear icon, which stands for Settings.
In the menu that opens, scroll down to find Additional settings. In some firmware versions, this section may be simply called System or located at the bottom of the list without grouping, and this is where key device management options are concentrated.
Inside the section, look for the Language & Input line or just Languages, and if you click on it, you'll see a list of available language packages, and if the language you want isn't on the list, you can add it by clicking on the plus or Add a language button.
- 🌐 Select Russian from the list to instantly translate the entire interface.
- ⚙️ Check the format of the date and time, as they often change along with the language of the region.
- 📱 Make sure the keyboard layout also switched to the one you need.
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If you change the language on a device that is already in use, some system applications may require a reboot to fully apply the changes.
Once you select the language, the system will automatically apply the changes, the interface will be clear, and you can navigate the menu freely, and it is worth noting that new versions of HyperOS can be a little faster thanks to an optimized translation engine.
What to do if the menu is in Chinese
When a smartphone is entirely in Chinese, it often scares inexperienced users. But the algorithm remains the same, just by looking at the icons and the layout of the elements on the screen, and visual memory can help you find the right partitions even without knowing the characters.
Find the settings icon (cog) on your desktop. In the menu that opens, scroll to the bottom of the list. You want a section that is usually indicated by a three-dot icon or an "A" in a circle, but in the Chinese version, it may just be the last item on the list with characters that mean "Advanced" (usually 5-6 characters).
⚠️ Warning: Don’t reset to factory settings (red button with characters) hoping to change language, this will lead to data loss, and the language can become Chinese again when first run if the region is not selected correctly.
Within this section, look for a point with a globe icon or the letters "A/." This is the input to the language settings. When you click on it, you'll see a list of languages. Find the symbols corresponding to the Russian language (the Russian alphabet) in the list and click on them.
☑️ Action algorithm for the Chinese menu
If the phone offers to select a region at the beginning (when you first turn on), be sure to specify your country or Russia to avoid automatic installation of the Chinese set of services.
Setting up language input and keyboard
Users often confuse the interface language with the virtual keyboard input language. Even if the phone menu is in Russian, the keyboard can only type in English or Chinese.
Go to Settings → Additional → Language and Enter (or Languages and Keyboard) and here you will see a list of active input methods, usually Gboard or the standard Xiaomi keyboard, and click on the name of your keyboard to control its settings.
In the keyboard menu, look for Languages, you can add new layouts, you can click Add keyboard, and you can select the language you want, like Russian or English, and you can also remove unnecessary languages so that they don't interfere with typing.
| Parameter | Description | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|
| Language of the system | Menu language and settings | Settings → Additional → Language |
| Input language | Keyboard layout | Settings → Language and input → Current keyboard |
| Region | Date format and services | Settings → Additional → Region |
To change your language quickly while you type, use a special globe icon or a space on your keyboard. A short tap on a space often switches the language, and a long one opens the selection menu, which is standard behavior for most Android keyboards, including Xiaomi's built-in solutions.
Changing the language in Google apps and services
Some applications, especially Google's ecosystem, may have their own language settings that are independent of the system, which is designed to make it easier for users who use different languages for different tasks, but in recent versions of Android and MIUI, these settings are often synchronized.
To change the language in specific applications, go to Settings → Additional → Application Language (if this option is available in your version of the OS).
If there is no separate setting, the application uses a system language, in which case changing the common language of the phone will automatically translate the application interface, provided that the developer has added support for the desired language to his program.
- 📱 For Google Chrome: Menu (three dots) → Settings → Languages.
- 📺 For YouTube: profile → Settings → General. → Language of the application.
- 📧 For Gmail: menu → Settings → General settings → Language.
It is important to understand that translating the application interface does not translate the content inside it. Articles, videos and web pages will be displayed in the language in which they are created by the authors.
Switching problems and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the selected language is not applied or resets after a reboot, this can be caused by errors in the system cache or conflicts with the set themes, the theme can force its language settings, ignoring the system.
Try removing a third-party theme and returning the standard design. Go to the Themes app, go to the profile and select a standard theme. Then try changing the language in the settings again.
⚠️ Note: If the phone behaves inadequately after changing the language (icons disappear, text climbs on buttons), it is possible that the installed theme is damaged or incompatible with the current version of the firmware.
In rare cases, cleaning the Settings app cache helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Settings and select Clear Cache. Not to be confused with data cleanup, it can reset your network and audio settings.
What to do if the language is lost after the update?
Language change through Developer Mode (for advanced)
For advanced users, there is the ability to manage some language settings through the developer mode, although the main language change is still done through the standard menu.
To activate this mode, you need to quickly click 7 times on the build number in the About Phone section. After the message "You became a developer" appears in the settings menu, a new option will appear Additional → For developers.
You can find pseudo-localization settings here for testing applications, but for a normal change of interface language, these functions are not required. USB or ADB-commands to change language are possible, but not recommended for ordinary users due to the risk of system disruption.
adb shell pm list packages | grep languageThis command allows you to check the installed language packets in the system, but does not change them. Deep modification of language files requires superuser rights (Root), which is unwarranted and can be dangerous.
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The standard settings menu is enough for 99% of language change tasks. Don't use complex methods without an urgent need.