Reflashing Xiaomi Mi A1 with Android One on MIUI: the full guide

Why do Mi A1 owners want to switch to MIUI and should they?

Xiaomi Mi A1 is a unique smartphone in the company’s lineup, released in 2017 as part of the Android One program.This meant pure Android without a MIUI shell, regular security updates from Google and minimal customization. However, over time, many users began to feel nostalgic for Xiaomi’s branded interface with its advanced features: theme design, built-in optimization tools and exclusive features like Second Space or App Lock.

The move to MIUI opens up access to Xiaomi’s ecosystem, but it also has a downside: loss of official support for Google updates, potential custom firmware bugs, and the risk of “bricking” the device if errors occur during the process. In this article, we’ll break down the only working method for reflashing the Mi A1 to MIUI in 2026, taking into account all the changes in Xiaomi’s policy on unlocking downloaders and availability of firmware.

It's important to understand that the procedure requires technical skills, and if you've never worked with an ADB or a Fastboot or a customized Recovery, you'd better see a specialist, but if you're willing to take risks, follow the instructions Step-by-step.

What do you need to re-flash?

Before starting the process, collect all the necessary tools and files. Without them, you can not flash flash:

• 📱 Smartphone Xiaomi Mi A1 with at least 70% battery charge (the risk of shutting down during the process negates all efforts).
• 💻 Computer running Windows 10/11 Linux (MacOS will require additional drivers).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C original or certified (cheap cables can cause data transmission errors).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader. Without this step, install MIUI impossible.
• 📁 Firmware MIUI for Mi A1 (tissot version – the coded name of the device).
• 🛠️ Utilities: ADB and Fastboot, Xiaomi drivers, custom recavery TWRP.

For the Mi A1, only the Android 9 Pie or Android 10 MIUI versions are suitable (new versions are not supported due to hardware limitations).

⚠️ Note: Firmware from Xiaomi.eu contains multilingual support, but may have bugs related to regional settings. Official Chinese versions MIUI Google services are often devoid of services, they will have to be installed separately.

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader (bootloader)

Without unlocking the bootloader, custom firmware installation is impossible. Xiaomi officially allows you to unlock the bootloader, but the process takes time and a Mi Account account.

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect your device to your Mi Account in settings (Settings → Accounts → Mi Account).
2. Activate the OEM Unlock option in the developer menu (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool (download from the official website) and log in to the same account.
4. Follow the instructions of the program. Usually, unlocking takes 72-168 hours (3-7 days).

If the tool is running a "Couldn't unlock" error, check:

• 🔹 Mi Account is linked to the device and confirmed by SMS/email.
• 🔹 It's on on the phone. USB-debugging (For developers) → Debugging by USB).
• 🔹 The original cable and port are used. USB 2.0 (port) USB 3.0 can cause malfunctions).

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the smartphone will perform a full reset (wipe.

Step 2: Installation of custom TWRP Recovery

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is an alternative recovery that allows you to install informal firmware. For the Mi A1, there is a special version codenamed tissot.

Installation instructions:

1. Download the latest stable TWRP image for Mi A1 from the official website (file with the extension.img).
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in a folder with ADB and Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Power + Volume Down).
4. Open the command line in the ADB folder and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
5. After successful installation, reboot to TWRP by holding Power + Volume Up.

If after restarting the phone again starts in the standard Recovery, follow the command:

fastboot boot twrp.img

This will temporarily upload TWRP without writing to the recovery section.

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If TWRP Requests a password when mounting the partition /data, enter a pattern lock or PIN-This is normal behavior for encryption devices.

Step 3: Preparing for MIUI installation

Before installing the firmware, you need to clean the partitions of the device, which will prevent conflicts between old and new software.

In the TWRP menu, do the following:

1. Go to the Wipe section → Advanced Wipe.
2. Check the boxes: Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Cache.
3. Swipe for confirmation (do not delete the Internal Storage! section).
4. Return to the main menu and connect your phone to your PC in MTP mode (for transferring firmware files).

Copy a MIUI firmware file (usually in.zip format) into the phone's internal memory. Make sure the file is not corrupted - check its checksum (MD5 or SHA-1) with a utility like HashMyFiles.

⚠️ Note: If you install firmware from Xiaomi.eu, additionally download the Open package GAPPS (Nano or pico version to restore Google services, without which Play Market and other apps will not work.

Step 4: Install MIUI via TWRP

Now, to the most important step, installing the firmware, follow the instructions carefully.

1. In the main TWRP menu, click Install.
2. Select a firmware file MIUI (for example, miui_TISSOT_21.3.17_v12-10.zip).
3. Add the Open GAPPS package to the installation queue (if required).
4. Swipe to confirm Flash (Swipe to confirm Flash)
5. Wait until the process is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).
6. After installation, press Wipe cache/Dalvik and restart to the system (Reboot System).

The first run can take up to 15 minutes, which is normal. Don't interrupt the process or force the phone to turn off. If after 20 minutes the MI logo is still on the screen, then something has gone wrong (see "Problem Solving").

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Installing MIUI via TWRP is the only reliable way for the Mi A1. Attempts to flash through the Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool often end in an "anti-rollback" error due to rollback protection.

Solving Common Mistakes After Flashing

Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to eliminate them:

If the fingerprint or NFC has stopped working after installing the MIUI, it is due to hardware limitations. Some Mi A1 features are not supported in custom firmware due to the lack of drivers.

To restore the IMEI (if the mobile network is lost), run in TWRP:

dd if=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/modemst1 of=/sdcard/modemst1.bin


dd if=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/modemst2 of=/sdcard/modemst2.bin

Save these files on your PC – they will come in handy for recovery in case of a crash.

Android One: Is it possible to get it all back?

Yes, you can return the Android One stock firmware, but the process is more complicated than installing MIUI.

1. Download the official image of Android One for Mi A1 from Google.
2. Unpack the archive and run the script flash-all.bat (for Windows) or flash-all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
3. Confirm unlocking of the bootloader (if it was blocked after installing MIUI).

Once rolled back, the device will return to factory status, but lose all data, and you will also have to re-unlock the bootloader if you decide to install MIUI again.

⚠️ Attention: Some users report that after returning to Android One, the camera module stops working, due to a driver conflict, the solution is to flash a stock image through the Mi Flash Tool in Clear All mode".

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Mi A1 flashing