Xiaomi’s modern robotic vacuum cleaners have become an integral part of the smart home for millions of users around the world. However, when buying a device, especially imported from China or bought on marketplaces, owners often face the unpleasant surprise: instead of the usual Russian or English language, the robot begins to communicate in Chinese or Japanese, which creates discomfort and makes interaction with the gadget difficult, making its reactions incomprehensible.
Fortunately, the situation is fixable, and there are proven ways to replace the voice packet with the one you want. The process can range from simple change of region in the application to complex flashing to obtain superuser rights. In this article, we will discuss all available methods in detail, help you download voiceovers and avoid typical errors when modifying the device.
Before you start taking action, you need to clearly define your device model and the current version of the software, which directly depends on which method will work and which can lead to unstable operation of the equipment, careful preparation will save you time and nerves during the setup process.
Definition of the model and firmware version
The first step towards the desired Russification is to accurately identify the device. Xiaomi’s ecosystem includes dozens of models of vacuum cleaners, from the first generations of the Mi Robot Vacuum to the latest flagships of the Xiaomi Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro or X10+ series. Each model may have its own audio file architecture and methods for replacing them. To find out the exact name, flip the robot vacuum cleaner and find a sticker on the bottom panel where the Model is listed (for example, roborock.vacuum.s5).
Next, check the current firmware version in the Mi Home or Xiaomi Home app. Menu navigation may vary depending on the app version, but the path usually looks like this: go to the device card, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings. In the list that opens, find General Information or About device. Here you are interested in the Software version bar.
It is important to understand that the old methods of replacing voice through simple FTP-Access may not work on newer versions of firmware, where the company has tightened file system security.If you have a fresh device released after 2022, you will likely need to use more advanced tools or wait for patches from the community to appear.
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Take a screenshot of the current firmware version before you start any manipulations, which will allow you to quickly roll back or find a specific voice packet for your build.
Global versions often have built-in support for multiple languages, including Russian, while Chinese versions (CN) require a complete audio package replacement, and checking these parameters is the foundation for successful customization.
Language Changes Through Mi Home
The easiest and safest way to get Russian voiceover is to try to activate it with the regular tools of the app. In recent versions of Xiaomi Home, developers have implemented multilingual support for many models. First, make sure that your app is updated to the latest version through Google Play or the App Store. Then go to the device profile.
In the settings menu, find the Voice Control or Voice Language section, and if you have one, you're lucky to just select Russian from the list and click Save. The robot downloads the files from the server and restarts the audio system, but this method doesn't work for all models, especially if the device was originally intended for the domestic Chinese market.
Sometimes changing the region in the Mi Home app itself helps. If your account is registered in China, the interface and available features may be limited. Try selecting the country where you are located or the Russia region in the application settings (profile → Settings → Region). After changing the region, the application may suggest updating the voice packet or automatically downloading the desired files when you reconnect the device.
It is worth noting that changing the region can affect the speed of server response and the availability of some smart home scenarios, and if standard methods do not work, you will have to resort to more complex but effective ways to manually replace files.
Preparation of tools and files for replacement
If the official methods are powerless, we'll need a toolkit to manually work with the robot's file system, the main tool being a Windows computer, macOS or Linux computer, you'll also need a stable Wi-Fi connection and a smartphone to manage the application. The key element is finding the right voice-over file, often called the voice pack.
Voice files are usually.pkg or archives with a specific folder structure, and can be found on specialized forums such as 4PDA, XDA Developers, or GitHub repositories, where enthusiasts upload Russified versions. It is important to download files only from trusted sources so as not to damage the device's software.
☑️ Preparation for voiceover replacement
To transfer files to the device, Mi Home is often used in conjunction with debugging utilities, or special downloaders such as Valetudo or Flasher (for certain models), and it may also be necessary to enable the developer mode in the application, which is done by repeatedly clicking on the application version in the profile settings.
Before starting the procedure, be sure to charge the robot vacuum cleaner to at least 50-60%. The process of writing new data to memory can consume energy, and suddenly turning off the device in the middle of the process can damage the system files. Backing up current settings, if such a feature is available in your version of the software, will also not be superfluous.
Step-by-step instructions for installing a voice packet
The installation process may vary depending on the model, but the general algorithm for most Roborock or Xiaomi-based devices is as follows: First, you need to access the device’s internal memory. This often requires entering debugging mode via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or using a special token that is extracted from the Mi Home application using third-party scripts (for example, python-miio).
After receiving the token and IP-If you have the robot address, connect your computer to the same Wi-Fi network, open the terminal or command line, and type a command to connect to the device, and if you have access, you will see a welcome message from the Linux shell that runs the vacuum cleaner. Next is a command to upload the voiceover file to the system folder.
miio protocol send_token ip_address token
miio device download_voice voice_pack_ru.pkgIn some cases, especially for older models, the method is used by FTP-You need to activate the server. FTP-Access the device menu (often hidden), connect to IP-to the robot address via a file manager on a PC (e.g. Total Commander) and replace the file english.pkg or chinese.pkg in the folder /rom/sounds/ to the downloaded Russian analogue, renaming it accordingly.
What to do if the file is not loaded?
Once the file is successfully downloaded, the device needs to restart. Often the robot recognizes the new file at start and applies the changes. If this does not happen, it may require a command to force the audio service to restart or completely reset the device to factory settings (without deleting the card if it is stored in the cloud).
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Successful installation depends on the exact match between the voice packet version and the firmware version. Do not try to install packages from other models without checking compatibility.
Use of alternative firmware (Valetudo and others)
For advanced users who want to gain full control of their device, there is the option of installing alternative firmware. The most popular solution is Valetudo, an open cloud solution that allows you to control the robot locally, without connecting to Xiaomi servers, and provides extensive customization options, including installing any voice packets.
Valetudo requires a device to have a Root (superuser) right, and it varies from model to model: some people need to do a special sequence of actions with buttons, others need to disassemble the case and close contacts on the board, a risky method that can lead to a loss of warranty and even a device failure ("bricking") if you do something wrong.
But the benefits are worth it: you get an independent interface, the ability to build maps without being tied to the cloud, integration with Home Assistant, and of course, complete freedom in voice selection. Valetudo has a built-in voice packet manager where you can download a voice file with a simple drag and drop or web interface.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official annex | Low. | Absent. | Low. |
| FTP/ADB replacement | Medium | Medium. | Tall. |
| Valetudo (Root) | Tall. | High-pitched | Maximum |
Before you decide to flash it, weigh the pros and cons. If you want only Russian voice acting, maybe less radical methods will suffice, but if you're a tech fan and want to make the most of your gadget, that's your way.
Troubleshooting and frequent errors
When changing voices, users often face a variety of problems, and one of the most common is that the robot is silent after installing the package or emits incomprehensible audio signals instead of speech, which can mean that the file is corrupted, has incorrect encoding, or is incompatible with the kernel version of the system, in which case it is worth trying to find another voice assembly.
Another problem is the loss of Wi-Fi connection after manipulating system files. Changing configuration files can affect network settings. Recovery usually requires a full device reset by pressing the reset button on the case for 5-10 seconds, after which you should re-attach the robot in the application.
⚠️ Warning: If the robot starts to behave inadequately after the voice change (chaotic movement, do not build a map), immediately stop using and reset to factory settings. Continued operation may lead to mechanical damage or fall from a height.
There may also be a voice that sounds but phrases are confused or cropped, a sign that the bitrate or sampling rate of audio files in the package is not matching the hardware requirements. Look for packages labeled "Native" or tailored to your model.
If nothing helps and the robot stops turning on (the indicators don't burn or flash red), the bootloader may be damaged. UART-A console that requires a special USB-TTL adapter and soldering skills, or contacting a service center.
⚠️ Warning: Self-interference in the code and replacement of system files almost always cancels the manufacturer's warranty.