Owners of Xiaomi Pad 5 and Xiaomi Pad 6 tablets often face a dilemma: the original Xiaomi Smart Pen of the first generation has excellent functionality, but its cost and availability leave much to be desired. In addition, many users are looking for alternatives due to compatibility problems or a desire to save budget on accessories. The peripheral market for the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem is now full of options, but not all of them are able to provide the stated level of performance.
In this article, we will explore in detail how to replace the original stylus, what are proven counterparts from third-party manufacturers and what are the nuances of their work. You will learn about hidden features, methods of circumventing software restrictions, and get an honest overview of popular models available in the global market.
Why are users looking for an alternative to the original?
The main reason for finding a replacement isn’t just price: The original Xiaomi Smart Pen, the first generation released for the Xiaomi Pad 5, has a specific problem with software locking in global firmware versions. The system can recognize the device as incompatible, requiring the use of the Chinese version of software or complex manipulation of the region-lock, which forces users to look for solutions that work out of the box.
Also, the functionality of the original, while rich, is not always perfect. Some artists note that line delay is noticeable in certain applications, and faceted ergonomics are not suitable for everyone.
It's important to understand that replacing the original accessory is always a compromise: you can win in price or get no locks, but lose the accuracy of the determination of the force of pressing or the possibility of magnetic charging. Communication protocols can vary from vendor to vendor, which leads to incomplete compatibility of functions.
Official Analogues and Generation Compatibility
The first thing to consider is the newer versions of the official devices. Xiaomi Smart Pen 2nd Gen is a direct successor, but it is compatible only with newer models of tablets such as Xiaomi Pad 6 and Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro. If you have a older model, then the question of “what to replace” is solved by buying a second generation, which is free of many problems of its predecessor and has a lower latency.
But for the Xiaomi Pad 5, the situation is more complicated: the second version of the stylus is physically and software incompatible with the first tablet, you have to look at third-party solutions or look for the original version with Chinese firmware. Many users mistakenly believe that the software update will add support for new styluses, but this is a hardware limitation.
⚠️ Note: Before buying Xiaomi Smart Pen 2nd Gen be sure to check the list of supported devices on the official website.Installing an incompatible stylus won't do any harm, but it just won't work.
It’s also worth mentioning that there are versions for the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro that use the even more advanced StarTouch communication protocol. These devices are backwards incompatible with older tablets. So if you’re looking for a replacement for an old pen breakdown, you’ll likely have to look for the first generation or generic counterparts.
Top.-3 popular
The accessories market offers many brands that successfully clone the functionality of the original, led by Goojodoq, Baseus and ESR. These manufacturers have already proven themselves with build quality and software stability. Their products often lack regional locks and run on global firmware HyperOS.
The Goojodoq 13th Gen is often called the best clone. It supports magnetic mounting, wireless charging, and most importantly, has a sensitivity to press strength (4096 levels). Visually and tactilely, this stylus is very close to the original, but costs significantly less. Many users note that the difference in latency in normal use is almost invisible.
The Baseus brand offers an Electrostatic line that is also worth noting. Their advantage often lies in the delivery kit: with the stylus, there are often additional tips and a holder tablet case. This makes the purchase more profitable. However, some Baseus models may not support double tapping to change tools in native Xiaomi applications.
The secret of Goojodoq compatibility
The third contender is ESR Digital Pencil, which is a brand that relies on minimalism and reliability, and its stylus is often flatter, which is convenient to grab, but less convenient to roll around the table. Pressure support can vary depending on the model, so you should carefully read the specification for the phrase "Pressure Sensitivity" before buying an ESR.
Comparative Characteristics Table
To make it easier to choose, let's put the basic parameters in a single table, and here we compare the original to the top-end versions on key metrics that affect the experience. Note that the data is relevant to current firmware versions at the time of writing.
| Model | Pressing power | Magnetic charging | Delay (MS) | Price (roughly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Smart Pen 1 | 4,096 levels | Yes. | ~15-20 | Tall. |
| Goojodoq 13th | 4,096 levels | Yes. | ~20-25 | Medium |
| Baseus Electrostatic | No (fixed) | Yes. | ~30 | Low. |
| ESR Digital | Depends on the model. | Yes. | ~25 | Medium |
And you can see from the table that the Goojodoq is the closest thing to the functionality. The lack of push support for the basic Baseus models makes them unsuitable for professional drawing, although they're great for recording. 20-30 Milliseconds are almost indistinguishable to the human eye in ordinary handwriting, but professional illustrators can notice the difference in quick strokes.
💡
For professional graphics, support for 4,096 pressure levels is critical, and without this feature, you can't draw fully, only handwriting.
Nuances of use and bypass of locks
If you do decide to use the original Xiaomi Smart Pen or its quality clone, but you are faced with a report of incompatibility, there is a method of bypassing. It does not work on all versions of HyperOS, but it is worth trying.
First, you need to go to settings and change the region to China, then you should clear the Stylus application data (if it is in the application list) or find the corresponding system service in the Settings → Apps → All applications menu.
adb shell pm clear com.xiaomi.pen.settingsThis command, run through the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), resets the stylus settings to the factory, plugs the tablet into your computer, turns on USB debugging and runs the command in the terminal, which can help "refriend" the device if a software glitch occurs after the system update.
⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB Carefulness is required. Incorrect removal of system components can lead to unstable operation of the tablet.
Also worth mentioning is the line rattle problem: Some Xiaomi tablets have line intermittency when using non-original styluses, which can be treated by installing third-party screen calibration apps or using specialized drawing launchers that have their own input drivers.
Universal capacitive styluses
If you don't need push support, and you use the tablet primarily for interface navigation, presentations, or simple text input, you might consider universal capacitive styluses. They work on the principle of imitating a finger and are compatible with any screen, including older Xiaomi models.
The advantage of these solutions is that they are completely independent of Bluetooth and firmware. They don't require charging (many models) and they work instantly. However, the lack of palm rejection makes them uncomfortable to write, and you have to either keep your hand on weight or use a special glove.
These styluses often have a disc on the end for greater accuracy or a transparent plastic tip. This is a good temporary option if your main stylus has broken and your new one hasn't arrived yet. They're cheap and available at any electronics store.
☑️ Criteria for the selection of replacements
Final selection recommendations
The choice of replacement for Xiaomi Smart Pen depends on your specific tasks. If you are a professional artist, the savings on the stylus can cost you the quality of the work. In this case, it is better to search for the original used or wait for discounts on official products. Losing even 10% accuracy can be critical for detailed sketches.
For students and office workers who take notes in Notion, Evernote or Mi Notes, Goojodoq or Baseus are great choices, providing sufficient accuracy, comfortable in hand, and forgetting about problems with regions, and the magnetic charging function is fully implemented, eliminating the need to search for a cable.
Remember that the accessories market is dynamic, new models with improved batteries and communication protocols are constantly emerging. Always check the latest reviews on Xiaomi’s YouTube channels before buying, as manufacturers can change the internal stuffing of models without changing the name.
💡
Save checks and packaging from third-party stylus.Chinese brands often give a 6-12 month warranty, and in case of battery failure, replacement is free.