Introduction: Myths and Realities about Compatibility
MiHoYo’s mobile version of Genshin Impact has become one of the most popular open-world RPG projects, but Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a problem: the game either doesn’t launch or runs with critical lags. The reasons are not just in the “weak hardware” – it’s about software limitations, MIUI firmware features and the politics of the Hoyoverse itself.
In this article, we will discuss the unique technical nuances that make Genshin Impact not supported on Xiaomi devices, even if they meet the minimum requirements, you will learn how to bypass locks, optimize performance and avoid typical installation errors.
1. Official System Requirements vs. Reality
According to Hoyoverse, running Genshin Impact on Android requires:
- 📱 Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845/Kirin 810 higher
- 🖥️ RAM: minimum 4 GB (recommended 6)+ GB)
- 🗃️ Memory: 8 GB of free space (with updates)
- 🔄 Android: Version 8.1 and higher
In practice, however, even Xiaomi’s flagship models (such as the Mi 11 Ultra or Redmi K50 Pro) can run into problems, as Hoyoverse blocks launch on devices with root rights, modified firmware or uncertified Google Services — a typical situation for many Xiaomi smartphones after unlocking the bootloader.
2.The problem with MIUI: optimization or sabotage?
MIUI firmware is known for aggressive background optimization and resource management. For Genshin Impact, this means:
- ⚡ Forced background closure: the game can "fly out" through 5-10 background.
- 🔋 Clock frequency limitation: MIUI reduces processor performance to save battery, leading to friezes.
- 🚫 Auto-Start Lock: Without Manual Settings, the Game Does Not Access the Network After Rebooting.
In addition, MIUI 13/14 introduced Memory Extension, which conflicts with the game’s Unity engine, which results in users seeing texture artifacts or a complete crash when loading new locations.
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Before starting Genshin Impact, turn off Memory Extension in the settings: Settings → About Phone → Advanced Settings → Memory.
3. Device model lock: Hoyoverse blacklist
Hoyoverse maintains a hidden list of non-recommended devices that either don’t install the game through Google Play or are bugged.
- 📵 Smartphones with uncertified Google Services (typical of Chinese versions of Xiaomi).
- 🔓 Devices with unlocked bootloader or custom firmware.
- 🔄 Models with unstable drivers GPU (For example, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Mali-G57).
Check if your model is blacklisted by IMEI via IMEI.info. If the device is locked, the game will give an error This device is not supported when you try to launch.
How to bypass the IMEI lock?
4.Graphics driver issues: Mali vs. Adreno
Most Xiaomi smartphones use ARM Mali GPUs (such as the Mali-G77 in the Snapdragon 765G), which are known for problems with support for the Vulkan API - it runs Genshin Impact. For comparison, Qualcomm Adreno chips (for example, in the Snapdragon 888) show stability 30-40% higher.
| Processor | GPU | Compatible with Genshin Impact | Typical problems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 865/870 | Adreno 650 | ✅ Stable. | Minimum friezes at high settings |
| Snapdragon 765G | Adreno 620 | ⚠️ Middle-Average | Lags in battles, artifacts of textures |
| Dimensity 1200 | Mali-G77 MC9 | ❌ Bad. | Departures at loading the world, overheating |
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Adreno 730 | ✅ Stable. | Problems only on custom firmware |
If your smartphone is equipped with the Mali GPU, try:
- Install drivers from ARM manually through ADB.
- Disable Hardware Acceleration in the game settings (if available).
- Use OpenGL instead of Vulkan (requires a config.ini modification).
5. Installation errors: APK vs. Google Play
Many Xiaomi users experience an App not installed error when trying to install Genshin Impact via APK.
- 🔐 Signed APK: The file is not downloaded from the official Hoyoverse website.
- 📂 Packet conflict: remnants of previous installation (com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact folder).
- 🛡️ MIUI Security: Built-in antivirus blocks installation of "unknown sources".
To avoid problems:
Download APK ONLY from [official website](https://genshin.hoyoverse.com/)
Turn off MIUI Optimization in the Developer Settings
Remove /Android/obb/com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact before installing
Allow installation from unknown sources for the browser
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Warning! If the game produces a Files are corrupted error after installation, check the integrity of the files via SHA-256 hash sum. Official hashes are published on the Hoyoverse forum.
6.Overheating and trottling: how to save the smartphone
Genshin Impact loads the processor 80-90%, resulting in trottling after 15-20 minutes of play.
- 🌡️ Aggressive Thermopolitics in the MIUI (limit°C).
- 🔋 Weak cooling system in budget models (Redmi Note series).
- 🔌 Charging during the game increases the heat.
Decisions:
- Use a gaming cooler (such as Black Shark FunCooler Pro).
- Limit FPS to 30 fps in the game settings.
- Turn off Background. MIUI Optimization: adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1
⚠️ Note: If the processor temperature exceeds 50°C, the risk of battery degradation increases by 2 times. Use applications like AIDA64 monitor.
7. Alternative ways to launch: emulators and cloud gaming
If your Xiaomi isn’t pulling the Genshin Impact, consider:
- 🖥️ Emulators: BlueStacks (requires PC) or Waydroid (for Linux).
- ☁️ Cloud Gaming: Booyah! (Official Partner of Hoyoverse) NVIDIA GeForce NOW.
- 🎮 Remote Play: stream from PC to smartphone via Moonlight or Steam Link.
For cloud gaming, a stable Internet with a speed of 15+ Mbps and support for HEVC (codec). Check the compatibility of your Xiaomi through the Booyah application! - it automatically tests the device for lags.
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Cloud gaming is the only way to play Genshin Impact on weak Xiaomi smartphones (like the Redmi 9A or POCO M3) without losing quality.