How to Include China on Xiaomi: Unlocking Hidden MIUI Features

Did you buy a Xiaomi smartphone with global firmware but want to access exclusive features of the Chinese version of MIUI? Or is your device originally designed for the Chinese market but works with restrictions? Enabling the China region on Xiaomi devices opens up access to unique features: advanced camera settings, hidden themes, more private updates and even some applications that are not available in global versions.

In this article, we will look at all the ways to change region to Chinese, from official methods through settings to manually editing configuration files, which models support this feature, how to circumvent common bugs (such as Couldn't change region), and what to do if Google services stop working after a region change, and we will also analyze the risks from loss of warranty to potential problems with Mi Account.

Important: the procedure is different for devices with locked and unlocked bootloader. If you are a beginner, start with the official method through the settings menu.Savvy users can consider options with ADB or a build.prop file modification. But remember: some actions require unlocking the bootloader, which automatically voids the Xiaomi warranty.

Why do users want to include the Chinese region on Xiaomi?

Chinese versions of MIUI differ from global ones not only in the language of the interface, but also in the key reasons why users are looking to switch:

• 📸 Advanced camera settings: Chinese firmware often has additional shooting modes (e.g. Super Moon Mode in older models), manual tuning ISO 3200+, You can save your photos in.dng format without restrictions.
• 🔄 More frequent updates: Chinese users get security patches and new features MIUI 1-3 weeks earlier than the owners of the global versions.
• 🎨 Exclusive themes and wallpapers: China’s Mi Theme Store has 40% more free themes available, including official collaborations with brands like Nike or Disney).
• 📱 Hidden functions MIUI: For example, Second Space (second desktop with separate data), App Cloner without restrictions, and Game Turbo with advanced settings for gamers.
• 🔒 Lack of pre-installed Google apps: This is a plus for those who prefer a clean system or use alternative services (e.g. Huawei Mobile Services).

However, there are downsides: some services (such as Google Pay or Netflix) may not work properly or require additional manipulation, and Chinese firmware does not include Google services by default, but must be manually installed via Open GApps or analogues.

Official method: change the region through the settings MIUI

The safest method is to use the built-in region change feature, which works on most Xiaomi devices (except for models with a locked bootloader and some older smartphones on MIUI 10 and below).

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Region (or Settings) → Additional settings → Region).
2. If you don't have this option, try India first, then go back to the menu, which sometimes helps unlock the Chinese region.
3. Confirm the change. The device will restart.
4. After the reboot, check the current region in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. CN (China) should be displayed.

If the region hasn’t changed after the reboot or if there is a Couldn’t change region error, try the following:

Delete. SIM-map (sometimes the operator blocks the change of region)|Connect to another Wi-Fi network (for example, via a Wi-Fi network) VPN Chinese IP)|Update. MIUI last-minute|Reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings|Try to change the region through ADB (see next section)-->

Attention! on some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) after the change of region to Chinese may lose support LTE-Before the procedure, check the modem compatibility with local operators on the FrequencyCheck website.

Change of region through ADB (for experienced users)

If the official method didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge, and the advantage of the method is that it works even on devices with a locked bootloader (but not on all models).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB drivers (for example, via Mi PC Suite) and open the command line in the adb.exe folder.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
5. Execute the command to change region: adb shell settings put global region CN
6. Reboot the device: adb reboot

After the reboot, check the region in Settings → About Phone. If the CN is showing the old region, try the alternative command:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings\$RegionSettingsActivity

Warning: Some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro) may reset the IMEI after changing region via ADB. To avoid this, back up your data via Mi Cloud or TWRP (if installed) before the procedure.

Chinese version of MIUI via Fastboot or TWRP

The Radical way to change region is to completely reflash the device to the Chinese version of MIUI, which gives a 100% guarantee of results, but requires an unlocked bootloader and carries the risk of data loss, the method is suitable for users who want not only to change the region, but also to get all the chips of Chinese firmware.

Important: Before you run the firmware, check the compatibility of the model, POCO F3 It has separate firmware for the global (alioth_global) Installing an inappropriate firmware can lead to a brick (complete inoperability) device.

Instructions for firmware via Fastboot:

1. Download the official Chinese firmware for your model from MIUI Downloads (choose the version marked China Stable or China Developer).
2. Unclose the firmware file to the folder from fastboot.exe (from the Mi Flash Tool package).
3. Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode: turn off the device, then press Volume down + Power.
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and launch the Mi Flash Tool. Select the firmware folder and press Refresh - the device must be determined.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning) mode. + Lock the bootloader. Press Flash.

It takes 5-10 minutes. Once you reboot, you'll have pure Chinese firmware with the CN region.

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If Google Play is missing after the firmware, install it manually through Open GApps (choose the pico option for minimum weight).

Warning: Firmware on Chinese MIUI devices originally designed for other regions (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Global) can lead to:

• 📵 Loss of support 4G/LTE in your country (due to different modems).
• 🔋 Reduce battery life (Chinese firmware is often optimized for other operating conditions).
• 🛠️ Problems with updates OTA (You will have to install them manually).

Problems with changing the region

Even if you've successfully switched from a region to a Chinese one, you can have problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If after changing the region, the device began to slow down or discharge quickly, try:

1. Perform a reset settings through Settings → Additional → Reset settings.
2. Disable unnecessary background processes in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.
3. Install a custom core (e.g., FrancoKernel) to improve performance.

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If you plan to use Chinese firmware for the long term, register Mi Account with the Chinese region, which will help avoid problems with updates and data synchronization.

How to bring the world back if something goes wrong

If you have a critical problem after you change region (e.g., the connection is not working or the device is not turning on), you can turn it back, depending on the method you used initially:

• 🔄 If you have changed your region through settings: repeat the procedure by selecting your original region (e.g. Russia or Global).
• 🖥️ If you've used ADB: Adb shell settings put global region RU (substitute RU country-code).
• 📱 If you've been stitching Chinese MIUI: You will need to re-run the global version through Fastboot or TWRP.

If, after returning to the global region, the device requires the Mi Account to be unlocked (e.g., this device is locked), it means that the account is tied to the Chinese region.

1. Connect to a VPN with Chinese IP.
2. Go to the Mi Account website and change your account region to a global one.
3. Reset the device.

If nothing works, the last option is to contact Xiaomi’s service center to ask you to unlock the device. note that this can cost up to 30% of the price of the smartphone, and the warranty will be canceled.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the region to Xiaomi