Changing the interface language is one of the most basic, but critically important settings for any smartphone user. Often, after purchasing a new device or resetting the settings to factory settings, the system may automatically detect the region incorrectly, suggesting English or even Chinese. In the operating system Android 10 (code name Q), the process of changing the language has become more logical than in previous versions, however, the menu layout may differ depending on the shell manufacturer.
It is important for users to understand that changing the primary language affects not only the system menus, but also the keyboard layout, voice input and the priority of displaying content in applications. If you purchased your device from China or updated the firmware, you may need to manually set Russian as the priority language. We will look at the standard algorithm of actions for pure Android and the nuances for popular shells.
Do not be alarmed if you find yourself in a menu in an unfamiliar language. Settings icons usually remain unchanged, which allows you to navigate visually. Below we will provide a detailed algorithm of actions that will help you return to comfortable use of the gadget in a few minutes, regardless of the current localization of the system.
Standard path through system settings
In the stock version Android 10, which is installed on Google Pixel, Motorola and Nokia smartphones, the path to the language settings is as unified as possible. You need to open the main application menu and find the gear icon responsible for system settings. This is the control center for all the parameters of your device.
After entering the menu, scroll down the list to the “System” section (usually it is at the very bottom of the list). In some builds, this item may be called “General Management” or have an icon with sliders. This section hides key device control settings, including date, time, and language.
Find the “Language & input” item. Here you will see the currently active language. Clicking on it will take you to the language pack management menu. If the Russian language is not in the list, you will need to add it through the corresponding “Add language” button.
If you cannot find the “System” item, try using the search inside the settings. Enter the word “Language” or “Language”, even if the interface is in a different language, the search often recognizes queries in Latin.
After selecting the desired language, the system will offer to make it the main one. Confirm the action, and the interface will instantly rebuild. Android 10 it also became possible to assign different languages to different applications, which is very convenient for polyglots.
Features of changing the language on the MIUI, EMUI and One UI shells
Chinese smartphone manufacturers often use their own add-ons for Android, which changes the menu structure. For example, on smartphones Xiaomi with the MIUI shell, the path may look different. You need to go to the settings, find the section with the “three dots” or “advanced settings” icon, where the language selection is hidden.
On devices Huawei and Honor with the EMUI or Magic UI shell, the language setting is often placed in the "System and updates" section. It is important here not to confuse the system language with the keyboard language, since these are different settings. An error in selection may result in the menu becoming Russian, but the keyboard remaining English.
Owners of smartphones Samsung with the One UI shell should look for the “General Settings” item (General Management). Android 10 on these devices has a convenient “Language Assistant” feature that allows you to quickly switch between languages through the notification panel without going deep into the menu.
If you bought a phone with global firmware, but the menu is in Chinese, this may mean that the device was originally intended for the domestic market of China. In this case, simply changing the language may not completely solve the problem, since some system applications will remain localized only in Chinese.
Step-by-step guide: from icon to result
For those who prefer to act strictly according to the algorithm, we have prepared detailed instructions. Follow these steps sequentially to be sure to change the interface language on your device. section Android 10.
- 📱 Unlock the screen and find the application
Settings(gear icon). - ⚙️ Scroll to the bottom of the list and select a section
System(orSystem). - 🌐 Click on the item
Language and input(the first item in the list, often with a globe icon). - ➕ Click
Add languageif the desired language is not in the list of active ones. - 🇷🇺 Select
Russianfrom the proposed list and drag it to the first position.
The key here is to drag the language to the top position of the list. In Android, the language that is above all others has priority. Just the presence of the Russian language in the list does not guarantee that it will be used by the system by default.
☑️ Checking the successful change of language
After performing these steps, rebooting the device is usually not required, changes are applied instantly. However, if you notice that some interface elements remain in the old language, it is recommended to completely restart the smartphone to update the system cache.
What to do if the menu is in Chinese
The situation when you turn on a new phone, and all the inscriptions are in hieroglyphs, causes panic among many users, visual navigation will help you cope. with this task. You need to focus on the icons and the position of the items in the menu.
Click on the gear icon. In the list that opens, scroll down to the item that is usually located before the last section (often an icon with three dots or the letter “i” in a circle.
Inside this section, look for an item with an icon). globe or the letter “A". This is the language menu. Click on it, then find the plus button or the add icon. In the list of languages, find the Russian flag or the inscription “Russian” (it can be written in Cyrillic even in Chinese firmware).
⚠️ Attention: On some Chinese versions of firmware (CN ROM), the Russian language may not be in the list of system languages. In this case, simply changing the settings is impossible. You will need to flash the device to the global version.
If you selected Russian, but it is not applied, try removing other languages from the list, leaving only Russian. To do this, click on the gear next to the language name or use the trash icon, if provided by the interface.
Manage multiple languages and priorities
Android 10 allows you to store many language packs in the device's memory at the same time. This is convenient for people who study foreign languages or work in an international environment. You can add languages without deleting the previous ones.
In the “Language and Input” menu you will see a list of all added languages. The first language in the list is the main one for the interface or can be used as a language. backup.
| Position in the list | Language function | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Top) | Main interface language | Full localization of menus and applications |
| 2 | Secondary language | Used in dictionaries and some applications |
| 3 and below | Additional languages | Store in memory for quick access |
To change the priority, simply hold the desired language with your finger and drag it to the top of the list. This function works on the Drag-and-Drop principle and is intuitive even without knowing the language of the current interface.
Hidden multilingual capabilities
In Android 10, you can configure the language for each specific application separately. Go to the application settings, find the item. “Language” and select a preferred option other than the system one.
Keep in mind that adding a large number of languages takes up space in the system memory, although it is insignificant. If your device has very little free memory, you should limit yourself to two or three of the most popular languages.
Problems with changing the language and their solutions
Sometimes users experience that after a reboot the phone returns to English or Chinese. This may be due to an error in the system process. com.android.settings or a conflict with third-party launchers.
Try clearing the cache of the Settings application. To do this, go to the "Applications" section, find "Settings", select "Storage" and click "Clear cache". Do not confuse this with clearing data, as resetting these settings can return the phone to its factory state.
⚠️ Attention: If the language is constantly being reset, there may be an update installed on the system that conflicts with the current localization. Check for software updates in the “System Update” section.
In rare cases, the problem lies in a damaged localization file. If standard methods do not help, the only way out may be a complete reset of the device (Hard Reset) followed by setup from scratch, but with the correct choice of language at the initial setup stage.
The stability of the language depends on the integrity of the system partition. If failures recur, avoid installing untested themes and fonts that can replace system files.
The influence of language on the operation of the voice assistant
Changing the system language directly affects the operation of Google Assistant and other voice services. If you switch the interface to Russian, the assistant will also switch to Russian speech recognition language by default.
However, voice settings can be configured separately. In the Language & Input menu there is a section called Google Voice Input. There you can add a second recognition language. This will allow you to speak to your phone in a mixture of languages, and it will understand both.
Make sure that after changing the language you re-activate the "Ok Google" function. Sometimes, when changing the localization, voice activation is reset for security reasons, and recalibration of the user's voice is required.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the language if the phone is completely locked?
No, you can change the system language only after unlocking the device and entering the main menu. On the lock screen, the language changes only if you initially set up a new phone.
Why did some applications remain in English after changing the language?
Some applications have their own internal language settings, independent of the system. You need to go to the settings of a specific application and change the language there manually.
Does changing the language affect saved data and contacts?
No, changing language settings is a cosmetic procedure and does not in any way affect your personal files, contacts, photos or installed applications.
What to do if Russian is not in the list language?
If the Russian language is not in the list, it means that your firmware version does not support it (often found on Chinese versions of phones). You will need to install global firmware via your computer.
How can I return the English language if I accidentally set an incomprehensible one?
You need to visually find the gear icon, then the system section (often at the bottom), the item with the globe and select the first item in the list (English). Icons will help you navigate.