Is it possible to put iOS on Xiaomi: myths, realities and safe alternatives

Have you ever thought about turning your Xiaomi into an iPhone? There are a lot of queries online like, "How to put iOS on Xiaomi," or "Can IOS be installed on Redmi." At first glance, the idea seems tempting: combining Xiaomi's hardware power with the Apple ecosystem. But in practice, things are much more complicated -- and often impossible.

In this article, we’ll explore why native iOS installation on Xiaomi is technically unfeasible, what half-measures exist (and how they are dangerous), and suggest legal ways to get an iOS-like interface without risking bricking your device. If you’re looking for a way to radically change the look of your smartphone, read on. If you’re dreaming of a full-fledged iOS, prepare to be disappointed or buy an iPhone.

Why iOS can not be installed on Xiaomi: technical reasons

The main problem lies in the architecture of the processors. All Xiaomi smartphones (like 99% of Android devices) run on chips with the architecture of ARM, but Apple uses its own processors Apple Silicon (formerly ARM-based A-series). Even if you found iOS firmware for ARM, there would be three critical obstacles:

• 🔧 Equipment drivers: iOS does not have drivers for Xiaomi components – camera, module NFC, sensors, etc. Without them, the device simply will not boot.
• 🔒 Bootloader protection: Apple uses a unique bootloader signature verification system (Secure Boot), which is incompatible with “foreign” devices.
• 📱 No ports: No enthusiast has created working iOS ports for Android smartphones – unlike Windows ARM Linux.

The only way to run iOS on Xiaomi is to use an emulator (like macOS), but that has nothing to do with the phone's firmware.All the "instructions" on the network promising to install iOS on Redmi or POCO are either fraud or lead to the device failing.

⚠️ Note: Attempts to flash Xiaomi unofficial firmware with mention of iOS (for example, through fastboot) lead to a complete failure of eMMC memory.

Alternatives to iOS for Xiaomi: what can be done legally

If the goal is an iOS-like interface, rather than the operating system itself, there are a few safe ways to do this:

1. iOS launchers (like iOS 16 or iLauncher) change the look of menus, icons and animations, but don’t affect system features.
2. Topics for MIUI. In Themes → My themes can be found in styles under iOS (search for “iPhone»).
3. Custom firmware like LineageOS with an iOS theme, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and deprives of warranties.

The easiest way to do this is to install a launcher, like iLauncher, which copies:

• 📱 Icons and folders like iOS (including the effect of “breathing” when pressed).
• 🔍 Spotlight Search Bar (analogue in Android – Google App).
• ⚙️ Control Center-style notification center.

The disadvantage of launchers is that they do not change system applications (Settings, Phone, Messages remain standard for MIUI). To fully immerse, you will have to combine the launcher with themes and third-party applications (for example, Messages by Google instead of MIUI SMS).

Dangerous “solutions”: What NOT to try

In the pursuit of iOS on Xiaomi, users often face questionable advice: Consider the riskiest of them – and why they will lead to problems.

It is especially dangerous to download iOS firmware for Xiaomi from torrent trackers or obscure forums, often spread under the guise of such files:

• 🦠 Spyware (keyloggers, backdoors).
• 💣 Encryption viruses that block a ransom phone.
• 🧱 Damaged images leading to hardware failure.

⚠️ Warning: If you have already downloaded suspicious firmware, do not connect your phone to your PC until you have checked the file through VirusTotal. Even unpacking the archive can trigger a script that infects your computer.

Step-by-step: how to install the iOS launcher on Xiaomi

If you decide to limit yourself to a safe way, installing a launcher, follow this instruction, the process will take no more than 10 minutes and will not require unlocking the bootloader.

Download APK from an official website (e.g. iLauncher OS)

Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special access

Backup of the current launcher (optional)

Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

Installation steps:

1. Download the launcher file (e.g. iLauncher OS from Google Play or APK from APKPure).
2. Open the file and allow installation (if you downloaded APK, confirm in the window "Install unknown application").
3. After installation, click Open and select iLauncher as the default launcher in the window that appears.
4. Restart your phone (optional, but recommended for the widgets to work properly).

For a full imitation of iOS, additionally install:

• 🎵 iPhone sounds: download the sound pack (iOS Ringtones in Google Play) and install via Settings → Sound.
• 📱 Keyboard: Gboard with iOS theme or SwiftKey.
• 🔋 Animations: In the launcher settings, enable the iOS Effects option (if supported).

If after installation, the launcher is unstable (flys out, brakes), try:

1. Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Apps → iLauncher → Memory → Clear the cache


2. disable battery optimization for launcher in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization




3.Reinstall the launcher, pre-deleting the old version.

💡

To return the standard MIUI launcher, go to Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher and select System Launcher.

Unlocking the bootloader and custom firmware: risks and opportunities

If you don't like launchers and you're willing to take risks, consider installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) followed by an iOS theme, which is more complex but gives you more freedom, but it has critical drawbacks:

• 🔓 Requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets the phone and deprives of warranty.
• 📉 It can impair performance (especially on Redmi budget models).
• 🚫 Some features of Xiaomi, for example, IR-Game Turbo or Blaster will stop working.

The process of unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi includes:

1. Linking your Mi Account to your device (required!).
2. Wait 7-15 days (blocking period for new accounts)
3. Use the official Mi Unlock Tool utility.
4. TWRP and custom OS through fastboot.

Detailed instructions for unlocking are available on the official Xiaomi website, but remember:

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the encryption is disabled and Find My Device's protection is no longer working. If the phone is stolen, it will be impossible to recover data or block it remotely.

If you still decide on custom firmware, choose proven projects:

💡

Custom firmware won’t turn your Xiaomi into an iPhone, but it will allow you to customize the interface deeper and remove unnecessary MIUI apps.

What to do if the phone is “bricked” after experiments

If the phone stopped turning on during the installation of the unofficial firmware (or attempts to install iOS), don’t panic. In most cases, it can be restored, but it will take a PC and a little patience.

Brick symptoms:

• 🔄 The phone hangs on the logo. MI or Fastboot.
• 📵 Does not respond to the power button and charging.
• 💻 The computer does not detect the device (even in fastboot).

The recovery algorithm:

1. Check the charging response: plug it into the charger for 1-2 hours. If the charging indicator flashes, the problem is in the firmware, if not, the motherboard may be damaged.
2. Run it in Fastboot: Loudness down + Power for 10-15 seconds. If you have a hare in a hat, fastboot.
3. Flip the official firmware through Mi Flash Tool: 1. Download the firmware for your model from https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index 2. Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic. 3. Connect your phone in fastboot to a PC. 4. In Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Flash.

If the Mi Flash Tool is in error (e.g. critical partition flashing is not allowed), then the bootloader is locked.

• Try logging in to Mi Unlock Tool with the same account you used to unlock.
• If it does not help - contact the service center Xiaomi (restoration will cost 1-3 thousand rubles).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions