Xiaomi Mi Play firmware: official and custom methods with unlocking the bootloader

Xiaomi Mi Play is a budget smartphone of 2018 based on Helio P35, which is still in demand due to its reliability and the ability to install custom firmware. However, over time, official MIUI updates cease to come out, and users face brakes, bugs or the desire to install a more recent version of Android. In this guide, we will analyze all the current methods of firmware, from official updates via Recovery to install custom ROMs via TWRP and Fastboot.

It's important to understand that firmware is not only a way to upgrade the system, but it also risks turning the phone into a brick if you do the wrong thing, especially the Mi Play, which has some nuances about unlocking the bootloader and supporting custom recavators. In this article, you'll find step-by-step instructions that take these features into account, as well as tips for choosing firmware and solving typical bugs.

Preparation for firmware: what you need to know before starting

Before you start the Xiaomi Mi Play firmware, make sure you consider all the critical points, which determines how successful the process will be and whether you avoid typical problems.

First, determine the current version of MIUI and the status of the bootloader.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and write down the assembly number (for example, V12.5.1.0.QFICNXM).
• 🔓 Check the status of the bootloader: turn off the phone, press Volume down + Power – If this device is locked, the bootloader is locked.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60% - at low charge, the firmware process can be interrupted.

Second, back up all the data, and Fastboot or custom Recovery will delete all the files from the internal memory.

• 📲 Mi Cloud (for contacts, notes, photos).
• 💾 Local copying on PC through MTP or ADB backup.
• 🔄 Apps like Swift Backup (require root) to save application settings.

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If you plan to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), check its compatibility with the code name of your device - pyxis for Mi Play. The mismatch will lead to the inoperability of modules (camera, sensors, mob data).

Finally, prepare the tools:

Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Mi Play

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all devices, including the Mi Play, making it impossible to install custom firmware without first unlocking.The process takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting after you link your Mi Account to the device, so start in advance.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Link the Mi Account: 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account and log in. 🔗 In the Mi Unlock status section, click Add account and device.

Download the Mi Unlock Tool

Activate Fastboot mode

adb reboot bootloader

Or turn off the phone and press Volume down + Power.

Connect your phone to your PC

Mi Unlock Tool

Start unlocking.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the device, including internal memory, will be reset, and some features (such as Mi Pay or Find Device) may stop working.

Official firmware through Recovery

The safest way to upgrade the Mi Play is to use the built-in Recovery, which does not require unlocking the bootloader and is suitable for installing official MIUI updates.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your model from MIUI Downloads. For Mi Play, choose files marked pyxis and.zip extension.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root of the phone’s internal memory.
3. Run Recovery: adb reboot recovery Or turn off your phone and press Volume Up + Power.
4. Select the language (usually English or Chinese), then go to Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).

If you have your phone stuck on the Mi logo after you have firmware, reset it with Recovery (Wipe Data → Wipe All Data) and delete user data, but restore the system to work.

Fastboot Firmware with Mi Flash Tool

The method through Fastboot is suitable for restoring a “brick” or installing official firmware from scratch. Requires an unlocked bootloader and a Windows PC.

Algorithm of action:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for pyxis from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater. The file will be in.tgz format - unpack it.
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers (if the phone is not identified, use the Mi USB Driver).
3. Transfer your phone to Fastboot: Adb Reboot Bootloader
4. In the Mi Flash Tool: 📂 Click Select and specify the folder with unpacked firmware. 🔄 Select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Locking bootloader). 🖱️ Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: If you choose Clean all and lock, the bootloader will lock again, and you will have to wait 30 days to re-unblock.

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. The first turn on can take up to 10 minutes - do not interrupt the process.

Installation of custom firmware through TWRP

Unofficial firmware installations (such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience, or Havoc-OS) require custom Recovery (TWRP) – a method that gives you complete control over the system, but requires caution.

Instructions:

1. Install TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp-pyxis.img fastboot boot twrp-pyxis.img (replace twrp-pyxis.img with the current version for your model).
2. Make a backup in TWRP: 📁 Go to Backup and select Boot, System, Data. 💾 Save the backup on SD-map USB-OTG.

Sweep through the custom firmware

• 📄 Go to Wipe. → Advanced Wipe and tag Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
• 📥 Return to the main menu, click Install and select the firmware file (.zip).
• 🔄 After installing the firmware, immediately swipe Gapps (if you need Google services) and Magisk (for root).

If Google Play Services does not work after returning to MIUI, install Gapps via TWRP or run the firmware with already integrated Google services (a mark with Google in the file name).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the firmware Xiaomi Mi Play