How to reflash Xiaomi Mi A2 from Android One to MIUI: the full guide

Xiaomi Mi A2 is one of the few smartphones of the brand released under the program Android One with pure Android instead of the proprietary shell MIUI. However, many users over time want to access Xiaomi’s branded features: advanced camera settings, themes, optimizations for iron and synchronization with the Mi Account ecosystem.

Transition to MIUI It requires a complete re-flashing of the device, as Mi A2 It does not support OTA-Update to the branded shell. In this guide, we will discuss all the steps from unlocking the bootloader to installing the current version. MIUI model-wise jasmine_sprout (codename A2). Important: The process is irreversible without returning to the stock Android One via fastboot, so prepare in advance.

Why are users switching from Android One to MIUI?

Despite the benefits of a clean Android (fast updates, no bloat), MIUI offers unique features that are not available in stock firmware:

• 📸 Advanced Camera Modes: Manual Customization ISO, scoring RAW and AI-Optimization for portraits.
• 🎨 Topics and personalization: the ability to change icons, fonts, animations through the Mi Theme Store.
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Aggressive Background Control and Power Saving Modes Not in Android One.
• 🔄 Synchronization with the Xiaomi ecosystem: integration with Mi Band, Mi Home and other devices of the brand.
• 🛡️ Additional security features: Second Space (dual workspace), password-blocking applications.

Besides, Mi. A2 Android One often lost updates earlier than similar models on the Internet MIUI. For example, official support for Android 10 for Mi A2 It was completed in 2021, while MIUI-The versions received security patches longer.

⚠️ Attention: Transition to MIUI It also cancels Xiaomi’s warranty if it is still valid, and some banking applications (such as Sberbank Online) can block work on uncertified firmware.

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start

The process of flashing Xiaomi Mi A2 on MIUI consists of several critical steps. skipping any of them can lead to a knock (inoperability) of the device.

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)

Check the battery power (minimum 60%)

Install ADB/Fastboot drivers on PC

Download the correct version MIUI model jasmine_sprout

Get permission to unlock the bootloader (if not unlocked earlier)

Prepare. USB-cable (original or high quality)

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Pay special attention to the firmware version. A2 Only the assemblies marked are suitable jasmine_sprout — for example, miui_JASMINESPROUTGlobal_V12.5.3.0.RDIMIXM. Using firmware for another model (e.g. Mi) 6X, which is identical in iron) may cause problems with sensors or modules NFC.

Also check the status of the loader:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect the device to the PC and type the command: fastboot oem device-info
4. If the answer has a line Device unlocked: false, the bootloader is locked and requires unlocking.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will reset all data on the device, including internal memory.Don't rely on backups in Mi Cloud - they won't recover on the device. MIUI post-fix.

Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Mi A2

Xiaomi officially lets you unlock the bootloader, but the process requires you to link your Mi Account to the device.

1. Link your Mi Account to your device: Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account. Sign in to your account (if not, register a new one). Activate Sync and Find your device.
2. Apply for unlocking: Download the Mi Unlock Tool (Xiaomi official website). Launch the program, log in to the same Mi Account as on your phone. Connect Mi A2 in Fastboot mode (see previous section). Press Unlock and wait for completion (usually takes 3-5 minutes).

Once successfully unlocked, the device will automatically reset to factory settings. Important: Xiaomi can block unlocking if the account is new (less than 72 hours after registration) or if the device was purchased less than 30 days ago.

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If the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a “Couldn’t unlock” error, try connecting your smartphone to another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0) or use the original Xiaomi cable. Also check that the developer settings are enabled OEM Unlocking (although this item may not be available on blocked Xiaomi devices).

Selecting the version of MIUI Xiaomi Mi A2

For Mi. A2 (jasmine_sprout) several types of firmware available:

For most users, the best choice is MIUI Global Stable. Note the Android version in the file title:

• V12.5.x.x is a MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11.
• V13.x.x.x — MIUI 13 based on Android 12 (the last available for the Mi A2).

The newer versions of MIUI (14+) are not officially supported due to iron limitations.

Install MIUI via Fastboot: step-by-step instructions

The most reliable way to flash Mi A2 on MIUI is to use the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode, which is suitable even if the device does not turn on (for example, after a failed firmware).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (don’t use cheap cables – they can interrupt the process!).
• 📁 Firmware MIUI in.tgz format (unpack it into a folder without Cyrillic characters).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool.

Installation steps:

1. Turn off your smartphone and transfer it to Fastboot Mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
2. Connect the device to your PC. Make sure the drivers are installed (the Android Bootloader Interface should be displayed in Device Manager).
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware folder.
4. At the bottom of the program, select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Lock bootloader After Firmware).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually takes 5-10 minutes).
6. After the success label appears, turn off the device and turn it on with the power button (the first start can take up to 15 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: If the process is interrupted during the flashing phase, do not turn off the cable! try repeating the firmware or checking the integrity of the files (possibly the archive has downloaded with errors).

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Clean all and lock mode will block the bootloader after the firmware is installed, which increases security, but if you need to re-run the firmware, you will have to unlock the bootloader again.

Solving common errors in firmware

Even with the correct following of the instructions, errors can occur, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

If Google services do not work after firmware (for example, in the Chinese version of MIUI), install them manually:

1. Download the Open GApps package (select ARM64 platform, Android 11/12, pico option).
2. Squeeze through TWRP (requires an unlocked bootloader).

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If your IMEI is missing or your mobile network is not working, check the nvram and nvdata files in the /data folder. These can be restored from a backup or using the SN Writer Tool (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

What to do after a successful firmware?

After the first MIUI launch on the Mi A2, follow a few important steps:

• 🔄 Update the firmware: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and check for availability OTA-update.
• 🔒 Set up security: Activate Find the device and link your Mi Account (this will help in case of theft or loss).
• 📱 Personalize the interface: Install theme from the Mi Theme Store and customize control gestures (in the MIUI They are different from stock Android).
• 🔋 Optimize the battery: Enable Energy Saving mode and disable auto-run of unnecessary applications in Settings → Battery.

It is also recommended to check the operation of key functions:

• Camera: Launch the Camera app and check all modes (especially Portrait and Night Mode).
• NFC: If you use contactless payments, add the card to Google Pay or Mi Pay.
• Fingerprint Sensor: Re-register fingerprints in Settings → Screen lock.

⚠️ Attention: If after firmware the smartphone became stronger to warm or discharge faster, reset to factory settings through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and reset. This is due to cache residues from Android One.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi firmware A2 on MIUI