Xiaomi Home is changing regional support: What it means for Chinese devices

The global version of Xiaomi Home 11.6.602.4004 is the last version of the app with full support for Chinese devices. Xiaomi is preparing regional changes that could limit support for these devices in the global app or move it to regional versions.

The change particularly affects people using devices intended for the Chinese market outside China. Features and services may vary by region and app version, making it harder to manage devices from multiple markets in a single app.

What the last fully supported version means

Version 11.6.602.4004 lets users manage Chinese devices in the global app. With later versions, however, support may not remain the same. Users may need an app tailored to a particular region or a different way to manage their devices.

Being the last fully supported version does not mean an older app will work without limitations forever. Before updating, check Xiaomi’s announcements and how the change may affect the devices and services you use. Updating the app will not necessarily be a solution for owners of Chinese devices.

Service region, device and language

To understand the potential impact, it helps to distinguish between the app version, the selected service region, the country where the device is used and the market for which it was intended. A Chinese device used outside China, for example, may encounter limitations in the global app. The app’s language setting is not the same as its service region.

The regional changes are intended to adapt services to individual markets and their legal requirements. For users, however, the app may become less universal: features or compatibility available in one region may differ in another. The specific impact on individual models and combinations of settings has not been stated.

Mainland China and the Play Store app

The Xiaomi Home app available on the Play Store is set to stop supporting services for the mainland China region. Users who want to continue using those services will need a different version of the app available outside the Play Store. This could also affect device controls and access to device features.

Installing software outside an official store carries security risks: not every source is trustworthy. Before installing, check the app’s origin and publisher. Updates may also be delivered differently through alternative distribution channels, so check how that version receives them.

What users should watch for

• App version and device origin: For Chinese-market models, updating the global app could change the support available.
• Selected service region: This can affect device and feature availability. It is not the same as the app language or the user’s physical location.
• Xiaomi announcements: Check for information about regional versions and support changes before changing your app or settings.
• Installation source: If installing an app outside the Play Store, check its origin and how it receives updates.

A regional version or a settings change may not be a simple solution for every household, particularly one using devices intended for multiple markets.