Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones often ship without Google services pre-installed — especially for devices for the Chinese market or global firmware models where Google Mobile Services is not the default GMS. Without these services, you will not be able to use Google Play Market, Gmail, YouTube and other key applications. In this article, we will discuss the current ways to install Google services on Xiaomi in 2026, including official and alternative methods, and also explain how to avoid typical errors.
It’s important to understand that the installation process depends on the MIUI version, regional firmware and device model. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with Chinese firmware will require one approach, and the POCO X5 with global MIUI will require another. We will look at the universal solutions that work on most devices, and also point out the nuances for specific cases.
Why is there no Google service on Xiaomi?
The lack of Google services on Xiaomi smartphones is due to several factors:
- 📦 Regional restrictions: Devices for the Chinese market (China) ROM) not include GMS They're using analogues from Baidu, Tencent and other companies.
- 🌍 Global firmware without a license: Some models (e.g, POCO M6 Pro) may be supplied with MIUI Global, but without Google services due to certification issues.
- 🔄 Castom firmware: If you have installed an unofficial version MIUI or LineageOS, Google services may have been removed for space saving or other reasons.
Without GMS, you can't:
- 📱 Install applications from Google Play (you will have to use it) APK or third-party stores like APKMirror).
- 🔍 Use Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps and other services with full functionality.
- 🔄 Update applications automatically (you will have to do it manually).
- 🎮 Run games that require Google Play Games (such as Genshin Impact or Google Play Games) PUBG Mobile).
Fortunately, you can install Google services on Xiaomi yourself — and this does not always require unlocking the bootloader or root right.
Method 1: Installation with MIUI Recovery (official method)
This is the most reliable way for devices with China ROM or global firmware without GMS. It does not require unlocking the bootloader and works on most models, including the Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K60 and POCO F4.
- 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with a battery charge of at least 50%.
- 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux Mac.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📁 Archive with Google Apps for your version MIUI.
Steps:
- Download the correct version of GMS: For MIUI 14 and later: GApps from Xiaomi.EU. For MIUI 12/13: Open GApps (choose arm64 and Android 11/12).
Connect your smartphone to your PC
Go to Recovery.
1. Turn off the phone.
2.Put the Power button + Volume up until the MIUI Recovery logo appears.Choose a language
Install update.zip to System
Show the way to the archives
Reset the device
Once rebooted, Google Play Market, Google Services Framework and other components will appear in the app menu, and you may need to manually update them through Settings → Apps → Google Play Market → Update.
☑️ Preparation for installation GMS recover
⚠️ Attention: If after installation GMS phone hangs on the logo MIUI, Recovery is a reset with Wipe Data, which is due to a conflict between service versions and firmware, and 90 percent of the time, it helps to re-install GApps with a pre-cleaning cache (Wipe Cache).
Method 2: Installation via ADB (without Recovery)
If you don’t have access to MIUI Recovery or are afraid of breaking something, you can install Google services via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader or root rights, but works on some models without them (for example, Redmi 10 or POCO M4 Pro).
You'll need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
- 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
- 📁 Archive with GApps (same versions as for Recovery).
Instructions:
- Unpack the archive from GApps into a folder on your PC (e.g., C:\GApps).
- Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging over USB (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) and execute: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
- Go to the folder with GApps and install: adb push GApps.zip /sdcard/ adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system unzip /sdcard/GApps.zip -d /system chmod 644 /system/priv-app/*/*apk reboot
If you do not have root rights, use the following instead of su:
adb install-multiple *.apk(set up APK-Files are like normal applications, but some features may not work).
⚠️ Note: Some models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi) K50) installation ADB without root, Google Play Services may crash, and only a full Fastboot flashing will help.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Method 3: Installation through custom Recovery (TWRP)
If your Xiaomi has TWRP installed (TeamWin Recovery Project), the installation process for GApps is simplified, suitable for advanced users, as it requires an unlocked bootloader. Detailed instructions for installing TWRP are available in our article “How to install TWRP on Xiaomi”.
Steps:
- Download the appropriate GApps package: For Android 13/14: NikGApps (we recommend Basic or Full). For Android 11/12: OpenGApps (arm64, Android 11).
TWRP
Power button + Volume up
Install
Wipe Cache/Dalvik
Advantages of this method:
- ✅ It works on any firmware (including custom LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
- ✅ Allows you to choose a minimum set of services (saves space).
- ✅ It is easy to update GApps through TWRP.
| Method of installation | Do you need to unlock the bootloader? | Need root? | Difficulty | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI Recovery | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐ (simple) | Stock MIUI (China/Global) |
| ADB | ❌ No (but I need debugging) | ⚠️ Desirable. | ⭐⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | Any firmware with debugging |
| TWRP | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Not necessarily. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | Custom firmware, MIUI with unlocking |
💡
If Google apps crash all the time after installing GApps, try disabling Miui Optimization in the developer settings, which solves the problem on 70% of devices.
How to check if Google services are installed correctly?
After you install GApps, you need to make sure everything works correctly.
- Open the Google Play Market and try downloading any app (like Google Chrome).
- Check for Google Play Services in Settings → Apps → All Apps.
- Start Google Search and complete any request.
- Make sure you can add a Google account to your Settings → Accounts.
If something's not working:
- 🔄 Update Google Play Services manually via APKMirror.
- 📱 Clear the cache for Google apps (Settings) → Annexes → Google Play Services → Memory. → Clear the cache).
- 🔧 Check the date and time settings – they should be automatic.
If the Google Play Market doesn't open or if it gives you an error called DF-DFERH-01, then the version of GApps installed is incompatible with your firmware.
- Remove current GApps via TWRP or ADB:
- Install a different version of GApps (for example, try Basic instead of Full).
💡
If your phone starts to warm or discharge quickly after installing GApps, check the background activity of Google Play Services in the battery settings.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When you install Google services on Xiaomi, users face typical problems, and we have collected the most common and ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Error 20 when installing APK | Incompatible version of GApps or corrupted file | Download another GApps package (e.g. NikGApps instead of OpenGApps) |
| Continuous notifications “Google Play Services is stopped” | Version conflict or lack of rights | Install Google Services Framework manually through ADB |
| You can not add a Google account | Google Account Manager is not available | Separately install it from the GApps package |
| Phone freezes on boot after installing GApps | Incompatibility with the MIUI version | Reset settings via Recovery or reflash the device |
If none of these methods worked, your Xiaomi model may have hardware limitations, such as some Chinese-made devices (such as the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3) blocking Google services at the firmware level, in which case the only way out is a full flashing on MIUI Global or custom firmware like the Pixel Experience.
⚠️ Note: On devices with HyperOS (new shell from Xiaomi), the installation process for GApps may be different. Before you start, check compatibility on the Xiaomi.EU or XDA-Developers forums.
Alternative ways to use Google services
If you can’t install GApps or you don’t want to take risks, you can use alternative methods:
- 🌐 Web versions of services: Most Google services (e.g. Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps) have full-featured web versions. Just add them to the home screen via the browser.
- 📦 Third-party stores: APKMirror is a reliable source APK-Aurora Store is an open client for Google Play (does not require) GMS). APKPure – an alternative store with automatic updates.
- 🔄 MicroG: Lightweight replacement of Google's open source services. Supports geolocation, push notifications and authorization through Google.
Advantages of alternatives:
- ✅ There is no risk of “bricking” the device.
- ✅ Space savings (GApps take up to 1 GB).
- ✅ More control over data (MicroG doesn’t collect information as aggressively as Google).
Disadvantages:
- ❌ Not all applications work without GMS (For example, Google Pay or Pokémon GO).
- ❌ No automatic updates via Google Play.
- ❌ Possible problems with push notifications (solved by MicroG settings).
💡
If you use MicroG, remember to include Google device registration and Google Cloud Messaging in its settings.