How to change the language on Xiaomi Mi Band 4: all the ways and nuances

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular gadgets for tracking activity, despite the release of new models. One of the frequent problems users have is the mismatch of the interface language of the bracelet (for example, after buying abroad or resetting), unlike later versions (Mi Band 5/6/7), where the change of language occurs through the application, in the fourth model this process has its own peculiarities.

In this article, you will find all the current ways to change the language to Mi Band 4, including instructions for different firmware (Chinese, global, modified), as well as solutions to typical errors. We will analyze why sometimes the language is reset itself, how to return Russian after an update, and what to do if the desired language is not on the list.

Why Mi Band 4 can’t change language through the app

Many users are used to newer bracelets (Mi Band 5 and later) changing the language directly in the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app, but Mi Band 4 does not have this feature by default – for good reason:

  • πŸ”Ή In the early versions of the software (up to 1.0.9.54), the language change was possible only through the bracelet menu, not through the smartphone.
  • πŸ”Ή Regional versions: Chinese models (XMSH08HM) often come with a blocked language choice - only Chinese and English.
  • πŸ”Ή Older versions of Mi Fit (up to 4.6.0) did not support synchronization of language packs with the bracelet.

Moreover, after some firmware updates (e.g., switching from 1.0.7.14 to 1.0.9.54), users reported automatic language resets to English or Chinese, which is because Xiaomi sometimes β€œcleans” localizations in new software builds, leaving only the main ones.

⚠️ Note: If your bracelet is linked to a Xiaomi account in China, some languages (including Russian) may be hidden even after a manual change, in which case you will need to change your account region or use workaround methods (see the section on modified firmware).

Method 1: Standard language change through the bracelet menu

This is the basic and most secure method that works on most global versions of the Mi Band 4. Instructions are relevant for firmware 1.0.9.54 and later:

  1. πŸ“± Open the bracelet menu: Swipe your finger up the Mi Band 4 screen to get into the main menu.
  2. πŸ”§ Go to Settings: Find the icon βš™οΈ Settings (usually last on the list).
  3. 🌐 Select Language: Scroll down to Language (on English firmware) or flag icons.
  4. πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί Find Russian: Find Russian (or Russian) in the list of languages and confirm the choice by clicking.

If Russian is not on the list, it could mean:

  • πŸ”Έ You have a Chinese version of the bracelet (model) XMSH08HM), where the language is strongly tied to the region.
  • πŸ”Έ The firmware bracelet is outdated (below 1.0.7.14) and does not support many languages.
  • πŸ”Έ Language Package damaged after failed update.

Check the firmware version of the bracelet (in the settings β†’ β€œAbout the bracelet”)

Make sure the bracelet is at least 50% charged

Turn off Bluetooth on your phone (to avoid conflicts)

Have a translator on hand (if the current language is not clear)-->

Method 2: Reset the bracelet to factory settings

If the language is missing or the bracelet is "hanging" in Chinese, a full reset often helps to return Russian, a method that works for Chinese versions of the Mi Band 4, but requires caution:

Steps for discharge:

  1. πŸ”„ Go to Settings. β†’ The bracelet. β†’ Reset (or Reset).
  2. πŸ“± Confirm the action on the bracelet (double pressing the button).
  3. πŸ”— Reconnect the bracelet to the Mi app Fitness/Zepp Life.

After the reset, the language should be automatically determined by the region of your Xiaomi account.

  • πŸ”Ή Check the region of your account in the app (should be Russia or Europe).
  • πŸ”Ή Update the bracelet firmware to the latest version through the app.
  • πŸ”Ή If resetting doesn’t help, try alternative methods (see the following sections).

⚠️ Attention: Reset removes all the data from the bracelet: steps, sleep history, alarm clocks and screen settings. It is recommended to pre-synchronize the data with the application).

Russian

English

Chinese

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Method 3: Changing the language through modified firmware

If standard methods don’t work (for example, you have a Chinese version of Mi Band 4 with a blocked language choice), you can install custom firmware that supports Russian, which is suitable for advanced users and requires:

  • πŸ”§ Unlocked bracelet loader (not on all models possible).
  • πŸ’» Special firmware (e.g. Mi Band 4 Tools or Notify & Fitness).
  • πŸ”‹ Bracelet charge at least 80% (firmware can take up to 30 minutes).

Step-by-step:

  1. πŸ“₯ Download modified firmware with support for Russian (for example, ru_RU_1.0.9.54_mod).
  2. πŸ“² Install the Notify & Fitness for Mi Band app on your phone (available on Google Play).
  3. πŸ”Œ Connect the bracelet to the application and select Install firmware β†’ Select a file.
  4. βš™οΈ Wait for the process to be completed (the bracelet will reboot several times).

Advantages of custom firmware:

  • πŸ”Ή Full support for the Russian language (including notifications).
  • πŸ”Ή Additional features: new dials, advanced notification settings.
  • πŸ”Ή Possibility of rollback on stock firmware.

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial software is warranty-free and may result in loss of functionality (e.g., inability to update via an official application).There is also a risk of "bricking" the bracelet when interrupting firmware. Use this method only if other methods have not helped!

What if the bracelet stopped turning on after the firmware?
If the Mi Band 4 does not respond to charging or does not turn on after installing the custom firmware, try: 1. Hold the bracelet button pressed 15-20 seconds (hard reset). 2. Connect to charging for 2-3 hours (sometimes you need a full discharge / charge). 3. Repeat the firmware through Notify & Fitness with a choice of the Recovery option. If nothing helps, contact the service center - you may need to flash through JTAG (only for experienced users).

Method 4: Changing Xiaomi Account Region to Unblock Languages

If the bracelet menu does not contain Russian, the problem may be in the region of your Xiaomi account. By default, Chinese accounts (region=cn) restrict the choice of languages.

Instructions for changing the region:

  1. πŸ“± Open the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app.
  2. πŸ‘€ Go to Profile. β†’ Account settings β†’ Region.
  3. πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί Choose Russia (or Europe if Russia is not on the list).
  4. πŸ”„ Reload the bracelet and check for Russian in the language menu.

If the change in the region did not help:

  • πŸ”Ή Try to log out and re-enter the region of Russia.
  • πŸ”Ή Remove the bracelet from the application and re-attach it.
  • πŸ”Ή Update the bracelet firmware through the app (sometimes languages are added in new versions).

Important: After a region change, some features (such as Mi Pay or local notifications) may temporarily stop working until the data is synced again.

πŸ’‘

If Russia is not on the list of regions, choose Singapore or India – in these regions Russian is usually available, and the functionality of the bracelet is not limited.

Compatibility table for languages and firmware Mi Band 4

Not all Mi Band 4 firmware supports Russian, and the following is a compatibility table for different versions and regions:

Firmware versionRegion of the accountSupport for RussianNotes
1.0.7.14 and belowAnybody.❌ No.Update required
1.0.9.54Russia/Europeβœ… Yes.Russian on the bracelet menu
1.0.9.54China (cn)❌ No.English/Chinese only
1.2.0.6 (modified)Anybody.βœ… Yes.Full localization + additional functions
1.0.8.10 (special for India)Indiaβœ… Yes.Russian is present, but there may be translation errors

If your firmware is outdated, update it through the official app:

  1. πŸ“± Open Mi Fitness. β†’ Profile β†’ Mi Band 4 β†’ Firmware update.
  2. πŸ”„ Wait for the loading and installation (the bracelet will reboot automatically).
  3. 🌐 After the update, check the presence of Russian in the language settings.

Problem Solving: Language reset or missing from list

Sometimes, after an upgrade or reset, the bracelet automatically returns to English or Chinese, despite the correct settings.

  • πŸ”Έ Bracelet tied to Chinese account: Solution: Create a new Xiaomi account with the region of Russia and tie the bracelet to it.
  • πŸ”Έ Damaged language package: Solution: Reset the bracelet and update the firmware again.
  • πŸ”Έ Application conflict: Solution: Remove Mi Fitness, clear the cache and re-install.
  • πŸ”Έ Hardware version of bracelet does not support Russian: Solution: Install modified firmware (see Method 3).

If the language is not on the list, but the firmware is fresh, try:

  1. πŸ” Manually scroll through the list of languages to the end - sometimes Russian is hidden behind rare languages (for example, after Vietnamese).
  2. πŸ”„ Reset the bracelet (hold the button for 10 seconds).
  3. πŸ“± Update the Mi app Fitness/Zepp Life to the latest version.

πŸ’‘

If after all the manipulations, the Russian language did not appear, most likely, you have a Chinese version of the bracelet (XMSH08HM) with hardware limitations, in which case only custom software firmware will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing language to Mi Band 4

❓ Can I change the language to Mi Band 4 without resetting my settings?
Yes, if you have Language on the bracelet menu, swipe up the screen, go to Settings β†’ Language, and select Russian. If you don't, you'll need to reset or firmware.
❓ Why After Updating the Firmware Language Reset to English?
This is a known problem with old firmware (1.0.7.14 and below) after upgrading to 1.0.9.54 or later, the Russian should return. If not, change your account region to Russia.
❓ How to distinguish the Chinese version of the Mi Band 4 from the global?
The Chinese version has a label. XMSH08HM on the box and back of the bracelet β€” XMSH07HM or XMSH09HM. Chinese models are often used in the QR-code for the Mi Fit China application.
❓ Can I return the Russian language if the bracelet is bought in China?
Yes, but you will need to: Change the region of your Xiaomi account to Russia, update the firmware to the latest version, if it did not help, install a modified firmware (see Method 3).
❓ What to do if the bracelet freezes when changing the tongue?
This can be due to: Weak battery charge (charge to 100%), conflict with the application (reinstall Mi Fitness), damaged firmware (reset). If the bracelet does not respond, hold the button for 15 seconds for forced reboot.