Installing Pixel Experience on Xiaomi: a complete guide with nuances

The Pixel Experience firmware transforms your Xiaomi into a nearly pure Google Pixel — with proprietary launcher, animations and Android features without the extra bloatware. But installation requires precision: if you take the wrong step, the device can turn into a “brick”. This instruction covers all stages - from preparation to final setting, taking into account the features of the MIUI and model specifics Redmi/POCO/Mi.

Many users are afraid of custom firmware because of myths about "complexity" or "instability." In fact, Pixel Experience often works more stable than stock. MIUI, Especially on older models, where the manufacturer has stopped releasing updates, the main thing is to follow the algorithm and not miss out on critical points, such as backing up data or checking the firmware compatibility with your model.

In this guide, we will discuss:

• 🔓 How to unlock a bootloader on Xiaomi without the risk of blocking an account
• 📥 Where to download official Pixel Experience builds and how to check their integrity
• 🔧 Step-by-step installation through TWRP with nuances for different chipsets (Snapdragon/Mediatek)
• ⚙️ System setup after firmware: from GApps to battery optimization

Warning: the process takes time (1 to 3 hours) and care. ADB Or fastboot, you better practice on a less important device!

1.Preparation of the device: what to do before installation

The first step is to check compatibility. Pixel Experience does not support all Xiaomi models. Official builds are available for:

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi A2/A3 (codename: jasmine/laurel_sprout)
• 📱 Redmi Note 7/7 Pro (lavender/violet)
• 📱 POCO F1 (beryllium and POCO X3 NFC (surya)
• 📱 Mi 9T/9T Pro (davinci/raphael)

For a full list of supported devices, see the official website. If your model is not available, look for informal ports on the forums. XDA Developers or 4PDA, But be prepared for bugs.

Then backup. The firmware erases all the data from the internal memory.

• 🔄 Mi Cloud for contacts, notes and photos (if sync is enabled)
• 💾 Local copy on PC via MTP or ADB pull
• 📁 Applications like Swift Backup (require root) to save user data

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Account to unlock the bootloader, make sure that the account is not tied to the device within 7 days after unlocking!

Also prepare:

• 🔌 Charge your smartphone at least 70% – installation can take up to an hour
• 🖥️ Windows PC 10/11 Linux (MacOS will require additional drivers)
• 🔗 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged)
• 🛠️ Utilities: ADB & Fastboot, Mi Unlock Tool, TWRP for your model

Make sure the model is supported by Pixel Experience|

Make a backup copy of all data |

Charge your phone to 70% or more|

Download ADB/Fastboot and drivers for Xiaomi|

Prepare the cable. USB PC-->

2. Unlock the bootloader: bypass the limitations of Xiaomi

Xiaomi locks the bootloader on all devices, so it needs to be officially unlocked through the Mi Unlock Tool.The process takes at least 7 days (sometimes longer) due to the manufacturer's security policy.

Algorithm of action:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and activate: 🔓 Unlocking OEM (point-of-point!) 🔌 Debugging by USB

Mi Account

Settings → Xiaomi account

Mi Unlock Tool

fastboot

Loudness down + Nutrition

Unlock

Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the phone will be erased automatically – that’s normal.

⚠️ Warning: If you see a "Couldn't unlock" or "Device not bound" error, check: Mi Account is linked to the phone and confirmed by phone SMS/email Xiaomi drivers are installed on your PC (you can download here) You use the original cable (cheap cables often do not transfer data to fastboot)

If you don't have time to wait 7 days, there are "circumvent" methods using patched versions of the Mi Unlock Tool, but they are risky - Xiaomi can block an account for violating the rules.

Less than a year.|

1-2 year-end|

More than 3 years|

This is my first Xiaomi.-->

Installation TWRP: custom-recovery

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project is an alternative recovery that allows custom firmware installation. It is important for Xiaomi to use a version that is compatible with your model and chipset.

Installation instructions:

1. Download. TWRP to your device from an official website or trusted source (for example, XDA). The file must have the.img extension.
2. Place the downloaded file in the folder with ADB Rename it for convenience, for example, in twrp.img.
3. Connect your phone to your PC in fastboot mode (as in the previous step).
4. Open the command line in the folder with ADB Next Post:Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img First team's running a sleeve. TWRP, The second one is to load the device immediately.

If, after the reboot, TWRP It's not saved (replaced with stock recovery), so your model has anti-rollback protection on:

• 🔧 Please. TWRP Repeat, but before rebooting to the system, perform TWRP: adb shell echo"SYSTEM_DEST=product" >> /tmp/recovery.log
• 📛 Or use special versions. TWRP bypass protection (seek for the 4PDA model).

💡

After installation TWRP phone is stuck on startup the logo, press the volume up + Power for 10 seconds for forced reboot. Then repeat the recovery firmware.

4 Download and check out the Pixel Experience

The official builds of Pixel Experience are divided into three types:

• 📱 PixelExperience – standard version with GApps (Google services)
• 📱 PixelExperience_Plus — extended
• 📱 PixelExperience_vanilla — GApps free (for manual installation)

For most users, the first version is suitable. Only download from the official website - third-party sources may contain malicious code.

How to check the integrity of the file:

1. Compare. MD5 or SHA256 hash of the downloaded file from the official (hashes are indicated on the download page).
2. Use utilities like this. 7-Zip or WinMD5Free check out.
3. Uncivilize. ZIP-Firmware file – there should be a file inside boot.img and folders system, vendor, etc.

Also download:

• 🔄 Magisk (if root is needed) - the latest version
• 📦 Open GApps (only if you downloaded the vanilla version) – choose the nano or pico option
• 🔧 Disable ForceEncrypt (for devices with fbe encryption)

⚠️ Note: If you install firmware on a device with Mediatek (e.g. Redmi Note) 8), Download VBmeta and run it through fastboot with a flag --disable-verity, Otherwise, the system won't boot!

5.Firmware Pixel Experience via TWRP

Now, to the most critical point, attention: if you interrupt the process, the device may stop booting!

Step-by-step:

1. Boot to TWRP (Put Volume Up + Power on the phone off).
2. Make a full wipe (clean): Press the Wipe → Advanced Wipe Check the boxes: Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage, Cache Swipe for confirmation
3. Move it. ZIP-Firmware file on the phone: Connect the device to the PC through MTP into TWRP (Mount → Enable MTP) Copy the file into your phone memory

• V TWRP Press Install and select ZIP-Pixel Experience file
• Add (if necessary) Magisk and Disable ForceEncrypt (consistency is important!)
• Swipe for confirmation
• Once completed, press Reboot System. The first download can take up to 15 minutes!

If the system does not start after restarting (hanging on the logo or loading into fastboot):

• 🔄 Repeat the firmware by pre-formatting the Data in TWRP (Wipe → Format Data → enter")
• 🔧 Check firmware compatibility with your model (especially for unofficial builds)
• 📡 Make sure the downloaded file is not corrupted (check the hash again)

6. First setup and optimization of the system

After a successful download, you will be greeted by the Pixel Experience customizable wizard, similar to pure Android.

• 🔒 Skip adding a Google account in the first step (if necessary, do it later)
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi to download updates
• ⚙️ Disable unnecessary functions like “Send Diagnostics” and “Auto-Application Update"

We further recommend:

1. Update the system: Settings → System system → System update (if available) OTA).
2. Set up gestures: Go to Settings → System system → Gestures → Select “Gesturing with buttons” or “Full-screen gestures” (similar to Pixel)

Settings → Battery → Adaptive battery → Enable


Settings → Battery → Optimization → Limit background activity for unnecessary applications

Magisk

• Download. Magisk.apk and rename it.zip
• Flow through TWRP (flat-fibre)
• Restart and check root through the Magisk Manager app

Pixel Experience is supported by OTA-Update, but before installing it:

• 🔄 Always backup in. TWRP
• 📥 Download updates only through the official channel (in the system settings)
• ⚠️ Do not install updates if you have previously modified your system or vendor (e.g., removed system applications)

💡

After installing Pixel Experience, be sure to check the main features: camera, mobile network, sensors and Wi-Fi. If something doesn’t work, look for patches on the forum. XDA for your model.

7. Solving problems after firmware

Even if installed correctly, there can be bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

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

adb logcat > log.txt

Look for critical errors (E/) Google them with the device model.

8.Return to MIUI: How to roll back

If Pixel Experience is not satisfied, you can go back to stock MIUI. For that:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Uncivilize. ZIP-file-to-folder.
3. Download the phone to fastboot mode and connect to the PC.
4. Launch the file. flash_all.bat (For Windows, run the command: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash vendor vendor.img fastboot erase userdata fastboot reboot

If after the firmware MIUI phone doesn't load:

• 🔄 Repeat the process by pre-formatting all partitions through fastboot: fastboot erase boot fastboot erase system fastboot erase userdata
• 📡 Make sure the downloaded firmware is suitable for your model (check the code name!).

⚠️ Note: After returning to the MIUI unlocking the bootloader is saved, but re-installing the custom firmware may require re-associating the account (waiting 7 days).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Pixel Experience on Xiaomi