hi firefox on android uses the default language from your system - maybe this isn't working correctly on miui or they use a seperate way to store their language selection...

in order to resolve the issue:

1. invoke to the firefox menu
2. press the second item from the bottom
3. in the next screen the third item from the bottom - this brings you to the language selection screen...
4. there you can tap the one entry that is visible. you can then change it to something that is better understandable :-)

desertwrench said

What determines the default language for Firefox? I downloaded from the English site but when I launch it, the settings and some of the search results are in Chinese. I'm using a XiaoMi phone purchased in HK running Miui with English as the default language. Only Firefox shows up in Chinese. Any suggestions? (Please don't direct me to the FAQ that gives the solution in English. If the menus were in English I wouldn't be here. :) Thanks

Thank you Philipp, unfortunately when I click the second item from the bottom it directs me to a topics website on Mozilla. For clarification, I am running 34.0.0.1 and I am clicking the three vertical squares in the upper right corner to access the settings menu. At least I think that is the settings menu.

there may be other elements added by addons and stuff. if in step 2.) the second element from the bottom doesn't work, then please try the third one...

desertwrench said

What determines the default language for Firefox? I downloaded from the English site but when I launch it, the settings and some of the search results are in Chinese. I'm using a XiaoMi phone purchased in HK running Miui with English as the default language. Only Firefox shows up in Chinese. Any suggestions? (Please don't direct me to the FAQ that gives the solution in English. If the menus were in English I wouldn't be here. :) Thanks

That did not work either. I only installed Firefox, no other add-ons. Could something with the system be interfering?

ok, maybe we can go by visual resemblance - those should be the two entries to get you to the language selection in steps 2.) & 3.):

Ok, we are getting closer. That lead me to an option English (United States) but nothing changes when I select it. I even quit the application and restarted it.

there has been a similar problem discussed at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1006766 - can you specify if there is a google play store on your device or if not how you did download the app in particular?

No, I don't have the Play app. The Mozilla site directed me the Play Store. If I need the app to download the correct version then that might be the problem.

Philipp, I did some research and I suspect the version of MIUI for Xiaomi phones blocks Google Play as it is not preinstalled. Google stuff is blocked in China, as you probably know and there doesn't seem to be a US version of MIUI for Xiaomi phones since they are not sold here yet. I went back to the article you suggested and found a link for Firefox Aurora. I was able to download it off of the website w/out any problems since it doesn't need Play to download. Settings show in English and everything checks out so far.

Thank you VERY much for you help! I couldn't have figured it out on my own. Cheers