Clean Android on Xiaomi Mi Mix 2s: A Complete Guide to Installing AOSP

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 2s was originally designed as a device for enthusiasts and technology connoisseurs, but over time, the MIUI shell can seem overloaded or slow. The transition to a clean operating system known as the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) returns the device to its former speed and smoothness of the interface. It is a radical solution that completely changes the user experience, eliminating the pre-installed advertising debris and background processes characteristic of standard firmware.

However, the process of replacing the operating system requires careful attention and strict adherence to the sequence of actions. Any error in the preparation or writing of files can lead to a device failure, known as a "brick". Before starting the procedure, you must be aware of the risks associated with the loss of warranty (if it is still relevant) and possible problems with the functionality of the camera or NFC module.

In this guide, we will take a detailed look at every step from unlocking the bootloader to the first boot to a fresh system, and you will learn how to properly prepare your computer, what tools you will need and what nuances you should pay special attention to for the Mi Mix 2s. Experimental readiness is good, but technical literacy is crucial here.

Toolkit preparation and backup

Start with a thorough preparation of the workplace and software, you will need a computer running Windows (preferably version 10 or 11), high-quality. USB-The lack of the original cable often causes a failure of communication with the device at a critical moment, so it is better not to risk it.

The first step is to create a complete backup of all important data. The process of installing a clean Android involves completely cleaning up the internal memory of the smartphone. Photos, contacts, correspondence in messengers and files will be permanently deleted if you do not backup in advance. Use Google cloud services or local copying to your PC hard drive.

You also need to download a specific set of drivers and utilities, without which the computer will not be able to properly interact with the system partitions of the phone, including ADB and Fastboot drivers, as well as Google's platform-tools.

• 📦 USB-Cable: Use only original or certified cable with fast charging and data transfer support.
• 💻 Drivers: Install universal drivers ADB/Fastboot Qualcomm specific drivers for the mode EDL.
• 🔓 Mi Account: Make sure you remember the username and password from the account associated with the device, otherwise unlocking will not be possible.
• 🔋 Charge: The battery level must be at least 70-80% before any manipulations are initiated.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader through the official Xiaomi service resets all data on the device. If you do not back up right now, further actions will lead to loss of information.

Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

Without an unlocked bootloader, installing custom recavator or third-party firmware is technically impossible. Xiaomi imposes strict restrictions on its devices by requiring them to undergo a formal verification procedure, which creates a certain time lag, as the company artificially delays the issuance of permission.

To start, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on MIUI seven times. After that, the menu will appear “Additional” or “Advanced settings”, where you need to find “Developers”. Inside this menu, activate “OEM Unlocking” and “Debugging by USB”.

Next, link the device to the account. In the same bootloader status menu, click Add Account and Device. The system will require SMS confirmation. Once successfully linked, you must wait 7 to 168 hours (1 to 7 days) before the service allows unlocking. The exact latency is displayed in the Mi Unlock Tool app on the PC.

When the timer runs out, turn off your smartphone and press down volume and power buttons simultaneously to enter Fastboot mode. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your account and press the Unlock button. The process will take a few seconds, after which the device will reboot and clear the data.

Installation of custom TWRP Recovery

Xiaomi’s standard Recovery mode has limited functionality and does not allow you to install unsigned digital keys of the manufacturer’s system images. To install a pure Android, we will need TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) – a modified open source recovery environment.

Find and download the current image TWRP, It is designed specifically for Xiaomi Mi Mix 2s (Using an image for another model is guaranteed to cause a breakdown. vbmeta_disable.zip (or a similar patch to disable the boot partition check, as modern versions of Android check system integrity at start-up.

Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode (volume down buttons) + Open the command line on your computer in the folder with the installed ADB-Type the command to check the connection: fastboot devices. If the serial number appears in the list, you can proceed.

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-polaris.img

Immediately after the firmware recovery, you need to perform a special login procedure so that the installed TWRP is not replaced by the system back to the stock. Without releasing the power button, press the volume button. Hold both buttons until the screen goes out, then release power, but continue to keep the volume up until the TWRP logo appears.

• 📂 File system: TWRP for Mi Mix 2s works with the file system F2FS, Which provides better productivity.
• 🛡️ Password: First login TWRP may require a screen unlock password (pin code or pattern lock).
• 🔄 Replacement of drain: If after rebooting you see the standard recaveri again, the firmware procedure TWRP repeat.

⚠️ Note: If you just reboot the device in the usual way after firmware TWRP, Xiaomi stock system will automatically replace custom Recovery with its own!

The process of installing AOSP firmware

Now that TWRP is up and running, you can move to installing the operating system directly. There are several pure Android ports for the Mi Mix 2s, the most stable are LineageOS, Pixel Experience (or its forks) and ArrowOS. Download the archive with the selected firmware and, if necessary, the Google Apps package (GApps), if they are not built into the system image.

The first step in TWRP is to clean up partitions. Go to the Wipe → Advanced Wipe menu. Check the Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data and Cache sections. Don't touch the Internal Storage section if the firmware files are on internal memory, or External SD if you use a memory card. Slide the partitions with a slider to start cleaning.

Then we go to the installation. In the main TWRP menu, select Install. Find the downloaded zip file with the firmware and click on it. On the installation confirmation screen, drag and drop the slider "Swipe to confirm Flash." Wait for the process to finish, which usually takes 2-5 minutes.

If you're using firmware without Google's built-in services, install the GApps archive immediately after you install (without restarting!) and go back to Install and select a file with Google services. This is a critical step, otherwise you won't have the Play Market and most apps.

After successfully installing all components, go back to the main menu and select Reboot → System. The first download can last up to 5-10 minutes, which is normal for the application optimization process.

Configuring a new system and drivers

Once you have successfully downloaded, you will see a pure Android welcome screen. The interface will be radically different from MIUI: there are no extra shells, and the settings are grouped logically. However, since we installed a third-party system, some hardware components may not work properly without additional configuration.

The NFC module requires special attention. In stock MIUI, it works out of the box, but in AOSP firmware for Mi Mix 2s, it often requires manual activation or patch installation. If the NFC does not work immediately, check for the libnfc-nci.conf file in the system or install the Magisk module to fix the contactless payment.

The camera is another sensitive point. The standard camera app in pure Android can take pictures worse than the Xiaomi app. To solve this problem, we recommend installing a Google Camera port (GCam) specifically built for the Snapdragon 845 processor, which will significantly improve the quality of photos, especially in low light conditions.

• 📸 GCam: Look for a version from the developer BSG or Arnova8G2 for better compatibility.
• 📡 VoLTE: Some builds may require VoLTE activation via an engineering menu or terminal.
• 🔒 Security: Install the last month’s security patch if the firmware doesn’t update automatically.

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To install GCam on pure Android, it is often required to give the app permission to use the camera and microphone manually in privacy settings immediately after the first launch.

Possible problems and solutions

Despite careful preparation, there may be unforeseen complications in the process of modifying a smartphone, most often users experience a cyclic bootloop, where the phone constantly shows the logo and reboots, which can be caused by a corrupted firmware file or partition conflict.

If the device is stuck in the bootloom, go back to TWRP (pressing the power and volume buttons up). Try re-wiping the Data partition (Format Data) and reflashing the system again. It is also worth checking the integrity of the downloaded zip archive: sometimes the file is corrupted when you download, and the checksum does not add up.

Another common problem is a broken sound or sensor, which is where cleaning the Dalvik and ART cache helps. If the phone stopped responding to buttons and the screen is black, but vibrates when connected to a PC, it may have gone into EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, and exiting it is only possible through the flashing of the stock MIUI through the MiFlash Tool in Clean All mode.

⚠️ Note: Trying to flash firmware intended for global version (Global) to Chinese version (China) or vice versa without changing the region may lead to the inoperability of the communication modem.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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Installing a clean Android extends the life of Xiaomi Mi Mix 2s, providing up-to-date OS versions and high performance, but requires a willingness to solve technical nuances on your own.