How to try One UI on Xiaomi smartphone: from preparation to installation

Samsung’s One UI has long been a benchmark for convenience for Android users, but it is officially only available on the South Korean brand’s devices. Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder if it can be installed on their devices? The answer is yes, but with reservations. This will require custom firmware based on modified versions of Android with a ported One UI.

In this article, we’ll look at which Xiaomi models theoretically support One UI installation, what tools are needed, and what pitfalls await the user. It’s important to understand that the process is not official, so there’s no guarantee of stable operation. However, for enthusiasts willing to experiment, this is a chance to evaluate Samsung’s interface on devices with Qualcomm or MediaTek hardware platform.

Before you start, consider that the procedure requires unlocking the bootloader, installing a customized Recovery, and can lead to data loss or even bricking of the device. If you are not sure of your skills, it is better to stop at this stage.

Why is One UI on Xiaomi so difficult?

The main problem is hardware and software incompatibility: Samsung’s One UI shell is designed exclusively for its devices, taking into account their hardware, drivers and proprietary modules. Xiaomi smartphones have a different architecture, other chips (for example, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Exynos 2200), other cameras, sensors.

However, enthusiasts from the community XDA Developers and other platforms create ported firmware by adapting One UI These firmwares are often based on LineageOS or other AOSP-projects with integrated Samsung interface elements, but even then some of the features (such as DeX, Samsung Pay or branded gestures) will not work.

• 🔧 Problem 1: Lack of official Xiaomi hardware drivers (cameras, modems, sensors).
• 📱 Problem 2: Not all functions of the One UI It will work (for example, Bixby or Samsung Knox).
• ⚡ Problem 3: Increased battery consumption due to unoptimized code.
• 🔄 Problem 4: Frequent bugs and occasional reboots on unstable builds.

However, if you're interested in just trying the interface, it's possible, and the key is to choose the right firmware and follow the instructions.

Which Xiaomi models support One UI?

For 2026, full One UI ports exist only for a limited number of Xiaomi devices, mainly on the Qualcomm Snapdragon platform. Here is a list of models for which there are working (albeit not perfect) builds:

Important: Firmware for MediaTek devices (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) is extremely rare because of the closed source code of the drivers. If your model is not on the list, the chances of a successful port are minimal.

Before installation, check:

• ✅ Compatibility of your model with the selected firmware (look for topics on the XDA or 4PDA).
• ✅ Up-to-date instructions (firmware older than 2023 may not support new One versions) UI).
• ✅ Other Users’ Reviews on the Stability of the Assembly.

💡

If your model isn’t supported but you want a similar interface, try the Samsung One UI Launcher from APK. It mimics the look but doesn’t give you full functionality.

Preparation of the smartphone: unlocking the bootloader and TWRP

Installation of custom firmware begins with unlocking the bootloader. Without this step, you can not flash alternative software. Xiaomi process is officially supported, but requires time and patience.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode). Then to Settings → Additional → For developers, turn on OEM unlock and USB debugging.
2. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the machine, then press Volume Down + Power).
4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in and follow the instructions. Usually, it takes 72–168 hours to unlock (waiting for server verification).

Once unlocked, you need to install a customized Recovery, TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), which is an alternative recovery menu that allows you to stitch informal images.

How to install TWRP:

1. Download the current version of TWRP for your model from the official website.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0-1-alioth.img (replace alioth with your device’s codename, such as vili for Xiaomi 12 Pro).
3. Reboot to Recovery: Fastboot Reboot Recovery.

⚠️ Note: Some of the One's firmware UI require a special version TWRP Dm-verity support, check this in your assembly instructions.

Make a backup of data (photos, contacts, messages)|Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock|Install TWRP forecast|Download firmware and GApps (if necessary)|Check the battery charge (minimum 70%)-->

Step-by-step instructions for installing One UI

When the bootloader is unlocked and the TWRP is installed, you can start the firmware.

• 📱 One firmware file UI (usually in.zip format).
• 🔧 GApps (if the firmware does not include Google services).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 70%.

Instructions:

1. Copy the firmware file and GApps (if necessary) to internal memory or SD-map.
2. Reboot to TWRP (turn off the phone, then press Volume up + Power).
3. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

Don't touch it.

Internal Storage

MicroSD

Install

GApps

Reboot → System

The first run can take 10 to 20 minutes. Don't interrupt the process.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is stuck on the Samsung or Xiaomi logo for more than 30 minutes after firmware is installed, then the firmware is incompatible with your device. MIUI via Fastboot.

Set up One UI after installation

After a successful firmware, you will be greeted by the usual Samsung setup wizard, but with some nuances:

What works out of the box:

• 🎨 Interface One UI branded.
• 📸 The basic features of the camera (but without Samsung’s proprietary algorithms).
• 🔊 Sound, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (if drivers are compatible).

Which is likely not to work:

• 🚫 Samsung Knox (hardware protection is not available on Xiaomi).
• 🚫 DeX (requires special iron).
• 🚫 Samsung Pay (not supported) NFC other manufacturers).
• 🚫 Branded camera features (such as Single Take or Director's View).

Adjustment recommendations:

1. Update all apps through the Galaxy Store (if installed).
2. In Settings → Screen set the refresh rate (not all firmware supports 120Hz).
3. Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) if the interface is slowing down.
4. Turn off unnecessary Samsung services in Settings → Battery saving apps

💡

Even on compatible devices, the One UI will run slower than the original Samsung smartphones. That's fine - the firmware isn't optimized for Xiaomi's hardware.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when you successfully install it, you're going to get bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If you are facing a problem that is not in the table, check:

• 🔍 Error Logs in Settings → Maintenance of the device → Diagnostics.
• 💬 Reviews on the forum where you downloaded firmware (possibly a well-known bug).
• 🔄 Possibility of rollback to the previous version of the firmware.

Alternatives: How to get a similar interface without firmware

If you don’t want to take risks, but like the One UI interface, there are safer ways to do this:

1. Launchers and themes

• 🎨 Samsung One UI Launcher – the official app from Samsung, simulating the appearance (available on APKMirror).
• 🖌️ Hex Installer + one UI for MIUI (changing icons and fonts).

2. AOSP-based firmware with One UI elements

• 📱 Havoc OS Pixel Experience with ported Samsung animations.
• 🔧 LineageOS with Magisk modules for customization of the interface.

3.Magisk modules

• ⚙️ One UI Fonts – changes fonts to Samsung branded.
• ⚙️ One UI Icons – replaces the icons of system applications.

These methods won’t give you the full functionality of One UI, but the visual interface will be very close to the original – without the risk of losing data or breaking the phone.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions