How to Russify and Customize Xiaomi’s Chinese TV: The Complete Guide

Chinese versions of Xiaomi TVs (Mi series) TV 4/5, Redmi Smart TV) Often come with firmware optimized for the Asian market: no Russian language, no Google Play, and some services (for example, YouTube or Netflix) work with restrictions, while the “iron” of such models is identical to the global versions, and the price is lower than the price of the product. 20-40%. In this guide - step-by-step instructions for Russification, taking into account current firmware 2026 year, including bypassing locks and recovering from errors.

The main problem of Chinese Xiaomi TV — region-bound CN (China, which blocks the Russian language change in the standard menu, can be solved in three ways: 1) By installing global firmware through the Internet. OTA or USB, 2) Manual addition of a language package through ADB, 3) Using detours to change the region through VPN And the Mi Account.

Each method has nuances: for example, firmware through USB requires the unlocking of the loader, and ADB-Teams may not work on new HyperOS models.

Important: If your TV is purchased after July 2023, it is likely that it has HyperOS-based firmware (replacement). MIUI TV). For such models, standard Russification methods may not be suitable - you will need additional configuration via Fastboot or the use of specialized utilities like Mi. TV Unlock Tool. This article presents the latest solutions for both systems.

1. Preparing TV for Russification

Before starting the procedure, you need to follow several critical steps to avoid "brick" (breaking firmware) or loss of warranty.

• 📺 Click on the remote Settings → On TV. → Write down the full name (for example, MIUI TV 3.0.12 CN).
• 🔍 Contrast the model with Xiaomi's official list.Chinese versions usually have a suffix _CN (Like Mi. TV 5 Pro 65" CN).
• 🔌 Connect the TV to the network via an Ethernet cable (Wi-Fi can interrupt the download of the firmware).
• 🔋 Make sure that the TV is connected to an uninterruptible power source – a power outage during firmware will lead to a breakdown.

If your TV has already been connected to your Mi Account, be sure to exit (Settings) → Account. → Otherwise, after reset, you may need to enter the associated phone number that was used in the first setting. It is also recommended to disable the Find Device function (if it is active), as it can block the installation of unofficial software.

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS TVs (released after mid-2023), a factory reset via menus can cause anti-rollback protection to be activated, meaning that once reset, you won’t be able to install the old firmware version. Check the HyperOS version in the settings – if it is above 1.0.23, use only methods without a complete reset.

2. Method 1: Installation of global firmware through USB

This method is suitable for most Mi models. TV redmi TV base MIUI TV (The idea is to force the TV through the ports. USB The advantage of this method is the complete Russification and unlocking of Google Play, the disadvantage is the risk of loss of warranty.

Steps for firmware:

1. Download the firmware for your model from miuirom.org or Xiaomi Firmware Updater.Look for files marked Global or EEA (Europe, for example, for Mi TV 5 Pro, it could be a file. l55m5-5arr_global_images_3.0.12.zip.
2. Unpack the archive and copy the file update.zip on a flash drive formatted in FAT32 (maximum — 32 GB).
3. Connect the flash drive to the TV and go to Settings → About TV → System Update → Update via USB.
4. Select a file and confirm the installation. The TV will restart and start the firmware (the process will take place). 10-15 minute).

If the TV has been getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo for more than 10 minutes after the reboot, perform a forced reset:

• 🔌 Turn off power for 30 seconds.
• 🔄 Hold the Power button on your TV + Menu button on the remote for 10 seconds.
• 📱 Repeat the firmware through USB.

I downloaded the firmware for my model (Global/EEA)

The flash drive is formatted in FAT32 (size ≤32GB)

File. update.zip flash-root

TV connected to the network via Ethernet

Mi Account and Find Device account disabled

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⚠️ Note: On TVs with HyperOS (Models 2023)+ year) standard firmware through USB This may not work due to the bootloader locking, in which case you will need to use Fastboot mode and the Mi Flash Tool utility (instruction in section 4).

3. Method 2: Russification through ADB (firmwareless)

If you do not want to risk firmware or your model does not support global software, you can add Russian through Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method works on most Xiaomi TVs with the MIUI TV It is also partially on HyperOS, but does not unlock Google Play.

Instructions:

1. Put the debugging on. USB: Go to Settings. → About TV. Press 7 times on Version. MIUI TV, until the message "You're a developer" appears. Go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers and activate debugging by USB.

Connect the TV to the PC

USB-A → USB-A

USB-C

ADB

Open the command line.

adb devices

If the TV is determined (the serial number will appear), follow the command to add Russian:

adb shell am start -a android.settings.LOCALE_SETTINGS

In the menu, select Russian (Russia).

If the language doesn’t appear on the list, try an alternative method by replacing system files:

adb push ru-rRU /system/usr/locale/


adb shell "setprop persist.sys.locale ru-RU; setprop persist.sys.local ru_RU"

After the reboot, the TV must display the menu in Russian, but some apps (such as Mi Home) may remain in Chinese due to regional restrictions on the services themselves.

1. Enable Wireless debugging in the developer settings.

2 Connect to the same network as the TV.

3. Enter the adb connect command IP_television:3721 (IP You can find out in Settings → Network).-->

Method 3: Change the region through Mi Account and VPN

The safest, but least reliable way is to change your Mi Account region to Russia or Europe, which will allow you to download some apps in Russian, but does not guarantee full system Russification, a method suitable for TVs with HyperOS, where other methods may not work.

Step-by-step:

• 🌍 Install it on your phone or PC. VPN with servers in Russia (for example, ProtonVPN or Warp).
• 📱 Sign in to your Mi Account via your browser at account.xiaomi.com.
• 📍 Go to Profile. → Country/Region and change to Russia (passport data or Russian phone number will be required).
• 🔄 Restart the TV and log in to the same account, in some cases this will unlock the Russian language in the settings.

If the change of region did not help, try to reset the TV to factory settings after changing your account:

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Resetting and remediation → Resetting settings.
2. When you first set up, select Russia as a region and log in to your Mi Account account with the changed region.

⚠️ Note: Changing the region of your Mi Account may result in the blocking of some Chinese services (such as Mi Video or Mi Music), and Xiaomi may request proof of identity at the next sign-in – prepare a passport scan or Russian passport. SIM-map.

5. Install Google Play and Third Party Apps

Even after being Russified, Xiaomi often doesn’t have Google Play on Chinese TVs, which limits app installation.

For manual installation of Google Play:

1. Download the archive with GMS (Google Mobile Services for Android TV APKMirror, we need files: com.google.android.gms-XX.apk com.google.android.gsf-XX.apk com.android.vending-XX.apk (Google Play itself)

Copy the files onto a flash drive and connect to the TV.

X-Plore

FX File Explorer

Google Play

If the error "Application not installed" appears during installation, follow:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.gms


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.gsf




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.vending

Then repeat the installation.

6. Solving Common Mistakes After Russification

Once Russified, users often face typical problems: there is no sound in some apps, YouTube is not working in high resolution, or the TV spontaneously resets settings.

🔇 No sound in Netflix/YouTube

The problem is the lack of Widevine licenses L1 It's Chinese firmware:

• 🎵 Install. DRM Info from Google Play and check the Widevine level. L3, scoop up the global software.
• 🔄 Reinstall the YouTube app through ADB: adb uninstall com.google.android.youtube.tv adb install com.google.android.youtube.tv.apk
• 📺 Change the sound format to the output format PCM instead of Auto (Dolby).

📵 The TV does not connect to Wi-Fi

Chinese firmware may have a limited list of supported Wi-Fi regions.

1. Go to Settings. → Network → Additionally. → Wi-Fi Region.
2. Choose Europe or Russia (if there is no such item, use it). ADB: adb shell settings put global wifi_country_code RU
3. Restart the TV and reconnect.

⚙️ The TV is constantly resetting its settings.

This is because of a conflict of regional settings.

adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0


adb shell settings put global captive_portal_server none

Then manually set the date and time in the settings.

1. Turn off the TV.

2. Hold the Menu on the remote. + Power button on the TV for 10 seconds.

3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe cache partition (use volume buttons for navigation).

4.Reboot the TV (Reboot system now).

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7. Alternative methods for TVs with HyperOS

Xiaomi models TV 2023-2026 (e.g. Xiaomi) TV A Pro or Redmi Smart TV X2026) They're running a new firmware called HyperOS, which blocks standard Russification methods:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader via Fastboot (requires permission from Xiaomi, obtained through the official website).
• 📥 Installation of custom recovery (e.g, TWRP for TV) and firmware of modified software with support for the Russian language.
• 🛠️ Use of the Mi utility TV Unlock Tool (unofficial software, risk of blocking the account).

To unlock the bootloader via Fastboot:

1. Download the Mi Flash Unlock Tool and connect the TV to your PC in Fastboot mode (hold Power). + Menu when switched on).
2. Enter the command: fastboot oem unlock If the Device not unlocked error appears, register the device on the Xiaomi website and wait. SMS unlocked.
3. After unlocking, run custom recovery: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img

⚠️ Note: Unlocking the bootloader on HyperOS will void the warranty and may result in a 72-hour Mi Account lock. Xiaomi can remotely roll back changes when the next software update is made.

8 Recommendations for further use

After successfully Russifying your Xiaomi TV, follow these tips to avoid problems:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic software updates in Settings → Update the system, otherwise the TV may return to Chinese firmware.
• 🛡️ Install antivirus (e.g. Malwarebytes) – Chinese firmware often contains pre-installed software with ads.
• 📦 Create a backup of settings through ADB: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab
• 🎮 Set up game mode to reduce input delay (Settings) → Display and sound → Image mode → Game).

If you are planning to use a TV for IPTV, install players with codec support H.265 Dolby Vision, for example:

• Kodi with the addition of repositories for Russian-language channels.
• TiviMate or Smart IPTV (subscription required).
• VLC Android TV (Supports most formats).

To improve performance, disable unnecessary services:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mitv.appstore

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Russification of Xiaomi TV