Owners of Xiaomi smartphone 12X, The user who ordered the device from China or wants to get rid of advertising and excess software, often face the need to change the software. MIUI or HyperOS may not support the required languages, have restrictions in working with notifications or simply do not contain Google services out of the box (EU) The global (Global) version unlocks the full potential of the flagship, ensuring stable operation in our latitudes.
The process of software replacement requires careful and strict adherence to the algorithm of actions. Any interference with system files carries risks, so before starting the procedure, you need to soberly assess your skills and prepare all the tools. In this article, we will discuss the detailed path from unlocking the bootloader to the final configuration of the updated system, eliminating common errors of beginners.
It should be noted that unlocking the bootloader is a mandatory first step, without which installing third-party recovery is impossible. Xiaomi has implemented strict security measures that require waiting for several days after submitting an application. Ignoring this step or trying to skip it will only lead to an error when trying to write new data into the device’s memory.
Preparation of equipment and software
Before you start to take action, you need to assemble a full array of tools. USB-A cable, preferably original or certified, capable of transmitting data at high speeds, not just charging the battery. The computer must be running Windows, as most firmware utilities are optimized for this platform.
A critical element is to create a full backup of all user data. The flashing process involves completely clearing the internal memory of the smartphone, including photos, contacts and correspondence. Backup can be done through the Mi Cloud cloud service or using the built-in backup tool in the system settings, saving the archive to an external drive.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the battery is at least 60% charged, interrupting the recording process due to battery discharge can cause permanent damage to the system partition and turn the device into a brick".
For Xiaomi 12X (codename psyche), it is important to choose the version that matches your region or desired configuration. The file should have the.zip extension to install via Recovery or.tgz for firmware via Fastboot. Checking the integrity of the downloaded file through MD5 checksums will help avoid problems with broken archives.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
The first technical step is to remove the restrictions from the bootloader, and to do this, you need to activate the developer mode in the settings menu of the phone. → About the phone and seven times quickly click on the version number MIUI. After the developer mode activation notification appears, log in to the new menu and turn on the option. USB-Debugging and Unlocking the Loader.
You then need to link your Mi Account to your device. In the bootloader unlock menu, click the appropriate button and wait for a successful link message. This action locks the device behind your account and triggers a waiting timer. The official wait time is 168 hours (7 days) to 30 days, depending on the current company and region policies.
After the waiting time, you need to download the official Mi Unlock Tool utility to your computer. After starting the program and logging into your account, transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode, holding the power and volume buttons simultaneously. Connecting the device to your PC, press the unlock button in the utility. The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will be reset to factory settings.
💡
If Mi Unlock makes a wait error, don't try to bypass the timer by resetting the date or re-linking the account, which will only increase the waiting time. Just wait until the countdown is over.
Install custom Recovery TWRP or OrangeFox
Once successfully unlocked, the standard recovery menu is replaced with a modified one, such as TWRP or OrangeFox, which is necessary to install firmware not signed with the manufacturer's digital key. Download the current.img image, developed specifically for the Xiaomi 12X model (codename: psyche).
To install Recovery, put your smartphone into Fastboot mode and connect it to your computer. Open the command line or terminal in the folder with ADB/Fastboot tools. Enter the command to check the connection:
fastboot devicesIf the serial number of the device is displayed, you can proceed to the recording of the image.
The installation command is as follows:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-psyche.imgIt is important to avoid automatic restarts immediately after recording, and manually switch to Recovery mode by clamping down the power and volume buttons, holding them until the TWRP logo appears.
☑️ Checklist before firmware
The process of installing firmware through Fastboot
The most reliable method of installing a new operating system is to use Fastboot mode and hardwire scripts, which allows you to completely clear old partitions and write the new file system "clean." To do this, unpack the downloaded firmware archive (.tgz) into the root of the C disk so that the path does not contain Cyrillic or spaces.
Launch the file. flash_all.bat (For Windows) from the firmware folder, first switching the phone to Fastboot mode. The script will automatically execute all the necessary commands. During the operation of the computer screen, the progress of writing partitions will be displayed.
The table below shows the main sections that are overwritten when fully firmware is in place:
| Section | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| boot | System core and drivers | Critically. |
| system | Main Operating System Files | Critically. |
| vendor | Proprietary Equipment Drivers | Tall. |
| modem | Radio module software | Tall. |
Once the script is complete, the device will automatically restart. The first download can take up to 10-15 minutes as the system optimizes applications and creates cache. Don't panic if the screen stays black for a long time after the logo - this is normal behavior for Android after a complete flashing.
Alternative method: installation via Recovery
If you have difficulty using your computer, you can use the installation method via the Recovery menu, which is suitable for upgrading an already unlocked device or switching between versions of a single branch (for example, from China to Global, if the architecture allows), and you need to copy the firmware file (.zip) to the internal memory of the smartphone.
In the TWRP menu, select Install and specify the path to the archive. Before starting the installation, it is recommended to clean the Dalvik / ART Cache, Cache and Data partitions. This action is called Wipe and ensures that there is no conflict between the old and new versions of the software.
⚠️ Note: When installing firmware through Recovery, never choose the "Wipe Everything" option or Data partition formatting unless you are sure of what you are doing, as this can remove internal memory completely, including firmware files, unless they are copied to an external medium.
Once cleaned, go back to the main menu and start the installation. The process will take a few minutes. Upon completion, press the Reboot System button. If the device goes into a bootloop after the reboot, you will need to repeat the procedure with a more thorough cleaning of the partitions or a change in the Recovery version.
What to do if your phone is in Bootloop?
Primary system setup and optimization
After a successful boot, you will see the welcome screen. At this stage, it is important to correctly configure the basic parameters. When connecting to Wi-Fi, the system can offer an update. For Xiaomi 12X, it is critically important not to update immediately through OTA if you have installed custom firmware Xiaomi.eu, as the official update can erase the modified Recovery.
Sign in to your Google account and allow synchronization of contacts and calendar. Next, go to the advanced settings and turn off ads if they are present (although they are usually deleted in EU firmware), pay special attention to configuring notifications for messengers so that the system does not “kill” them in the background to save energy.
To check if the installation is successful, go to Settings → About Phone. Make sure the firmware version matches the downloaded version and the bootloader status is marked as Unlocked. Also check the main modules: camera, microphone, GPS and cellular. The IMEI test can be performed by dialing the *#06# command.
💡
Successful firmware installation is confirmed by the stable operation of all communication modules and the absence of errors in the system logs during the first days of use.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Unforeseen situations can occur during software modifications. One of the common problems is a broken fingerprint or proximity sensor. This often indicates incompatibility of regional settings or damage to the persist partition. Recovery of the persist partition is possible only from a pre-made backup copy, so we emphasize the importance of backup before any action.
Another common problem is the lack of a network or unstable LTE/5G. In this case, it is worth checking the settings of the APN access points and making sure that the correct network mode is chosen. Sometimes resetting network settings through the recovery menu or re-furbishing the modem partition (modem) separately helps.
If the smartphone has stopped responding to commands and is not turning on (EDL mode), you will need specialized equipment or contact the service center to flash through the test point. However, if you follow this instruction and use the correct files, the risk of falling into EDL mode is minimal.