How to Russify Xiaomi Chinese TV: 5 Proven Ways

Buying a Xiaomi TV on Chinese platforms (such as AliExpress or Gearbest) promises a bargain price, but often comes with an unpleasant surprise: the interface is in Chinese or English without the choice of Russian. The manufacturer does not officially support Russification for all regions, but this does not mean that the problem is unsolvable. TV 4/4A/4S/5/5 Pro, Redmi Smart TV and other models, including firmware methods, ADB-commands and third-party applications.

The main difficulty is that the Chinese versions of Xiaomi TVs often lack even the option of choosing a language in the settings. In some cases, the menu is entirely in Chinese, which makes navigation difficult. However, since 2022, the situation has improved: some models (for example, the Mi TV Q2 2023) support multitasking mode with a Russifier through workarounds. We will consider both official methods (if they are available for your model) and alternative methods – from installing APK to manual editing system files.

1. Check the current version of the software and available languages

Before you start Russification, make sure your TV doesn't support Russian out of the box. In some regional firmware (e.g. Europe or India), Russian is already embedded in the system, but hidden.

Go to Settings → Device → About TV..Look for Version or MIUI TV Version. If the software version starts with:

• 🔹 CN (for example, MIUI TV 2.0.196 CN) — Chinese firmware without Russian;
• 🔹 IN or EU — Indian/European firmware where Russian can be available;
• 🔹 RU — Russian firmware (Russian is already installed).

If there is no Russian in the Settings → Language and Region menu, but there is English, try switching to English temporarily – sometimes this will unlock additional languages. On Chinese firmware, the path to languages looks like this: → → → → →.

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On some models (for example, Mi TV 4A 32), Russian appears after connecting to the Internet and automatically updating. Try to update the software through Settings → About → System Update.

2.Official method: change the region through Mi Account

The safest method is to link the TV to a Mi Account registered in a Russian-language-supported region (e.g. Russia or Belarus), which works for 2020 and later models:

1. Go to Settings → Account and Security → Add an account.
2. Log in to an existing Mi Account or create a new one by specifying the country of Russia when registering.
3. After authorization, restart the TV (Settings → Reboot).
4. Check the language section, Russian should appear.

If the method did not work, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🚫 TV tied to China region at firmware level;
• 🚫 You have a model older than 2019 (e.g. Mi). TV 3S);
• 🚫 Mi Account was created in China or other region without Russian support.

3. Russification through ADB-teams (without root)

If the official methods did not help, you can forcibly add Russian through debugging. ADB. This method works for most Xiaomi models. TV Android TV 9.0 and newer, but requires a computer and USB-cable.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About TV; Find the MIUI TV Version string and click on it 7 times in a row; You will be notified you have become a developer.

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → Developer Parameters

USB 3.0

ADB Tools

adb.exe

adb devices

(A device should be displayed, e.g. 192.168.x.x:5555)

adb shell

setprop persist.sys.locale ru-RU

setprop persist.sys.country RU

reboot

After the reboot, the interface should become Russian-speaking. If the language has changed partially (for example, there are Chinese inscriptions on some menus), follow the additional command:

adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.settings

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ADB-The method does not require root rights and is reversible: to return the Chinese language, repeat the commands by replacing the `ru-RU` on `zh-CN`.

Installation of Russifier via APK (for Android TV)

If ADB didn’t help or you don’t want to mess with commands, you can install a third-party Russifier app, which is suitable for Android TV 8.0+, where you have access to Google Play or the ability to install APK.

The best applications for Russification:

How to install APK on Xiaomi TV:

1. Download. APK-russifier USB-accumulator.
2. Connect the flash drive to the TV and open the File Manager (or Explorer).
3. Start the APK installation by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
4. After installation, open the application and select Russian (Russia).

Firmware instructions:

1. Download firmware for your model: Official global – from the site Xiaomi Firmware (look for versions marked Global); Custom – on the forums 4PDA or XDA-Developers.

FAT32

Menu + Volume Down

(for Mi TV 4/5) or

Home + Back + Volume Up

(for Redmi TV).

Apply update from USB

Wait until the power is finished (don’t turn off!) and restart the TV.

⚠️ Note: Firmware of Mi models TV Q1/Q2 2023 MediaTek processor requires a special tool SP Flash Tool. It's better to use these TVs. ADB-method.

6.Alternative methods: remote with Russian buttons and voice assistant

If the software methods are not suitable, consider hardware solutions:

1.Remote with Russian buttons

AliExpress or JD.com sells remotes for Xiaomi TV with Russian inscriptions (for example, for Mi TV 4A or Redmi TV), they connect via Bluetooth and duplicate the functions of the original remote, but with convenient localization.

2.Voice assistant

Models with Google Assistant (e.g. Mi TV Q2 2023) support voice commands in Russian. Activate the assistant with a button on the remote control or say "OK, Google", then give commands like:

• 🎤 "Turn on Netflix";
• 🎤 "Turn up the volume";
• 🎤 "Find the Interstellar movie".

3. Android TV set-top box

If Russification is not possible, connect an external console (such as Xiaomi Mi Box S or NVIDIA Shield) via HDMI. It completely replaces the TV interface, providing Russian language and access to Google Play.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Russification of Xiaomi TV