Many users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices face the limitations of the stock operating system, especially in Chinese versions of smartphones. The lack of Google services, excess advertising, Chinese interface language and unnecessary applications are just the tip of the iceberg, which must be fought daily, the solution is the installation of a global version of Xiaomi.eu, which is based on the official MIUI or HyperOS, but is devoid of all regional restrictions and contains a full set of necessary features for the international market.
The process of software replacement requires careful and strict follow-up of instructions, as interference with the system partition of the device can lead to unpredictable consequences. You will need not only the firmware file itself, but also specialized software for the computer, as well as an unlocked bootloader, without which installing modified software is impossible. Below we will discuss in detail each step, from tool preparation to the first download of the updated system.
Before you start taking action, you need to be aware that you are taking responsibility for the state of your gadget. Unlocking the bootloader will automatically void the manufacturer’s official warranty in most regions. In addition, all data on the internal drive will be irretrievably deleted in the process of flashing, so backing up important photos, contacts and documents is a must-do first step.
Tool preparation and compatibility check
The success of the entire operation depends on 90% of the quality of the workspace and the availability of proper equipment. You will need a computer running the Windows operating system, since the main tools for working with Fastboot work best in this environment. The use of virtual machines or emulators is not recommended due to possible problems with the drip. USB-Ports that may interrupt the critical data recording process.
The communication cable plays a role no less important than the computer or smartphone itself. Cheap cables that come with budget electronics are often only designed to charge and do not have the necessary lines for data transfer. Use the original cable or quality analogue labeled USB 3.0 or higher to ensure stable current and speed of information exchange during firmware.
- 🔌 USB-cable: Be sure to check the cable for data transfer by connecting the phone to the PC and seeing if it is detected in the Device Manager.
- 💻 Drivers: Install the Xiaomi package USB Drivers and Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader for correct operation in bootloader mode.
- 📂 File system: Make sure that the disk on which the files will be downloaded is formatted into NTFS, Avoiding long-track mistakes.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use USB-Hubs, extension cords or ports on the front of the system unit. Connect the cable directly to the motherboard via ports on the back, preferably USB 2.0, as they often provide a more stable connection for debugging modes.
It is also critical to make sure that your device model fully matches the firmware version you are planning to download.The device's code name, such as raphael for the Redmi K20 Pro or vayu for the POCO X3 NFC, must match the file name of the archive. Trying to sew the wrong image will cause the smartphone to go into Fastboot mode or, in the worst case, turn into a "brick."
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Before starting all operations, make a full backup of data to the cloud or to an external hard drive, since the process of unlocking the bootloader involves a complete reset of the device (Wipe Data).
Unlocking the bootloader (Unlock Bootloader)
The first and most difficult step for most users is unlocking the bootloader, a security mechanism that prevents any software not digitally signed from running on the device. To bypass it, Xiaomi has developed the official Mi Unlock Tool, which requires you to link your Mi Account to your device and wait for a certain time.
The process starts with activating the developer mode. → About the phone and seven times quickly click on the version MIUI. After the message “You became a developer” should go to the advanced settings and include items OEM-unlocking and debugging USB. It is here in the menu “Mi Unlock Status” that the current account is tied to the hardware of the smartphone.
After you have an account attached, you have to wait until the company's servers set a deadline, which is usually 168 hours (7 days), although in some cases the timer can be shortened or extended to 30 days for new accounts. After that, you can start the Mi Unlock Tool on your PC, put your smartphone into Fastboot mode (pressing the power and volume buttons), and press Unlock.
It is important to understand that once the bootloader is unlocked, a warning will appear for a few seconds every time the device is booted, which is a routine behavior that cannot be removed by software without being blocked again, and it is worth noting that some banking applications and services of Google Pay (now Google Wallet) may require additional manipulations with Magisk or KernelSU to work properly.
Loading firmware and installing drivers
When the bootloader is unlocked, it’s the turn of software preparation. Xiaomi.eu firmware is distributed in two main formats: Recovery and Fastboot. For the method we’re looking at in this guide, you need the Fastboot archive, which usually has the.tgz extension and weighs from 4 to 6 gigabytes. You should only download files from the official website of the xiaomi.eu project or verified mirrors to avoid the introduction of malicious code.
After downloading the archive, it must be unpacked into the root of the disk, for example, in a folder. C:\roms\. The file path should not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces, as firmware scripts may not properly process the path and terminate the work with an error. Inside the unpacked folder, you will find many files, but the key is the script. flash_all.bat (for Windows) and partition images.
| Type of firmware | File extension | Method of installation | Data retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery | .zip | Through the Recovery menu | Maybe (Dirty Flash) |
| Fastboot | .tgz | Through PC and ADB/Fastboot | No (Clean Install) |
| OTA | .zip (small) | Update by air | Yes. |
Installing drivers is the stage where beginners are most likely to have problems. Windows 10 and 11 often automatically install standard ADB drivers, which may not work for Fastboot mode. It is recommended to manually update the driver through Device Manager by selecting a device with a yellow icon or marked as Android, and point the way to the folder with Xiaomi or Google USB Driver drivers.
What to do if the driver is not installed?
Firmware process through Fastboot
Now that all the components are ready, you can go to the direct recording of the new system. Connect the smartphone turned off to your computer by holding the volume button. The Fastboot logo should appear on the screen with the image of a rabbit repairing an android. Make sure that the status bar says LOCK (if you just unlocked, there will be UNLOCK) and the orange indicator lights up.
Open the folder with the firmware unpacked. flash_all.bat. This script starts a sequential record of all the memory partitions: bootloader, radio module, system, recovery and user data, and it needs to be run on behalf of the administrator. 300 before 600 seconds, depending on the speed USB-port and the amount of recorded information.
☑️ Pre-launch checklist flash_all.bat
As you run the firmware, you'll see lines of code flashing through the command line window, telling you how each step has progressed, and you'll see messages like sending 'xbl', flashing 'xbl', and so on. It's strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the process at that point, even if it seems like progress has been frozen in one place for a few seconds. Any interruption could damage the partition table.
When the script is finished, the phone will automatically restart. The first download can last up to 5-10 minutes, as the system optimizes applications and creates new encrypted containers for data. The Mi or Android logo may appear on the screen, which is normal. Once the welcome screen appears, select the language and proceed to the basic setting.
Solving common mistakes
Even with strict follow-up to the instructions, technical failures can occur. One of the most common errors is the message Can't find script file or FAILED: remote: flash write failure.This often indicates a cable, port, or incompatible version of fastboot.exe. Try replacing the cable, plugging it into another port (preferably USB 2.0) or running the command line on behalf of the administrator.
Another common problem is the FAILED error: remote: Verify Error: No such file or directory. This occurs if you try to flash Recovery through a Fastboot script or vice versa. Always check the extension of the downloaded archive and the firmware type to match the chosen installation method.
⚠️ Warning: If your phone goes into an endless bootloop or shows a black screen with a vibration, don't panic. Try pressing the power and volume buttons to log in to Recovery and make Wipe Data. If this does not help, the firmware procedure through Fastboot must be repeated.
In case of error FAILED: remote: Device is locked, it becomes clear that the bootloader was not unlocked or the status has gone off. Repeat the unlock procedure through Mi Unlock Tool. If the utility says that "the account is not associated with the device", make sure that on the phone you logged out of the Mi Account and then logged back into the same one used in the program on the PC.
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90% of firmware errors are due to poor quality USB-You can use the cable or you can't have administrator rights when you run the script.
Initial setup and optimization
Once you have successfully installed Xiaomi.eu, you will get a clean system without any unnecessary debris. However, for stable operation and security, it is recommended to perform a number of settings. First of all, the system will offer to update the security components of Google Play Services - agree to this. It is also worth checking for updates to the firmware itself through the Settings → About phone menu.
One of the key features of custom builds is that they have built-in Magisk or the ability to install it, which gives the user root rights to remove system applications that cannot be removed by standard methods and install modules that change the operation of the kernel. However, including root rights can disrupt banking applications, so use the Zygisk feature and exception lists to hide superuser rights.
To extend autonomy, you should set up background processes. In the Battery menu, set the power saving mode for rarely used applications in Restricted. Also, in the Apps menu, find Google's system services and let them auto-start so that notifications arrive on time, as MIUI's aggressive energy saving policy often blocks them from working.