Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the limitations of the MIUI or HyperOS shell, which may seem overloaded or optimized for not all use cases. Pixel Experience offers a unique opportunity to turn your device into a pure Google Pixel, gaining access to the latest versions of Android long before the official release from the manufacturer. It is not just a change of theme, but a deep system transformation, giving incredible smoothness of the interface and the absence of preinstalled garbage.
The process of replacing the operating system requires careful and careful follow-up to the algorithm of actions, as any errors can lead to the failure of the device. Unlocking the bootloader is a mandatory first step, without which further manipulation of memory partitions is impossible. In this article, we will discuss in detail each step, from preparing tools to the first boot in the new system, to minimize risks and ensure success.
It's worth noting that custom firmware installation is a solution for advanced users who are ready to take responsibility for their device. The firmware process irreversibly erases all data from the internal drive, so creating a full backup is critical before you start. If you're ready to experiment and want to make the most of your gadget, switching to a clean Android will be a great experience that will change your idea of what a smartphone can do.
Preparation of equipment and software
Before you start the action, you need to collect all the necessary tools so that the process is not interrupted halfway due to the lack of drivers or cables. USB-cable, preferably original, which comes with the device. ADB Fastboot must be installed correctly in the system, otherwise the computer will not see the smartphone in the desired mode.
It is also critical to make sure that the battery is charged at least 60-70%, as the firmware process and especially the first download can consume a significant amount of power.Be sure to download the Pixel Experience firmware file itself, strictly corresponding to the code name of your Xiaomi model. Using a file from another model, even if it is visually similar, is guaranteed to lead to brick (turning the device into a brick).
☑️ Checklist of preparations
It's not superfluous to check the integrity of the downloaded firmware file by comparing it to the MD5 or SHA256 hash on the developer's official website. It's a simple procedure that takes a minute, but saves you from a lot of problems with broken archives or erroneous downloads. There are no trifles in the world of modding, and neglecting file verification is one of the most common causes of failure.
Unlocking the Xiaomi bootloader
Xiaomi has implemented a serious security mechanism that requires official unlocking of the bootloader before installing any third-party software. To do this, you need to link the Mi Account account to the device through the Settings menu → About phone → Click on the MIUI version to obtain developer rights, and then in the menu Additional → Mi Unlock status link the device to the account. After that, you will have to wait from 72 hours to 7 days before the server allows unlock.
⚠️ Warning: The bootloader unlock process automatically performs a full Wipe Data reset. Make sure all important photos, contacts, and documents are saved in the cloud or on your computer before sending an unblock request.
After the waiting time, you need to start the Mi Unlock Tool on your PC, log in to the same account and switch the smartphone to Fastboot mode (clamping the volume button when the device is turned off). If all the conditions are met, the unlock button will become active, and after confirmation, the device will be cleaned and unlocked. From this point on, you get full access to the system parts, but also lose the software guarantee and the ability to use some banking applications without additional manipulation.
Some users try to get around the wait by using paid services or older versions of utilities, but this is a risky way that can lead to the dev’s blocking of the account.The official method, while time consuming, is the only safe way not to violate the integrity of the system security keys. Once successfully unlocked, the download screen will display the appropriate warning, which will now become your constant companion.
Installation of TWRP recavery
Xiaomi's standard recovery menu doesn't allow unsigned firmware to be installed, so you need a customized backup, and TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is the gold standard in this area. To install, you'll need to put the device into Fastboot mode and connect it to your PC, and then run a firmware command over the command line.
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x.x-DEVICE.img
fastboot boot twrp-3.x.x.x-DEVICE.imgUsing boot instead of flash in the second line allows you to run TWRP temporarily, without writing to memory, which is convenient for testing. However, to work properly, you still better write the image permanently, but it is important not to let the system boot properly immediately after the firmware, since the stock MIUI can overwrite custom recavereators to its own, so immediately after the firmware you need to pinch the button combination to enter the recovery mode.
What if TWRP doesn’t see internal memory?
It is important to download the version of TWRP that is designed specifically for your processor and model, since there are no universal builds. Version selection errors can cause the touchscreen to stop responding in the recovery menu, and control will only be possible through volume buttons, which is extremely inconvenient. Always check the XDA Developers forum or 4PDA profile branch for your particular model before downloading.
Installation of the Pixel Experience
Once TWRP is successfully launched, you need to clean up the partitions to avoid conflicts between the old and new operating systems. Go to the Wipe menu and select Advanced Wipe, ticking the Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data and Cache sections. Internal Storage section is not necessary if you downloaded the firmware file to your phone in advance, but Data formatting is necessary to reset encryption.
Then go back to the main menu and select Install, find the downloaded previously. ZIP-archive with Pixel Experience and confirm the installation by swipe. The process will take from 3 to 10 minutes depending on the speed of writing memory of your device, at which time the action log will be displayed on the screen, where you can track partition mounting and copying files.
If you plan to use Google Pay or banking apps, immediately after you have firmwareed the main package (if it is a version of GApps) or together with it (if it is a Vanilla version) you need to install the GApps package (if it is not built in) and a patch to unlock. Xiaomi devices often require additional Vendor or Firmware firmware of a particular version, information about this is always indicated in the firmware theme header. skipping this step can cause the camera or Bluetooth to malfunction.
Setup and first start of the system
Once you have completed the installation, press the Reboot System button in TWRP. The first launch of the new operating system can take up to 5-10 minutes, as it optimizes applications and creates a cache. The screen can display the Android logo or animation of the Pixel boot, at which point it is important to be patient and not try to restart the device.
When the system boots up, you will be greeted by a familiar interface of pure Android. The first thing you should do is check the basic modules: call someone, connect to Wi-Fi, check the sound and sensor. Pixel Experience is famous for its stability, but on custom builds there are small bugs that you should know about in advance.
| Component | Status at PE | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Camera. | It's working. | Quality depends on drivers |
| VoLTE / VoWiFi | Depends on the region. | Requires an IMS patch |
| Imprint scanner. | It's working. | Speed is higher than in MIUI |
| Face Unlock | It's working. | 2D face unlocking |
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To improve the quality of the photo, it is recommended to install the Google Camera (GCam) version tailored specifically to your processor. The standard camera app in Pixel Experience is good, but the GCam often gives better dynamic range and night mode.
Remember to activate Developer Options if you need specific animation or debugging settings, click 7 times on the build number in the About Phone menu, and check if hardware acceleration is working and if RAM is correctly determined.
Problem solving and security
One of the main problems after installing custom firmware is that Google Pay (now Google Wallet) is broken due to system integrity checks. To get around this, you need to hide the root rights (if they are installed through Magisk) and the fact that the unlocked bootloader is unlocked. In Magisk settings, you need to enable Zygisk and add banking applications to the Denis list.
⚠️ Warning: The constant fight against root-right detection is an arms race. Updating a banking app can suddenly block access, even if it used to work. Be prepared to quickly look for new ways of bypassing or temporarily return to the runoff for important operations.
Another common problem is signal rattling or network loss, which is solved by flashing the modem or radio module of the current version. If you notice that the battery is discharged faster than on stock firmware, give the system 2-3 days to adapt the learning algorithms for use, or try resetting the network settings. Pixel Experience is usually very energy efficient, but background processes can consume resources at first.
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Custom firmware is 90% stable depending on the correct cleaning steps (Wipe) performed before installation. Don't ignore partition formatting, even if you're switching from another custom firmware.
If you have a cyclic reboot, don't panic. Press the power and volume buttons to get back into TWRP, and try doing Wipe Dalvik/Cache or reinstalling the firmware clean. You can pull out the logcats through ADB if you connect the phone to your computer in recovery mode, which will help diagnose the cause of the failure in specialized forums.