How to change the language in Contacts on Xiaomi: all the ways of 2026

Xiaomi’s Contacts app sometimes displays names and interfaces in uncomfortable language — especially if the phone was bought overseas or reset to factory settings. Unlike the system language, which changes in basic settings, the language in Contacts can depend on several factors: MIUI version, regional firmware, and even sync with a Google account.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to change the language in Contacts on Xiaomi, including hidden settings that most users don’t see. You’ll learn why the language can reset after updates, how to fix the problem with characters in names, and what to do if the desired language is not on the list.

Why is the language in Contacts different from the system language?

Many users are faced with a situation where the entire interface of the smartphone is in Russian, and Contacts show names in Chinese, English or other languages. MIUI:

• 📱 Regional firmware: If your Xiaomi is purchased in China or Asia, the Contacts app can use the default firmware language even if you’ve changed the system.
• ☁️ Google Sync: Contacts imported from a Google account can display the language that was set when they were created (e.g. in Gmail in English).
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: After major updates (for example, with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) language settings may be reset.
• 📊 Double Contacts: If you have duplicate contacts (e.g., from the SIM-Maps and Google, the app can show them in different languages.

It is important to understand that the language in Contacts consists of two parts: the application interface (menu, buttons) and the display of names (how the contacts themselves are saved).

Method 1: Change the Contact Language through MIUI settings

If you change the menu and button language in the Contacts app (for example, instead of "Add Contact" you see "Add Contact"), you need to change the system settings of the language. MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open the settings (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the section Additional → Language and input (on some firmware the path may be Settings → Language and region).
3. Click on the language (the first item in the list).
4. Choose Russian (or any other language you want) from the list. If you don't have one, click Add language and search.
5. Drag your chosen language to the top of the list – this will make it the main one.

After changing the language in Contacts, you should update automatically. If this does not happen, follow the following steps:

Close the Contacts app through the Multitasking Menu|Reboot your smartphone|Check if the application has been installed Contacts from a third-party source (not from a third-party source). MIUI)|Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system-->

⚠️ Note: Some Chinese firmware (China) ROM) The list of languages may be limited. If you can't see Russian, you'll have to install global firmware. ROM) or use alternative methods (see Method 3).

Method 2: Correction of the language of contact names (hieroglyphs, transliterate)

If the problem isn't the interface, but that the contact names are displayed in hieroglyphics or transliterates (e.g., "Ivan Ivanov" becomes "Ivan Ivanov" or "·"), the reason lies in the display settings. Here's how to fix it:

Step 1: Open the Contacts app and tap on three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner. Select Settings.

Step 2: Find Display Contacts as, and there are two key parameters:

• 🔤 Name format: Select Name or Surname Name depending on the order you are familiar with.
• 🌍 Display Language: If there is such a point, install Russian or System.

Step 3: If there is no language option, try clearing the app cache: Settings → Apps → App management → Contacts → Storage → Clear the cache.

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If the contacts are displayed in characters, try exporting them to the.vcf file (via Settings → Export), opening the file on your computer in a notebook, and replacing the encoding with UTF-8, then importing it back.

Method 3: Installation of global firmware (for Chinese ROM)

If your Xiaomi is running on China ROM, the list of available languages in Contacts can be greatly curtailed.The only radical solution is to reflash the device to the global version of MIUI (Global ROM).

Warning: firmware is a risky operation that can lead to data loss or locking the device if something is wrong.

If you decide to go ahead yourself, follow the instructions:

1. Download the official global firmware for your model from en.miui.com (choose Global or EEA).
2. Save the firmware file (usually with the.zip extension) to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Select firmware file.
5. Specify the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

⚠️ Note: System Update firmware only works for transitions between versions of a single branch (e.g., with MIUI 14 China on MIUI 14 Global.If you want to upgrade from Android 12 to Android 13, you will need to unlock the bootloader and firmware via Fastboot.

Method 4: Use of alternative contact applications

If neither of these methods worked, or you don’t want to risk firmware, you can install a side of the contact management app. They don’t depend on Xiaomi’s system settings and often offer more options for customizing the language.

The best alternatives to standard contact:

• 📇 Google Contacts is the official Google app, supports all languages and syncs with your account.
• 🔗 Truecaller - not only determines numbers, but also allows you to edit contacts with the correct display of Cyrillic.
• 📱 Simple Contacts is an open source minimalist application where the interface language and names are configured separately.
• 🌐 Contacts+ — Supports manual language change for each contact, convenient for multilingual users.

To transfer contacts to the new app:

1. Export contacts from the standard Contacts → Settings → Export (save the.vcf file).
2. Install the selected application from the Play Market.
3. Import contacts via the import menu in the new app (usually in the settings or via the "+" button).
4. Turn off the display of standard contacts in the account settings (Settings → Accounts → Contacts → Disable Local Contacts).

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Alternative contact apps not only solve the language problem, but also add useful features: backup to the cloud, integration with messengers and spam protection.

Method 5: Manually editing contacts (for individual names)

If the problem affects only a few contacts, it is easiest to edit them manually, which is true when the names are saved in the wrong encoding (for example, after importing from an old phone).

How to fix it:

1. Open the Contacts app and find a problem contact.
2. Slip on it, then click Edit (pencil icon).
3. Remove the current name and re-enter it in the desired language.
4. Check the Notes field – sometimes there are duplicate names in other languages.
5. Save the changes.

If there are many contacts, you can use batch editing:

• 📤 Export all contacts to.vcf file.
• 💻 Open the file on your computer in a text editor (e.g. Notepad)++) Replace incorrect characters with the Find and Replace function".
• 📥 Import the corrected file back to your phone.

⚠️ Note: When manually editing a.vcf file, do not change its structure (line). BEGIN:VCARD and END:VCARD Errors in the format can lead to loss of contacts.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When changing the language in Contacts, users often make mistakes that lead to new problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

If the language in Contacts is still unchanged after all the manipulations, check if a third-party developer (e.g. a carrier) has installed the Contacts app on your phone.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions