How to make a Xiaomi smartphone Samsung: is it real and how to reflash

Dreaming of Samsung One UI features, but you have a Xiaomi smartphone with MIUI? Or want to try DeX, Knox and other exclusive chips of the Korean brand without buying a new device? Technically, it is possible to replace Xiaomi firmware with a ported version of Samsung, but it is a complex process with a lot of pitfalls. In this article, we will discuss how realistic it is to turn Redmi, POCO or Mi into Samsung, which models are supported, and what you need to do to do it.

Now, let's warn you, this upgrade is not just a new shell, it's about completely replacing the software platform, which requires unlocking the bootloader, installing a custom recovery, and porting ROM. It's not a formal procedure, so the warranty will burn, and the risk of building up the device is high. If you're not ready for experiments, consider alternatives like running Samsung applications via APK or using launchers that mimic One UI.

Why do users want to replace MIUI with One UI?

Xiaomi’s MIUI shell has its fans, but many are switching to Samsung because of:

• 📱 Stability: One UI less likely to brake on weak devices and optimized for long-term support.
• 🔒 Knox and monthly security patches from Samsung are considered more reliable.
• 🖥️ DeX: the ability to connect the smartphone to the monitor as a full-fledged PC.
• 🎨 Design: Minimalist interface of One UI I like it more than overloaded. MIUI.
• 📁 File Features: Samsung’s Built-in File Manager is More Easy to Work with Cloud and Local Data.

But things aren’t so rosy: Samsung’s ported firmware on Xiaomi often lacks key features, such as Knox won’t work (as it requires original iron), and DeX can glittle, and cameras and sensors may not function properly due to driver differences.

What Xiaomi models can be refashioned under Samsung

Not every Xiaomi smartphone supports the installation of Samsung’s ported firmware.

• 📌 Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon models only (e.g., Qualcomm Snapdragon models, POCO F3, Redmi K40, Mi 11: MediaTek devices are not supported due to driver closure.
• 📱 Popularity of the model: the larger the community of developers (for example, for the development of the model) POCO X3 Pro or Redmi Note 10 Pro, the better the chances of finding a working port.
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader: without this, it is impossible to install custom software.

Below is a table with Xiaomi models for which there are One UI ports (data is current for 2026):

Before you start, check the relevance of information on forums like XDA Developers or 4PDA. Developers can drop port support if the model is outdated.

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If your model is not on the list, but on the same processor as the one you support (like the Snapdragon 870), you can try to adapt the firmware yourself, but it requires a deep knowledge of modifying Android.

Device Preparation: Unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP

The first and most critical step is unlocking the bootloader, and you can't install custom software without it, and it's different for different models, but the general pattern is this:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
3. Activate OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in the Developer Menu.
4. Use the official Mi Unlock Tool to unlock (it may take 7-30 days to wait!).

Once unlocked, you need to install a custom TWRP Recovery. This is a special recovery environment that allows you to sew informal images.

Download TWRP for your model from twrp.me

Connect your phone to your PC in fastboot mode (hold Power + Vol Down)

Run the command fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

Reboot to TWRP (hold on + Vol Up when switched on)-->

⚠️ Note: If after the firmware TWRP The phone is getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo, so anti-rollback protection is enabled. MIUI Using the Mi Flash Tool and Starting Again.

Search and install ported firmware Samsung

Now the hardest part is finding a One UI port for your model.

• 🔗 XDA Developers: Device-specific forums (search by model) + "One UI port").
• 🔗 4PDA: Russian-speaking community, where adapted firmware is often laid out.
• 🔗 Telegram channels: groups like @xiaomiports or @samsungports.

The downloaded firmware archive is usually.zip. Before installation:

1. Make a full backup of the current system through TWRP (Backup → Select Partitions).
2. Format the System, Data, Cache partitions (in TWRP: Wipe → Advanced Wipe).
3. Select the port via Install → Select ZIP.
4. Install GApps (if they are not included in the firmware) and Magisk for root rights.

The first launch may take 10-20 If the system doesn't load for longer 30 minutes, something went wrong:

• 🚨 Bootloop: endless reboot. Solution: repeat the firmware or change the port version.
• 🚨 White screen: Display driver problem. You need to look for a port with a fixed device tree.
• 🚨 No network: modem file incompatibility. Try stitching separately modem.img stock-flow MIUI.

Set up the system after installing One UI

If the firmware is successful, you still have to set up the system. The One UI port on Xiaomi often requires manual modifications:

1. Battery calibration: After you run the firmware, the charge data can get lost. Use applications like AccuBattery to recalibrate.
2. Network setup: IMEI It might drop. Restore it through QCN-file META.
3. Optimize performance: disable unnecessary Samsung services via ADB: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.samsung.android.knox.analytics

It is also recommended that:

• 🔧 Install Magisk to manage root rights and modules (e.g, ViPER4Android sound-wise).
• 🔧 Replace the stock core with a custom core (like Kernelsu) for better performance.
• 🔧 Disable Bixby and other unnecessary Samsung apps ADB.

⚠️ Attention: Some of the functions of One UI Samsung Pay may not work because of the lack of original Samsung hardware, for example, Samsung Pay will not work without a chip. MST, Secure Folder will require Knox bypass, which is not safe.

Alternatives to complete reflashing

If the risks are too high, consider safer ways to get Samsung features on Xiaomi:

• 🎨 Launchers: One UI Launcher or Hex Installer imitate Samsung’s firmware-free design.
• 📱 APK-Ports: Some apps (such as Samsung Camera or Good Lock) can be installed manually.
• 🔧 Magisk modules: for example, One UI Sounds or Samsung Fonts for partial integration.
• 🖥️ DeX emulators: Second Screen or Scrcpy for PC connection (without full DeX, but with similar functionality).

Advantages of alternatives:

• ✅ No risk of bricking".
• ✅ Warranty is maintained (unless the bootloader is unlocked).
• ✅ You can roll back at any moment.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Not all features will work (like Knox or Link to Windows).
• ❌ There may be a problem due to incompatibility with MIUI.

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Full Samsung flashing is only justified if you critically need exclusive features like DeX or Knox. APK-port.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if the firmware is up, there may be bugs, and let's look at the typical cases and how to fix them:

If the problem is not solved, check the error log through ADB:

adb logcat > log.txt

Look for keywords like E/AndroidRuntime or F/libc in the log and they will point to the source of the crash.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions