Database Info

Xiaomi MI - Flashing, Rooting and Xposed

Hello XDA,
I have some questions for you which I would appreciate the utmost if you could answer and explain them to me!
So, I am a OnePlus Two owner and have been for the past year an unconditional OnePlus fan and of course, client. However, I have been told Xiaomi MI’s line is quite solid and the reason I don’t hear much fuss about it is because I live in Portugal and as far as I have understood, Xiaomi is just focusing on their Big Chinese market and leaving the international markets without their influence, yet.
However, as an Android big big enthusiast, I have been in the ROM and in the Root indispensable world and I am just loving it.
Getting quicker to the point, I am really excited about the Xiaomi Mi5 launch and about it’s possible chip, Snapdragon 820, that was announced today! What a flaming dragon it is!
I really didn’t know anything special about Xiaomi as a company so I went to a store here in Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, which sells some of their products and asked some questions about it. I was impressed on how well he talked about the overall quality regarding their products.
I am considering buying one if it meets the Flagship real “killer” specs it is rumoured to have. However, after watching and reading some reviews about it, I am just not happy about their too Chinese and Apple-like UI, MIUI. Not even a launcher could save that awful UI (sorry for those of you who like it, I really respect it)!
So here are the questions that I would really really love to see clarified as there is some lack of information on the internet about it (with OnePlus there’s no chance I would need to create a thread asking questions like the ones I’m asking you below):
1. Can I flash CyanogenMod in a MI’s Smartphone? I know the answer is Yes! However, how and why does it differentiate from the process for example, with the flashing on a OnePlus device?
2. From the question above I ask specifically: Before flashing via fastboot TWRP, how come don’t I need to unlock the bootloader? What am I missing?
3. After being able to install CyanogenMod in my Xiaomi, can I install Xposed? Could it be Rovo89’s official 64 bit Xposed ? Or another one? (This because I know xposed with MIUI has to be something special,but I’m asking, after installing CM)
4. How is the rooting process? From what I've seen in multiple threads, No SuperSU is needed. How come? How will I give root permissions for each app the way I'm used to without SuperSU? (everywhere it says you need only to go to dev options and activate the option:" Root Access: Just apps").
5. If I manage to do both things above, will I have, let’s say, an experience like the one I have with my Oneplus device with a smartphone with better specs (Xiaomi MI5) ? Or I will have some problems in terms of compatibility?
Thank you for your time reading this. I would really appreciate if someone could answer me all of the questions, and if you happen to know just one or two, just put the number of the question and answer please.
Thank you once again and have a good day

@linuxxx ?

@Bitti09 ?

1)If there is official/unofficial CM support for a certain "mi" device like the mi3 or the mi4 then you'll most likely be able to flash it like any other custom roms. And I am pretty sure there will be CM support(official or unofficial) for the upcoming Mi5.*
2)I am not sure if MI devices come with unlocked bootloader, but I was able to flash twrp by booting into the bootloader and then flashing the recovery through fastboot commands. So I assume it's unlocked by default.
3)For Miui there's a modified xposed called "wsm" tools. Though you can run xposed fine as well. (From my experience) And if you flash CM then you'll be able to use the xposed version that is working for that CM rom.*
4)Well there are two versions of Miui rom. Stable and Developer version. The developer version comes pre rooted and can give root permission to apps from the security app. Though you'll be able to flash SuperSU as well through twrp and SuperSU is actually more easier to use in my experience.
5)You mean flashing CM and using Xposed? That's actually uncertain. Compatibility issues such as crappy camera or poor sound quality might arise. You can't be sure about that.*
Sent from my MI 4W using Tapatalk

Thanks mate! I am more clarified now. So, I should stay in OnePlus right? I would only go to Xiaomi if I had the same easy and accessible flashing process with the Xiaomi as I have with the OnePlus 2.. I mean, the afterstory. I really want stock Android and for that the best will be CM13 at the time probably, doesn't matter, could be CM12 too. But if doing it may encounter me some major bugs I think it's not worth the hassle of selling my phone to by another one for now.

As I have said, it's uncertain. You may or may not face serious bugs. And stock camera almost always performs better than a custom Rom. But sooner or later, a stable version or one with the least amount of bugs will be released. For example some of the custom Rom solution for the Mi4 are rock stable now and they're all aosp based.
Sent from my MI 4W using Tapatalk

Would a "frankenstein mod" be possible?

Good morning everyone,
My question is: would a "Frankenstein Mod" be possible to realize on Poco X3? what I mean is using the base of the MIUI, removing ALL xiaomi apps and service and replace them with AOSP ones, basically keeping MIUI skeleton and having anything else from AOSP, except for the bare minimum needed to not make everything crash.
It may sound bizarre, but as the kernel is yet nowhere to be seen and custom roms have all some issues, if doable that would be the only option for people who uses the phone as a daily driver and needs everything working without xiaomi spyware/bloatware, except for yet not replaceable app like camera (which we still don't have 100% working alternatives).
Thank you for all the eventual replies and clarifications on this!

It might have already been done
slime89 said:
Good morning everyone,
My question is: would a "Frankenstein Mod" be possible to realize on Poco X3? what I mean is using the base of the MIUI, removing ALL xiaomi apps and service and replace them with AOSP ones, basically keeping MIUI skeleton and having anything else from AOSP, except for the bare minimum needed to not make everything crash.
It may sound bizarre, but as the kernel is yet nowhere to be seen and custom roms have all some issues, if doable that would be the only option for people who uses the phone as a daily driver and needs everything working without xiaomi spyware/bloatware, except for yet not replaceable app like camera (which we still don't have 100% working alternatives).
Thank you for all the eventual replies and clarifications on this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, fellow XDA-er.
So, since nobody replied, I decided to do so.
Take what I say with a grain of salt, of course, because it's all about personal preferences.
In regards to your question, I might be mistaken, but I got the feeling that the Xiaomi.eu custom roms did exactly that - keep the bare minimum MIUI funcionality and everything else pretty much AOSP.
I used it for about 3 weeks, before other custom ROMS started showing up.
Keep in mind that I followed the UNBLOAT guide from this very forum and it turned out great.
The thing is (and this is why I told you to take it with a grain of salt), I usually prefer a AOSP ROM and then just use whatever launcher I want, which I usually go for HTC Sense.
HOWEVER, my girlfriend also has a POCO X3 that I bought her and she prefers using the POCO Launcher (available in the PlayStore), which gives her the good old feel of a stock POCO X3 ROM, having obviously the perks of using an AOSP-based ROM (in our case EvolutionX).
So, in summary, I think that what you want has already been achieved and can be done either way (depending on the settings ui you might want):
1 - Install a Xiaomi.eu ROM and follow the REMOVE BLOATWARE guide from this very forum - that even has a guide showing which apps are safe to remove and which are not;
2 - Install whatever AOSP ROM you want and then just use POCO Launcher.
The only difference you'll end up noticing (in terms of GUI, not gonna discuss performance) is basically the Settings UI and layout and also the Quick Tiles.
Everything else should pretty much be the same.
Depends on what you want.
My PERSONAL advice, based on my experience?
Use a highly customizable AOSP-based ROM (EvolutionX is great, as I said) and then install POCO Launcher if you want.
Hope this helps.
Best regards,

billabongstaff said:
Hello, fellow XDA-er.
So, since nobody replied, I decided to do so.
Take what I say with a grain of salt, of course, because it's all about personal preferences.
In regards to your question, I might be mistaken, but I got the feeling that the Xiaomi.eu custom roms did exactly that - keep the bare minimum MIUI funcionality and everything else pretty much AOSP.
I used it for about 3 weeks, before other custom ROMS started showing up.
Keep in mind that I followed the UNBLOAT guide from this very forum and it turned out great.
The thing is (and this is why I told you to take it with a grain of salt), I usually prefer a AOSP ROM and then just use whatever launcher I want, which I usually go for HTC Sense.
HOWEVER, my girlfriend also has a POCO X3 that I bought her and she prefers using the POCO Launcher (available in the PlayStore), which gives her the good old feel of a stock POCO X3 ROM, having obviously the perks of using an AOSP-based ROM (in our case EvolutionX).
So, in summary, I think that what you want has already been achieved and can be done either way (depending on the settings ui you might want):
1 - Install a Xiaomi.eu ROM and follow the REMOVE BLOATWARE guide from this very forum - that even has a guide showing which apps are safe to remove and which are not;
2 - Install whatever AOSP ROM you want and then just use POCO Launcher.
The only difference you'll end up noticing (in terms of GUI, not gonna discuss performance) is basically the Settings UI and layout and also the Quick Tiles.
Everything else should pretty much be the same.
Depends on what you want.
My PERSONAL advice, based on my experience?
Use a highly customizable AOSP-based ROM (EvolutionX is great, as I said) and then install POCO Launcher if you want.
Hope this helps.
Best regards,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, thank you so much for taking time to reply, much appreciated!
Is the .eu more polished then? I may consider that option as a base maybe!
I don't really like the MIUI, I bought this phone for the awesome hardware for the price (185€ for the 128gb is a steal, couldn't resist), but I really want to drift away from MIUI as soon as possible. I've been following the custom rom scene, but it's still at the beginning, despite the great work of the devs, the lack of source is holding it a big back, so there are small bugs here and there which the stock hasn't, and some camera functions are not yet available on gcam and other third party apps.
That's why, while waiting for perfect lineage/AOSP roms, I was thinking about a MIUI base (which at the moment is the ROM who has everything working) with AOSP apps replacing all the Xiaomi ones (launcher, phone, dialer, gallery, file manager...), and if possible able to kill all those suspect process the MIUI has... don't know if that can be doable, but would be a great temporary option, as I wouldn't also be able to flash often the roms and would prefer something to keep for months or until something super stable comes out.

OOS 11 Stability

Hey all ,
I have OnePlus 6 for some time now. After upgrade on OOS 11 I encounter plenty of issues, lags, freezes etc. I'm little bit surprised regarding this because phone was really good before. I know the aging part, but this is consequence of something else in my opinion.
My questions are:
How stable is OOS 11 for you?
Did you discover anything that helps? (factory reset etc.)
Is there someone who downgraded back to OOS 10 and how is that going?
I think this phone shouldn't go to rubbish just because of software. It is still good device, that we hopefully can use for few more years.
Feel free to share your opinions, suggestions and experiences.
Thank you

Question Is it possible to flash stock Android to the POCO X3 Pro?

I'm coming from a Mi A3 running stock Android 11 which I love.
The screen on the X3 Pro is a delight to behold for my poor old eyes but there are a few things that either I don't like in the MiUI or just aren't working properly. Is there any way to flash stock Android 11 on this phone?

Twibble said:
Is there any way to flash stock Android 11 on this phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could take a look at LineageOS, it's pretty much the purest custom rom out there.

Oops, I guess that we can't delete a post!

thorin0815 said:
You could take a look at LineageOS, it's pretty much the purest custom rom out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for chipping in thorin0815. Yes I have seen a few "How to" articles but can't seem to find a really good description of how well it runs and what the pros and cons might be. Do you have any idea of how close to the pure Android experience it would be and if there are any major pitfalls or disappointments that have been reported? The phone I have came with an unbelievable 2 year warranty and I am reluctant to flash a system that I might regret at a later date.

Twibble said:
Thanks for chipping in thorin0815. Yes I have seen a few "How to" articles but can't seem to find a really good description of how well it runs and what the pros and cons might be. Do you have any idea of how close to the pure Android experience it would be and if there are any major pitfalls or disappointments that have been reported? The phone I have came with an unbelievable 2 year warranty and I am reluctant to flash a system that I might regret at a later date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you will use Google Play Store, Google Calendar, Google Pay, or Google Apps, then LineageOS will need some adjustments and modifications to let those Google Apps services work properly. And possibly some banking apps may not work.
Whether each ROM pros and cons are, it is subjective. For example, customizations, for some people it's useless, while some people wants more customizations.
Try and error, flash a ROM and feel if that ROM fits your need. You know what you need, we don't know.
Most users starts with ArrowOS.
Pixel ROMs UI looks like Pixel phones.
LineageOS is completely open source.
I don't know other ROMs.
Read each ROM thread for each features, and possibly read some recent replies for update informations.

Best custom ROM for Nord?

Hello,
I've decided to try out a custom ROM, not because I hate OxygenOS11 but just looking for a new experience. Once I got the phone I upgraded immediately to Android 11 but then I saw (and still see) a lot of people swearing by OxygenOS Android 10. Is it worth it to downgrade? What would I lose from V11?
And my main question is for those who tried them, which custom ROM is best for you and why?

qp2988 said:
Hello,
I've decided to try out a custom ROM, not because I hate OxygenOS11 but just looking for a new experience. Once I got the phone I upgraded immediately to Android 11 but then I saw (and still see) a lot of people swearing by OxygenOS Android 10. Is it worth it to downgrade? What would I lose from V11?
And my main question is for those who tried them, which custom ROM is best for you and why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used Oxygen OS for like 6 months after I got the Nord. Then I moved to Pixel Experience Plus based on A11. Worked fine, but it is discontinued now and they have started with A12. Used it for a while, everything worked fine, some minor bluetooth issues (not sure why), small bugs which you won't notice initially and they aren't a deal breaker.
Now I've switched to Proton KnockOff ROM, everything is fine. Minor UI jitters while locking sometimes. No major bugs faced so far. Also tried Project Radiant Unofficial Build (works fine though).
My final thoughts:
If you want clean pixel phone feel and no customization then Pixel Experience A12 is the way to go.
Plus, this ROM has OTA updates enabled.
If you want some customization and overall good performance and you don't mind unofficial builds then Project Radiant is worth trying.
If you want good performance and tons of customization then I'd say Proton will be a good idea.
NOTE: All the ROMs above are A12 based, I used them without root and the same Kernel it came shipped with.
Try different GCams because some of them lag and even crash many a times, I'd say go with BSG GCam or Urnyx05.

Thank you so much for your comprehensive response, much appreciated. I'll also post here my own findings after testing.

qp2988 said:
Thank you so much for your comprehensive response, much appreciated. I'll also post here my own findings after testing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did u tried? I'm interested at your experience