Many smart homeowners face a funny but annoying problem: the vacuum cleaner speaks Chinese or makes incomprehensible sounds instead of the usual phrases. This is not a fault, but a feature of the regional version of the device. Robotic cleaners Xiaomi, Roborock and Viomi are often released for the domestic market of China, where English or Russian are not preset by default.
Fortunately, the situation is fixable. Modern models support changing voice packets through a server, and for older devices there are flashing methods. In this article, we will discuss how to get your gadget to communicate with you in a clear language or even mimic the voice of celebrities. The configuration process depends on the model and version of the software.
Before you start to get into complex manipulations, it is worthwhile to understand what control protocol your device uses. Some models, such as the Xiaomi Vacuum 1S or the Roborock S5 Max, allow you to change the language legally through the application. Others require deeper interventions in the system. It is important not to confuse these methods so as not to get a brick instead of a clean floor.
Definition of the model and firmware version
The first step should always be to identify the device accurately. There are many modifications to the Mijia ecosystem, and there is no universal "Make English" button. You need to know the exact code name of the model, which is often different from the marketing name on the box.
Open the Mi Home app and go to your vacuum cleaner card. In the upper right corner, click on three points to enter the settings menu. Find the "About the device" or "Version" item, which will show a code like rockrobo.vacuum.v1 or dreame.vacuum.mc1808. This information is critical.
Also check the current firmware version. If it is too old, the server may not offer new language packs. However, if the version is too new (especially in the last revisions of 2023-2026), manufacturers could close vulnerabilities that allow third-party intervention.
⚠️ Note: If your vacuum cleaner is purchased on AliExpress as a “Global Version” but speaks Chinese, you may have been sold a re-flashed Chinese version.
To accurately determine the capabilities of your model, use the following matching table:
| Model (Marketing) | Model code | Language change (Official) | Method of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Vacuum 1S | rockrobo.vacuum.a15 | Yes. | Through the app |
| Roborock S50/S55 | rockrobo.vacuum.v1 | No (patch needed) | VacuumZ/Root |
| Roborock S6/S6 Pro | roborock.vacuum.s6 | Yes. | Through the app |
| Xiaomi Mop 2 Pro | dreame.vacuum.p2008 | Yes. | Change of region |
Remember the code of your model, as it will be needed to find the right voice packets in the future, without this step, further action may be useless.
Legal way: changing the region and language in Mi Home
The easiest and safest way to get a vacuum cleaner to “talk” correctly is to use the official functions of the application. Many users are unaware that the voice language is often tied not to the language of the phone interface, but to the selected region of the server.
Try changing the region in the Mi Home app. Go to the profile (the "Mine" tab) and select "Settings." In "Region" change the country to the one for which the device is intended. For example, if the vacuum cleaner is European, choose any EU country. If Chinese is China (but then the interface will be in Chinese, which is inconvenient).
A more efficient method is to change the language inside the vacuum control app itself. Newer versions of the software for Roborock and Xiaomi models have a separate setting. Go to Settings → Voice Package. Here you can choose English, German or Russian, if it is available for your model.
If you have the language you want, just click on it. The vacuum cleaner downloads the audio files from the server and applies them. It can take a few minutes, at which time the device can make sounds or flash indicators. Don't interrupt the process.
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If you don't have Russian on your list, but you have English, pick it up. English voiceovers are often easier to understand and more pleasant to hear than machine Chinese fusion.
In some cases, Wi-Fi resetting helps. Press the Home and Turn on buttons (or others, depending on the model, usually a combination of two buttons) simultaneously until you hear a voice message about the network reset. After re-conjugation, the vacuum cleaner can request a choice of language.
Use of third-party software: VacuumZ and Valetudo
When the official methods don’t work, enthusiasts come to the rescue. For Rockrobo-based models (old Xiaomi and Roborock), there is a popular solution – the VacuumZ app (formerly Xiaomi Vacuum Robot) for Android, which allows you to control the device locally and change system files.
To work with VacuumZ, you will need a device token. It can be obtained through plugins for Home Assistant, Node.js or special utilities for PC, if you have a Xiaomi account. Once you receive the token, enter it into the application.
In the app menu, look for the Sounds or Voice section, where you'll see a list of available voice packs, you can download the community-generated Russian voice, or even record your voice. Files usually have the.pkg or.mp3 extension depending on the firmware version.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party software may violate the warranty. The manufacturer has the right to refuse repairs if it detects interference with the program code of the device.
For more advanced users, there is the Valetudo project, which is an open firmware that completely replaces Xiaomi's cloud management with local one, and allows you to integrate a vacuum cleaner into Home Assistant, OpenHAB or Domoticz.
Installation of Valetudo requires command line skills and an understanding of network settings. The process involves obtaining root rights, installing. FTP-It's a server that's going to vacuum and load a new binary file, and it turns the vacuum cleaner into a completely independent device.
Risks of installing custom firmware
Voice control through a smart home
If the goal is not for the vacuum cleaner to say the phrases itself, but for it to understand the commands and respond through the speaker, it's worth considering integrating with the smart home. It's a modern approach that makes the device truly "talkable."
By connecting the vacuum cleaner to Yandex Smart Home, Apple HomeKit (via Homebridge) or Google Home, you can control the cleaning with your voice. The phrases "Alice, turn on the vacuum cleaner" or "Siri, send the robot to base" work flawlessly.
To implement this scenario:
- 🏠 Install the appropriate skill in the smart speaker app (for example, the “Mi Home” skill for Yandex).
- 🔗 Log in to your Xiaomi account inside the skill.
- 🗣️ Use voice commands to start, stop, or return to base.
In this case, the vacuum cleaner itself may be silent or muttering in Chinese, but the answer to the column is in perfect Russian, which solves the problem of understanding the status of cleaning: the column will say "The vacuum cleaner finished cleaning and returned to base," which is much more informative than the standard "Cleaning completed."
This works especially well with Home Assistant, where you can set up complex scenarios, for example, if a vacuum cleaner is stuck, it can send a notification to its phone and say a message through a smart speaker throughout the apartment.
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Integration with external voice assistants is the most reliable way to get high-quality Russian voiceover of events, without interfering with the firmware of the robot itself.
Creating your own voice package
For those who want complete uniqueness, you can create your own voice pack, you can write phrases in your voice, in the voice of a child, or even in the voice of a celebrity, and it takes time, but it's worth it.
The process of creating a custom package is as follows:
- Find the original audio file set for your model (can be found on the 4PDA or GitHub forums).
- Replace the original files with your records, observing the format (bitrate, sampling frequency) and duration.
- Collect files into an archive with the correct folder structure.
- Upload the archive to the vacuum cleaner via FTP or application manager.
If the original phrase "Bumper sensor error" lasted 2 seconds, your recording should not be shorter, otherwise the system may crop, or longer, causing a malfunction in the playback queue.
There are pre-made sets, such as voiceovers from Harry Potter or Shrek for Roborock S5 models, which are similar to installing a regular language package through VacuumZ.
☑️ Checklist before sound modification
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use the Xiaomi Vacuum 1S?
Is it safe to change voice packets?
Why did the Russian language disappear after the firmware update?
Where can I find the device token?
Customizing your robot vacuum cleaner's voice is a great way to personalize your smart home, whether it's a simple change of region or deep customization through root rights, the result will make interaction with the technology more enjoyable, and the main thing is to act carefully and always be able to return the device to the factory settings.