Xiaomi’s MIUI shell is known for its functionality, but not everyone likes its design, intrusive advertising or system limitations. If you want to get rid of MIUI forever – whether for pure Android, custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) or just for experimentation – this article will help you get it right.
The process of removing MIUI is not just about “deleting apps”: it is a complete firmware replacement that requires unlocking the bootloader, installing alternative software and sometimes even manually interfering with system files. It is important to understand that such manipulations deprive you of warranties, can lead to a “brick” of the device and require technical skills. If you are a beginner, carefully weigh the pros and cons before starting.
In this guide, we will discuss:
- 🔓 How to officially unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi (without circumventing the rules).
- 📱 What alternatives MIUI They exist and are better/worse than they are.
- ⚙️ Step-by-step installation instructions AOSP, LineageOS or Pixel Experience.
- ⚠️ Possible problems and how to avoid them (from loss) IMEI soft-brick»).
1.Why do users want to delete MIUI?
Despite its popularity, MIUI has been criticized for several key points:
- 📢 Advertising in system applications – even in settings or file manager (in some regions).
- 🔄 Aggressive battery optimization that kills background processes (such as notifications from messengers).
- 🎨 Non-standard design, far from “pure Android” (for example, the lack of an application panel).
- 🔒 System-level restrictions: It is impossible to disable some Xiaomi services, and updates come with a delay.
- 📊 Data collection – even when telemetry is turned off MIUI Sends information to the company’s servers.
Alternative firmware solves these problems: LineageOS offers vanilla Android without unnecessary bells and whistles, Pixel Experience copies the Google Pixel interface, and HavocOS or ArrowOS add flexible customization.
⚠️ Attention: After removal MIUI You will lose the branded features of Xiaomi: 📸 Camera modes (such as Ultra Night Mode) AI-processing). 🔋 Optimizing the battery for a particular model (can reduce the operating time). 🎧 Functions IR Blaster (DU remote) in some firmware. 🔄 Seamless updates "over the air" (you will have to install manually).
Before you start, check to see if your model is supported by custom firmware. For example, there are dozens of options for the Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet), while for the new flagships (Xiaomi 14), the choice may be limited.
Preparation: unlocking the loader
The first and mandatory step is to unlock the bootloader. Without this, you can’t install an alternative firmware. Xiaomi officially allows you to unlock the bootloader, but the process involves waiting and confirming an account.
Here's what you're gonna need:
- 📱 Xiaomi Smartphone with Xiaomi MIUI (It doesn’t matter if it’s a Chinese or global version).
- 💻 Windows computer (for the Mi Unlock Tool).
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original to avoid connection issues).
- 🔑 Mi Account linked to phone (required with a confirmed number!).
Instructions for unlocking:
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and activate: 🔓 Unlocking OEM (may require input PIN-code). 🔌 Debugging by USB.
Mi Unlock Tool
Xiaomi
Fastboot
Loudness down + Nutrition
Mi Unlock Tool
Mi
72-168 hours
⚠️ If you see a "Couldn't unlock" or "Device not supported" error, it means: 📵 Your model does not support unlocking (relevant for some regional versions, for example, Redmi from India). 🔄 You are trying to unlock a too new firmware (try to roll back to an older version). MIUI). 🕒 It has not been 7 days since the account was linked to the phone.
Create a backup copy of data (photos, contacts, SMS)
Charge your phone at least 60%
Make sure that the ADB/Fastboot drivers are installed on the PC
Disable the antivirus (it can block the Mi Unlock Tool)
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3. Choosing an alternative firmware
After unlocking the bootloader, you need to choose which firmware to install instead of MIUI. There are many options, but they are divided into three categories:
| Type of firmware | Examples | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Android (AOSP) | LineageOS, Pixel Experience, Paranoid Android | Maximum stability, no unnecessary applications, quick updates | Xiaomi’s proprietary features (camera, gestures) may not be available |
| Firmware with refinements | HavocOS, ArrowOS, crDroid | Flexible interface configuration, additional features (e.g., changing fonts) | It may be less stable than LineageOS. |
| Ported firmware | MIUI EU (publicity), MIUI Pro | Maintain MIUI functionality, but remove ads and restrictions | Do not completely remove the MIUI shell |
How do you choose?
- 📱 For maximum stability, take LineageOS (based on the AOSP It is supported by most devices).
- 🎨 For the interface as on Google Pixel – Pixel Experience (includes branded wallpaper, launcher and Google apps).
- ⚡ For performance and customization, ArrowOS or HavocOS (but check reviews for your model!).
- 🔧 If you want to leave MIUI, without advertising — MIUI EU (Unofficial version without Bloatware).
Before installing, be sure to check the support for your model on the forums:
- 🌐 XDA Developers – here are the firmware and instructions.
- 📡 Telegram chats for specific models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or POCO F5).
- 📌 Official firmware site (for example, LineageOS).
💡
Before downloading the firmware, check the model code version (e.g., raphael for the Redmi K20 Pro). Wrong firmware can lead to a "brick"!
4. Installation of custom firmware: step-by-step instructions
When the bootloader is unlocked and the firmware is selected, it is time to start installing, which requires custom recovery (usually TWRP) and the firmware itself in.zip format.
Step 1: Installation of TWRP Recovery
- Download TWRP for your model from the official website (file with the extension.img).
- Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (as when unlocking).
- Open the command line in the folder with TWRP Next Post:Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-sweet.img Fastboot Reboot Recovery (replace sweet with your model code).
Step 2: Preparing for the installation of firmware
- 📁 Copy the firmware file (.zip) and, if necessary, GApps (Google services) to your phone or phone SD-map.
- 🧹 V TWRP Do the Wipe (clean up): Press the Wipe → Advanced Wipe. Mark Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Cache. Swipe for confirmation (this will delete all data!).
Step 3: Installation of firmware
- In TWRP, click Install and select the firmware file.
- Add (if necessary) GApps (if the firmware is without Google services).
- Swipe for installation and wait until it is completed (it can take 5-15 minutes).
- After installation, press Reboot System.
⚠️ Warning: If after the reboot the phone is stuck on the logo or went to bootloop (cyclic reboot): 🔄 Try repeating the installation by repeating the Wipe. 📥 Make sure you download the firmware for your model (check the device code in Fastboot with the fastboot getvar product command). 🔧 If the problem persists, look for a solution to the problem. XDA (You may need additional patches, for example, for a modem).
💡
Never install firmware through Fastboot if it is designed to be installed via TWRP – this is guaranteed to lead to a “brick”!
Possible problems and solutions
Even if installed correctly, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| No network (IMEI missing) | Incorrectly stitched modem or EFS-section | Restore EFS from the backup or run the original modem through Fastboot |
| The camera's not working. | There are no drivers for your model. | Install a patch for the camera (search on XDA by model) |
| Fast battery discharge | Unoptimized kernel or background processes | Try another firmware or kernel (e.g., FrancoKernel) |
| The gestures don't work. | The firmware does not support branded gestures Xiaomi | Configure alternative gestures in the system settings |
If the phone doesn't turn on at all (called a "hard brick") after installing the firmware, don't panic. In most cases, it can be restored through a computer. EDL-The system (emergency firmware), but this will require:
- 💻 Mi Flash Tool Programming.
- 📁 Official firmware MIUI.tgz.
- 🔌 EDL-cable (or closing contacts on the board for forced transition to the EDL).
Instructions for recovery via EDL are on XDA, but this method requires experience - if you make an error, you can permanently damage the device.
What to do if the firmware is not installed?
6 How to get MIUI back if something goes wrong
If custom firmware did not meet expectations or there were critical problems, you can return MIUI.
- Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website (choose the Fastboot version).
- Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and select a folder with firmware.
- Press Refresh, then Flash (select Clean all option for full cleanup).
- Wait until the phone is finished (the phone will reboot automatically).
If the Mi Flash Tool is not done, the error is Flash is not done.
- 🔌 Try another one. USB-port.
- 📥 Download the firmware again (maybe the archive is damaged).
- 🔧 Install Qualcomm drivers (if you have a Snapdragon processor).
⚠️ Note: After returning to the MIUI The bootloader will remain unlocked. To lock it back, run it in Fastboot: fastboot oem lock But remember, this will block the ability to install custom firmware again!
7.Alternatives: can you do without a complete firmware replacement?
If you wanted to get rid of ads or apps that you don't have to remove MIUI completely, there are simpler ways to do this.
- 🚫 Disabling Advertising: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clean and disable the Recommendations. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud disable Advertising and Analytics. Install ADB and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution
- 🧹 Removing embedded applications: With the help of ADB You can uninstall unnecessary services (e.g. com.xiaomi.mipicks, theme store). Use App Inspector (from Google Play) to find package names.
- 🔄 Alternative Launcher: Nova Launcher or Lawnchair to Replace the Standard Interface MIUI. Set up your gestures and wallpapers to suit you.
If you don’t like performance or upgrades, consider MIUI EU. This is an unofficial version of MIUI without ads, with weekly updates and advanced settings, and installs it just like other custom firmware (via TWRP).