Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum cleaners have gained popularity due to a combination of functionality and affordable prices, but many users are faced with the problem of the wrong interface language. The device purchased on AliExpress or in a Chinese store often “talks” in Chinese, and the settings are not Russian or English. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to change the language, from simple to radical, including hidden functions and nuances for different models.
Although the process seems trivial, the manufacturer does not always provide an obvious path to the solution. For example, in Mi Home, the vacuum cleaner language may not sync with the application language, and in some firmware the option is completely hidden. We tested the methods on Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite, MiJia 1C and Viomi V3 – instructions are relevant for most devices in the line.
If your vacuum cleaner is giving voice messages in an unknown language or displaying characters in the application, don't rush to reset it to factory settings. 80% of the time, the problem is solved in 5 minutes through official software or alternative firmware. But there are pitfalls: for example, after changing the region to Mi Home, some functions (such as zoning) can temporarily disappear.
In this article you will find:
- 🔧 The official way through the Mi Home app (works for most models).
- 📱 Alternative methods using third-party utilities (for advanced users).
- ⚙️ Manual change through button combinations on the vacuum cleaner body.
- ⚠️ What to do if the language does not change – diagnosis and radical measures.
Before you start, make sure your vacuum cleaner is connected to Wi-Fi and updated to the latest firmware, which will eliminate errors associated with outdated software.
1. Method through the application Mi Home: step-by-step instructions
The most reliable and recommended method is to change the language through the official app, which is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P, MiJia STYJ02YM and Viomi V2.
Algorithm of action:
- Open the Mi Home app and go to the Profile tab → Settings → Region.
- Choose a country with the desired language (for example, Russia for Russian or United States for English).
- Return to the home screen, find your vacuum cleaner in the list of devices and click on it.
- Go to Device Settings → General → Language (this can be called Voice Pack or Language).
- Download and install the language package you need (requires a stable Internet connection).
If there is no language item on the menu, try the following:
- 🔄 Update the vacuum cleaner firmware through Settings → Update of the PO.
- 📱 Reinstall the Mi Home app (sometimes cache interferes with the options display).
- 🌐 Change your account region to China, then return it – this resets the cache of settings.
Download the latest version of Mi Home from the App Store/Google Play|
Make sure the vacuum cleaner is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the phone.|
Check your Mi Account balance (sometimes language packs are required)|
The charge of the vacuum cleaner should be at least 20%-->
Important: Once you change region, some features (like Yandex Alice integration or Google Assistant) may temporarily shut down.
2. Change of language through a combination of buttons on the body
If you don’t have access to the Mi HomeLost app or vacuum cleaner, you can try the hardware method, which works on most Xiaomi Mi Robot and Viomi models, but requires strict compliance with instructions.
Instructions:
- Turn off the vacuum cleaner by holding the power button for 3 seconds.
- Press the Home button and Power buttons for 5-7 seconds at the same time until you hear the beep.
- Release the buttons – the vacuum cleaner will issue a voice message in the current language (e.g., Chinese, which means “tune the language”).
- Press the home button to switch languages, and each click is accompanied by a voice confirmation.
- After selecting the desired language, hold the power for 3 seconds to save.
List of available languages and their voice prompts:
| Language | Voice prompt (transcription) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese | '(Jungwen) | Default set on most devices |
| English | "English" | Available in all firmware |
| Russian | "Russian." | Requires preloading of the package in Mi Home |
| German | "Deutsch" | It is found in European firmware. |
| Japanese | '(nihongo) | Rarely, only in Asian versions. |
What to do if the buttons do not respond?
⚠️ Note: on some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro) the hardware method is blocked by the manufacturer, in which case only resetting or firmware via Mi Home is left.
3. Alternative methods: third-party firmware and utilities
If the official methods don't work, you can use informal tools, which are suitable for advanced users and require technical skills, and we'll look at two options: firmware through Valetudo and manually installing a language package.
Method 1: Valetudo firmware (for power users)
- 🔧 Required: root access to the vacuum cleaner, USB-cable.
- 📥 Steps: Download Valetudo, an alternative open source firmware. Connect the vacuum cleaner to your PC via USB (You may need to disassemble the case to access the port. Run the firmware script via adb or ssh (GitHub instructions). After installation, select the language in the Valetudo web interface (available). ~20 languages, including Russian).