Owners of modern cleaning devices often face situations where standard voice sounds are either not clear enough or simply annoying. Many users buy Xiaomi equipment in international versions, where the default language is Chinese or English voiceover, which creates some discomfort when operating in the Russian-speaking environment. Fortunately, the software architecture of these gadgets allows you to flexibly adjust the audio, replacing the standard files with more suitable analogues.
The process of changing the voice packet can vary depending on the specific device model and the firmware version installed on board. In some cases, it is enough to change the settings in the application, in others it will require manual file replacement through the file manager. Deep integration of the management system allows enthusiasts to even write their own phrases, turning cleaning into a unique show. In this material, we will analyze all the available methods, from simple settings in Mi Home to advanced methods using third-party software.
Not all models support full voice replacement at the system level without loss of warranty or complex manipulation, but for most popular lines such as Roborock, Dreame or Viomi, there are proven algorithms for actions. The software interface of these devices is designed for extensibility, which opens up wide possibilities for customization.
Preparation for the change of voice packet
Before you start modifying your audio, make sure your device is ready to interact with new files. First, check the firmware version of the robot vacuum cleaner through the Mi Home app. Often manufacturers add support for new languages or change the structure of file paths in updates, so the relevance of the software is critical to the successful execution of the procedure. If an update is available, perform it before any manipulations.
The second important step is to determine the exact model of your device. There are hundreds of modifications in Xiaomi and ecosystem brands, and a voice pack created for one version may not work or cause an error on another. The model ID is usually listed on the bottom of the case or in the About section of the application. Write this information down, as it will be necessary when searching for compatible voice files on the network.
Youβll also need a stable Wi-Fi connection and a smartphone with the Mi Home app installed or an alternative client like Valetudo (for advanced users). Make sure the phone and robot are on the same network to avoid data transfer issues. Some methods may require access to the smartphone file system, so install a reliable file manager to support archives in advance.
Changing the language through the Mi Home app
The easiest and safest way to change your voice is to use the regular features of the Mi Home app, which does not require root rights or complex software and is suitable for most users who just want to switch from Chinese to Russian or English.
To start, open the Mi Home app and go to the management page of your robot vacuum cleaner. Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen to get into the device's settings menu. Find a section that may be called Voice Settings, Voice Package, or Language. In some versions of the interface, this option is hidden in the General Settings sub-menus.
If you have the language you want in the list of available languages (e.g., Russian or English), just select it. The system will automatically download the required audio file from Xiaomi servers and apply changes. Once the boot is complete, the robot can restart or simply confirm the voice change with an audible signal. It is important to keep in mind that the list of available languages depends on the server to which the device is attached.
- π Open the Mi Home app and select your robot vacuum cleaner.
- βοΈ Go to the device settings via the three-point menu.
- π Find the βVoice Packβ or βVoice Packβ option in the list of options.
- π₯ Select the desired language and wait until the package loads are finished.
If the language is not listed, it means that your region's official server does not provide this package for the model, and alternative methods to install third-party voice packets come to the rescue, but you should try changing the region in the application settings before you do, although this may require reassignment of the device.
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If you change the region in the app, the device may temporarily disappear from the list. Don't panic - just add it again using the same Wi-Fi network, the functionality will remain.
Use of voice packets of third-party developers
Xiaomi's official language packages are often limited to a basic set of phrases and can sound quite robotic.The enthusiastic community has created a plethora of alternative voices, including the voices of famous characters, celebrities or simply more enjoyable synthesized variants. Installing such packages requires a little more attention, but the result is worth it.
To install a third-party voice, you first need to find a suitable file. Usually an archive with a.pkg extension or a set of.ogg files. Verified sources of such files can be found on specialized forums such as 4PDA, or in GitHub repositories dedicated to smart home. Be careful and download files only from reliable sources so as not to damage the robot's software.
Once a file is uploaded, it must be placed in the correct directory on the smartphone or directly in the robot memory if the application allows local installation.The Mi Home app often has a βInstall from Fileβ or similar feature that allows you to select the downloaded package.If there is no such feature, you may need to use a plugin for Mi Home or a third-party client.
| Package type | File extension | Complexity of installation | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official | Automatically. | Low. | Absent. |
| Third-party (Ogg) | .ogg | Medium | Low. |
| Custom firmware | .pkg / img | Tall. | Average. |
| Valetudo | Web UI | Tall. | Average. |
Version compatibility is a must. A voice package created for firmware version 3.5.x may not work properly on version 4.x. It is critical to check your robot's firmware version number against the requirements of the voice packet author before installing it. Version mismatch may cause the robot to stop making sounds at all or play distorted snippets.
β οΈ Warning: Installing unverified voice packets from unreliable sources can cause software failure.Always back up your settings before experimenting.
Installing voice through file manager (Android)
For Android users, there is a more direct method of voice replacement that doesnβt always require special plugins, but requires access to the file system.This method is often used when a standard application does not see the downloaded package file.
First, download the desired voice packet to the phone's memory. Then open the file manager and find the directory where the Mi Home app data is stored. The path usually looks like Android/data/com.xiaomi.smarthome/files/voice or similar, depending on the Android version and shell. In some cases, voice files are stored in a shared MIOT or Xiaomi folder at the root of internal memory.
Copy the downloaded voice file into the appropriate folder. If you replace an existing file, make sure the file names match, or rename the new file accordingly. Then completely close the Mi Home app (unload from RAM) and run it again. The robot must pick up the changes the next time you connect to the server or sync.
- π Download a voice file (usually.ogg or.pkg) to your smartphone.
- π± Open the file manager and go to the Mi Home data folder.
- πΎ Place the file in the voice directory or replace the existing one.
- π Restart the application and check the result.
On newer versions of Android (11 and above), access to the Android/data folder may be restricted by the system, in which case you can use the File Transfer feature in the Mi Home app itself, if available, or use the local server method described in the Advanced Settings section, and connecting your phone to your computer to transfer files directly can also help.
βοΈ Check before replacing files
Advanced methods: Valetudo and local servers
For tech-savvy users who own Linux-based models (most of Xiaomi, Roborock, Viomi), there is the possibility of completely replacing software with open ones, such as Valetudo. This solution allows you to completely disconnect the robot from the Xiaomi cloud and manage it locally, including downloading any voice packets through the web interface.
Installing alternative firmware is a complex process that requires root rights to the device, and the procedure varies from model to model, for some people, it is enough to create a file on the device. USB-The flash drive, for others, disassemble the case and close contacts on the board. Root rights give you complete control over the file system, allowing you to replace system sounds, change system sounds, change the circuit board. LED-Indication and Integration with Home Assistant.
If you're not ready to flash the device, but you want to use custom voices, you can try the local server method. HTTP-server NAS, You can give the robot a path to the voice files, but this method requires you to adjust the static voice file. IP It can be unstable when the connection is broken.
git clone https://github.com/Hypfer/Valetudo.git
cd Valetudo
npm install
npm run buildUsing these techniques gives you the most flexibility, but it takes away the official warranty and support, you take responsibility for the performance of the device, and yet the open-source community around robot vacuum cleaners is very active and constantly releasing updates that improve functionality.
β οΈ Warning: Firmware alternative software (Valetudo, OpenVacuum) is a complex procedure, and a mistake can turn a robot into a brick, the restoration of which will require soldering and arranging. UART-console.
Recording your own voice and creating packages
The most creative way to personalize a robot is to record your voice or that of a loved one, which requires a microphone, a computer, and knowledge of the structure of voice files, and typically a voice packet is a set of dozens of audio files, each of which corresponds to a specific phrase ("Start cleaning," "Sensor error," "Charge complete").
You need to find a voice packet template for your model (you can unpack the official file or download the basic template from the forum). Then, using an audio editor (such as Audacity), write down phrases in the same format, bitrate and duration as the originals. Audio codec is most often used by Ogg Vorbis, but the coding parameters must strictly conform to the requirements of the system.
Once you write and edit all the files, you can archive them according to the instructions for your model. Often you need a special script-packer that generates the final file.pkg. By uploading such a file to a robot, you will get a unique device that communicates with you with the voice of your favorite character or even your own.
- ποΈ Find a list of all phrases for your robot model.
- βοΈ Write down and trim audio files in the editor (Audacity).
- βοΈ Follow the coding format (usually Mono, 22050Hz, Ogg).
- π¦ Pack files into the archive with a special collector.
It takes time and patience, but the result is a truly unique gadget, and you can also find online sets of voices that are created by other users that you can download and install without going through the recording phase.
Where can I find a list of all the phrases?
Frequent problems and their solution
When changing voices, users often face typical problems: the robot may ignore a new file, continue to speak an old language, or make strange sounds. Most often, the cause is the wrong file format or the wrong path to it. Make sure that the file extension is appropriate and it is not damaged when downloaded.
Another common issue is version conflict, and as mentioned earlier, old firmware packages don't work on new ones, and if the robot is acting weird after you've installed the voice, try resetting to factory settings and repeating the procedure to make sure it's compatible, and cleaning the Mi Home app cache helps.
If the robot stopped making any sounds after the experiment, check the volume settings in the application. Sometimes changing the package will drop the volume level by zero. In extreme cases, flashing stock firmware through official tools will help, which will return the device to its original state.
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The main rule of modification: always have the original firmware file or voice packet at hand, so that in case of an error you can quickly roll back.