Installation of OxygenOS on Xiaomi: can you replace MIUI And how to do it right.

OxygenOS firmware from OnePlus has long been famous for its speed, minimalistic design and lack of redundant software – all that is so lacking for many owners of Xiaomi smartphones with their overloaded MIUI. But can you install this lightweight shell on Redmi, Poco or Mi devices? Technically, yes, but the process requires preparation, unlocking the bootloader and taking into account many nuances.

In this article, we will look at all the steps of installing OxygenOS on Xiaomi, from compatibility checks to the final system setup. You will learn which models are best supported, how to avoid a brick (turning the phone into a useless block), and what to do if the mobile network or camera does not work after the firmware is installed. Importantly, the procedure requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets all data and can deprive you of warranties - consider this before you start.

Before we get to the instructions, the main question is: is it worth it? OxygenOS is really faster. MIUI, but loss of function IR-Xiaomi's blaster or signature gestures can outweigh the pros. If you're ready for experimentation, go ahead!

1. Compatibility: What Xiaomi models support OxygenOS

Not all Xiaomi smartphones can run OxygenOS. The main limitations are related to the hardware — the firmware is optimized for Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, and devices on MediaTek (for example, Redmi Note 11 or Poco). M4 Pro) often unsupported: the compatibility table for popular models below:

Before installing, be sure to check for the availability of current builds for your model on the forums. XDA Developers or 4PDA. For example, for Poco F3 There are stable ports from the OxygenOS-Poco team, but owners of the Redmi Note 9 Pro (on MediaTek Helio) G95) You will need to look for alternatives like the Pixel Experience.

Also, keep in mind that even supported models may not work:

• 📷 Camera - without ported drivers from MIUI quality will be worse.
• 📶 Mobile networking – especially on dual-use devices SIM.
• 🔋 Charging – fast charging may be limited 18W instead of the stated 33W/67W.

💡

If your model is not on the list, try looking for Android-based firmware. 12/13 with an interface similar to OxygenOS (e.g. DerpFest or ArrowOS).

2.Preparation: Unlocking the bootloader and backup

The first and most critical step is unlocking the bootloader, which is not enough to install custom firmware, and it's officially supported by Xiaomi, but it has its pitfalls:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the line to activate Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and enable Unlocking OEM and debugging by USB.
4. Download the Mi Unlock Tool utility from the official website and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, Xiaomi resets the phone to factory settings. All data (photos, messages, apps) will be deleted.

The next step is backup. Even if you backed up through Mi Cloud, copy the following:

• 📁 folder DCIM (Photo and video on PC.
• 📱 Contacts through export to.vcf.
• 🔑 Logins and passwords from Google Smart Lock or Bitwarden.
• 🎮 Game savers (use Swift Backup or root manager).

Mi Account linked to phone|Debugging is on. USB|Backup of all data.|Battery charge > 50%|Drivers installed ADB-->

3. Selection of firmware: official ports vs custom assemblies

There are two types of OxygenOS firmware for Xiaomi:

1. Official ports – adapted by the OnePlus team for a limited number of devices (e.g. Poco) F1). They're almost gone, and they're obsolete.
2. Unofficial assemblies – created by enthusiasts on XDA or 4PDA. Relevant for Snapdragon devices, but may contain bugs.

Where to look for firmware:

• 🔗 XDA Developers – Xiaomi section → model.
• 🔗 4PDA — tagged [OxygenOS].
• 🔗 Telegram channels, like @OxygenOSPorts.

When choosing an assembly, pay attention to:

• 📅 Release date – current assemblies are updated every 1-2 months.
• 🛠️ Bug list – the first topic post on the forum usually has a table with known problems.
• 🔄 Installation type – some firmware requires custom recovery (e.g., custom recovery) to be installed in advance, TWRP).

⚠️ Please do not download the firmware from questionable sites! 2023 In the past year, there have been cases when under the guise of OxygenOS, assemblies with cryptocurrency miners or spyware were distributed (MD5/SHA-1) before installation.

4. Installation of OxygenOS: step-by-step instructions

When the firmware is downloaded and the bootloader is unlocked, you'll need to start installing it.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📱 TWRP Recovery or other custom Recovery.
• 📂 OxygenOS firmware in.zip format.

Step 1: Installation of TWRP

Download the current version TWRP For your model from the official website, it's run through fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0-alioth.img


fastboot reboot recovery

Step 2: Cleaning the sections

V TWRP run the Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark:

• 🗃️ Dalvik / ART Cache
• 📄 System
• 📱 Data
• 🔄 Cache

Do not touch the internal storage and microSD if you do not want to lose files.

Step 3: Installation of firmware

Go to Install, select the downloaded.zip file OxygenOS and confirm the installation. The process will take 5-15 minutes.

1. Press the Wipe. cache/dalvik.
2. Select Reboot System.

The first run can take up to 10 minutes – don’t interrupt the process!

💡

If after the reboot the phone is stuck on the logo OnePlus, try to re-enter the phone. TWRP and thread the core (boot.img) separately.

5. System setup after installation

Once you have a successful firmware, you'll have to set up your initial setup, and OxygenOS will offer you to select a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and log into your Google account, and there are a few nuances:

1. Data recovery

If you backup through Google Drive, restore contacts and apps during the setup phase. For files, use Solid Explorer or adb pull:

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Backup\Photos

2. Customization of gestures

OxygenOS supports gestures similar to MIUI, but with other combinations:

• 👆 Swipe up - return to the main screen.
• 👆➡️ Swipe up and retention – multitasking.
• 🔙 Swipe from the edge - back (you can turn off in the settings).

3. Battery optimization

By default, OxygenOS aggressively optimizes the background processes, so that applications do not close:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.
2. Select All Apps → find out → Not optimize.

4. Problems with the mobile network

If it doesn't work 4G/5G, check the settings APN:

1. Settings → SIM-map and mobile network → Access points (APN).
2. Add in. APN your operator manually (options can be found on the provider's website).

💡

If the sound is lost in the speaker after firmware, try calibrating it through the engineering menu: dial ##36446337## and select Audio → Speaker Test.

6. Solving common errors

Even with the right installation, problems can arise, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If none of the methods did not help, refer to the topic of firmware on the forum - there is usually a FAQ Troubleshooting with solutions for your model.

What if the phone turned into a brick?

If the device doesn’t respond to buttons and doesn’t load even in fastboot, try:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and check if it is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 in Device Manager.
2. If yes, use the Mi Flash Tool to run the stockware. MIUI mode EDL.
3. If not, the problem may be in the hardware (damaged board).

⚠️ Attention: Regime EDL Requires an authorized Xiaomi account (for new models).If you do not have one, contact the service center - self-attempts can finally kill the device.

7.OxygenOS Alternatives: What else can you install on Xiaomi

If OxygenOS is not suitable (for example, due to bugs or lack of support for your model), consider other firmware:

• 📱 Pixel Experience is pure Android with Google Pixel features. Suitable for Snapdragon and some MediaTek devices.
• 🔄 LineageOS is a lightweight, open source firmware. Minimalistic, but without the signature chips.
• 🎯 DerpFest is a hybrid of OxygenOS and Pixel Experience.

Advantages of alternatives:

• 🔄 More frequent security updates.
• 🗑️ Lack of advertising and unnecessary applications.
• 🛡️ Better privacy (no data collection like this) MIUI Analytics).

Disadvantages:

• 📵 Possible problems with VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling.
• 📷 The quality of the camera is often worse than on stock MIUI.
• 🔋 Fast charging can work slower.

8.Putting back MIUI: How to get it back

If OxygenOS doesn’t live up to expectations, you can return stock. MIUI. For that:

1. Download fastboot firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your PC.
3. Put your phone in fastboot mode (press the Power). + Vol− switch off).
4. Connect to the PC and launch the script flash_all.bat (Windows or flash_all.sh (Linux/Mac).

After completion, the phone will automatically restart to MIUI. This method completely erases data, including internal memory!

If you want to save files, first do a backup through TWRP:

1. Download to TWRP.
2. Choose Backup → Check Data and Internal Storage.
3. Save the backup to MicroSD or connected USB-accumulator.

After returning to MIUI unlocking the bootloader will remain active. To remove it, you need to re-block the bootloader through fastboot:

fastboot oem lock

But remember: this will reset the phone to factory settings again.

💡

If after the rollback MIUI stop working sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer), stitch the stock core separately through fastboot flash boot boot.img.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing OxygenOS on Xiaomi