Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive advertising and an overloaded MIUI shell interface that wastes resources. Installing custom firmware Pixel Experience allows you to turn the device into a Google Pixel, giving it clean Android, smooth animation and optimized battery life. This process requires care, but the result is worth it: you get a system without extra software and with guaranteed security updates.
Before you start modifying the software part, you need to understand the risks associated with interference with the bootloader. The bootloader unlock procedure officially erases all data from the internal drive of the smartphone without the possibility of recovery. You will need to back up photos, contacts and important documents in advance so that you do not lose them forever.
This guide covers all the steps from obtaining superuser rights to the first boot to a new operating system.We will examine the nuances of working with Fastboot, installing TWRP recovery and features of firmware through ADB. If you are ready for experiments, let’s start preparing hardware.
⚠️ Note: All actions you perform at your own risk. The author of the instructions is not responsible for possible failures in the operation of the device or software errors that occurred during the modification.
Tool preparation and compatibility check
The first step is to find the exact version of the firmware that is designed to codename your device. In the Xiaomi world, models often have different names for the global market and China, and also differ in the type of processor. For example, the Redmi Note 10 can have the codenames sunny or mojito, and firmware from one model to another will lead to a brick.
To work you will need a computer running Windows or Linux, high-quality USB-cable and installed drivers ADB Without these basic components, you can't connect to your phone in bootloader mode. Download the platform tool archive from the official Android developer site and unpack it to the root of the C disk for convenience.
Where can I find the code name of the device?
Make sure the battery is at least 60 percent power. The flashing process can take time, and suddenly turning off power at a critical point in partition writing can make the device software-free. Also include USB debugging in the developer menu.
- 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with unlocked bootloader (or readiness to unlock it).
- 💻 PC with installed drivers ADB and Fastboot.
- 🔌 Original or qualitative USB-data-line.
- 💾 Files of the Pixel Experience firmware and TWRP for your particular model.
Unlock the bootloader and install TWRP
Without an unlocked bootloader, any modified images cannot be installed. The official method requires an application on the Mi Unlock website and a wait of 7 to 168 hours. Once authorized, link your Mi Account to your phone settings and use the Mi Unlock Tool on your computer to unblock the lock.
Once successfully unlocked, you need to flash a custom recavator, most commonly used TWRP. Put your phone in Fastboot mode by clamping down the volume button and connecting the cable to your PC. In the command line, type in the command command to check the connection: fastboot devices. If the serial number is displayed, you can go to the firmware.
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-codename.img
fastboot boot twrp-3.x.x-x-codename.imgIt is important to avoid automatic reboots before installing the firmware, as the stock bootloader can replace the TWRP back to the runoff. Immediately after the firmware recovery, use the button combination to enter boot recovery mode or the fastboot command.
☑️ Checklist before firmware
⚠️ Attention: First installation TWRP On data encryption devices, you may need to format the Data partition. From the Wipe menu, select Format Data and type "yes" to reset protection and access memory from the recovery.
Installation of the Pixel Experience
When you're on the TWRP menu, the first thing you need to do is clear the partitions of the system to avoid old and new firmware file conflicts. Go to Wipe and select Advanced Wipe, marking Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Vendor and Data. Don't clear the Internal Storage partition if the firmware file is there, or Internal Storage + Data if the firmware is on the memory card.
Once cleaned, go back to the main menu and select Install. Find the previously downloaded zip archive from Pixel Experience. Swipe to confirm the installation. The process will take a few minutes, during which the installer will record the images of the system, the boot kernel and restore partition markup.
| Section | Action in TWRP | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Dalvik / ART Cache | Wipe | Cleaning up the app cache |
| System | Wipe | Removal of the old OS |
| Data | Format / Wipe | Complete reset of user data |
| Vendor | Wipe | Replacement of drivers and HAL |
If you plan to use root rights, immediately after installing the main firmware, without restarting, install the Magisk zip archive. This will allow you to obtain superuser rights and run applications that require deep access to the system. After all the manipulations, click Reboot System.
First start and initial setup
The first boot after installing custom firmware can take 3 to 10 minutes. This is normal, as the system optimizes applications and creates new configuration files. If the screen goes out or the Pixel Experience logo appears, be patient and do not try to restart the device.
After the welcome screen, you will be greeted with a clean interface, devoid of the usual MIUI elements. Set up a language, connect to Wi-Fi and log in to your Google account. The system immediately prompts you to update Google Play services, which is recommended for stable operation.
Pay attention to sensors, sound and communication modules. Custom builds sometimes require manual calibration or additional patches, although the Pixel Experience is famous for its "out of the box" tab. Check the camera's performance, as photo processing algorithms may differ from stock ones.
- 🔒 Set up the unlock method (PIN-code, pattern lock or print).
- 📡 Check the mobile network and the Internet (APN setting).
- 🎨 Set up the theme and font size in the display menu.
- 🔄 Activate automatic system updates in settings.
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After the first login, be sure to let the phone lie on charge for 20-30 minutes with the screen off, which will allow the background processes to complete the indexing and optimization of the battery.
Solving problems and bugs
Despite the high build quality, users may face some challenges, such as Widevine L1, which causes streaming services like Netflix to only show content in low resolution, because unlocking the bootloader changes the security status of the device.
Another common problem is VoLTE or video calls that are broken in some regions, which may require modem flashing or Magisk custom re-enablement modules, and it’s worth checking if antivirus is blocking system services.
If you see a fast battery drain, check the usage statistics in your settings. Maybe some app is not working properly with the new kernel. Try clearing the Google Play Services cache or resetting your network settings.
⚠️ Warning: If after installing the firmware, the phone goes into a booth (infinite reboot), don't panic. TWRP, Do Format Data (Enter Yes) and clean it up. Dalvik/Cache Reinstall the firmware clean without saving data.
💡
To check Widevine status, use the application "DRM Info." If the L1 level is gone, you can only return it by flashing the original bootloader and security keys, which is difficult and not always possible.
Update and return to stock firmware
Pixel Experience supports airborne update" (OTA), If you didn't get a root license, if you had Magisk. OTA-You can't install updates, it will cause an error when you download them, and then you can manually update them: download a new zip file, go to the new zip file. TWRP, Then, install it and install it immediately (if necessary), after which reboot.
If you decide to return to the official MIUI, you will need the Mi Flash Tool utility and the full firmware archive in Fastboot (tgz).The return process is similar to installing custom firmware, but requires locking the bootloader with fastboot oem lock or through Mi Flash (clean all and lock option).
Remember, locking the bootloader on custom firmware is prohibited and will lead to a brick. First, fully restore the boot and recovery stock partition, and then lock the bootloader. Always save stock images of the boot and recovery of the original firmware before starting experiments.
- 🔄 To update without losing data, use the adb sideload command.
- 🔒 Blocking the loader is possible only on the stock firmware.
- 💾 Keep stock imagery. boot.img for each update MIUI.