How to Russify Xiaomi Redmi 9A: Global firmware and localization

Buying a Xiaomi Redmi 9A smartphone at popular Asian venues often turns into a pleasant surprise in the form of a low price, but immediately confronts the owner with a language barrier. The device can come with a Chinese firmware (CN ROM), where the interface is fully or partially made in Chinese, and the usual Google services are absent. This creates a sense of complexity, but the process of adapting the gadget to Russian realities has been worked out for years and does not require engineering education.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to turn a Chinese into a full-fledged phone for use in the CIS. We will look at methods from simple change of region in settings to complete flashing of the device through the computer. It is important to understand that the Xiaomi Redmi 9A is based on the MediaTek processor, which brings its own features to the recovery or installation of software, different from devices on Snapdragon.

⚠️ Attention: Any manipulation of smartphone software carries risks. Wrong actions can lead to the loss of warranty or turn the device into a brick.

Before you start to take action, you need to assess the current state of your device: if the menu of the phone is available in English, but there is no Russian, or Russian is, but it is a "crook" (machine translation), then the situation is less critical than the complete lack of the right languages. In the first case, it is often enough just to change the region, in the second - you will need a deeper intervention in the system.

Evaluation of firmware version and preparation of the device

The first step is always to diagnose. You need to understand which version of the operating system you are dealing with: Global ROM, China ROM or custom build from the seller. To do this, go to the settings and find the About phone section. If the MIUI Version contains the letters MI (for example, MIUI Global Stable), then you are lucky - you have a global version, and Russian should be the default language there.

If you see the letters, CN If you have China, and you don't have a Google Play Store, you have the Chinese version, and if you do that, you can't just switch the language, because Chinese firmware often cuts out the libraries and language packages we need. It is also worth checking whether the bootloader is unlocked.For most flashing methods, other than the official ones. OTA-Updates, the presence of an unlocked bootloader is a prerequisite.

There is an important nuance for owners of Redmi 9A with a MediaTek processor: unlocking the bootloader in the official way on these devices is often impossible or extremely difficult compared to models on Qualcomm. Therefore, the main methods of Russification for this model will rely either on built-in system capabilities or on specialized tools that do not require superuser rights in the classical sense.

Basic setting of the language and region without flashing

If your smartphone has an English menu, but there is Russian in the list of languages, then you do not need to flash anything. Often users buy what is called "Global Version" with a Chinese box, but global firmware inside. In this case, you can set the settings competently. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language & input → Languages and select Russian.

However, even if you have Russian, notifications, holiday calendars and some system applications may not work correctly. To correct this, you need to change the region. In the settings menu, find the Region and set the value Russia or Ukraine/Belarus. This action will automatically adjust the LTE frequency bands, change the format of the date and time, and activate the correct operation of Xiaomi system services.

Once the region is changed, the system may offer to update some applications through the built-in GetApps store. Accept an update, as this will help replace the Chinese versions of programs with their global counterparts. If the Russian language is not on the list at all, or it appears only after choosing exotic regions like India or Nepal, but works incorrectly, you will have to resort to more radical measures.

Installing Google Services on the Chinese Version

The Chinese version of Redmi 9A lacks Google services by default, because they are blocked in China. Without them, the phone loses half of its functionality: YouTube, Gmail, navigation and many games do not work. Fortunately, in modern versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 11 and above), Google frameworks are often already built into the system, but hidden from the user.

To activate them, go to account settings. The path may vary depending on the version of MIUI, but usually it is: Settings → Accounts & sync. At the bottom of the screen or in the menu (three dots) should be the option Add Google account. When you first turn on this feature, the system will finish the necessary components and offer to install the Google Play Store.

⚠️ Note: If you try to add a Google account, you have a connection error or infinite download, check the date and time. Wrong date is a common cause of security certificate failures.

In some cases, especially on very fresh or old firmware versions, the automatic installation may not work. APK-This little package downloads and installs the four main components: Services Framework, Services, Account Manager and Play Store. Once installed, be sure to restart the device through the Power off menu.

The method of changing the region through the Mi Credit application

There is a specific but effective method of activating Russian language and Google services on some Chinese builds, based on changing the region of the system application Mi Credit. This method does not require a computer and works on many devices with MediaTek processors, including Redmi 9A. The essence of the method is to make the system service believe that the phone is in another country.

To start, look for the Mi Credit app on your desktop (often with a red currency icon). If it's not on your desktop, look in the Tools or System folder. Open the app, click on the avatar or profile menu in the corner, then select Settings → Region. Change region from China to India, Russia or Ukraine.

After changing region to Mi Credit, go back to the main phone settings. → Additional settings → Language & input. Now the list of languages should appear full-fledged Russian language, and the system activates the necessary services. This method is good because it does not violate the integrity of the system partition and allows you to get official OTA-update.

Complete flashing on Global ROM via computer

If the soft methods didn't help and you need a "clean" global firmware without Chinese garbage, you'll have to do a firmware reflash. 9A This process has its own characteristics due to the MediaTek Helio chip. G25. You will need a computer running Windows, original USB-cable and downloaded firmware in.zip (Recovery) or.tgz (Fastboot) format).

To start, you need to unlock the bootloader, which on MediaTek models often requires submitting an application through the official Mi Unlock application and waiting for 7 to 30 days. Without an unlocked bootloader, you can not install global firmware over Chinese (blocking regions will not allow this). Once you get Unlocked status, download the official global firmware for Redmi 9A (codename dandelion) from miui.com.

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Use it. USB-port 2.0 computer-based USB-hub USB 3.0/3.1 on some motherboards can cause timeouts when you firmware MediaTek-devices, which will lead to a process error.

The firmware process is Fastboot. Turn off the phone, press the volume button, and connect the cable to the PC. Launch the utility. mi_flash.exe (Select the downloaded archive with the firmware, make sure you select Clean all mode, and press the Flash button. 300 before 600 seconds.

Comparison of localization methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right path, we have put the main characteristics of the methods in a table, each method has its pros and cons, depending on your technical skills and goals.

When choosing a method, keep in mind that full flashing gives the cleanest result, but takes time to unlock the bootloader.

⚠️ Note: When reflashing with China ROM Globally ROM Make sure to select the "Clean All" mode. + Lock may lead to a cyclical reboot due to conflict of regions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The most reliable way to get a fully Russian Redmi 9A is to unlock the bootloader and flash the official Global ROM through the Fastboot, but it takes time and skill.