The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains a popular gadget even years after its release — it is bought for reliability, long battery life and rich functionality. However, many users face the problem: after purchase, the device displays menus in Chinese or English, and Russian is not on the list. The reasons are different: the bracelet could be bought on AliExpress from the Chinese region, the seller did not update the firmware, or the gadget is originally intended for the Asian market.
In this article, we will look at all the current ways to Russify the Mi Band 4, from simple (via the official app) to complex (manual firmware update). Importantly, the methods differ depending on the firmware version and the regional binding of the bracelet. If one method does not work, try the next one. We will also explain how to avoid the typical mistakes that can turn the bracelet into a brick.
1. Check the current version of firmware and language
Before you change the language, you need to know which firmware is installed on your Mi Band 4, which depends on which Russification method is suitable.
- Connect the bracelet to your smartphone via the Mi Fit app (or Zepp if you use it).
- Go to the profile of the bracelet (stamp its icon on the home screen).
- Scroll down to the Device Information or About section.
- Find the strings Firmware version and Region.
Pay attention to:
- 🔹 Region: if indicated CN (China), TW (Taiwan) or IN (India – bracelet is tied to the Asian market, and it may not have Russian in it.
- 🔹 Firmware version: current versions (e.g. 1.0.9.58 and above) usually support Russian, while older versions (below) support Russian. 1.0.7.XX) — no.
If the language section does not have Russian, but the firmware is fresh (e.g. 1.0.9.XX), the problem may be region-specific, in which case a change of region in the application or a forced update will help.
⚠️ Note: If your bracelet has firmware below 1.0.7.00, Russification through standard settings is not possible - manual updates will be required (see Section 4).
2. Method 1: Change the language through the Mi Fit/Zepp application
The easiest method is to change the language directly in the official app, and it works if:
- 📱 You have the latest version of Mi Fit (5.6.0 and higher) or Zepp (formerly Amazfit) installed).
- 🌍 The bracelet has firmware with support for Russian (usually European or global version).
- 📶 The device is connected to the Internet (for synchronization of settings).
Step-by-step:
- Open Mi Fit or Zepp and connect to the bracelet.
- Go to the profile of the device (click on its icon).
- Select the device settings → Display → Language.
- Find Russian (or Russian) and confirm your choice.
- Wait for the synchronization – the bracelet will reboot, and the language will change.
If Russian is not on the list, try:
- 🔄 Update the Mi app Fit/Zepp last-minute.
- 📥 Update the bracelet firmware (see next section).
- 🌐 Change the region in the application settings to Russia or Europe.
Update the Mi Fit/Zepp app in the App Store or Google Play
Connect the bracelet to your phone via Bluetooth
Make sure the internet is on on the phone.
Check the battery charge of the bracelet (at least 50%)-->
If the bracelet shows characters or resets after changing the language, then the firmware does not support Russian, in which case you move to manual updates.
3. Method 2: Update the firmware through Mi Fit
If you have old firmware on your bracelet, you can update it directly through the official app, which often solves the problem of not having Russian.
Steps to update:
- Open Mi Fit and go to the Mi Band 4 profile.
- Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Firmware update.
- If an update is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete (the bracelet will reboot several times).
- After updating, check the list of languages - Russian should appear.
What to do if the update is not available?
- 📌 Make sure you have a global version of the app (not Chinese) download it from Xiaomi's official website if you use it. APK.
- 📍 Change the region in the Mi Fit settings to Russia or Europe:
- 🔌 Connect the bracelet to charging and make sure the battery is charged > 60%.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Update not in progress | Chinese version of Mi Fit | Install a global version of the application |
| Update error | Weak Bluetooth signal | Bring your phone closer to the bracelet |
| The bracelet freezes after the update | Incompatible firmware | Reset the settings (see Section 5) |
| Russian language did not appear | Firmware for CN-region | Manually Update (Section 4) |
⚠️ Note: If the bracelet is interrupted during the firmware update (e.g., the battery dies or Bluetooth shuts down), the device may stop turning on. Do not update the firmware if the bracelet is less than 50%.
Method 3: Manual firmware update (for power users)
If automatic updates don't work, you can install Russian firmware manually, which is suitable for Chinese firmware (CN) bracelets or older versions.
- 📱 Android smartphone (for iPhone this method does not work).
- 🔌 Mi Band 4 charging cable (required for PC connection).
- 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS.
- 📂 Firmware with Russian language (you can download on the forums) 4PDA or XDA-Developers).
Step-by-step:
- Download the firmware for your model (for example, mili_pro_1.0.9.58.ru). Pay attention to the version – it should be newer than the current version.
- Install drivers for Mi Band 4 (you can download from the Xiaomi website or through MiFlash).
- Connect the bracelet to your PC: Disconnect the bracelet capsule from the strap. Connect it to the charging cable and the cable to the charging cable. USB-Press and hold the button on the capsule for 5 seconds until vibration appears (firmware mode).
Run the firmware utility
MiBand4Tool
Gadgetbridge
Wait for completion
Success
Where do I download the firmware?
- 🔗 Official forum 4PDA (Mi Band 4's theme).
- 🔗 XDA-Developers (Section of Xiaomi Wearables).
- 🔗 GitHub repositories with modified firmware (see Mi Band 4 Russian firmware).
What happens if you run the wrong version?
⚠️ Warning: Manual firmware updates are unwarranted if the bracelet is officially purchased, and there is a risk of turning the device into a brick if you interrupt the process or choose the wrong firmware.
5. Method 4: Resetting the bracelet settings to factory
If the language has not changed after all the manipulations, try resetting the bracelet to the factory settings.
- 🔄 Language settings will “hang” after the update.
- 📱 The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone.
- 🌐 The menu displays hieroglyphs or Krakozabras.
How to reset your settings:
- On the bracelet, go to Settings (scroll down to the icon). ⚙️).
- Find the Reset or Restore item.
- Confirm the reset (usually hold the 5 seconds button).
- After restarting, connect the bracelet to Mi Fit again and select Russian.
If the reset didn’t help, then the problem is the firmware – go back to the manual update.
Open the bracelet profile → Settings → Backup. This will keep your training statistics and alarm clock settings.-->
6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When Russifying the Mi Band 4, users often make mistakes that cause the device to fail, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Interrupting firmware updates | The bracelet is not turned on ("brick") | Don’t turn off the cable or turn off the PC until the end of the process. |
| Installation of firmware is not for your region | Lack of NFC, failures in operation | Check the bracelet model (CN, EU, RU) |
| Resetting settings without backup | Loss of training data | Save data in Mi Fit before resetting |
| Use of informal firmware | Unstable work, mistakes | Download firmware only from verified sources |
How to restore the bracelet after a failed firmware?
- 🔌 Connect the bracelet to charge and hold the button for 10-15 seconds (forced reboot).
- 💻 Repeat the firmware with the correct file.
- 📞 Contact the service center if the bracelet does not respond to charging.
💡
If the bracelet stopped turning on after firmware, do not panic: in 90% of cases it can be restored by re-running through MiFlash or Gadgetbridge.
7. Alternative methods (if nothing has worked)
If all of the above methods fail, radical or non-standard solutions remain:
- 📲 Third-party apps: Apps like Notify & Fitness or Gadgetbridge allow you to control the bracelet without Mi Fit and sometimes offer additional languages.
- 🛠️ Flashing through MiFlash: This is a complex method that requires unlocking the bootloader and working with fastboot.
- 💰 If the bracelet is warranty, it is better to take it to the official Xiaomi service.
- 🔄 Buying a new bracelet: If the Mi Band 4 is purchased long ago and its firmware is outdated, it may be easier to purchase a new model (for example, Mi Band 7 or Mi Band 8), where the Russian language is installed by default.
Before trying alternative methods, assess the risks, for example, flashing through MiFlash can lead to loss of NFC or pulsemeter functions if the wrong firmware version is selected.