Changing the language to Xiaomi Redmi Note 2: all the ways from simple to complex

Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 is the iconic 2015 smartphone that is still used by many users today for its reliability and custom firmware installation. However, owners of budget versions of the device (especially those bought on Chinese sites) often face a problem: the system defaults in Chinese, and the settings menu does not have Russian or English. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to change the language from basic to advanced, including editing system files and installing alternative firmware.

It's important to understand that Redmi Note 2 runs on MIUI (branded shell Xiaomi) and Android 5.0 Lollipop as standard, and this imposes certain limitations: for example, in some versions of the firmware, the list of available languages is artificially trimmed. We'll look at solutions for all cases - when you can change the language through the menu, when you need root access, and what to do if the device is "locked" by the manufacturer.

If you’ve never had a chance to set up Android devices, don’t worry: the first two methods don’t require any special knowledge. For experienced users, we’ve prepared a section with advanced methods, including working with ADB and modifying build.prop files. Also, the article has unique information about hidden codes for unlocking language packets in MIUI 6/7, which you won’t find in standard instructions.

1. Standard method: change the language through the MIUI settings

To start with, the simplest option is when the language pack is already installed, but it is not activated, which is suitable for Redmi Note 2 with global or European firmware (for example, MIUI Global or MIUI EU).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings app** (the gear icon on the home screen).
• 🌐 Scroll down and find the Additional section (or Additional settings in English).
• 🗣️ Select Language and Input (Language & Input).
• 📝 Click on the first item in the list - Language (Language).
• 🔍 In the list that appears, find “Russian” or “English” and tap it.

If the list doesn't have the language you want, it means it's not installed in the system, so move on to the next method. Note that some versions of MIUI 6 (which originally stood on the Redmi Note 2) may have different language names, such as (Chinese) or Bahasa dan masukan (Indonesian).

⚠️ Warning: If after a language change, the system starts to slow down or some applications display characters, this is a sign of damaged fonts. TWRP or manually replace the files in /system/fonts.

2. Installation of the language package via MIUI Language Pack

If the language you want isn’t on the list but you have access to the Internet, you can try installing it through the official MIUI Language Pack app (only available on some firmware versions), which works for Redmi Note 2 with MIUI 7 and later.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile internet.
2. Open the “Settings”** → About the phone (About phone).

If you don't have a Download Languages button, your version of MIUI doesn't support this feature, so you'll have to use the alternative methods described below, and it's also worth checking if you're blocking Xiaomi servers, sometimes because of regional restrictions.

Make a backup copy of the data|Connecting stable Wi-Fi|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Check the vacant space (minimum 200 MB)-->

Change of language through the engineering menu (hidden codes)

Few people know, but the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 has a hidden engineering menu that allows you to unlock additional languages, which works even on Chinese versions of firmware, where standard settings are limited, and you will need to enter a special code in the Phone app** (as for a call).

Instructions:

• 📞 Open the Phone app** and go to the dialing tab.

If the code doesn’t work, try alternatives:

• #225## (shows calendar information, but sometimes unlocks languages)

⚠️ Not all hidden codes work on Redmi Note 2 due to variations in versions MIUI. If nothing happens after entering the code, do not try to enter random combinations – this can lead to a system failure.

4. Install custom firmware with support for the desired language

If all previous methods have failed, the most reliable way is to install an alternative firmware that initially supports Russian or English. For the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2, the following options are available:

The easiest option is Global Stable, because it can be installed without unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Flash Tool. USB-If you're ready for more complex manipulations, we recommend MIUI EU — This is a modified version of the official firmware with full support for the Russian language and additional functions.

Step-by-step instructions for installing MIUI EU:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 72 hours).
2. Download the latest version of MIUI EU for Redmi Note 2 (codenamed hermes) from the official website xiaomi.eu.
3. Install the custom TWRP recavator via Fastboot:
4. In TWRP, perform a full reset (Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
5. Install the downloaded firmware through Install.
6. Reset the device.

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Before installing custom firmware, make sure to back up your data via TWRP or Mi PC Suite, which will save your contacts, photos and apps even if something goes wrong.

5. Manual language addition via ADB (for power users)

If you don't want to install custom firmware but are ready to work with the command line, you can add a language pack manually through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires the developer mode on and access to the computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Developer mode on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (important for stable connection).
• 📁 Language package in.apk format (can be downloaded from forums) 4PDA or XDA Developers).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command line (cmd) and check the connection:
3. Download the language package (for example, ru_rRU.apk for Russian language) and place it in the folder with ADB.
4. Install the package via ADB:
5. Reset the device.
6. After the reboot, go to Settings → Language and Enter and select the established language.

If the language pack does not appear in the settings, you may need to replace the system file build.prop.

1. Download the build.prop editor (e.g., “BuildProp Editor”** from Google Play).
2. Find ro.product.locale and change its value to ru-RU (for Russian) or en-US (for English).
3. Save the changes and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Editing a build.prop file without backup can lead to a cyclic bootloop.If you are not sure about your actions, use it. TWRP to create a backup before changes.

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ADB-This method is only suitable for firmware based on Android 5.0 Lollipop. MIUI (8+) Language packets can be blocked by the system and installed through the ADB It won't work.

6. Alternative solutions: translation of the interface through applications

If none of these methods worked, the solution is to use a translating app, which doesn't change the system language, but allows you to understand the basic menu labels.

• 🌍 «MoreLocale 2"** - adds support for additional languages through locale emulation. Works without root rights, but requires developer mode enabled.
• 📖 «Google Translate – Screen Translation (available in newer versions) allows you to hover your camera over text and receive real-time translations.

How to use MoreLocale 2:

1. Download the app from Google Play or APK-file from a verified source.
2. Open MoreLocale 2 and select the language you want (e.g., Russian).

Limitations of this method:

• Not all system applications will be translated.
• After rebooting, it is sometimes reset to standard language.
• It does not work in some versions of MIUI due to shell limitations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the language on Xiaomi Redmi Note 2