How to install Google on Xiaomi with Chinese firmware: from unlock to work services

Did you buy Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO with Chinese firmware and find that Google Play, YouTube and other services are either missing or are failing? This is standard for devices officially destined for the Chinese market. The manufacturer removes Google services due to local regulatory requirements, but they can be returned - and we'll tell you how to do this without the risk of bricking up the smartphone.

In this article, you will find the current 2026 methods for installing Google Mobile Services (GMS) on Chinese versions of MIUI, including bypassing the new restrictions from Xiaomi.We will look at both the official methods (for unlocked bootloaders) and alternative solutions for devices with locked bootloader. Importantly, the procedure is different for different versions of MIUI (12/13/14) and processor architectures (ARM64/ARMv8), so keep a close eye on the instructions for your model.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Model of the device (written on the box or in Settings) → The phone. → The Chinese versions usually have a suffix. CN (For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G CN).
• 🔢 Version MIUI (Path: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI). Current methods are working on MIUI 14+, Older versions may require additional steps.
• 🔓 If you see this device is locked when you log in to Fastboot, the bootloader is locked.

Why China’s Xiaomi doesn’t have Google and can it be fixed?

Since 2020, Xiaomi has been releasing devices for the Chinese market without Google services preinstalled.

• 📜 China's Legislative Restrictions Banning Use of Foreign Services Without a Local License.
• 🛡️ Google’s policy to ban pre-installing its apps on devices for China.
• 🔄 Alternative ecosystem from Xiaomi (Mi App Store, Mi Pay, Mi Cloud, etc.).

However, there is technically no reason why Xiaomi with Chinese firmware cannot work with Google.All of the brand's modern smartphones support Google Mobile Services (GMS), but they need to be installed manually.

Important: Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi has tightened system integrity checks, and installing GMS on locked devices can result in a warning “This device is not certified by Google” and restrictions on some applications (such as Netflix or banking services).

Preparation of the device: unlocking the loader

If your Xiaomi is bought in China, it is likely to have a bootloader blocked, a major obstacle to installing global firmware or modifications, and unlocking is officially allowed, but requires:

1. Linking your Mi Account to your device (internet connection required).
2. Expectations 7-15 days after application (duration depends on the model).
3. Use the original USB Type-C cable (cheap cables may not transmit data to Fastboot)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → USB Debugging (enable)
2. Link your Mi Account to Settings → Xiaomi Account.
3. Install Mi Unlock Tool on PC (official version only!).
4. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode: Turn off your phone → Press <power button> + <volume down button>
5. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool. Follow the instructions of the program.

⚠️ Note: Starting in 2023, Xiaomi will block unlocking for some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi). K60 Pro) if the device was activated in China, in which case a reset via EDL-The mode (only for experienced users!).

Mi Account is tied to the device|Debugging by USB included|Drivers installed ADB/Fastboot|Battery charge > 60%|Backup copy of data created-->

Method 1: Install global firmware via Fastboot (recommended)

The most reliable way to get full Google services is to flash the global version of MIUI through Fastboot, which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and ensures that the GMS runs smoothly without certification errors.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows PC 10/11 (For the Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 The original cable. USB Type-C.
• 📁 Fastboot firmware for your model (download only from the official website).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool.

Instructions:

1. Download global firmware (look for files marked Global or EEA For example, for the Redmi Note. 12 Pro 5G It's gonna be a file of sorts. toco_global_images_V14.0.2.0.TMOMIXM_20231012.0000.00_13.0_global_....
2. Unpack the firmware archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and run on behalf of the administrator.
4. Put your phone into Fastboot mode (as described above) and connect to your PC.
5. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware. Then select Clean all mode and press Flash.

It takes 5-10 minutes. Once you reboot, you'll have a full global firmware with all of Google's services, including Google Play, Gmail and YouTube.

• ⚠️ All data will be deleted (take backup!).
• ⚠️ On some models (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi K50 Ultra) after firmware may need to unlock SIM-Cards (if the phone is linked to a Chinese operator).

💡

If the phone doesn’t turn on after firmware, try pressing the <power button> + <volume button> for 20 seconds to force a reboot.

Method 2: Install GMS on a blocked Xiaomi (without unlocking)

If you can’t unlock the bootloader (for example, because of Xiaomi’s limitations on new models), you can try installing Google Mobile Services over Chinese firmware, a method that is less reliable, but works on most devices with MIUI 12-14.

Important: Xiaomi added Anti-Rollback protection to MIUI 14+, which can lock the device when you try to modify it. Before you start, check if your model supports this method on the XDA Developers forums.

Method 1: Through the Google Installer app

1. Download. APK-Google Installer file (version 2.0 or later).
2. Install the file on your phone (allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Rights).
3. Launch Google Installer and follow the instructions. The app will automatically download and install Google Play Services, Play Market and Google Account Manager.

Method 2: Manual installation via ADB (for power users)

1. Download the archive from GMS Core for your version of MIUI (e.g., from here).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/Download/GmsCore.apk /system/priv-app/GmsCore/chmod 644 /system/priv-app/GmsCore/GmsCore.apk reboot

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 manual installation GMS This can result in a bootloop if the Google Play Services version and MIUI Before installation, check compatibility on Xiaomi.eu.

I've got a global firmware installed.|Used Google Installer|Manual installation through ADB|I haven't tried it yet.|Another way.-->

Solving problems after installing GMS

Even after successful installation of Google services, errors can occur, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

If after installing GMS phone began to overheat or discharge quickly, check the activity of background processes:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Use.
2. Find the Google Play Services and Google Services Framework.
3. If your consumption is >10%, disable autosynchronization in Settings → Accounts → Google.

Alternative methods: Magisk and custom firmware

If standard methods don’t work, you can try installing GMS via Magisk or custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 🛠️ Established TWRP Recovery.
• 📱 Custom firmware support for your model (check out LineageOS Wiki).

Instructions for Magisk:

1. Install Magisk via TWRP (download the latest version from GitHub).
2. Download the PlayCover or LSPosed module.
3. Activate the module in Magisk Manager and restart the device.
4. Install Google Installer (as in Method 2) and follow the instructions.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 Google support without restrictions.
• 🔄 Regular security updates.
• 🎛️ Additional settings (for example, ViPER4Android sound-wise).

⚠️ Attention: Installation of custom firmware on new Xiaomi models (2023-2026 year) may result in blocking IMEI Before you run the firmware, check if your device supports official unlocking.

💡

Custom firmware is the most reliable way to get full Google services, but it’s only suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and a supported developer community.

How to avoid mistakes when installing Google on Xiaomi?

Many users experience problems due to carelessness or using outdated instructions, and here are some key rules to avoid mistakes:

• 🔍 Check firmware compatibility with your model, such as firmware for the Redmi Note 11 Pro. 5G (veux is not suitable for the Redmi Note 11 Pro 4G (peux).
• 🔄 For example, if you don’t tie your Mi Account before unlocking, the Mi Unlock Tool will block your attempt for 30 days.
• 📡 Use a stable Internet connection. Interrupted firmware download or GMS It can cause damage to system files.
• 🔋 Charge the phone to 100%. Discharge during firmware is one of the main reasons for "bricking".

If you are not sure about your actions, use automatic tools:

• XiaomiTool V2 is a utility for firmware and unlocking in semi-automatic mode.
• EDL Auth Bypass – to unlock devices blocked by Xiaomi

What can't be done:

• ❌ Install firmware from third-party developers (for example, from torrents) - a high risk of viruses.
• ❌ Use it. MTK Bypass on Qualcomm Snapdragon devices (and vice versa).
• ❌ Interrupt the firmware process (even if it is getting stuck at 10).+ minute).

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing Google on Xiaomi