Install MIUI 11 on Xiaomi Mi A1: a complete guide with unlocking and firmware

Why MIUI 11 on Mi A1 is a controversial but possible solution

The Xiaomi Mi A1 originally ran on a pure Android One, devoid of Xiaomi’s signature chips. However, many users wanted access to MIUI, a shell with advanced settings, themes and optimizations for Xiaomi’s hardware, and the 2019 version of MIUI 11 has become one of the most stable and functional for unofficial installation on this device.

But there's a nuance here: the Mi A1 (codename tissot) has never received official MIUI support — all firmware was created by enthusiasts, which means the installation process requires unlocking the bootloader, custom recavator (TWRP) and manually matching a compatible build. In this article, we'll look at the only 2026 working method that's tested on current versions of tools and firmware.

Before you start, consider that switching from Android One to MIUI is not just a skin change, it’s a complete flashing of the device. You’ll lose the warranty (if it’s still valid), and you’ll also encounter potential bugs that are common to unofficial builds, but you’ll get access to chips like Second Space, extended gestures, and Xiaomi-branded apps.

Pre-installation requirements and preparation

To successfully flash MIUI 11 on the Mi A1, you will need:

• 📱 Smartphone Xiaomi Mi A1 (tissot model with a battery charge of at least 70%.
• 💻 Computer on Windows 10/11 (Linux with fastboot support).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or qualitative analogue).
• 📁 Firmware MIUI 11 for tissot (links to verified builds - below).
• 🔧 Tools: ADB & Fastboot, Mi Unlock Tool, TWRP Recovery.

Important: unlocking the bootloader erases all data on the device. Back up photos, contacts and apps through Google Account or Mi Cloud (if already installed). Also check if the bootloader is previously unlocked - to turn off the phone, press Volume down + Power and look at the screen: if you see a lock that says Locked, then unlock is required.

Note the Android version installed on your Mi A1. MIUI 11 for tissot is built on Android 9 Pie or Android 10. If you have a newer version (like Android 11 from custom firmware), you may need to roll back via fastboot.

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader on the Mi A1

The unlock process on the Mi A1 is different from the standard procedure for Xiaomi devices on MIUI. Since the phone originally ran on Android One, you will need to:

1. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Settings → About Phone → Assembly Number – Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → System → For Developers.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.24).
4. Launch the tool on behalf of the administrator and log into your Mi Account (if not, register).

Follow the instructions of the program. During the device verification phase, the Mi A1 may give a Couldn't unlock error.

• 🔄 Reboot your phone to fastboot (Loudness down) + Nutrition).
• 🔌 Connect it to the other one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
• 🕒 Wait 30 to 60 seconds – sometimes Xiaomi servers take a long time to process the request.
• 📱 If the error repeats, try using fastboot oem unlock manually through the command line.

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If the Mi Unlock Tool doesn’t see the device, install Google USB Driver drivers via the SDK Platform Tools or manually update the driver in Device Manager by pointing the path to the adb folder.

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings. Don't worry, that's okay. You can now start installing TWRP.

Step 2: Installation of TWRP Recovery

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom recovery that will allow you to flash MIUI 11 on the Mi A1. For the tissot model, TWRP version 3.3.1-0 or later is suitable. Download the image of tissot-twrp.img from the official website twrp.me.

TWRP firmware is run via fastboot:

1. Place the downloaded tissot-twrp.img file in the folder with the platform-tools (where adb.exe and fastboot.exe lie).
2. Open the command prompt in this folder (click Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here).
3. Connect your phone in fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery tissot-twrp.img
4. Once completed, type: fastboot boot tissot-twrp.img – this will temporarily boot TWRP without permanent recording (in case of errors).

If TWRP If you boot successfully, you'll see a touch-controlled menu. Don't leave the Recovery, move on to the next step. If the screen doesn't respond to touch, try plugging in. OTG-mouse.

Make sure that TWRP launched|Backup section. EFS (IMEI)|Downloaded the firmware. MIUI 11 fortissot|Formatted. Dalvik/Cache|Checked. MD5-hash-->

Step 3: Selecting and downloading MIUI 11 firmware

There are several MIUI 11 builds for the Mi A1 (tissot), but not all of them are stable.

Download the selected firmware (.zip file) and place it on the external SD-- card or internal phone memory — TWRP It runs.zip directly.

Also download:

• 🔄 Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip (Disables data encryption, otherwise the phone will not boot).
• 📡 Magisk.zip (if you need root access).
• 🔧 OrangeFox Recovery (alternative) TWRP, if there are problems).

Step 4: Firmware MIUI 11 via TWRP

Now, to the most critical stage, follow the instructions in strict order.

1. In TWRP, click Wipe → Advanced Wipe and tick Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage, Cache. Don't touch EFS (it stores IMEI and modem data)!
2. Swipe for formatting. It'll take 1-2 minutes.
3. Go back to the main menu and select Install.
4. Specify the path to the firmware file MIUI 11 (for example, miui_TISSOT_11.0.2.zip).
5. Add to the queue Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip (If you don’t add it, the phone will get stuck on the logo).
6. Swipe to confirm the firmware.

It'll take 5-10 minutes.

• 🔄 Press Reboot System.
• ⏳ The first download can last up to 15 minutes – do not interrupt it.
• 📱 If the screen is stuck on the Xiaomi logo for a long time, go back to the TWRP (Hold the volume up + Power) and repeat the firmware Disable_Dm-Verity.

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If the phone is not turned on after the firmware, the reason for 90% In some cases, the encryption is enabled. Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip and format the Data partition in format F2FS (not EXT4).

Step 5: Set up MIUI 11 after installation

After the first download, you will be met by the MIUI 11 setup wizard.

1. Choose the language (Russian is available in most assemblies).
2. Connect to Wi-Fi and log in to your Mi Account (if any).
3. In the Settings → About the phone, check the version of MIUI and Android.
4. Update Google Services through the Play Store (they may be outdated).

Pay attention to possible bugs:

• 📷 Camera: in the builds on Android 10 may not work Portait Mode. BSG.
• 🔊 Sound: If the speaker is wheezing, check the Mi Sound Enhancer settings in Settings → Sound.
• 📶 Network: If it goes missing 4G, switch the network mode to LTE only in settings SIM-map.

To improve productivity:

• Turn off animations in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (stamp 7 times, then For Developers → Animation).
• Install Magisk for root rights and Disable MIUI Battery Drain Fix (reduces background battery consumption).

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To return standard app icons (instead of MIUI), download the Nova Launcher launcher and select the Adaptive or Pixel icon style in the settings.

Solving common problems

Even after successful MIUI 11 firmware, Mi A1s can still get bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the phone stopped seeing after the firmware SIM-maps, check the cards:

1. IMEI availability in Settings → About phone → General information.
2. Correct installation of the SIM tray (on the Mi A1 it must click).
3. Network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network mode → LTE.

FAQ: Frequent questions about MIUI 11 on the Mi A1