Many owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones sooner or later face the limitations of the stock shell MIUI or HyperOS. Advertising in system applications, intrusive services, the lack of a global version of Android and restrictions on installing third-party applications from unknown sources are just the tip of the iceberg.
The process of installing custom firmware, whether it’s Pixel Experience, LineageOS or Xiaomi.eu, gives you access to hidden features of the device. You get full control of the system, the ability to fine-tune the interface and significantly increase autonomy. However, before you start active actions, you need to clearly understand that any interference with the code carries certain risks.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of preparation and the process of flashing. Installing a custom TWRP recap is a prerequisite for successful replacement of the operating system on most Xiaomi models. We will discuss the necessary tools, methods of unlocking the bootloader and the specifics of working with different types of file systems.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
The first step in any software modification process is to carefully prepare the workplace, and you're going to need not only the smartphone itself, but also a personal computer with Windows, macOS or Linux operating systems. USB-The cable plays a critical role: use the original wire or a certified, well-shielded analog to avoid connection breaks at the most inopportune moment.
You need to install universal ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer. Without these components, your computer simply won’t see your device in a special boot mode, you will also need to download the firmware file with the.zip or.img extension, as well as the image of the TWRP recovery, adapted specifically for your CPU and screen model.
⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulations, be sure to create a full backup of all important data. During the installation of custom software, the internal memory of the device will be completely cleaned, and it will be impossible to restore files without a backup.
Be sure to check the battery charge. The charge level should be at least 60-70% so that the device does not turn off in the middle of a critical operation, and it is also recommended to disable all antivirus programs on the PC, as they can block the debugging tools.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Xiaomi has implemented a strict security policy that prevents you from changing the system partition without official permission.The Bootloader unlock procedure is a gateway without which custom recavator installation is impossible.This process is tied to your Mi Account account and requires a wait of 7 to 168 hours.
First, link the device to the account in the developer settings. Go to Settings → About the phone and click on the MIUI version several times to activate the developer menu. Then, in the advanced settings, find the “Status of the bootloader” and link the account to the device via the mobile network.
- 📱 Download the official Mi Unlock Tool utility from the manufacturer's website.
- 🔌 Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode, clamping the power buttons and volume reduction at the same time.
- 💻 Connect the device to your PC and start the unlock program by logging into the same account as on your phone.
- ⏳ Wait for the end of the waiting timer if the status does not allow you to unlock the device immediately.
After successful unlocking, the android-fixing hare icon will appear on the boot screen with the Unlocked signature, which signals that the path to modify the memory partitions is open.
What happens to the guarantee?
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
The standard Recovery menu has very limited functionality and does not allow you to install files that are unsigned by the manufacturer. Custom firmware requires an advanced bootloader, and the gold standard here is TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), which allows you to back up partitions, clear cache and install archives with modifications.
The installation process is carried out via Fastboot mode. After connecting the smartphone to the computer in this mode, open the command line or terminal in the folder with the ADB tools installed. The installation command is as follows:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-name model.imgIt's important to prevent the device from automatically restarting immediately after the image firmware is flashed. If the phone goes to the standard system, it will rewrite TWRP back to the stock recave, so immediately after you run a command in the terminal, use the key combination to force the recovery mode or follow the command:
fastboot boot twrp-model name.imgInside the TWRP menu, the first thing you should do is format the data partition, which is necessary to navigate between file systems and the encryption works correctly. Select Wipe → Format Data and enter the yes confirmation.
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Once you have TWRP installed and formatted Data, the phone can reboot cyclically. This is normal for the first run after encryption formatting. Just reboot to Recovery again manually.
Custom firmware installation process
When the receivers are installed and the partitions are formatted, you can move to the main stage. USB-flash drive connected through OTG. On the menu. TWRP Select Install and find the downloaded archive.
Before installing the main system, you often need to clear the System, Data, Cache, and Dalvik partitions.This action is called "Clean Flash" and ensures that there is no conflict between old and new system files. Be careful: do not confuse this with formatting internal memory if you want to save media files (although a clean installation is always recommended).
Once you select a firmware file, confirm the swipe action, and it takes 2 to 10 minutes depending on the speed of the storage and the amount of data you install, during which time the log of operations will be displayed on the screen.
- 📂 Select the firmware archive in the Install menu.
- 🧹 If necessary, add archives with Google Services (GApps) if they are not built into the firmware.
- 🔧 Encrypted devices may require a Disable Force Encrypt patch.
- ✅ Confirm the swipe installation and wait for the message "Successful".
If you are using firmware based on the new version of Android and the old version was there before, you may need to update the firmware section, in such cases, the firmware archive or separately downloads the fw.zip file that is installed in front of the main system.
Comparison of popular builds for Xiaomi
The world of custom firmware is huge, and it's easy for a beginner to get confused in acronyms. Each build has a different philosophy: some are aimed at maximum speed, others are aimed at visual similarity to pure Android, others retain the functionality of MIUI, but without advertising, the choice depends solely on your preferences and objectives.
For example, Xiaomi.eu is a modified version of Chinese firmware adapted for the global market, retaining all the visual style and features of the original, but devoid of Chinese software and advertising, while LineageOS offers the cleanest possible Android experience without unnecessary add-ons.
| Name of firmware | Basis | Stability | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi.eu | MIUI / HyperOS | Tall. | For fans of MIUI shell |
| LineageOS | AOSP (Pure Android) | Very high. | For lovers of minimalism |
| Pixel Experience | AOSP | Medium | For Google Pixel fans |
| ArrowOS | AOSP | Tall. | For productivity |
There are also game builds like NitrogenOS, which are optimized for maximum frame rates, and security-oriented systems like GrapheneOS (although Xiaomi support is limited there). 4PDA or XDA Developers before downloading, paying attention to the section "Famous bugs".
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
Even with strict adherence to the instructions, there can be unexpected situations, the most common problem is "Bootloop", when the phone is endlessly rebooted on the logo, which usually means a file conflict or an error in cleaning partitions. TWRP and complete the full Wipe of all sections except SD-map.
⚠️ Note: If the camera or fingerprint sensor is not working after installing the firmware, chances are you are using firmware not designed for your particular CPU model or region. Check the device's encoding (Global, China, India).
Another common problem is the lack of Internet access or broken Bluetooth, often solved by flashing the Fix WiFi/BT patch or updating the firmware section, in some cases, resetting network settings in the Android menu helps.
If the device is “buzzy” and does not respond to buttons, you will have to use EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode. To log in, you often need to disassemble the phone and close the test points on the board, or use a special ADB command if access is still available. Recovery via EDL requires an authorized Mi Account or use of paid services.
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Keep your regional version's stock firmware on your computer, which you'll need if you want to return the device to its original state before selling or contacting a service center.
Don't panic if something goes wrong. Xiaomi's developer community is one of the largest in the world, and the solution to almost any bug can be found in the profile forum branches.