Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners have long since ceased to be just household appliances — they have become full-fledged participants in household life, able not only to clean, but also to interact with the owners through voice commands and alerts. Standard phrases like “Start cleaning” or “Charging is complete” become boring over time, and users have a desire to personalize their assistant. One of the most unusual requests is to replace standard sounds with obscene expressions, so that the vacuum cleaner “scolds” when collisions, stuck or finish cleaning.
At first glance, the task seems simple: replace audio files in firmware or through the Mi Home app. However, in practice it is more difficult - the manufacturer does not provide such a feature in the official settings, and any manipulation of system files can lead to loss of warranty or failure of the device. In this article, we will discuss what ways are available to customize voice alerts, how legal they are, and what to do if you still want your Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum or Viomi V3 "expressed stronger".
Spoiler: No official solution allows you to replace standard alerts with mats without hacking firmware or using third-party services. But there are workarounds, from connecting external speakers to flashing through alternative firmware. Read on to learn more and assess the risks.
Why standard alerts are not replaced with Mi Home
The Mi Home app (or its international version of Mi Home Lite) offers a wide range of customizations for Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners, but customization of voice messages is reduced to the choice of language and voice (male / female).
✅ Closed ecosystem: Alert files are stored in a secure part of the device's firmware, and even if you get root access, replacing them will require a deep knowledge of programming microcontrollers.
✅ License restrictions: Voice packages for Xiaomi are designed with voice recognition licenses (e.g., from Nuance or Baidu) in mind.
✅ Device security: The manufacturer blocks changes to system files to prevent malware or sensors from being installed (e.g., if the vacuum cleaner “forgets” to notify you of a fall from a ladder).
However, there are several ways to circumvent these limitations, from the simple (but limited) to the complex (and risky).
Method 1: Using an external speaker with triggers
The safest (and most limited) method is to connect an external speaker to the vacuum cleaner, which will play mats on the signal from the device.
- 🔊 Smart speaker (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker or Yandex Station) with automation support.
- 🤖 Robot vacuum cleaner with Mi Home or Home Assistant integration.
- 📱 Automation application (IFTTT, Node-RED or built-in scripts in Mi Home).
How it works:
- Set up alerts in Mi Home about vacuum cleaner events (for example, "Stuck", "Charging has begun").
- Create a script in IFTTT or Home Assistant that, when alerted, will send a command to play the audio file through the column.
- Upload your audio mats to the column (for example, via Yandex Alice or Google Assistant).
⚠️ Note: This method only works if the vacuum cleaner and the speaker are on the same Wi-Fi network. the delay between the event and playback can be as much as 2-5 seconds.
Make sure the vacuum cleaner and speaker are connected to the same Wi-Fi|Download the appendix IFTTT or Home Assistant|Prepare audio files with mats in format MP3|Check for support for voice commands in your column-->
Method 2: Flashing through alternative software (Valetudo)
For advanced users, there is the Valetudo project, an open firmware for robot vacuum cleaners that allows you to fully control the device, including replacing system sounds. However, this method is only suitable for models based on the Rockchip chip (for example, Viomi V3, Dreame D9).
Pros:
Cons:
- ⚠️ Loss of warranty (unofficial firmware).
- 🔌 Risk of "bricking" the device in case of error.
- 🛠️ Skills required to work with ADB and SSH.
Step-by-step:
- Check the compatibility of your model on the Valetudo website.
- Download firmware and utilities to unlock the bootloader (rkdeveloptool for Rockchip).
- Connect the vacuum cleaner to the PC via USB (disassembly of the case may be required).
- Replace the audio files in /mnt/default/rockrobo/tts/ with your own (WAV format, 16kHz bitrate).
- Swipe the device through fastboot.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop) 2 Lite) have firmware protection. Be sure to check the forums (e.g., before starting, 4PDA ordredit r/Roborock) Successful cases for your model.
What happens if you interrupt the firmware?
Method 3: Modification through Root Access (Experience Only)
If your vacuum cleaner model runs on Android (such as some versions of Viomi), it is theoretically possible to root and replace system audio files.
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (you need an official key from Xiaomi, which is difficult to get).
- 📁 Editing files in /system/media/audio/.
- 🔄 Rewrite the system partition with the risk of data damage.
Example of commands for file replacement (ADB required):
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
cp /sdcard/custom_swear.wav /system/media/audio/tts/
chmod 644 /system/media/audio/tts/custom_swear.wav
reboot⚠️ Note: Even if you successfully replace files, there is a risk that after updating the firmware through Mi Home, all changes will reset.
Method 4: Voice assistant with triggers (bypass)
If you don't want to risk firmware, you can use a voice assistant (like Alice or Google Assistant) to play back mats on command from a vacuum cleaner.
- Set up vacuum cleaner event notifications in Mi Home (e.g., “Cleaning completed”).
- Create a routine in Google Home or a skill in Yandex Dialogues that will respond to these notifications.
- Upload your audio recordings to the assistant (for example, through the Soundoftext service to convert text to speech).
📌 Example of settings in Google Assistant:
- Open Settings → Automation → Create a routine.
- Select “Received Notice from Mi Home” as a trigger.
- Add the action "Play Media" and select the downloaded audio file.
✅ Plus: No risk to the vacuum cleaner.
❌ Cons: Only works if the phone/column is on and connected to the Internet.
💡
If you use Yandex Station, you can write your phrases through the Voice Skill service in Yandex Dialogs, and you need to create a script with a notification trigger and a "Say Text" action with the right words.
Comparison of methods: what to choose?
To make it easier for you to navigate, put all the ways in the table:
| Method | Difficulty | Risks. | Equipment required | Sound delay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External speaker + IFTTT | ⭐ (simple) | No. | Smart speaker, phone. | 2-5 seconds |
| Valetudo firmware | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | Loss of warranty, brick | Computer, USB-cable | Instantly. |
| Root access | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | Disable, reset settings | Computer, ADB | Instantly. |
| Voice assistant | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | No. | Phone/column with assistant | 1-3 seconds |
💡
The safest way is to use an external speaker with triggers, but it depends on third-party devices, and full customization will require firmware reflashing, which will void the warranty.
Legal and ethical aspects
Before replacing standard alerts with mats, consider a few points:
📜 Any modifications to the firmware may be considered a violation of Xiaomi’s user agreement, resulting in the loss of warranty.
👂 Public nuisance: If a vacuum cleaner swears with a mat in front of children or guests, it can cause discontent (up to complaints to the management company if the sound is heard outside the apartment).
🛠️ Technical limitations: Some models (Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P) have protection against changing system files, and bypassing them can result in the device being locked.
💡 Alternative: If you just want a change, consider replacing standard alerts with humorous phrases (e.g., "Host, I'm stuck in your socks again.