Why Your Mi Band 5 Shows Chinese Characters and How to Fix It
You just unpacked the new Xiaomi Mi Band 5, but instead of the usual letters, you see some strange characters on the screen? This is typical of devices bought on Chinese marketplaces or brought from abroad. The manufacturer often delivers bracelets with firmware adapted to the local market to different regions - and the Chinese version uses simplified Chinese language by default.
The good news is that you can change your language to Russian in 5-10 minutes, and in a number of ways. The bad news is that if you've tried to reflash the bracelet through third-party utilities, you may have encountered errors like Failed to connect or Unsupported device. In this article, we'll look at all the working methods from the official Mi Fit app to manual firmware updates, and explain why the bracelet sometimes "refuses" to switch to Russian.
Spoiler: 90% of the time, the problem is solved through the app’s settings, but there are nuances with regional versions of the bracelets (marked with letters in the serial number).If your Mi Band 5 is NFC-marked and bought in China, an additional step will be required – more on this below.
Method 1: Change the language through the official Mi Fit app
The easiest and safest method is to use the Xiaomi Mi Fit app, which is suitable for most users if the bracelet does not have any “iron” restrictions by region.
- Install the Mi Fit app from Google Play or the App Store.The version should be at least 4.6.0 - older ones may not support Mi Band 5.
- Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required!) without linking to your account, the language change will not be available.
- Connect the bracelet via Bluetooth. In the app, select Profile → Add Device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 5.
- Update the firmware (if it offers it). After connecting, check the About bracelet → Update the firmware.
- Change region in the app settings: Open Profile → Settings → Region. Choose Russia (or another Russian-speaking country, such as Belarus or Kazakhstan). Reboot the app and wait for sync with the bracelet.
Check the tongue.
Bracelet settings → Language
Russian
⚠️ Note: If there is no Russian in the list of languages, then your bracelet has a Chinese regional firmware with hardware locking).
Download the latest version of Mi Fit|Registering a Xiaomi account|Connect the bracelet to the phone|Update the firmware to current|Replace the region with “Russia"-->
Method 2: Use the Zepp app (formerly Amazfit)
Since 2021, Xiaomi has been migrating some of the Mi Band features to the Zepp app (formerly known as Amazfit), a method that is relevant if Mi Fit doesn't see your bracelet or suggest changing your language.
- Remove Mi Fit (if installed) and download Zepp from Google Play or the App Store.
- Sign up (you can use the same Xiaomi account as you do with Mi Fit).
- Connect the bracelet: Devices → Add → Mi Smart Band 5.
- Go to Profile → Settings → Device language and select Russian.
- Synchronize data (cloud icon in the upper right corner).
- Use the MiBand5Tools utility: git clone https://github.com/Freeyourgadget/Gadgetbridge cd Gadgetbridge./gradlew installDebug or download the ready-made APK for Android.
- Sweat the bracelet: Open Gadgetbridge and plug the bracelet. Go to Settings → Install firmware and select the downloaded file. Wait for completion (the bracelet will reboot several times).
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet doesn't turn on or vibrates constantly after firmware is done, try resetting it to factory settings via Gadgetbridge (Reset section). If that doesn't work, run the original Chinese firmware and repeat the process.
What to do if the bracelet is frozen after firmware?
How to determine the version of the bracelet and the desired firmware
Not all firmware is suitable for Mi Band 5. To avoid errors, first determine the exact model of your device.
- Look at the box: If you have an NFC label, you have a contactless payment version. CN or China is Chinese firmware. Global or RU is the international version.
Check the serial number.
- Turn the bracelet over and find a sticker with a code (e.g., XMSH10HM).
- The first 4 characters (XMSH) are the model, the following are the region and the date of release.
- Compare this with the compatibility table:
| Marking | Region | Supported languages | Is a handmade firmware required for Russian? |
|---|---|---|---|
| XMSH10HM | China (CN) | Chinese, English | Yes. |
| XMSH11HM | Global (Global) | Russian, English, German, etc. | No. |
| XMSH12HM | NFC (China) | Chinese, English | Yes (with limitations) |
| XMSH13HM | NFC (Global) | Russian, English, etc. | No. |
💡 Useful advice: If your bracelet has a marking NFC, But purchased in China, before the firmware disable the contactless payment module in the settings (if it is active.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
Even with the instructions, users are faced with problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:
- 🔄 The bracelet doesn't sync with the app: Check if Bluetooth is enabled and the geolocation on the phone is enabled. Remove the bracelet from the list of devices in Bluetooth settings and reconnect. Reinstall the Mi Fit or Zepp app.
- 📵 The language changed, but some of the inscriptions remained in Chinese: This is normal for some screens (for example, low charge notifications). Full Russian interface is available only in global firmware. Update the firmware to the latest version through Settings → The bracelet. → Update.
- ⚡ Bracelet discharges too quickly after firmware: Reset to factory settings (Settings) → Disable unnecessary functions (e.g., constant pulse or notifications).
- 🔌 Computer doesn't see bracelet when connected via cable: Try another USB-port (preferably) USB Disable the antivirus – it can block drivers. Use the original Xiaomi cable (not all chargers are suitable for firmware).
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet starts to overheat or does not hold charge after manual firmware, return to the original firmware immediately!
💡
Before manual firmware, always check the file compatibility with your bracelet model. firmware from Mi Band 6 or Mi Band 4 will bring the device down!
Alternatives: If nothing helps
If all of these methods fail, radical measures remain, and they should only be used as a last resort:
- 🔧 Official service centers Xiaomi can reflash the bracelet for 500-1000 rubles. Before the visit, check whether they work with the Chinese versions – not all centers take on such devices.
- 📦 Buy a new bracelet: If your Mi Band 5 has a hardware lock (for example, NFC-The Chinese version is sometimes cheaper to buy a global version on AliExpress or in local stores. 5 — from 1500 Ruble, Mi Band 6/7 — from 2500 ruble.
- 🛠️ Use a bracelet without Russian: With Mi Fit or Zepp, you can adjust the vibration for notifications and use basic functions (stepmer, pulse) without an interface. There are picture guides on the web that show which icons are responsible for what.
💡 Useful tip: Before buying Mi Band on Chinese websites, look for the phrase Global Version or Russian Language Supported in the description.