MIUI 12 on Xiaomi Mi A3: how to turn the “naked” Android into a “gun” in 5 steps

Xiaomi Mi A3

Android One

MIUI

Game Turbo

Mi A3

MIUI 12

This article is the only guide to installing MIUI 12 on the Mi A3 in 2026, taking into account all the pitfalls from unlocking the bootloader to choosing a stable firmware. We dispensed with the water of “strong recommendations” and focused on specific actions, errors (such as an Error 7 or a logo hover) and their solutions. If you are ready to turn your smartphone into a “gun” with a MIUI, read on.

Why MIUI 12 on Mi A3 is not a delusion, but a conscious choice

Skeptics will immediately reply, “Why spoil a stable Android One?” The answer is simple – MIUI 12 gives something that is not in stock firmware:

• 🎨 Topics and visual customization: changing icons, fonts, animations (in Android One - only wallpaper).
• 🔋 Optimizing the battery: MIUI More aggressively manages the background activity of applications, which prolongs the work time by 15-20%.
• 🎮 Game mode with Game Turbo: blocking notifications, priority CPU/GPU play-off.
• 🔒 Additional security features: App Lock, Second Space, hidden albums in the gallery.

But there's a downside: MIUI is heavier than stock Android, and on the Mi A3 with its modest Snapdragon 665, it can affect smoothness. However, according to user reviews, MIUI 12.5 Enhanced (an optimized version) works more stable than later releases, the main thing is to choose the right build.

⚠️ Attention: Installation MIUI on Mi A3 It can cancel the warranty and cause the device to fail completely. If you're not prepared for the risk, stop right now.

Before you move on, check the current firmware version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If it says Android 11/12 without mentioning MIUI, you’re on Android One and can continue.

Step 1: Unlocking the bootloader – without it anywhere

The bootloader on the Xiaomi Mi A3 is locked by default. To install MIUI, it must be unlocked through the official Mi Unlock Tool. The process takes 72-168 hours (yes, this is not a typo - Xiaomi specifically stretches the wait).

Here's what you're gonna need:

• 📱 Smartphone Xiaomi Mi A3 chargeable ≥ 60%.
• 💻 Computer on Windows 7/10/11 (Mac is not supported).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Unlock Tool (download only from the official website!).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on the Build Number 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → System → For developers and activate: Debugging by USB Unlock OEM (an important point!)

Connect the phone to the PC, confirm the debugging permission.

Mi Unlock Tool

Mi Account

Unlock

⚠️ Note: If the phone-linked Mi Account was created less than 30 days ago, unlocking will not be available).

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings. Don't miss this step, it's a must for further MIUI installation.

Created Mi Account over 30 days | USB |Enabled Debugging |Activated OEM |OEmblock Charged ≥60% |Recent version of Mi Unlock Tool-->

Step 2: Selecting a firmware - which MIUI 12 to put on the Mi A3

There are several types of MIUI 12 firmware that can be installed on the Mi A3:

For most users, the best choice is MIUI 12.5 Enhanced from the Xiaomi.eu community.

• 🧹 Removed Chinese apps and Bloatware.
• 🔄 Supports OTA-Updates (but not official!).
• 🛠️ Optimized for the Snapdragon 665.

Download the firmware only for the model laurel_sprout (codename A3). The file must have a.tgz or.zip extension and weigh ~2–2.5 GB.

💡

Before downloading, check the hash amount (MD5) of the firmware file. This will prevent the installation of corrupt or fake software. The hash can be checked using the MD5 Checker (Windows) utility or the md5sum command name file.zip (Linux/Mac).

Step 3: Install MIUI via TWRP – Step-by-step guide

For installation MIUI You'll need a custom recap TWRP. Official version for Mi A3 There is a twrp.me website, but we recommend using a modified build from mauronofrio (it works better with the mauronofrio). MIUI).

What to do:

1. Download. TWRP for Mi A3 (file twrp-3.6.2_9-0-laurel_sprout.img).
2. Install ADB and Fastboot on PC (instructions here).
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume down when the phone is off).
4. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools and do: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_9-0-laurel_sprout.img fastboot boot twrp-3.6.2_9-0-laurel_sprout.img
5. The phone will load into TWRP. Don't forget to make a backup!
6. Move the firmware file. MIUI on the phone (via MTP into TWRP or OTG-accumulator).
7. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

Install

⚠️ Attention: If after installation MIUI The phone has been getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo for more than 10 minutes - don't panic. Turn it off with a long press on the power button, then boot into the phone. TWRP (Nutrition + Volume up) and do the Wipe. → Format Data (this will delete all data, but often solves the problem).

The first MIUI launch can take up to 15 minutes, and if it's stable after that, congratulations, you've just turned your Mi A3 into a full-fledged Miuev machine!

Step 4: Set up MIUI after installation – what to do first

After successful installation of MIUI 12, your Mi A3 will work differently than it does on Android One.

• 🔄 Update. MIUI (if available: Settings → The phone. → Update the system. Even if you've installed the latest version, sometimes patches come out.
• 🔒 Reconnect Mi Account: This is necessary for data synchronization and access to the cloud.
• 🎯 Set up your gestures: MIUI It offers unique navigation options. Try settings. → Display. → Full-screen gestures.
• 🚫 Disable unnecessary services: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization (disable unnecessary items) Settings → Annexes → Application management → Autostart (limit background activity).

Note the battery partition: MIUI aggressively optimizes power consumption, which can cause notification delays.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management by Apps.
2. For critical applications (messaging, mail) select the No Limits mode.

We also recommend installing Google Camera (GCam) for the Mi A3 – the MIUI stock camera often loses even Android One in quality. You can download the appropriate version on the Celso Azevedo website (look for modifications for the Snapdragon 665).

💡

After installing MIUI, be sure to check the fingerprint sensor and NFC (if you use it). On some builds, these features may not work – in this case, look for firmware marked “Fixed FP/NFC”.

Step 5: Solving Typical Problems After Installing MIUI 12

Even with the right MIUI installation on the Mi A3, there can be bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If Google services (Play Market, Gmail, etc.) have stopped working after installing MIUI, do:

1. Download the latest version of Open GAPPS (nano or pico) from OpenGApps.
2. Boot in. TWRP and set ZIP-file GAPPS post-installation MIUI.
3. Reboot the phone.

To solve camera problems (green, artifacts) try:

• Install GCam with the right config for the Mi A3.
• Disable HDR+ in the camera's stock app.
• Reset the camera settings to Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear the data.

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics

How to get back Android One if you MIUI I didn't like it.

If the MIUI experiment fails, you can return the stock Android One.

1. Download the fastboot firmware for Mi A3 See the official Xiaomi website for Android One (usually in the title). laurel_sprout_global).
2. Unpack. ZIP-archive with firmware in the folder with platform-tools (where fastboot and adb lie).
3. Download the phone to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down) mode.
4. Connect to your PC and execute the command: fastboot -w fastboot update name file firmware.zip (where the name file firmware.zip is the name of the downloaded file).
5. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes) and the phone will automatically restart.

After returning to Android One:

• 🔄 Update the system through Settings → System system → Update of the PO.
• 🔒 Block the bootloader (optional, but recommended for security): fastboot oem lock Attention: this will result in a data reset!

⚠️ Note: If you block the bootloader after returning to Android One, install MIUI Or custom firmware will be impossible without re-unblocking (and 7-day wait).

FAQ: Frequent questions about installation MIUI 12 on Mi A3