Xiaomi: How to change the language to English – the full guide

Buying a Xiaomi smartphone with a Chinese firmware version (CN ROM) or a global MIUI shell often confronts the user with the fact that the device’s interface is entirely in Chinese. This creates a significant barrier to initial setup, especially if you purchased the gadget through popular marketplaces or ordered from abroad. However, changing the language to English is one of the basic procedures that allows you to make the device understandable and accessible for use anywhere in the world.

The process of translating the interface into English can vary dramatically depending on the version of the operating system installed. Global ROMs have English as their default language, while China ROMs don’t guarantee it without additional manipulations. Understanding these differences is critical before any action is taken to avoid device lockdown or data loss.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at the algorithms for different scenarios, from the standard change of language in the menu to the complex cases with Chinese firmware, where the English package may not be available, you will learn how to correctly identify the version of your software, what risks exist when flashing, and how to avoid the typical errors that turn a smartphone into a “brick”.

Identification of the MIUI firmware version

Before you look for language settings, you need to know exactly which version of the software is installed on your device, which is a fundamental step, because it is the key to your strategy, and if you have a global version, it takes a few clicks to solve the problem, while the Chinese version requires more in-depth intervention.

To check the version of the software, go to the settings menu. Even if you don't understand Chinese characters, the visual structure of the menu in MIUI remains unchanged. You need to find an item that is usually located at the bottom of the list or in the About section. The icon in this section often looks like a smartphone with an "i" or just a gear.

Inside the About Phone section, look at the MIUI version, and you'll see the build number, and the key marker is the Version Number, and if you see GL, Global or EU, you're lucky, it's the international version, and if you have CN, China or no Latin letters, you have the Chinese version.

Also worth noting is the presence of an app store. The global versions have the default Google Play Store. If you see a store with a red icon and Chinese characters (Mi Apps) instead, it's a sure sign of Chinese firmware. Having only Chinese services makes it difficult to install language packages, but doesn't make it impossible to install them.

Standard language change in Global ROM

Global ROM owners are the most fortunate because English is built into the system in the first place, the switching process is intuitive and takes less than a minute, and you don't need third-party software or root rights.

To change the language, open the settings (cog icon). Find the section that is usually the fifth or sixth item on top. In Chinese, it can be called "Additional settings" (Additional settings → Language and input). Visually look for the globe icon or the letters "A" and ".

Once you enter the language menu, you will see a list of available options. Search the list of English (often marked as English (United States) or English (UK)) and click on it and the interface will instantly reset. If English is not on the list but the firmware version is declared Global, there may have been a localization failure and you will need to reset.

⚠️ Note: If the interface has not changed after selecting English and the menu items remain in Chinese, check if the "China Only" mode is activated in the region settings.

After a successful language change, the system may offer to update some services Google or MIUI. It is recommended to agree, as this will ensure the correct operation of the voice assistant and keyboard in the new language.

The Chinese version of the game (China ROM)

The Chinese versions of Xiaomi smartphones are more complicated: in pure China ROM, English is often absent completely or in a pared-down form (only basic menu items, without translation of applications), manufacturers are targeting the domestic market, where English is not a priority.

The first thing to try is to look for hidden language settings. In some versions of MIUI (especially older ones), English can be activated through a special code or hidden menu. Try dialing ##6484## in the caller to log into the engineering menu, although most of the time language settings are not available there.

If the language is not changed by standard means, the only way out is to install third-party utilities such as MoreLocale 2, which allows you to force the system to set the locale. ADB-commands or the presence of root rights.

It is important to understand that even after installing English in China ROM, many system applications (camera, gallery, voice recorder) can remain in Chinese, a limitation of the firmware itself that cannot be circumvented without flashing the device to a global version.

Using ADB to force localization

For advanced users who are faced with the lack of English in Chinese firmware, there is a method of changing the system variable through the debugging bridge (ADB), which is safer than flashing, but requires a computer and a USB cable.

First, you need to activate the developer mode on your smartphone. To do this, quickly click on the version number 7 times. MIUI In the About Phone section, then in the Developer menu that appears, turn on the Debugging by Toolbox. USB» (USB Debugging).

Connect your smartphone to your PC, download the ADB Platform Tools package, and open the command line in the tool folder. Enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

You'll see a request for debugging permission on your phone screen -- be sure to tick "Always Allow" and click "OK." If the console displays the serial number of the device, the connection is successfully installed.

Now enter a command to change the language:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings

And the locale change command is:

adb shell pm grant com.balda.morelocale2 android.permission.CHANGE_CONFIGURATION

Once you run a command (if you’re using MoreLocale 2) or directly set the locale setting, the interface should switch, however, this method doesn’t work on all versions of Android due to the increased security of the system.

Firmware on Global ROM as a radical solution

If using Chinese firmware with “crutches” is unacceptable for you, the best solution is to flash the device on the official Global ROM. This completely eliminates language problems, adds Google services and (frequency) necessary for work in Europe and the CIS.

The flashing process requires unlocking the bootloader. Xiaomi sets a wait timer (7 to 168 hours) after submitting an application in the Mi Unlock app. Only after this time the bootloader can be unlocked.

Once the bootloader is unlocked, the global firmware image is loaded through the Mi Flash Tool. It is important to select the "Clean all" mode to avoid file conflicts. Once the process is complete, the smartphone will reboot, and the first welcome screen will already be the choice of language, including English.

⚠️ Attention: Flashing with China ROM Globally ROM On some models (especially with MediaTek processors or new Snapdragon) it can lead to a device lock (Hard Brick) or loss of Widevine function. L1 (Netflix video quality. Check the forums XDA before the beginning of the procedure.

It is also worth considering that when flashing the regional version (for example, EU Global on India Global), there may be problems with paying for NFC (Mi Pay, Google Pay), since security certificates are tied to the firmware region.

Customization of keyboard and voice input

Once the interface has been translated into English, it is important to adjust the input tools to make the device comfortable.The standard MIUI keyboard (Sogou or Baidu in Chinese versions) can be uncomfortable for the Latin alphabet.

It is recommended to install Gboard or SwiftKey from Google Play immediately. These keyboards have excellent multilingual support and predictive input. After installation, go to the Settings → Additional Settings → Languages & input and select the new default keyboard.

Special attention should be paid to voice input. In Chinese firmware, the voice assistant Xiao AI does not understand English commands. After installing the Google Assistant and changing the system language, activate OK Google for voice control, which will make using your smartphone in English full-fledged.

Be sure to check your autocorrect settings. Sometimes when you change the language, the keyboard continues to offer Chinese characters. In the keyboard settings, remove Chinese from the active list, leaving only English (US/UK).

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

Even following the instructions, users may face unforeseen difficulties, one of the most common problems is the “meeting” of the language after the system update. Chinese firmware when updating OTAs can reset user locales to default (Chinese).

Another problem is partial translation, the menu is in English, and notifications and system messages are in Chinese, which is solved only by completely reflashing or installing third-party localizers, which, however, can not work smoothly on new versions of Android 13/14.

If after all the manipulations the smartphone behaves incorrectly (reboots, warms up), there may be a conflict of versions, in which case it is worth considering the possibility of rolling back to a more stable version or installing custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.eu), which is based on Chinese, but fully translated and cleared of advertising.

In conclusion, translating Xiaomi into English is a solvable task, but it requires understanding the type of firmware you have. Global/EU is the most stable choice for everyday use, while Chinese versions are only suitable for experienced enthusiasts who are willing to spend time adapting them.

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The most reliable way to get full English and Google services is to buy a device with a Global ROM preinstalled or to reflash it yourself with an unlocked bootloader.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)