How to Install Pure Android on Xiaomi Instead of MIUI: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi smartphones are known for their value for money, but the branded shell MIUI is not popular with everyone: redundant features, aggressive advertising in budget models, system-level constraints and not always logical optimization force users to look for alternatives. One of the best solutions is the installation of pure Android (AOSP) — firmware without unnecessary add-ons, with a minimalist interface and fast work.

However, the process of replacing MIUI with stock Android requires preparation, from unlocking the bootloader to choosing a compatible firmware. In this article, we will examine all the official and informal ways to install pure Android on Xiaomi devices, including the nuances for models with Qualcomm and MediaTek processors, as well as the risks that are important to consider before you start. If you are willing to sacrifice the guarantee for freedom from MIUI, read on.

Why users want to remove MIUI and put a clean Android

Xiaomi’s branded shell has fans and critics alike, and these are the main reasons why owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones are deciding to switch:

• 🚫 Advertising in the system: even in settings and standard applications (in budget models).
• 🐢 Slowdown over time: MIUI tends to “brake” after a year of use due to background processes.
• 🔒 Manufacturer restrictions: installation lock APK Unknown sources, forced updates.
• 📱 Non-standard interface: the absence of “vanilla” Android with its minimalism and Material Design.
• 🔄 Incorrect updates: MIUI Often brings bugs instead of fixes (example: notification problems in the MIUI 14).

Pure Android (or custom firmware based on it, like LineageOS, Pixel Experience) solves these problems, but has a downside:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• ⚠️ Risk of “bricking” the device with errors during firmware.
• ⚠️ Lack of certain functions MIUI (For example, built-in game turbo mode or brand gestures).

What Xiaomi devices support installing a clean Android

Technically, any Xiaomi smartphone can be reflashed on custom firmware, but there are nuances:

1. Official support: Projects like LineageOS or Pixel Experience publish lists of supported models. For example, Xiaomi Mi A1/A2/A3 originally came with Android One and is easily reflashed, but Redmi Note 10 Pro requires searching for unofficial builds.
2. Processor: Devices on Qualcomm Snapdragon (e.g., POCO F3, Mi 11) are easier to flash than on MediaTek (e.g., Redmi 9A), due to the closedness of the latter's drivers.
3. On new models (released after 2021), Xiaomi has tightened its unlock policy, adding a mandatory account binding and waiting up to 720 hours.

Before starting, check the support of your model on the resources:

• 🔗 Official website of LineageOS
• 🔗 XDA Developers (partition of your device)
• 🔗 Telegram chats on custom firmware

⚠️ Note: Devices on MediaTek (e.g. Redmi) 10A, POCO M3) They often don't have quality custom firmware because of closed source drivers. Before buying a smartphone for firmware, check the chipset model!

Preparation for installation: unlocking the loader

The first and most important step is to unlock the bootloader. Without it, you can't install custom recovery or firmware. Xiaomi has made it harder on the latest models, so follow the instructions carefully.

Step 1: Linking your Mi Account

From 2021, unlocking requires:

1. Create a Mi Account and link your phone to it.
2. Enable Developer Options (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
3. Activate OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in the Developer Menu.
4. Waiting 7 days (168 hours) after an account is a requirement for Xiaomi.

Step 2: Use the Mi Unlock Tool

After waiting:

1. Download the official Mi Unlock Tool (Windows only).
2. Open the utility, log in to your Mi Account.
3. Turn the phone into Fastboot mode (turn it off, then press Volume Down + Power).
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and follow the instructions of the program.

Created and confirmed by Mi Account|Account tied to phone|Debugging is on. USB and unlock OEM|It's been 168 hours since the tie-up.|Download the Mi Unlock Tool of the latest version-->

If the utility gives you a Couldn’t unlock error, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect. USB-cable (use the original cable).
• 🔄 Run Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator.
• 🔄 Disable the antivirus (it can block the utility).
• 🔄 Trying a different PC (sometimes helps).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11) reset the data (factory reset) after unlocking the bootloader!

Select firmware: LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other

Once you unlock the bootloader, you need to choose a custom firmware. Here are the most popular options for Xiaomi:

Where to download firmware:

• 🔗 Official LineageOS website (check out the device model!).
• 🔗 Pixel Experience (select the Plus version for additional features).
• 🔗 XDA Developers (Look for the theme of your device).

Important: Download the firmware exactly for your model! For example, the Redmi Note 8 and Redmi Note 8 Pro are different devices, and their firmware is incompatible.

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Before downloading the firmware, check its release date. Old builds (over 6 months old) may contain vulnerabilities or may not support new applications.

Installation of custom recovery (TWRP)

To install a clean Android will need custom recovery – usually this is the case. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project will replace Xiaomi’s standard recovery and allow you to flash through the system. ZIP-file.

Step 1: Download TWRP

Find the latest version of TWRP for your model at:

• 🔗 Official website TWRP
• 🔗 XDA Developers (if there is no official version)

Step 2: Installation via Fastboot

Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-your_device.img


fastboot reboot recovery

If TWRP doesn’t start, try:

• 🔄 Re-experiencing Recovery Again.
• 🔄 Use the command fastboot boot twrp.img (flash-start).
• 🔄 Check if the antivirus is blocking fastboot.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO X3 NFC) post-fix TWRP You need to install the firmware immediately, otherwise the system will overwrite recovery back to stock!

Firmware of pure Android: step-by-step instructions

Now that you have the bootloader unlocked and the TWRP installed, you can start installing the firmware. Follow the instructions carefully - errors at this stage can lead to a "brick" of the device.

Step 1: Preparing files

Download and transfer to your phone (or microSD):

• 📁 Firmware (e.g. firmware, lineage-20.0-20231010-nightly-your_device-signed.zip).
• 📁 Open GApps (if you need Google services; choose nano or pico).
• 📁 Magisk (optional, for root rights).

Step 2: Installation via TWRP

In recovery TWRP:

1. Select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Cache.
2. Go back to the main menu and select Install.
3. Install firmware, then (without rebooting!) Open GApps and Magisk (if necessary).
4. Reboot to the system (Reboot → System).

The first start can take 5-15 minutes – don’t interrupt! If the system doesn’t boot for more than 20 minutes, then something has gone wrong (see spoiler above).

Solving typical problems after firmware

Even if the installation is successful, there may be problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the problem is not solved, please refer to the forums:

• 🔗 XDA Developers (Search for the theme of your model).
• 🔗 Telegram chat LineageOS Russia.
• 🔗 4PDA (partition).

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If after the firmware IMEI disappeared or the network does not work, in any case do not try to restore it through the engineering menu without knowing the commands!

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing clean Android on Xiaomi