The Xiaomi Mi5 is still a popular smartphone among Android enthusiasts, but its owners often face the problem of the lack of Google Play Services and other Google services, the reason lies in the policy of Xiaomi, which on some regional firmware (especially Chinese) does not include pre-installed Google applications. In this article, we will discuss three official ways to install Google Play on the Mi5 – from simply enabling hidden services to completely reflashing with unlocking the bootloader.
It’s important to understand that the procedure differs depending on the MIUI version and the status of the bootloader. For example, on global firmware (Mi5 Global), Google Play is usually already installed, and on Chinese (Mi5 China) it is not. We will look at solutions for both cases, including a unique method of activating Google Play through ADB without losing data, which works even on locked devices.
1. Check the current firmware and version of MIUI
Before you start installing, you need to determine which firmware is installed on your Xiaomi Mi5.
- 📱 Global firmware (Mi5 Global – Google Play is already preinstalled, but can be disabled in settings.
To find out the firmware version:
- Open the settings → About the phone → version of MIUI.
- Look at MIUI Global or MIUI China.
- Write down the full version number (e.g. MIUI 12.5.3 Stable).
If you have Chinese firmware, go to the section about unlocking the bootloader. If global, try turning Google Play on in the settings first (Section 2). For custom firmware, you will need to install GApps (Section 5).
2. enable Google Play on global firmware (without unlocking)
On Mi5 Global, Google services are usually hidden, but not removed.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show All Apps.
- Find in the list: Google Play Services Google Play Store Google Services Framework
Turn on
Allow all permits
Reboot the phone.
☑️ Preparation for activation of Google Play
If Google Play doesn’t appear after the reboot, try resetting it:
- Open Settings → Applications → Google Play Store.
- Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
- Repeat the same for Google Play Services.
⚠️ Note: If Google Play doesn’t start after cleaning up the data, it means that Google services are removed at the firmware level, in which case you will need to install GApps (section 5) or flash it to the global version.
3. Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Mi5
To install Google Play on Chinese firmware or custom ROM, you need to unlock the bootloader. This is the official procedure, but it erases all data from the device.
- 🔗 Link your Mi Account to your phone (required!).
- 📱 Make a backup of all data (photos, contacts, messages).
- 💻 Install Mi Unlock Tool on PC (download from Xiaomi official website).
- 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable USB.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You're a developer" appears.
- Activate. OEM-unlocking and debugging USB: Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers, turn on Unlock. OEM and debugging. USB.
- Link your Mi Account to your device: In the same menu, find Mi Unlock Status and click Add Account and Device. Wait 72–168 hours (up to 7 days) is a must for Xiaomi.
Mi Unlock Tool
What if the Mi Unlock Tool can't see the phone?
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Couldn’t unlock, 86006 | It has not been 7 days since the account was linked. | Wait a full time (168 hours) |
| Current account is different from the account info on the device | Mi Unlock Tool uses a different Mi Account | Log in to the same account as on your phone |
| Device isn’t supported | The Mi Unlock Tool is an outdated version | Download the latest version from the official website |
| USB debugging not authorized | Not confirmed debugging on USB on the phone | Connect the phone, a request will appear - confirm access |
⚠️ Attention: After unlocking the Xiaomi bootloader Mi5 It automatically resets to factory settings, deletes all data (including photos and apps) and if you didn't have a backup, you can't restore it.
4. Install Google Play via TWRP (for unlocked devices)
If the bootloader is unlocked, the most reliable way to install Google Play is through custom recovery TWRP.
- Download the right GApps package for your Android version: For MIUI 12/13 (Android 10/11) – Open GApps (select arm64 platform, Android 10/11, pico option or nano). For custom firmware (LineageOS) – use NikGApps or MindTheGapps.
TWRP
Xiaomi Mi5
3.6.2
twrp.me
TWRP
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2-gemini.img
fastboot boot twrp-3.6.2-gemini.imgTWRP
- Click Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik / ART Cache, Cache.
- Go back to the main menu and select Install.
- Find the downloaded GApps file and confirm the installation.
- After completion, press Reboot System.
💡
If you have your phone stuck to the MI logo after installing GApps, reset via TWRP (Wipe → Format Data), then reset. This is due to a conflict of versions of Google services.
If you install Google Play on custom firmware (like LineageOS), first run the firmware itself, and then GApps. Order is important!
5. Alternative method: Install Google Play via ADB (without unlocking)
This method only works on Chinese firmware MIUI 10-12 and allows you to install Google Play without unlocking the bootloader, but requires a connection to a PC. It is suitable if you do not want to lose data or wait 7 days to unlock.
You will need to:
- 💻 Computer with installed ADB Fastboot (downloaded as part of Android) SDK Platform Tools).
- 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on.
- 📎 Archive with GApps for manual installation (e.g. Open GApps, pico variant).
Instructions:
- Unpack the GApps archive on your PC (e.g., in the C:\GApps folder).
- Connect the Mi5 to your PC and confirm access via USB.
- Open the command line in the folder with ADB and perform: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cd /sdcard/ mkdir gapps exit adb push C:\GApps\* /sdcard/gapps/ adb shell su cp -r /sdcard/gapps/* /system/priv-app/ chmod 644 /system/priv-app//.apk reboot
- After the reboot, check for Google Play Services in the settings.
⚠️ Note: This method can result in a cyclic bootloop if GApps files are incompatible with your version. MIUI. Before you do this, create a backup copy through TWRP (If the bootloader is unlocked or sync data with Mi Cloud.
6. Solving common errors after installation
Even after a successful Google Play installation, problems can arise, and here are the most common ways to solve them:
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play is not open | Conflict of service versions | Clear the data and cache of Google Play Services and Google Play Store, then restart the phone. |
| Error "No connection" (no connection) | Google Services Framework is not available | Install the missing APK manually (download from APKMirror). |
| Applications not updated | Incompatible version of GApps | Reinstall GApps from another version (e.g., nano to pico). |
| The phone overheats after installation | Background activity of Google Play Services | Limit background activity in Settings → Apps → Google Play Services → Battery. |
If none of these methods worked, try:
- 🔄 Refuse the phone to the global version MIUI via Mi Flash Tool.
- 📱 Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) with pre-integrated GApps.
- 🛠️ Contact the service center if the problem is related to hardware restrictions (for example, some Chinese models blocked the installation of Google).
💡
If Google Play is still not working after all the manipulations, check to see if access to Google services is blocked at the operator level (relevant for some regions, such as China or Iran).