How to install a pure Android on Xiaomi instead of MIUI: Complete guide with unlocking and firmware

Why Xiaomi users want to switch to pure Android and is it worth it?

Xiaomi smartphones are known for their price-quality ratio, but the brand shell MIUI Advertising in system applications, duplicate services, aggressive battery optimization and limited customization are forcing many users to look for alternatives (AOSP) — It's a solution that offers a minimalist interface, no browser, and a smoother experience, but it requires technical skills and risks.

In this article, we will discuss all the official and informal ways to install pure Android on Xiaomi in 2026, including unlocking the bootloader, choosing custom firmware, installing through the Internet. TWRP You will learn which models are best supported and which may be left without key features (for example, NFC Warning: the process is irreversible without a backup, and you lose your warranty.

If you are willing to sacrifice some chips MIUI For stability and control, read on. If you're interested in branded features like Second Space or Game Turbo, you might want to consider alternative shells like Pixel Experience or LineageOS with added modules).

Which Xiaomi models support pure Android?

Not all Xiaomi devices work equally well with custom firmware, but the main compatibility criteria are:

• 🔹 Model popularity: The more mass-produced device (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO F3), The more likely it is to find a stable assembly.
• 🔹 Having an unlocked bootloader: Xiaomi officially lets you unlock the bootloader, but the process can take up to 7 days (due to waiting) SMS-code).
• 🔹 Support TWRP: Without custom recavator, firmware installation is impossible. Check for the current version on twrp.me.
• 🔹 Driver status: Newer chipsets (such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) may not have working drivers for the camera or modem.

The table below shows the models with the best support for pure Android (as of 2026):

To check the compatibility of your model, use the following resources:

• 🌐 XDA Developers (search by device code, for example, alioth for POCO F3).
• 📱 Telegram chats of firmware developers (for example, @PixelExperienceChat).

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi

Without an unlocked bootloader, custom firmware installation is not possible. Xiaomi officially allows this, but the process can take up to 7 days due to account verification.

1. Link the device to your Mi Account: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud and log in. Make sure your device is linked to your account (check Settings). → The phone. → Mi Unlock status).
2. Put the debugging on. USB and OEM-Unlock: Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI In About Phone, then turn on: Settings → Additionally. → For developers → - Debugging by USB - Unlocking OEM
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool: The official utility is available on the Xiaomi website. Install it on a Windows PC (on the website) macOS/Linux It works through a virtual machine).
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off the device, press Volume down + Power until the Fastboot logo appears. Connect to the PC.
5. Open Unlock: In Mi Unlock Tool, log in under the same Mi Account as on your phone. Press Unlock. If a wait message (e.g. 72 hours) appears, wait - this is anti-theft protection.

Linking your Mi Account to your device|Enable debugging on USB and OEM-unlock|Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website|Connect your phone to Fastboot mode|Wait. SMS-code (if required)-->

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the device will be reset! Backup photos, contacts and apps via Mi Cloud or Google Drive. L1 (Netflix and other services will only work in the 480p).

If the Mi Unlock Tool is a Couldn't unlock error:

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🖥️ Launch the utility on behalf of the administrator.
• 📱 Make sure the phone has Developer Mode enabled and debugging is allowed for that PC.
• ⏳ If you need to wait, wait for the specified time (usually 3-7 days).

Step 2: Installation of custom TWRP Recovery

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project is an alternative recovery that allows custom firmware installation. Without it, you can't go to pure Android:

1. Download the correct version TWRP: On twrp.me, find your model (by code, for example, vayu for the model). POCO X3 Download the file with the.img extension.
2. Install. ADB and Fastboot: Download Google's Platform Tools. Unpack the archive into a folder. C:\platform-tools.
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode: Turn off the device, press Volume down + Nutrition.
4. Please. TWRP Open the Command Prompt in the Platform-tools folder and execute: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-0-vayu.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_12-0-vayu.img Replace vayu with your device code.

After successful firmware, the phone will automatically restart to TWRP. Here you need:

1. Swipe to allow changes (if requested).
2. Go to Wipe. → Format Data and enter yes (this will delete all data, including internal memory!).
3. Copy firmware to the phone through MTP (Connect the device to your PC and select Mount → Enable MTP into TWRP).

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If TWRP You can’t see your internal memory, try using it. OTG-And make sure you've formatted the Data partition, and without that, many firmwares won't get installed.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12 and newer) may need to be disconnected AVB 2.0 before installing the firmware. TWRP Follow the command: fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img File. vbmeta.img You can get it out of the file with the firmware.

Step 3: Selecting and Installing Firmware on Pure Android

Now that you have unlocked the bootloader and installed TWRP, I'm gonna have to pick out the firmware:

• 📱 Pixel Experience: The closest to Google Pixel interface with chips like Now Playing and Call Screen.
• 🛠️ LineageOS: The most stable and minimalist firmware. There's almost no customization, but maximum performance.
• 🎨 ArrowOS: Balance between stability and settings. There are themes, gestures and advanced options for the camera.
• 🔧 haventOS or AOSP Extended: For lovers of fine tuning (change of status bar, animations, sounds, etc.).

Where to download:

• 🌐 Official builds: Pixel Experience, LineageOS.
• 🔗 Unofficial (unofficial) assemblies: look for XDA or in the Telegram channels of developers.

How to install the firmware through TWRP:

1. Copy. ZIP-archive with firmware and (if necessary) GApps (Google services) on the phone.
2. In TWRP, select Install → specify the firmware file.
3. Add GApps (if not included in the firmware).
4. Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache.
5. Reboot (Reboot → System)

The first start can take 5-15 minutes - don't interrupt the process! If the system doesn't load for more than 20 minutes, go back to the system. TWRP Check the logs (advanced) → Copy Log).

Step 4: Set up a clean Android after installation

After a successful firmware, you have to first set up the system.

• 🔑 Log in to Google account to restore contacts, apps and backups.
• 🔒 Set up a screen lock (print or print). PIN). There is no Face Unlock on Android. MIUI, You can also use alternatives like Smart Lock.
• 📱 Install the missing drivers: Some firmware may not work NFC, IR-Blaster or camera. Solutions: For camera: install GCam (e.g., version from the camera) BSG Or Wichaya. NFC: Check the settings in the system → Connected devices → NFC.
• 🔊 Customize the sound: There is no Mi Sound Enhancer on pure Android, but you can install it ViPER4Android Dolby Atmos via Magisk.

To return certain functions MIUI can be used:

• 📲 Magisk modules: For example, MIUI Camera for AOSP (ported camera app or XiaomiParts (for vibration control and LED-indicator).
• 🔄 Alternative launchers: Nova Launcher or Lawnchair will help to return the usual interface.

If you are experiencing bugs:

• 🐛 Restart the device – many errors disappear after the reboot.
• 🔄 Clear the cache in TWRP (Wipe → Cache).
• 📥 Update the firmware through the System → System update (if available).

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Once you have installed a pure Android, be sure to check SafetyNet status (via the SafetyNet Test app).If it doesn't pass, banking apps (like SberBank or Google Pay) may not work.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after a successful installation of a clean Android, errors can occur.

If your problem is not described above:

1. Look for a solution to XDA (Use the device code in the request).
2. Check the Telegram chat of your firmware (usually there is a link on the download page).
3. Collect logs through adb logcat and contact the developers.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 or Redmi) K60) may not work 5G You can check this in the forums before you run the firmware!

How to get it back MIUI, If you don’t like Android, you don’t like it?

If you've decided to go back to MIUI, Do it through Fastboot:

1. Download the official firmware: Use the Xiaomi or Xiaomi Firmware Updater website. Choose the Fastboot version (not Recovery!).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder with platform-tools.
3. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode (Loudness down + Power).
4. Open the firmware: In the folder with the firmware, find the file flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/macOS) Alternatively, you can flash it manually: fastboot flash boot. boot.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash vendor vendor.img fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img fastboot reboot

After flashing:

• The phone will automatically block the bootloader (unless you have disabled this option).
• All data will be erased – restore it from the backup.
• If the phone doesn’t turn on, repeat the process or run through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option.

If you want to keep the possibility of returning to custom firmware, do not block the bootloader after returning to the custom firmware. MIUI!

FAQ: Frequent Questions About Switching to Clean Android