Given that it's now a total lottery as to how long it takes to get a BL unlock code from Xiaomi (could be up to 2 months), what's the best option?
Is it buying one with a Chinese ROM and unlocked BL, then immediately swapping to Xiaomi.EU / Global / RevolutionOS?
I don't much fancy a wait of up to 2 months to use a phone I've bought.
I've done this. Works fine with roms etc. Just have to be wary of making sure you know what your flashing etc.
mudnightoil said:
Given that it's now a total lottery as to how long it takes to get a BL unlock code from Xiaomi (could be up to 2 months), what's the best option?
Is it buying one with a Chinese ROM and unlocked BL, then immediately swapping to Xiaomi.EU / Global / RevolutionOS?
I don't much fancy a wait of up to 2 months to use a phone I've bought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, get it from Tradingshenzen or similar with xiaomi.eu installed. Makes your life way easier. You can literally flash 8.8.9 eu or Revolution OS with a factory reset from TWRP and root.
Q. Hello,Is this finally true sealed Global Version with MIUI 9.6.7.0 and b20 or still with just Xiaomi.eu rom?Answer:
A. It should be now some 9.9 Version, from September, so no problems anymore.
This tends to suggest that Trading Shenzhen may now be supplying 'official' versions. So unclear whether BL will still be unlocked.
mudnightoil said:
Q. Hello,Is this finally true sealed Global Version with MIUI 9.6.7.0 and b20 or still with just Xiaomi.eu rom?Answer:
A. It should be now some 9.9 Version, from September, so no problems anymore.
This tends to suggest that Trading Shenzhen may now be supplying 'official' versions. So unclear whether BL will still be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you pick Xiaomi.eu as the preinstalled ROM it will always be a bootloader unlocked one they send your way.
MrColdbird said:
If you pick Xiaomi.eu as the preinstalled ROM it will always be a bootloader unlocked one they send your way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They don't have that option currently. I'm not sure whether they will in future, I've asked the question.
Hello everyone,
I have got a mountain of questions that arised from reading the forum and a lot of different topics.
I'll have numbers on them, so if you can/want to only answer a few of them you can refer to the number.
1. I've read about this ARB quite a lot, what's the deal with that if I want to go to a custom rom?
2. I understood that it matters where to buy the device in terms of an unlocked bootloader (TradingShenzen seems like a good place to start). But if I can't get my hands on a phone with unlocked bootloader, can I unlock it myself?
3. I'd like to go with the xiaomi.eu rom, any advice on how to get there? What I mean is, should I choose a CN model or is a Global model better, does it matter? What steps to take regarding TWRP and avoiding ARB, etc.
4. What does GSI stand for? I haven't found any thread explaining what that means, and I'm quite new to xiaomi devices (would be my first one).
5. I've also seen that there are quite a few different variants of this device, do the roms for it just work on all of them or do I need to check if the model is supported? (That seems to be a bit different to other phone vendors)
That's it for now, please don't kill me if some of the things have been answered before, I haven't found an answer to the questions so far (the infos that I got so far were insufficient)
Cheers,
Zacki
1 Google introduced ARB, a safeguard to not create an older version of the system from the currently released. If you install the official older version of the system for a new one, you will wall your phone.
Does not apply to Custom ROM
2 You can unblock the bootloader yourself on the official xiaomi website. It takes about 300 hours
3 unlock the bootloader, install recovery, install xiaomi.eu. Global rom is more stable, but xiaomi.eu has more personalization options. Recently, xiaomi.eu does not cause problems on Mi Max3, but it causes problems on other models.
4 GSI https://source.android.com/setup/build/gsi
5 Mi Max3 Global 4gb RAM 64gb internal memory,
Mi Max China 6gb RAM 128gb internal memory
You can install the Global ROM on the china version if you have unlocked the boootloader, and remember about the ARB. Otherwise, you will wall your phone
The Global version is popular.
Bartos81 said:
1 Google introduced ARB, a safeguard to not create an older version of the system from the currently released. If you install the official older version of the system for a new one, you will wall your phone.
Does not apply to Custom ROM
2 You can unblock the bootloader yourself on the official xiaomi website. It takes about 300 hours
3 unlock the bootloader, install recovery, install xiaomi.eu. Global rom is more stable, but xiaomi.eu has more personalization options. Recently, xiaomi.eu does not cause problems on Mi Max3, but it causes problems on other models.
4 GSI https://source.android.com/setup/build/gsi
5 Mi Max3 Global 4gb RAM 64gb internal memory,
Mi Max China 6gb RAM 128gb internal memory
You can install the Global ROM on the china version if you have unlocked the boootloader, and remember about the ARB. Otherwise, you will wall your phone
The Global version is popular.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply.
@1. Interesting to see what Google is up to with things like this...why would they want this?
@2. Thanks, but whoa that's quite some time...and I guess I can only trigger the 300h AFTER I bought the phone, right? (Why so many hours actually...?)
@3. I've read about the changes they made to the rom and I like that. But what do you mean with being "less stable" than the global rom? In what way? I'd like to use that as my daily driver if I get it (not the weekly builds of course).
@4. Will have a look, thanks :good:
@5. I was actually looking at the 6GB/128GB version of the phone, if I can convince my wife to allow me to spend ~260€ on a phone (I'm currently a student ).
In this case, I'd already have an unlocked bootloader and if I want to install the rom from xiaomi.eu, there should be no problem, right? Also regarding ARB, this should be fine, right?
And in what ways are the CN and the Global versions different other than the rom? Are there differences for the supported bands or radios? I live in Austria, can I use the CN model here without any downside?
Edit: I'm having a look at this particular model, it would be available with CN firmware or with Global firmware. Would that still account as CN model in this case?
TradingShenzhen - Mi Max 3 - 6gb-ram-128gb-rom-snapdragon-636
Cheers
Google thinks people should use the latest system because it provides better security.
Xiaomi introduced a long wait time to unlock the bootloader, because dishonest sellers offered CN versions outside of China and India by installing the Global system on it. The CN version is only for China and India.
Xiaomi.eu provides its system every week. Contains various patches and additions. Sometimes something does not work, payments, BT paired in the car, notifications etc. In my phone, the last two versions do not work Gmail notifications. In today's version, people write that OK Google is not working.
If you unlock the bootloader, you can install xiaomi.eu. The ARB will be kept at the level of the official system you had.
The CN system contains only Chinese and English. It does not offer Google Play, it also contains full Chinese software.
Version 6/128 is only a CN model. If the seller offers with the Global system, it means that he has unlocked the bootloader and installed the Global system. You naturally lose the Xiaomi warranty.
Bartos81 said:
Google thinks people should use the latest system because it provides better security.
Xiaomi introduced a long wait time to unlock the bootloader, because dishonest sellers offered CN versions outside of China and India by installing the Global system on it. The CN version is only for China and India.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok got that, seems like people are trying everything to make a few bucks extra... Then it would have to be so (waiting).
Bartos81 said:
Xiaomi.eu provides its system every week. Contains various patches and additions. Sometimes something does not work, payments, BT paired in the car, notifications etc. In my phone, the last two versions do not work Gmail notifications. In today's version, people write that OK Google is not working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok that's not such a big issue, as I said. I'd stay on the "stable" builds, not the weekly ones.
Bartos81 said:
If you unlock the bootloader, you can install xiaomi.eu. The ARB will be kept at the level of the official system you had.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the xiaomi.eu roms don't have any of that ARB stuff, good to know. Could I technically install an older version of that custom rom without triggering the ARB or is that not possible? Just so I understand that.
And how is that with other custom roms? I've read in some threads that you have to make sure you have the correct ARB if you want to flash that particular rom, why that?
Bartos81 said:
The CN system contains only Chinese and English. It does not offer Google Play, it also contains full Chinese software.
Version 6/128 is only a CN model. If the seller offers with the Global system, it means that he has unlocked the bootloader and installed the Global system. You naturally lose the Xiaomi warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not worried about the warranty but more about the specifics of the device. Is the CN model different in any way that it may not work properly with the providers in europe? Or things like that?
And sadly that vendor does not seem to have that version in stock at the moment, so I was thinking of getting the regular CN version of the device, that's why I'm asking
As for xiaomi.eu it does not contain ARB, but there are exceptions. If the phone gets an update to android 9 - xiaomi.eu must use the full original xiaomi firmware from ARB. The next versions on the same adroid no longer have files responsible for ARB.
Current level of ARB = 4 from Oreo to Pie. What you can not do:
to install MIUI9,
to install Miui Global on a CN version phone with a locked bootloader
block in the bootloader if you have Miui Global on your CN
install Miui China on a Global phone and block the bootloader.
Custom GSI roms do not have an ARB, you can install anything.
Mi Max 3 in the CN version in addition to the system and memory does not differ from the specification from Global. Will work in Austria.
Bartos81 said:
As for xiaomi.eu it does not contain ARB, but there are exceptions. If the phone gets an update to android 9 - xiaomi.eu must use the full original xiaomi firmware from ARB. The next versions on the same adroid no longer have files responsible for ARB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I get the phone with Android 8.1 and I want to get MIUI 10 (Android 9) I need to update with the official rom and then flash the xiaomi.eu rom?
And while we are at that, if I buy the CN variant, do I have to upgrade to PIE with the CN official rom or can I also do this with the Global rom to get ARB to 4?
And what't the deal with the developer versions of the original roms? I've read something about them but would that help me in any way?
Found that website in another thread: Link
Bartos81 said:
Current level of ARB = 4 from Oreo to Pie. What you can not do:
to install MIUI9,
to install Miui Global on a CN version phone with a locked bootloader
block in the bootloader if you have Miui Global on your CN
install Miui China on a Global phone and block the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok but once the bootloader is open, why relock it anyway?^^ And I've read that on the xiaomi.eu roms you can not accidentaly relock the bootloader.
Bartos81 said:
Custom GSI roms do not have an ARB, you can install anything.
Mi Max 3 in the CN version in addition to the system and memory does not differ from the specification from Global. Will work in Austria.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Working in Austria sounds good, but what exactly do you mean with "in addition to system and memory". The system and memory are different in the two versions and the rest is the same? Is there anything I should be aware of while using the phone?
Oh and by the way, thank you for answering all my questions
So if I get the phone with Android 8.1 and I want to get MIUI 10 (Android 9) I need to update with the official rom and then flash the xiaomi.eu rom?
And while we are at that, if I buy the CN variant, do I have to upgrade to PIE with the CN official rom or can I also do this with the Global rom to get ARB to 4?
And what't the deal with the developer versions of the original roms? I've read something about them but would that help me in any way?
Found that website in another thread: Link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not like that. You do not need to update the system. Xiaomi.eu is built with miui china developer extended to additional language translations, optimizations of softu for Europeans and a few additions that occur only in the Chinese version of the miui.
The whole system, firmware and kernel is miui china. If you install xiaomi.eu then you install the entire system, with the firmware and kernel. They are suitable for the android version.
You can have miui global Oreo and install xiaomi.eu Pie. Everything will be updated.
Miui Global is available in Stable and Dev versions. Dev-Beta is a development version released every week, contains the latest security, system fixes and errors detected in the Stable version, as well as new additions that are tested and do not always have to work correctly (like the development version of xiaomi.eu). As developers will correct detected errors, the stable version is created.
I just installed myself Global dev. I like it more than xiaomi.eu. Everything works so far. I usually use Global dev, and xiaomi.eu tests once in a while.
Ok but once the bootloader is open, why relock it anyway?^^ And I've read that on the xiaomi.eu roms you can not accidentaly relock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some block the bootloader from ignorance or inadvertently.
When installing a new ROM by MiFlash, you have the following options:
install and block the bootloader (by default selected)
clean everything and install
save data and install
Working in Austria sounds good, but what exactly do you mean with "in addition to system and memory". The system and memory are different in the two versions and the rest is the same? Is there anything I should be aware of while using the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the parameters of the telephone accessories and the frequency ranges of the network are the same. The difference is 6gb RAM, 128gb Internal memory and MIUI china.
Bartos81 said:
it's not like that. You do not need to update the system. Xiaomi.eu is built with miui china developer extended to additional language translations, optimizations of softu for Europeans and a few additions that occur only in the Chinese version of the miui.
The whole system, firmware and kernel is miui china. If you install xiaomi.eu then you install the entire system, with the firmware and kernel. They are suitable for the android version.
You can have miui global Oreo and install xiaomi.eu Pie. Everything will be updated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok sounds good, so if I want to go for the xiaomi.eu rom, I can just go ahead an flash that thing and I'm good, that's what I understood. Is that correct?
Bartos81 said:
Miui Global is available in Stable and Dev versions. Dev-Beta is a development version released every week, contains the latest security, system fixes and errors detected in the Stable version, as well as new additions that are tested and do not always have to work correctly (like the development version of xiaomi.eu). As developers will correct detected errors, the stable version is created.
I just installed myself Global dev. I like it more than xiaomi.eu. Everything works so far. I usually use Global dev, and xiaomi.eu tests once in a while..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, because I've read somewhere that the normal and the dev version are more or less the same, just that you have to use the dev version in certain situations to "unbrick" because of something with the bootloader (but I don't actually remember the details).
Bartos81 said:
Some block the bootloader from ignorance or inadvertently.
When installing a new ROM by MiFlash, you have the following options:
install and block the bootloader (by default selected)
clean everything and install
save data and install
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've also read about that tool, is it required to flash roms or can I do that via TWRP? And why would such an option be selected by default...? I've already seen someone brick his device because of that
Bartos81 said:
the parameters of the telephone accessories and the frequency ranges of the network are the same. The difference is 6gb RAM, 128gb Internal memory and MIUI china.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok got that, and the MIUI china doesn't really matter once I'm on the xiaomi.eu rom.
Good, I think I might actually see that I can get the cash together and order the phone Getting excited now.
Any resources I should read before I might do something stupid?
If you have an unlocked bootloader then you install twrp and flash xiaomi.eu
Interesting, because I've read somewhere that the normal and the dev version are more or less the same, just that you have to use the dev version in certain situations to "unbrick" because of something with the bootloader (but I don't actually remember the details).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using dev to unlock the bootloader affected old phones. Currently, it does not matter. Rom useful as well as Stable.
I've also read about that tool, is it required to flash roms or can I do that via TWRP? And why would such an option be selected by default...? I've already seen someone brick his device because of that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Miflash is used to install only official miui Rom, you use the rom .Tgz package
It installs through Miflash with the cleaning option. It does not leave garbage in the old system.
Ok got that, and the MIUI china doesn't really matter once I'm on the xiaomi.eu rom.
Good, I think I might actually see that I can get the cash together and order the phone Getting excited now.
Any resources I should read before I might do something stupid?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have xiaomi.eu then china rom does not matter.
You can look for a seller who offers a phone with downloaded xiaomi.eu or miui global - to choose from
in the past, the sellers offered the china version.
Bartos81 said:
If you have an unlocked bootloader then you install twrp and flash xiaomi.eu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So last question for now (I hope ), if I decide to get the EU version instead, can I still unlock the bootloader or is that only possible on the CN versions?
you can in any xiaomi
Bartos81 said:
You can unblock the bootloader yourself on the official xiaomi website. It takes about 300 hours
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've just read in another thread that it is 720 hours that's full 30 days... I hope it's more the 300 hours you said but I fear I might have to wait a full month for that...
Can anyone confirm this number of hours?
Cheers
Usually it is 720 hours, but I checked it every now and then, after 4 days, this time has decreased by half.
It's 100% not decreased or changed it 720 hours. Unless you had a mi account before an unlocked a phone
techdeisel said:
It's 100% not decreased or changed it 720 hours. Unless you had a mi account before an unlocked a phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is an interesting note. I created an account a few days ago, when I ordered the phone. Does this already count as "having an account before trying to unlock"?
hi All,
i have mi max 3 (not sure if it is china hardware or global hardware), currently running MIUI 10 by XIAOMI.EU V10.3.2 Stable (PEDCNXM).
bootlooader is unlocked, but not rooted.
there is a game that i cant run because of the unlocked bootloader, and i dont want to root or and use magisk.
i read to relock, we must be in official ROM and then use miFlash to flash a rom and tick something says lock.
my question: how can i know which rom is the official rom for my phone?
i found this http://c.mi.com//miuidownload/detail?device=1700351
is that the right one? how do i know if mine is china model hardware or global? i also read once we install eu rom into china phone we cant go back to official rom?
if that rom is the correct one, its a simple as just use miflash to flash that ROM , select clean and lock?
if i need china official rom, where is it and will i be able to install google app suite after that (and change language to english)?
thank you.
To check the version of Xiaomi products, if it is original etc. access the site https://www.mi.com/global/verify and inform the IMEI of the cell phone.
Another thing, you should only block the bootloader if you are sure that the rom installed is the original one on the phone. if your xiaomi is chinese version the rom installed must be chinese otherwise you will screw with your phone. It will become paperweight!
Hello,
My lisa came with 12.5.5 out of the box. OTA offers direct to 13.0.2. Is there anyway I can upgrade to 12.5.9 ? I don't want to upgrade to A12 atm, or anytime soon really.
Indian firware if that matters.
I see xiaomi.eu has a version of 12.5.9 which is no longer updated, but lisa isn't listed on the compatible device list.
Thanks
BB
BisonBro said:
Hello,
My lisa came with 12.5.5 out of the box. OTA offers direct to 13.0.2. Is there anyway I can upgrade to 12.5.9 ? I don't want to upgrade to A12 atm, or anytime soon really.
Indian firware if that matters.
I see xiaomi.eu has a version of 12.5.9 which is no longer updated, but lisa isn't listed on the compatible device list.
Thanks
BB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, some basics (not sure are you aware of):
1) If your phone came with Indian, you can update but only to Indian firmware without unlocking your Bootloader:
Install MIUI Recovery ROM using Stock Recovery and Updater App
Has your Xiaomi phone received a new MIUI update? Then follow this guide to easily install MIUI Recovery ROM using stock recovery and Updater app on Xiaomi devices. Any smartphone user prefers getting…
www.thecustomdroid.com
In that case you will need to download the so-called Recovery or ZIP stock firmware and use the installation as above
2) For anything else, like switching from Indian to Global or EEA (or to Russian or Chinese) - they are all stock ROMs, or switching to Xiaomi.eu - that is not stock ROM, or any other custom (ie, not stock) ROM, you would first have to unlock Bootloader
AFAIK, Xiaomi.eu has no 12.5 for Lisa, only 13.0 - hence not applicable if you insist on 12.5
To switch from Indian to Global or EEA (still stock ROMs), you will need the unlocked Bootloader, the so-called Fastboot or TGZ firmware (and MiFlash tool):
How to Flash Fastboot ROMs on Xiaomi? - xiaomiui
If you are a Xiaomi user and have installed custom ROMs on your device, then you might be wondering how to flash fastboot ROMs on Xiaomi devices. This article
xiaomiui.net
---
I don't know where do you see 12.5.9 for Lisa - I had 12.5.8 EEA) , but there should be not much difference
Anyway, install the following app and you can check which versions are available for Lisa (for stock Global, EEA, Indian, etc) or custom Xiaomi.eu:
MIUI Downloader - Apps on Google Play
MIUI upgrade app for Mi users.
play.google.com
It shows the Latest but click on Older and you will see all the previously released (stable) versions.
Btw, under Indian, I don't find 12.5.9, neither under Global or EEA (under Global there are eg 12.5.11 and 12.5.14)
From the app, you can also choose and download Recovery (zip) or Fastboot (tgz) stock ROM for the wanted version - depending on your flashing method as above
thank you very much. I did request to unlock the bootloader in the mi unlock app, but all the custom A11 roms stopped development or moved onto A12, so I didn't see much point in unlocking bootloader.
as i understand, if i am on the indian firmware, i can flash the indian rom without BL unlock. but if BL is unlocked, do i need to switch firmware as well to install say the Global ROM ?
about 12.5.9, i mistook it as the last version before they moved to 13. sorry about that.
BisonBro said:
thank you very much. I did request to unlock the bootloader in the mi unlock app, but all the custom A11 roms stopped development or moved onto A12, so I didn't see much point in unlocking bootloader.
as i understand, if i am on the indian firmware, i can flash the indian rom without BL unlock. but if BL is unlocked, do i need to switch firmware as well to install say the Global ROM ?
about 12.5.9, i mistook it as the last version before they moved to 13. sorry about that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you unlock Bootloader it does not prevent you to update India ROM by stock Recovery method
It just gives you the additional option to switch eg to Global by flashing Fastboot/tgz ROM
Its like, you can always go by foot, but if you have a car, you have the additional option to go by car
Please take your time, Google, read to acquire further knowledge and know-how.
There are tons of guides here on XDA, on the Net, Google videos, etc