Changing the language on Android seems like a simple task - until you come across the nuances. Some users want to switch from Russian to English to access new features, others want to return to their native language after an accidental change. Still others even discover that the desired language is not on the list. In this article we will analyze all possible scenarios: from basic instructions to solving non-standard situations.

Android offers flexible localization settings, but their location depends on the OS version and the manufacturer’s shell. Somewhere the option is hidden in Settings → System, and somewhere in a separate section Additional settings. We will show universal ways that work on Samsung One UI, MIUI, ColorOS and pure Android. We will also explain why, after changing the language, some applications remain the same and how to fix it.

If you bought a smartphone with Chinese firmware or encountered a “broken” localization after an update, we have separate solutions. At the end of the article, we will answer frequently asked questions: is it possible to install two languages ​​at the same time, why do characters disappear when typing, and how to return Russian to Xiaomi without official support.

1. Standard method: through Android settings

This is the most reliable method that works on 90% of devices. The main thing is to know where to look for the desired section, since manufacturers like to move it around the menu.

On pure Android (for example, Google Pixel or Nokia) the path is like this:

  1. Open Settings (icon gears)
  2. Go to System → Language and input → Languages
  3. Click Add language and select the desired one from the list
  4. Drag the new language to the first position in the list

On smartphones Samsung (shell One UI) the algorithm is slightly different:

  • 📱 Settings → General management → Management language and input → Languages
  • 🌐 Click Add language and find the one you need (for example, English (United States))
  • ✅ Go back and select the added language in the section Language devices
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If the desired language is not in the list, try updating Google Play Services in the Play Market - sometimes this adds new localizations.

On Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO (shell MIUI):

  1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and region
  2. Select Language and find the one you need in the list
  3. Confirm the change - the system will reboot
⚠️ Attention: On some Chinese firmware MIUI the Russian language may not be in the standard list. In this case, installation will be required modal localization package - we will talk about this in the section. 4.

2. Quickly switching languages (Android 12 and later)

Starting from Android 12, Google has added a feature to quickly switch between languages through the notification panel. This is convenient if you need to temporarily change the language for a specific one. applications.

How to set up:

  • 🔧 Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Languages
  • 📱 Enable the option Language panel (or Quick switching)
  • 🌍 Select up to 4 languages that will be displayed in the curtain

Now, when you swipe down on the notification panel, you will see a globe icon - tap on it to instantly change the language. This function works even in games and instant messengers!

📊 How often do you change the language on your smartphone?
Never
1-2 times a year
Every month
Several times a year week

Limitation: not all manufacturers support this function. For example, on Samsung it may be absent, and on OnePlus it may work with a delay.

3. Changing the language for individual applications. data-i="101">Android allows you to set different languages for the system and specific applications. This is useful if you need

Android allows you to set different languages ​​for the system and specific applications. This is useful if you need to Telegram to be in English, and the rest of the system - in Russian.

Instructions:

  • 📌 Open Settings → Applications
  • 🔍 Find the desired application in the list and tap on it
  • 🌐 Select Application language (if the option is missing, then the application does not support it)
  • 📱 Install the desired language from the available

List of applications that support this function:

ApplicationSupport for changing languageMinimum Android version
Google ChromeYesAndroid 13
TelegramYesAndroid 10
WhatsAppNo—
YouTubeYes (interface only)Android 12
GmailYesAndroid 11
⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, TikTok or AliExpress) ignore the system language settings and determine it by the account region. In this case, only changing the region in the service profile will help.

4. Installing missing languages (Russification of Chinese firmware)

If there is no Russian in the list of languages (a common problem on Xiaomi, Realme or Oppo with Chinese firmware), installation will be required. This is an official method that does not require root access. localization package. This is an official method that does not require root access.

Step-by-step guide for MIUI:

Download the localization package from miui.com

Check the MIUI version in Settings → About phone

Connect the phone to Wi-Fi

Charge the battery for at least 50%-->

  1. Download Language Pack for your model from the official website Xiaomi (the file will be in the format .mtz)
  2. Move the file to the root folder of the phone
  3. Open the application Topics (Themes)
  4. Tap on the profile icon → My downloads → find the downloaded file
  5. Click Apply and restart the device

For other brands:

  • 📱 Realme/Oppo: use the application Theme Store and look for topics marked Multi-Language
  • 🌍 Huawei: download Huawei AppGallery and install the application Huawei Mobile Services —it adds the missing languages

Important: After installing the localization package, some system applications (for example, Camera or Gallery) may remain in Chinese. In this case, only a complete flashing to the global version will help. Software.

5. Resetting to factory settings as a last resort

If the language was changed accidentally, and you can’t return it through the settings (for example, because you don’t understand the text on the screen), it will help hard reset. This method erases all data from the phone, so use it only as a last resort.

How to reset to Samsung:

  • 🔄 Turn off the phone
  • 🔧 Press and hold Volume up + Power button + Bixby (on new models — Volume up + Volume down + Power)
  • 📱 In the menu Recovery select Wipe data/factory reset (volume button control, confirmation - power button)
  • 🔄 After resetting, the phone will boot with factory settings

For other brands, the key combinations are different:

BrandCombination for Recovery
XiaomiVolume up + Power
Google PixelVolume down + Power (hold for 10 sec)
OnePlusVolume up + Volume down + Power
HuaweiVolume up + Power (after vibration, release power)
⚠️ Attention: On some models Xiaomi with Chinese firmware after resetting, you may need to link to your account Mi Account. If you do not remember your login details, the phone will become a “brick” - it can only be unlocked through the official service.

6. Problems after changing the language and their solutions

Sometimes changing the language leads to unexpected consequences: characters on the keyboard disappear, settings are lost, or some functions stop working. Let's look at typical problems.

Problem 1: There are no Russian letters on the keyboard

  • 🔤 Open any text input field and hold space —a menu for changing the keyboard language will appear.
  • 📱 Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard
  • 🌐 Select Gboard (or your keyboard) → Languages → add Russian

Problem 2: Some applications remain in the old language

Why is this happening?

Applications can ignore the system language if:

1) They have their own localization logic (for example, Netflix looks at the account region)

2) They cache the language on first launch

3) The developer has not added a translation for your language

Solutions:

  • 🔄 Restart the application (close it in Recent and open it again)
  • 📥 Update the application in Play Market
  • 🗑️ Clear the application cache in Settings → Applications → [Name] → Memory → Clear cache

Problem 3: After changing the language, widgets or icons disappeared

This happens due to the launcher being reset. To return everything to its place:

  1. Hold an empty space on the home screen
  2. Select Home screen settings (or Launcher options)
  3. Click Restore default layout

7. Alternative methods (for advanced users)

If the standard methods do not work, you can use ADB commands or applications to change the locale. These methods require caution.

Method 1: Via ADB (computer required)

  1. Install Platform Tools from the site Android Developers
  2. Connect your phone to the PC and enable USB debugging in Settings → For developers
  3. Open the command line in the folder with adb.exe and enter: 
    adb shell settings put global system_locales ru-RU

    (replace ru-RU with the desired language code, for example en-US)

  4. Restart the phone

Method 2: Applications for changing the locale

  • 📱 Locale & Language — allows you to install languages that are not in the system
  • 🌍 MoreLocale 2 —works without root, but requires enabling Mock Locations in the developer settings
  • ⚙️ SetEdit —for advanced users (allows edit system settings)
⚠️ Attention: Applications like MoreLocale 2 may cause errors in the operation of some Google services. After use, it is recommended to return the default locale settings via adb shell settings delete global system_locales.
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ADB commands and third-party applications should be used only if standard methods do not work. systems!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about changing the language on Android

Is it possible to install two languages at the same time?

Yes, starting from Android 13 multilingual mode is supported. You can add up to 5 languages to the list and switch between them through the notification panel. automatically adjust the interface language to the content (for example, show YouTube in English, and Gallery in Russian).

Why did the Russian language disappear after updating Android?

This is a common problem when updating on beta versions or unofficial firmware. Solutions:

  • Rollback to a stable version via Recovery
  • Installing a localization package (as in section 4)
  • Contacting the manufacturer's support indicating the model and software version

On Samsung sometimes resetting the cache helps Recovery (Wipe cache partition).

How to return the Russian language to Xiaomi with Chinese firmware?

There are 3 options:

  1. Official: install Language Pack via Topics (section 4)
  2. Semi-official: reflash the phone to the global version MIUI via Mi Flash Tool
  3. Unofficial: install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS- requires unlocking the bootloader

The safest method is the first one. guarantee!

Why are some characters displayed in squares?

This is due to the lack of fonts for the selected language. Solutions:

  • Install fonts manually through Settings → Display → Font → Download fonts
  • Use applications like iFont to add custom fonts
  • Change the language to a supported one (for example, from uk-UA to ru-RU)
Is it possible to change the language of the voice assistant separately from system?

Yes, for Google Assistant:

  1. Open the application Google
  2. Tap on the avatar → Settings → Google Assistant → Languages
  3. Select the desired language (about 30 options available)

For Bixby (on Samsung):

  • Open Bixby → Settings → Language
  • Please note: changing the language Bixby requires a reboot