How to completely disable or replace MIUI Xiaomi: Step-by-step instructions with risks and alternatives

Shell MIUI Xiaomi is one of the most popular custom firmware for Android, but not everyone likes its design, intrusive advertising or limited functionality. MIUI On your smartphone, be it a Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Or the flagship Xiaomi 14, which is important to understand that you can't completely remove it without consequences. MIUI pure Android (AOSP) Or alternative firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience. In this article, we will analyze all working methods, their pros/cons and critical nuances that the manufacturer does not keep silent.

Before you start, consider that the process requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets the phone to factory settings and can deprive you of warranty. Also, not all models support custom firmware - for example, for Xiaomi. 13T Pro or new Redmi Turbo may not be stable builds:

• 🔓 How to officially unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (without bypassing the wait)
• 📱 How to install pure Android (Google Pixel Experience, LineageOS)
• ⚠️ Risks: from loss IMEI before the brick device
• ⚙️ Alternatives to complete removal MIUI (shutdown of advertising, change of launcher)

Why do users want to disconnect? MIUI and what will it do?

Main claims MIUI It is down to three key issues:

1. Advertising and data collection: Even in global firmware versions, Xiaomi integrates banner ads into system applications (e.g., Security or Themes) that can only be disabled through deep settings or root rights.
2. Overloaded interface. MIUI far from the minimalism of the Pixel UI one UI: duplicate functions, illogical placement of elements and excessive animation annoy many.
3. Xiaomi blocks some Android features (e.g. Seamless Updates or Project Mainline) and imposes its own services (Mi Cloud, Xiaomi Community).

What a replacement does. MIUI pure Android:

However, there is a downside: custom firmware can deprive you of some features of Xiaomi, for example:

• 📸 Camera: proprietary processing algorithms (e.g., in the Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) often work worse on AOSP.
• 🔋 Optimizing the battery: MIUI Better manages background processes on budget chips (Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, Helio) G99).
• 🎮 Game mode: in MIUI There are built-in utilities for gamers that are not in pure Android.

Preparation: What to do before disconnecting MIUI

Before you start manipulating the firmware, follow the mandatory steps:

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, SMS)|Check the compatibility of the model with custom firmware|Download the official drivers Xiaomi for PC|Make sure the battery is charged > 60%|Disable the lockdown OEM developer-setting-->

The most critical step is unlocking the bootloader, and without that, you can't install an alternative firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi resets the device to factory settings and ties the Mi Account to the phone for 30 days. If you forget your account details, unlocking the phone will be extremely difficult!

What will be required to unlock:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11 (on macOS/Linux Mi Unlock Tool is not working properly).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original to avoid connection issues).
• 📱 Included Developer Options and Debugging by USB (activated by 7-fold pressing the Assembly Number in Settings → The phone).
• 🔑 Mi Account tied to phone (unblocking is impossible without it).

The unlocking process takes between 72 hours and 7 days, which is Xiaomi’s official requirement for protection against theft.

Method 1: Install a clean Android (AOSP) through TWRP

This is the most popular method of replacement. MIUI, But it requires an unlocked bootloader and a custom recavery. TWRP. The instructions are suitable for most models, except for the new flagships (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Redmi). K70 Pro) where there may be no stable assemblies.

Step 1: Installation of TWRP

1. Download the current version TWRP for your model from the official website twrp.me (for example, for POCO F5 It'll be a file. twrp-3.7.0_12-1-redwood.img).
2. Rename the file to recovery.img and place it in the folder with the platform-tools (from Android SDK).
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when your phone is off).
4. Fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

Step 2: Custom OS firmware

After installation of TWRP:

1. Download firmware (e.g., Pixel Experience from get.pixelexperience.org) and choose the Plus-marked version that includes all proprietary drivers.
2. Move it. ZIP-Firmware file on the phone (via MTP memory-card).
3. Boot to TWRP (click Volume Up + Power).
4. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
5. Install the firmware through Install → Select ZIP.

Step 3. First setup

After the reboot:

• 🔄 The system will suggest that you configure the device as new. Do not restore data from a backup. MIUI — It can cause conflicts.
• 📶 Check the mobile network and Wi-Fi. If there is no signal, perhaps the vendor or firmware is not installed (you need to interrogate them separately).
• 🔧 Install Magisk for root rights (optional) through TWRP.

💡

If after firmware does not work camera or fingerprint sensor, download a special fix for your model from the forum XDA Developers (Bug Fixes).

Method 2: Install a global version MIUI (custom-free)

If you don’t need pure Android, but just want to get rid of advertising and Chinese services, you can flash the global version. MIUI It's safer than custom firmware, and it retains all the features of Xiaomi.

How to determine the current version MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. If there is a name at the end CN (for example, MIUI 14.0.5.0.TMBCNXM) — You have Chinese firmware.
3. If Global or EEA (for example, MIUI 14.0.3.0.TMBMIXM) — global.

Instructions for firmware of the global version:

1. Download the official Fastboot-ROM for your model from Miui Download. Choose Global or EEA.
2. Unblock the file into a folder without spaces (for example, C:\MIUI\).
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and launch the script flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/macOS).
4. Wait until the process is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

The benefits of a global MIUI:

• 🌍 Google Services (not available in Chinese version).
• 🚫 There are no ads in system applications (unlike the Chinese or Indian versions).
• 🔄 Regular updates through OTA.

⚠️ Note: Global firmware version on Chinese models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi) K60) may result in loss 5G or NFC. Before you check the reviews on 4PDA or XDA for your model.

Risks and how to minimize them

Any firmware manipulation carries risks, and here are the most common problems and ways to avoid them:

How to reduce the risks:

• 📌 Check the compatibility of the firmware with your model on XDA Developers or 4PDA. For example, firmware for POCO X3 Pro (vayu) is not suitable for POCO X3 NFC (surya).
• 🔋 Use the original cable – cheap cables can interrupt data transmission during firmware.
• 💾 Create a backup. EFS (section IMEI) through TWRP before any manipulation.
• 🔍 Check the hashes of the files (MD5/SHA1) After downloading firmware - damaged files lead to errors.

💡

If you are not sure about your skills, start with a global firmware. MIUI Instead of custom OS, it minimizes the risks and preserves all the functions of the phone.

Alternatives to complete removal MIUI

If you don’t want to take risks, but MIUI It is annoying, there are less radical ways:

1. Disconnecting advertising and telemetry

• 📵 Install. ADB and execute commands: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.joyose adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution This will disable the main advertising services.
• 🔧 In the settings Password and security → Authorization and blocking disable Recommendations MIUI and personalization of advertising.

Replacement of launcher and interface

• 🏠 Install an alternative launcher: Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Hyperion Launcher (with Material You Themes support).
• 🎨 Use Icon Packs (such as Whicons or Delta) to change icons.
• 🖼️ For a complete interface change, try Substratum (requires root) or Andromeda (no root).

3. Installation of Google Camera (GCam)

If you are not satisfied with the camera in MIUI, You can set up a GCam with the settings for your model. 12T Pro is a suitable version of BSG configurable MGC_8.1.101_V15.xml. You can download it from Celso Azevedo or 4PDA.

4. Debloating (removal of system applications)

With help. ADB Magisk can remove unnecessary Xiaomi apps:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.compass # Compass


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.fm # FM- radio




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.scanner # Document scanner

💡

For debloating without root, use the App Inspector app (available in F-Droid) to find the name of the system application packages.

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

1. "This device is locked" error in Mi Unlock Tool

Reasons:

• The Mi Account is not linked to the phone.
• It has not been 7 days since the account was attached.
• It is an unofficial version of the Mi Unlock Tool.

Solution: Wait 7 days, use the original tool from Xiaomi, check what is included in the settings OEM Unlock.

2.The phone got stuck on the logo MI post-fix

Reasons:

• Incompatible firmware (e.g., flashed Pixel Experience for POCO X3 on the Redmi Note 10).
• Wipe Data is not executed before installation.
• The firmware file is damaged.

Solution: load in TWRP, run the Wipe → Format Data (enter yes) and re-examine.

3. the mobile network does not work after installing custom firmware

Reasons:

• Do not send a vendor or firmware MIUI.
• Your support is lacking. SIM-cards (e.g. VoLTE for Jio in India).

Solution: Download the last one fw_vendor for your model with XDA and pass through TWRP.

4. Loss of IMEI

This is the biggest problem, because it is to restore IMEI backup EFS It's very difficult:

1. Try to restore the backup. EFS through TWRP.
2. If you don’t have a backup, use the engineering menu (#4636##) and manually write it down. IMEI (root).
3. In extreme cases, contact the service center - they can reflash modem with the original IMEI.

⚠️ Attention: If you have lost IMEI After you've been firmware, don't reflash the phone, it can permanently erase the module data. EFS!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions