Changing the interface language is the first action that must be performed after installing a new head unit or resetting the settings to factory settings. Owners of devices based Android 10 often face a situation where the system comes with an English or Chinese interface, which makes further operation almost impossible without understanding the menu. Proper locale settings allow you not only to comfortably manage multimedia, but also to correctly display navigation tips.
The process of changing language settings in the tenth version of the operating system from Google has its own characteristics that distinguish it from earlier versions, such as Android 6 or 8. Android 10 algorithms for managing regional settings have been redesigned to provide greater flexibility, however In automotive implementations, manufacturers often make their own changes to the shell. That is why the standard paths may differ depending on your model Head Unit.
In this material we will analyze all possible ways to translate the menu into Russian, including hidden engineering menus and installing third-party applications. Important understand that if the basic settings do not have the required language, this does not always mean it is impossible to add it. There are proven methods for activating additional locales, which we will describe in detail below.
Basic setup via the system menu
The standard way to change the language is available in most certified devices and some custom firmware for cars. First you need to get to the main system settings menu, which is usually indicated by a gear icon. In the interface Android 10 this section is often hidden behind the “More settings” button or a similar inscription if the interface has not yet been translated.
After entering the settings, you should find the section responsible for the general parameters of the device. In the English version it is called System or General, and in Chinese firmware it can be indicated by hieroglyphs resembling a gear or a globe. Inside this section we are looking for the item Languages & input (Language and input), which is key to completing our task.
Having selected the desired item, you will see a list of available languages. If the Russian language is not in the list, you need to click on the add button (often this is a plus sign or the “Add a language” icon). The system will prompt you to select a language from the full list, after which you can drag it to the top of the list, making it the main one. This action will instantly translate the entire interface, including notifications and system messages.
It is worth noting that in some cases changing the language requires restarting the device to apply all fonts. If, after switching, part of the menu remains in English, try performing a full cycle of turning off and turning on the radio via the button Power or rebooting in the system menu.
☑️ Algorithm for changing the language
Solving the problem with the Chinese interface (CN-ROM)
Many devices purchased on Chinese marketplaces have a stripped-down version of the firmware, where the Russian language is physically absent from the basic assembly. In such cases, the standard menu will not help, and you need to access hidden settings or change regional settings. Manufacturers often block language changes by tying the device to the region of sale.
One of the effective ways is to change the region (Country/Region) in the device settings. Even if the language is not in the list, changing the country to “Russia” or “Ukraine” can force the necessary language packs to be pulled from the cloud or unlock hidden menu sections. To do this, you need to find the item Region or Country in the settings and select the appropriate value.
⚠️ Attention: In some radio models, changing the region can lead to resetting pre-installed applications or changing the frequency ranges of the FM radio. Make sure you know the radio unlock code, if required.
If changing the region does not help, you can try using special applications for changing the locale that emulate system settings. However, on Android 10, system file permissions are limited, so these apps may not work on all devices. In case of complete blocking, the only way out is to flash the device to the global version.
How to find the hidden settings menu?
Often access to advanced settings is hidden. Try quickly clicking 5-7 times on the “Software Version” (Build Number) item in the “About Device” section. This action activates the developer mode, where additional localization options may appear.
Using applications to change the locale (MoreLocale 2)
When standard methods fail to change the language, specialized utilities come to the rescue, the most popular of which is MoreLocale 2. This application allows you to force install any locale, even if it is not declared by the manufacturer. To run on Android 10, it requires special permissions that can be granted without rooting, but using a computer.
The setup process begins with installing the application itself from the Google Play store or a third-party source. After launch, you will see a list of languages where you need to find “Russian” or “Russian”. However, simply selecting it is not enough - you need to activate the USB debugging mode and connect the radio to the PC to enter the activation command.
To activate extended rights, you will need to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). Connect the radio to the computer via a USB cable (the connection mode must be selected as “USB Debugging” or similar). On the computer, a command is entered at the command line that gives the application access to change system settings:
adb shell pm grant jp.co.c_lis.ccl.morelocale android.permission.CHANGE_CONFIGURATIONAfter successful execution of the command, the application will receive the necessary access. Return to the radio interface, launch MoreLocale 2 and select Russian. The interface should switch instantly. If this does not happen, try restarting the device.
The MoreLocale 2 application does not translate the manufacturer's system applications, but successfully localizes the Android interface and most third-party apps.
Setting up the voice assistant and text input
Changing the interface language is only half the battle. To fully use navigation and voice control, you must separately configure the text input language and voice assistant. In Android 10, these settings are divided into different sections, and ignoring them leads to the fact that the keyboard prints in Latin, and the navigator does not understand Russian commands.
To configure the keyboard, you need to go to the section System → Languages & input → Virtual keyboard (Virtual keyboard). Here you should select the active keyboard (usually Gboard or AOSP Keyboard) and add Russian in the “Languages” section. It is also recommended to enable text prediction so that the system can better recognize input.
Voice input is configured through Google services. Go to your Google account settings, find the “Voice input” section and select the “Russian” language. This will allow navigation apps, such as Yandex.Navigator or Google Maps, to correctly perceive voice commands in Russian.
| Parameter | Where to configure | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Interface language | Settings → System → Language | Translates menus, notifications, system messages |
| Input language (keyboard) | Settings → Language and input → Virtual keyboard | Defines the layout when typing in search and instant messengers |
| Voice input language | Google Settings → Voice input | Affects speech recognition in navigators and assistants |
| Device region | Settings → System → Region | Can open access to hidden language packs |
Changing the language in navigation applications
Even with a completely Russified system, navigation applications can work in English if their internal settings are not synchronized with the system. This is especially true for apps such as Waze, 2GIS or Navitel. Each navigator has its own language selection algorithm.
In most modern maps, the language of the interface and voice prompts is tied to the system-wide one. However, if this does not happen, you need to go to the settings of the application itself (usually the gear icon inside the map) and find the “Language” or “Language” item. Here you should force the “Russian” setting.
Pay special attention to voice settings. Often users change the language of the text, but leave the voiceover in English. In the “Voice” or “Sound” section inside the navigator, select the speaker marked “RU” or “Russian”. This will ensure a comfortable driving experience without having to constantly look at the screen.
If the navigator continues to speak a foreign language, try clearing the application cache in the Android settings (Applications → Application name → Memory → Clear cache), and then re-select the language inside the app.
Possible problems and their solutions
During the setup process, users may encounter various difficulties, from “krakozyabr” instead of letters until the text completely disappears. Most often, the problem lies in the lack of necessary fonts in the firmware. If instead of Russian letters you see incomprehensible symbols, it means that the system font does not support the Cyrillic alphabet.
The solution in this case may be to install an alternative launcher (desktop shell) that has built-in fonts, or install a localization application. Also, installing fonts through the “For Developer” menu can solve the problem if your radio model allows you to change system fonts without flashing it.
⚠️ Attention: Installing third-party fonts or launchers on Android 10 can lead to unstable operation of the system. If, after installing a new interface, the radio starts to freeze, perform a Factory Reset.
Another common problem is resetting the language settings after a reboot. This indicates that the changes were not saved to the system partition, possibly due to bugs in the firmware. In such cases, only updating the software to the latest version or searching for a localization patch specifically for your processor model helps.
What to do if the sound disappears after changing the language?
Sometimes changing the region or language resets the audio codec settings. Go to Sound settings and switch channels or output mode (Stereo/Mono), then return to original values. This will restart the audio driver.
Is it possible to completely Russify a Chinese radio without flashing it?
Full Russification (100% translation of all menus) without flashing it is not always possible. Using the MoreLocale 2 application, you can translate about 90% of the interface, but the manufacturer's system applications (radio, equalizer settings, CAN-bus) may remain in English or Chinese, since their resources are closed.
Why did the Google Play icon disappear after changing the language?
On some Chinese versions of Android 10, Google services are not certified. When changing region or language, the system may hide uncertified applications. Try logging in to your Google account again or installing Google Play services through a special installer (GMS Installer) available for your model.
Is it safe to use the MoreLocale 2 application?
Yes, this application is safe and does not make changes to system files, but only changes the user configuration file. However, it requires a one-time connection to the PC to issue rights via ADB. Uninstalling the application will return the language settings to the default state.
How to get everything back if the radio stops working after changing the language?
You will need to perform a Hard Reset (reset to factory settings). Usually, to do this, you need to press the Reset button on the device case with a thin object or find the corresponding item in the Recovery Mode menu by holding down the volume and power buttons when turning on.