Smartphones running the fifth version operating system, known as Lollipop, are still actively used by millions of people around the world. Even though this platform was released several years ago, it remains a reliable solution for budget devices and older models. Often, users are faced with the need to change language settings immediately after purchasing a gadget or after resetting it to factory settings.
The Android 5 interface differs from more modern versions of Android 10 or 12, so the standard ways to find settings may not be obvious to those who are used to the new menus. The process of changing the language here has its own characteristics related to the logic of menu construction Settings. If you purchased a device from China or accidentally switched the interface to an unknown language, this article will help you regain comfortable control.
In this manual, we will analyze in detail the algorithm for changing the system language, and will also touch on the nuances of changing the keyboard layout. You will learn where to look for hidden menu items and what to do if the desired language is not in the standard list. On Android 5, the system language and input language are often configured in different sections of the menu. This is a critical difference that beginners often miss.
Finding the settings section in the Android system 5
The first step is to enter the main device management menu. On most smartphones with shell Android 5.0 or 5.1 the settings icon looks like a gear. It can be located either in the list of all applications or in the top notification shade. You need to find an icon that is visually associated with tools or options.
After clicking on the icon, a list of options will open. In version 5 of Android, the menu is divided into several tabs or categories, as opposed to a single list in older versions. You need to focus on the section that is responsible for personalization or general system parameters. It is usually located at the very top of the list or highlighted in a separate tab.
If your phone currently displays information in Chinese or English, look for a section with the name Settings or a gear icon. Inside this section we are interested in the block responsible for the user’s personal data. Depending on the device manufacturer (Samsung, LG, Lenovo), the name of this block may vary, but the logic of the location remains similar.
⚠️ Attention: On some custom firmware of Chinese brands, the language settings item may be hidden inside the “Advanced” section or have a globe icon rather than text.
Algorithm for changing the system language
Once you are in the desired settings section, you need to find the item responsible for language preferences. In the classic version of Android 5, this item is called Language & input (Language and input). It combines settings for displaying text on the screen and keyboard settings.
Click on this menu item. A new window will open in front of you, where the section Languagewill be located at the very top. Tap on it to see the full list of available localizations. The list can be quite long, so use your finger to scroll up or down to find the option you need.
Find “Russian” or any other language you need in the list. The system will automatically apply the changes immediately after selecting the item. The screen may blink or go dark for a second - this is normal system behavior when the interface is rebooted. All menus, notifications and system messages will instantly be translated into the selected language.
☑️ Checking the language change
It is important to note that in some shells, for example in MIUI early versions or TouchWiz from Samsung, the path may be slightly different. There, the option to change the language is often placed in the “General Settings” or “System” section. If you do not find the item you need right away, try carefully examining all the tabs of the main settings menu.
Setting the keyboard and input language
Often users change the interface language, but are faced with the fact that the keyboard continues to type in a different language or offers an inconvenient layout. In Android 5, input settings are separate from screen settings, although they are located in the same menu. For correct operation, you must also configure this parameter.
In the same section Language & input find the subsection responsible for the current keyboard. It is usually called Current keyboard or Default. By clicking on it, you will see a list of installed input methods. Most often, the default keyboard is from Google (Gboard or Android Keyboard) or a third-party solution from the manufacturer.
Select your keyboard from the list. Its settings menu will open. Here you need to find the item Languages (Languages). Make sure the checkbox is next to the language you need. If it is not in the list, you may need to download a language pack by clicking on the corresponding add button.
- 🌐 Check whether the checkbox next to the Russian language is activated in the keyboard settings.
- ⌨️ Make sure that the language switch on the keyboard itself responds to pressing the space bar or the globe icon.
- 🔄 If the keyboard does not change, try clearing its cache in the "Applications" section.
- 📱 Reboot the device after changing the input settings to apply the changes.
Why does the keyboard not print in Russian?
If you have selected Russian in the system, but the keyboard does not offer Russian letters, perhaps this language is not loaded in the settings of the keyboard application itself. Go to the keyboard settings, find the languages section and click “Download” or check the box next to the desired language. Sometimes you need to delete and add a language again.
Features of interfaces from different manufacturers
Smartphone manufacturers often modify standard Android, creating their own shells. This affects the location of menu items and their names. Owners of devices from different brands should take these differences into account when searching for settings.
Below is a table that will help you navigate the names of sections for popular brands of that time. This will make it easier to find the desired item, even if the menu is displayed in a foreign language.
| Device brand | Name of the settings section | Path to the language (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung (TouchWiz) | Controls / General | Settings -> Controls -> Language and input |
| LG (LG UX) | General / Personal | Settings -> General -> Language & input |
| Lenovo (VIBE UI) | System / Personalization | Settings -> System -> Language & input |
| Meizu (Flyme) | System / About | Settings -> System -> Language (often at the end list) |
| Xiaomi (MIUI 6/7) | Additional settings | Settings -> Additional settings -> Languages |
Please note that in devices Samsung with a shell TouchWiz settings are often grouped into tabs at the top of the screen. You may need to swipe right to find the Controlstab. In devices Xiaomi of that period, language settings were sometimes hidden at the very bottom of the list of additional settings.
If you cannot find the item you need due to an incomprehensible language, try taking a photo of the menu screen and using a translator application with text recognition function (Google Translate). This will help you understand where to click.
What to do if the desired language is not in the list
Sometimes Russian or another option you need is not in the list of available languages. This is typical for devices intended for specific regional markets (for example, Asia or US only). In such a situation, standard system tools will not be able to solve the problem.
However, there are workarounds. One of them is to install a third-party keyboard that supports multiple languages, even if the system does not know them. You can download from the store Google Play an application like TouchPal or SwiftKey. They will allow you to type in the desired language, although the phone menu will remain in a foreign language.
A more complex method involves obtaining root access and editing system files. This method requires high qualifications and carries the risk of turning the phone into a “brick”. To do this, you need to replace the file build.prop or use special modules for Xposed Frameworkto force the addition of the locale.
⚠️ Attention: Editing system files without a backup copy can lead to complete inoperability of the device. Do this only if you are confident in your actions and understand the risks of losing your warranty and data.
For most users, the optimal solution in the absence of a language in the system would be to use on-the-fly translation capabilities or get used to the English interface, which is a universal standard. English terms in Android are quite intuitive: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Battery clear without translation.
Returning to factory settings and resetting the language
If you get confused in the settings, change something unnecessary, or the phone starts working incorrectly after experimenting with language packs, you can perform a factory reset settings. This procedure will return the device to the state it was in when it was first turned on.
To do this, find the section in the settings menu Backup & reset (Recovery and reset). There will be an item inside it Factory data reset. Clicking this button will delete all your data, photos and applications, but will return a clean system with the ability to select a language on first launch.
Remember that before resetting, you need to save important contacts and files to a memory card or cloud storage. After rebooting, the phone will prompt you to select a language on the very first welcome screen, before logging in. This ensures that you can immediately install the correct interface.
A factory reset is a radical, but the most reliable way to return a clear interface if the system settings have been broken or lost.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why did the language change again after a reboot? English?
This may happen if you only changed the language in the keyboard settings, and not in the main system settings. Also check if you have installed launcher applications, which may have their own independent interface language settings.
Is it possible to install the Russian language on a phone from China without flashing it?
If there is no Russian language in the menu, then it cannot be officially installed. You will need to search and install custom firmware (Custom ROM), which already has the required language pack built into it, which is a complex procedure. Language & input If there is no Russian language, then it cannot be officially installed. You will need to search for and install custom firmware (Custom ROM), which already has the required language pack built into it, which is a complex procedure.
Does changing the language affect the operation of applications?
Changing the system language only affects the interface of the operating system itself and those applications that support multilingualism. Applications strictly tailored to a specific region can continue to display information in the language of the developer's country.
Where is the language setting in Android 5.1.1?
In version 5.1.1 the path is almost identical: Settings -> Language and input -> Language. The only difference may be in the design of the icons, but the menu logic is completely preserved.
How to change the language of the Google voice assistant?
The language of the voice assistant is configured separately. Go to the Google application, open the settings menu, select the section Voice search and there find the item Languages. Add Russian to the priority list.