Why Xiaomi users want to switch to pure Android?
Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their price-quality ratio, but the branded shell MIUI is not everyone likes. The main complaints: aggressive advertising in system applications, duplicate services (for example, two browsers or two app stores), as well as hidden restrictions on the background of applications that interfere with push notifications and synchronization. Pure Android (or AOSP) is devoid of these problems, offering a minimalist interface, fast work and full control of the device.
However, switching to “naked” Android is not always a trivial task. Xiaomi does not release official firmware without MIUI, so users have to choose between custom builds (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) and semi-official solutions like Xiaomi.eu. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, their pros, cons and potential risks – from unlocking the bootloader to choosing the optimal firmware for your model.
Before you start, answer two key questions: 1. Are you ready to lose warranty (if the device is new)? 2. Do you need Google Mobile Services (GMS) or a sufficiently open ecosystem (such as MicroG)?
The answers depend on the choice of firmware and the method of its installation.
Previous Post: Official alternatives to MIUI: What does Xiaomi offer?
Xiaomi’s “pure Android” concept comes in three variations, but none of them is a complete replacement for Google’s Android stock.
- 📱 MIUI For the global market – version with minimal advertising (compared to the Chinese one), but still with branded Xiaomi services.
- 🌍 Xiaomi.eu – unofficial firmware based on the MIUI, But with remote Chinese services, advanced settings, and weekly updates!
- 🤖 Android One is the only official firmware without MIUI, It is only available on the Mi models. A1/A2/A3 (released 2017–2019 These devices are no longer supported.
If your smartphone is not part of the Android One series, then officially switch to pure Android will not work. There are two ways: 1. Install custom firmware based on AOSP (for example, LineageOS or ArrowOS). 2. Using Xiaomi.eu as a compromise option is not pure Android, but close to it in functionality.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi.eu firmware requires an unlocked bootloader, but does not void the warranty (unlike custom firmware).However, they do not pass Google certification, so some applications (such as banking) may not work properly.
Custom firmware: which pure Android to choose for Xiaomi?
List of popular firmware based on AOSP for Xiaomi devices (current for 2026):
| Firmware | Features | Support for GMS | Xiaomi models |
|---|---|---|---|
| LineageOS | Maximum close to the stock Android, stable, but without branded features Xiaomi | Yes (should be set separately) | Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F3, Mi 11, etc. |
| Pixel Experience | Google Pixel interface, including exclusive features (e.g. Now Playing) | Yeah (embedded) | POCO X3 Pro, Redmi K40, Mi 10T |
| ArrowOS | Balance between customization and stability, support for themes and gestures | Yes (optional) | Redmi Note 9 Pro, Mi 9 SE, POCO F2 Pro |
| HaventOS | Minimalist firmware with a focus on productivity and privacy | No (MicroG only) | POCO M3, Redmi 9, Mi A3 |
Before choosing, check: – Is there firmware for your particular model (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G and Redmi Note 11 Pro – different devices!) – How relevant is the Android version (some firmware stuck on Android 12, even if Android 14 is officially released). – Are there any feedback on stability on forums (for example, XDA Developers or 4PDA).
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Use the LineageOS Wiki site to check your model's compatibility. Type the device's code name (e.g., vayu for POCO X3 Pro) into the search bar.
Where to download firmware: verified sources
You should only download firmware from official resources or trusted communities, and here are the current sources for 2026:
- 🔗 Official firmware sites: LineageOS - download only from the domain lineageos.org. Pixel Experience - check the hash amounts of files. ArrowOS - choose the version of GApps or Vanilla.
- 📥 Forums and communities: XDA Developers – look for your model theme in the Xiaomi section. 4PDA — Russian-language discussions and ported firmware.
- ⚠️ What to avoid: File sharing sites like MediaFire or Mega with suspicious links; firmware labeled unofficial or beta if you're not ready for bugs; sites that require you to disable antivirus to download.
An example of a safe path for POCO F3 (alioth): LineageOS → https://download.lineageos.org/alioth → Download the latest build lineage-21.0-... (Android 14).
⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) may contain pre-installed GApps that conflict with MicroG. If you plan to use MicroG, choose Vanilla or NoGApps versions.
Step-by-step: how to flash clean Android on Xiaomi
The process of installing custom firmware consists of 5 steps, skipping any of them can lead to a "brick" (inoperability) of the device!
Unlock the bootloader (Bootloader)|Install TWRP Recovery|Download firmware and GApps (if necessary)|Make a data backup|Charge your phone at least 70 times%-->
1. Unlock the loader
On Xiaomi devices, the bootloader is locked by default.
- Submit your application on the Mi Unlock website (Mi Account is required).
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (press Power + Vol Down when the device is off).
- Run the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions. The wait time is 3 to 30 days (depending on the model).
2. Installation of TWRP Recovery
TWRP is a custom recovery required to install firmware. Download the version for your model from the official website and run through fastboot:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-0-alioth.img
fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_12-0-alioth.img3. Installation of firmware
In TWRP, do the following: Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Tag Dalvik, Cache, System, Data → Swipe to Wipe.
Then install the firmware (Install). → Choose. ZIP-file) and, where appropriate, GApps.
4. First launch.
After installation, the first turn on can take 10-20 minutes. Don't interrupt the process! If the device has been hanging on the logo for longer than 30 minutes, repeat the firmware.
What if the phone doesn’t turn on after the firmware?
Risks and How to Avoid Them: 5 Critical Mistakes
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to data loss or device "bricks," and these are the most common:
- 🔋 Firmware on low battery power -- if the phone turns off during the process, it's going to be difficult to restore. At least 70% charge!
- 📱 Incorrect firmware version - installing firmware for the Redmi Note 10 on the Redmi Note 10 Pro will cause the device to fail. Always check the code name of the model.
- 🔄 Skip the Wipe step – without cleaning the partitions, the new firmware can conflict with the old one, causing endless reboots.
- 🔒 Unofficial builds – firmware marked unofficial often contains bugs that are difficult to diagnose.
- 📡 No backup – even if the firmware is stable, always backup through TWRP Mi Cloud.
If there are problems after the firmware, check:
- Does the sensor and buttons work (if not, run the stock vendor).
- Is there a mobile network (if not, check your APN settings or scrolle modem separately).
- Whether applications are running (if they fly out – perhaps a conflict of GApps with firmware).
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If the camera or speaker doesn't work after the firmware, it's likely that the firmware doesn't have proprietary drivers from Xiaomi. Solution: download and stitch separately the vendor package for your model.
Frequent problems after installing a clean Android and their solution
Even successful firmware can come with bugs, and here are the typical scenarios and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Google services are not working | No GApps or conflict with MicroG | Open GApps (Pico or Nano version) |
| Fast battery discharge | Background processes or unoptimized core | Install FrancoKernel or calibrate the battery via TWRP |
| NFC's not working | There is no proprietary driver | Please. NFC-Fixed for your model (see for the XDA) |
| No sound in the speaker. | The problem is audio_policy driver | Check the ViPER4Android settings or run the stock vendor |
If the problem is not solved, look at the error log via adb logcat or refer to the thematic forum. When describing the problem, always indicate: device model, firmware version, steps that led to the error.