Develop Bugs

Installing stock/official ROM over Vendor ROM

Hi, a few questions:
1. Would it be safe to install using the Mi Max's built in updater, the official helium Chinese ROM (stable or developer) OVER a vendor ROM (global, unofficial ROM that came with my 64GB Mi Max)? The vendor/unofficial ROM that came with my 64GB Mi Max is Global Miui 7.3.14.0.0. I believe my Mi Max still has an unlocked bootloader and has not been rooted despite the vendor ROM. 2. If the installation is successful, would the installation retain Google playstore/Google apps and all other apps in their current state, or will all installed apps and all personal data be removed sort of like a factory reset?
3. If the installation is not successful, will it be a simple 'install failure' where the existing vendor ROM is retained and still fully functional, or will it result to a brick (device no longer usable/endless bootloop)?
Thanks in advance.

Good Day - Or Night
I had a similar problem and decided to unlock the boot loader and then proceeded to install the Miui 64 Chinese Dev ROM - Official complete with OTA Updates.
Here's a thread I made to describe that
http://en.miui.com/thread-336609-1-1.html
Now if you do an install on top of this - may or may not retain the Google apps - but more likely - you may run into permissions problems and unstable device.
So - in short I'd recommend - Unlock boot loader - Install ROM of Choice (Mi Max 64 and 128 do not have any International ROMs at this time - to the best of my knowledge and certainly no Miui 8 Official ROMs).
Sent from my MI MAX using Tapatalk

Just an update to my original post above...
The Global ROM for Mi Max Helium (64GB/128 GB; SD 652) had just been released, so I decided to download
the Global ROM for Mi Max Prime (Helium). The download link I used is found here:
http://en.miui.com/download-302.html#458
It turns out, it doesn't work when installed over vendor ROM's. I tried installing it on my Mi Max with the vendor ROM (Miui 7.3.14.0.0),
using the built in updater app in the Mi Max, but the phone just tells me 'Couldn't verify update package'.
Other times, it seems to install then reboots afterwards, giving you the false impression that the update is working. However, after
a seemingly 'stuck' reboot (seemed like a bootloop), it returns to your home screen as if nothing happened... You end up with
the same vendor ROM with everything untouched (nothing changed/deleted).
The only thing that did work for me was flashing the Global ROM helium image using Mi flash beta.
The procedure worked even with a locked bootloader (also, with phone not rooted).
Anyway, for those who do want to get rid of the vendor ROM on their Mi Max helium and install
the recently released Official Global ROM for the helium device, here's the link to the fastboot procedure using Miflash beta:
http://en.miui.com/thread-307139-1-1.html
You will need to select the correct Mi Max helium image files here:
http://en.miui.com/a-234.html
You will need to unzip the *.tgz file to get the *.tar file, then unzip again the *.tar file to get the
fully unzipped image directory. You then flash the entire unzipped image directory using Miflash beta.
This procedure works on my non-rooted Mi Max with locked bootloader. You just need to be careful though to flash
the correct image file directory or you'll have a bricked device. The Mi Max helium being mentioned here refers to the 64GB or 128GB version
with snapdragon 652 processor. It used to be called Mi Max Pro but it seems it is now officially called the Mi Max Prime.

i have mi max 3gb ram/32gb (sd650) model.would the above procedure work if i am on official global stable (7.5.6.0--MBCMIDE).i got the permission to unlock but am unable to,the process stops at 50% saying that the accounts dont match.earlier there was a mismatch in phone no,but i rectified that by resetting the device and applying for fresh permission with proper details,but still the prob persists.on reading multiple threads it seems that flashing the chinese developer rom would be my best bet.so is the process outlined above going to work if i want to flash chinese developer rom over my global stable rom,or is it better i go for global developer rom.in all these cases im talking about the fastboot roms.im not going to hardbrick my device am i ?,becoz the nearest xiaomi service centre is some 200kms away from where i live.i thought i would ask the experts here before i take the plunge lest i regret later for not having asked you guys first.plz kindly reply with your advices,im so anxious to flash the rr rom ever since i got the device a few days back,more so now that the 3g data bug is also squashed

You will not need to flash the global rom if you are already on official global rom as you stated. The MIUI8 update will be delivered via OTA if not at present, maybe in the coming days. Now if you are on official global rom and wish to flash other roms, I am not so sure it will not be risky if you have a locked bootloader. Maybe somebody else has experienced doing the same so let's hope the person will share it in this thread.
wingryder said:
i have mi max 3gb ram/32gb (sd650) model.would the above procedure work if i am on official global stable (7.5.6.0--MBCMIDE).i got the permission to unlock but am unable to,the process stops at 50% saying that the accounts dont match.earlier there was a mismatch in phone no,but i rectified that by resetting the device and applying for fresh permission with proper details,but still the prob persists.on reading multiple threads it seems that flashing the chinese developer rom would be my best bet.so is the process outlined above going to work if i want to flash chinese developer rom over my global stable rom,or is it better i go for global developer rom.in all these cases im talking about the fastboot roms.im not going to hardbrick my device am i ?,becoz the nearest xiaomi service centre is some 200kms away from where i live.i thought i would ask the experts here before i take the plunge lest i regret later for not having asked you guys first.plz kindly reply with your advices,im so anxious to flash the rr rom ever since i got the device a few days back,more so now that the 3g data bug is also squashed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

wingryder said:
i have mi max 3gb ram/32gb (sd650) model.would the above procedure work if i am on official global stable (7.5.6.0--MBCMIDE).i got the permission to unlock but am unable to,the process stops at 50% saying that the accounts dont match.earlier there was a mismatch in phone no,but i rectified that by resetting the device and applying for fresh permission with proper details,but still the prob persists.on reading multiple threads it seems that flashing the chinese developer rom would be my best bet.so is the process outlined above going to work if i want to flash chinese developer rom over my global stable rom,or is it better i go for global developer rom.in all these cases im talking about the fastboot roms.im not going to hardbrick my device am i ?,becoz the nearest xiaomi service centre is some 200kms away from where i live.i thought i would ask the experts here before i take the plunge lest i regret later for not having asked you guys first.plz kindly reply with your advices,im so anxious to flash the rr rom ever since i got the device a few days back,more so now that the 3g data bug is also squashed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I've read, most people get the 50% error because they're not logged into the same Mi Account on their phone as well as the MiUnlock Tool. If you are logged in with the same account on the phone and the tool, then I'd suggest logging out of both, and then logging into the phone first, then the tool. This is what worked for me. If everything I've mentioned fails, you can use Doom Slayer's method to root and install the rom of your choice, which is posted right here .

thank you for responding guys,anyways i took a chance and flashed the fastboot developer rom thru edl method using miflash,the flash succeeded but to my dismay the unlock still fails at 50%.even after following all steps.it seems the only thing left is to try with the first account which got unlock permission,i have to apply for the micro sim on that number,since its a normal sim doing duty on my s advance.seems like i confused the xiaomi servers or something with multiple accounts.but eventhough i have multiple accounts i used the matching accounts on both the pc and mobile but no luck for me

wingryder said:
thank you for responding guys,anyways i took a chance and flashed the fastboot developer rom thru edl method using miflash,the flash succeeded but to my dismay the unlock still fails at 50%.even after following all steps.it seems the only thing left is to try with the first account which got unlock permission,i have to apply for the micro sim on that number,since its a normal sim doing duty on my s advance.seems like i confused the xiaomi servers or something with multiple accounts.but eventhough i have multiple accounts i used the matching accounts on both the pc and mobile but no luck for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure everything is okay on your PC's side as well, use the USB cable you got with your phone, install all the drivers, and if you're using Windows 10, disable Driver Signature Enforcement prior to installing the drivers. I used the Xiaomi Universal ADB Drivers. Also search for the Bootloader stuck at 50% tutorial posted by mitch002 on the MIUI forums and try that out, it's seemed to have worked for many.

I was having a hell of a time flashing anything over my Mi Max on a China vendor ROM. I followed these instructions exactly and it worked like a charm. From post #3 above: http://en.miui.com/thread-307139-1-1.html This does not unlock or root the device. If you're still looking to unlock, I can't be of assistance, but I wish you the best.

How Do You Downgrade MiUI Properly On The Mi Max?

I have a 32GB Global Hydrogen. I just updated to MIUI 8 (8.1.6.0) and I hate it, I want to go back to the last version of MIUI 7 which I think was 7.5.7.0.
I have read so many threads and watched so many videos on how to do this. Everyone says different things, its never a Mi Max specifically, plus the English is so appalling that I really can't tell what to do. I'm a noob at this so apologies.
So whats the proper method of downgrading? Does the phone have to be boot loader unlocked to downgrade?
Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

You should download a fastboot Rom and flash it on edl mode

Here's a link to the official tutorial on how to flash a MIUI ROM in Fastboot mode. This link also contains all currently available fastboot ROMs for Xiaomi devices, but only the latest versions, so MIUI 8 for the Mi Max.
This will be the tutorial to follow in order to restore your Mi Max to a previous version, but I'm not sure where you'll find a Fastboot ROM of MIUI 7.

MIUI 7.5 Global Stable V7.5.4.1.MBCMIDE
http://en.miui.com/thread-324576-1-1.html

Thank you for the replies, I really appreciate the help.
So to downgrade you HAVE to unlock the phone using MI's tool first? I did find the 7.5.7.0 rom at en.miui.com but I don't even know if that site or link is really official, you can never tell because if those are official forums they are run appallingly and are full of misinformation. I also heard you can break the SIM slots downgrading (something about losing the IMEI numbers)?
I am getting so annoyed with MIUI's dev team, awful stylistic design choices for example the horrid white notification blind with the weather app I don't want and the colour you can't change etc. Also the worst thing of all is the memory management where whatever you do you can't get apps to stay open or notifications to occur reliably.
The OS just gets worse and worse with every update ruining good hardware. Might just bite the bullet after the warranty is over and switch to something like Lineage but I am a total noob and very scared of bricking it.

Yes there are some issues like losing imei but it never happened with me as I have unlocked officialy and I tries every custom rom in my phone and many times if something goes wrong I upgrade or downgrade to miui using mi flash tool.
I suggest you if you want to downgrade then go for 8.1.6.0 as I always uses this version to downgrade.
However once I downgraded to miui 7.5 rom (probably oldest miui for mi max) then i had serious unstable phone and my phone became unusable.

I am on Nougat Resurection Remix 5.8.5 by ROMFACTORY. I have made a backup of MIUI Version: V8.5.1.0.NBCMIED (MIUI8) after unlocking bootloader and rooting it.
Is it safe to load that backup through TWRP ?
What are the steps to follow ?

Bootloader must be unlocked; and downgrading should be using MiFlash tool only!!! Most safest approach i always followed and never had any issues so far!!

Unlocking the Bootloader, Flashing a custom ROM w/ Anti Roll-back??

Got myself a Redmi Note 5 Global version and want to update MIUI and possibly try a custom ROM. Just came here to make sure i'm not falling for any common mistakes before i do anything especially after reading a lot of folks that have bricked these devices due to Anti Roll-back so thats the last thing i want to do. The device came boxed with MIUI 9.5.6.0(OEIMIFA) and i've just ignored the update notification up to now so i presume i've avoided ARB and i would like to keep it that way.
So just to confirm are these the correct steps.
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Flash a custom recovery (TWRP or the equivalent)
3. Update MIUI / Flash custom rom package without ARB and flash through TWRP
Is there anything i'm missing or anything i need to specifically avoid other than ARB?

drkdeath5000 said:
Got myself a Redmi Note 5 Global version and want to update MIUI and possibly try a custom ROM. Just came here to make sure i'm not falling for any common mistakes before i do anything especially after reading a lot of folks that have bricked these devices due to Anti Roll-back so thats the last thing i want to do. The device came boxed with MIUI 9.5.6.0(OEIMIFA) and i've just ignored the update notification up to now so i presume i've avoided ARB and i would like to keep it that way.
So just to confirm are these the correct steps.
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Flash a custom recovery (TWRP or the equivalent)
3. Update MIUI / Flash custom rom package without ARB and flash through TWRP
Is there anything i'm missing or anything i need to specifically avoid other than ARB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just don't update your firmware (or update it with a ARB-less firmware), that's what will trigger ARB. Most of the customs rom don't contain firmware, only LOS advises you to flash a specific version, but MIUI roms do.
So you either steer away from those and flash fw-less roms, or you just delete the firmware-files folder from the rom and flash it without them.
This is my advice, before flashing anything, open the zip and check for the firmware folder. If it has it, delete it (unless is specified by the dev to flash that along the rom, in that case, just avoid it, there's a plethora of custom roms to choose from).

Ok thanks so i'll just stay clear of any roms containing the firmware folder for now. I do like LOS but if theres any risk associated i'll just give it a miss for now.
I also assume its easy to recover from a bad flash following the no firmware folder rule since theres no real risk associated with flashing just a ROM(no firmware)?
Finally, what about kernels and bootloader updates is there anything specific i need to watch out for there? I only ask because my previous device included a sneaky OTA update which locked the bootloader and i'd obviously like to avoid anything like that here.
Sorry for all the questions i'm just a bit behind on the flashing front, my previous device was a Motorola Razr HD and flashing seems to have changed quite a bit since then.

drkdeath5000 said:
Ok thanks so i'll just stay clear of any roms containing the firmware folder for now. I do like LOS but if theres any risk associated i'll just give it a miss for now.
I also assume its easy to recover from a bad flash following the no firmware folder rule since theres no real risk associated with flashing just a ROM(no firmware)?
Finally, what about kernels and bootloader updates is there anything specific i need to watch out for there? I only ask because my previous device included a sneaky OTA update which locked the bootloader and i'd obviously like to avoid anything like that here.
Sorry for all the questions i'm just a bit behind on the flashing front, my previous device was a Motorola Razr HD and flashing seems to have changed quite a bit since then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problems, happy to help if I can.
And yes, no risk if you don't flash firmware. Worst case scenario, you'll have to reflash a miui rom with MiFlash, which means losing your data, but imo it's better than bricking the device.
As for kernels and bootloader, you're good to go. Nothing will relock your bootloader (except flashing with MiFlash and selecting that specific option) and a kernel in the worst case will just give you a bootloop. Use backups. ?
And as far as LOS goes, you can flash it without the specified firmware (even tho I'm pretty sure it's an ARB3 firmware) but I guess there might be some small issues.

Good luck with unlocking the bootloader, that thing takes from 720 to 1440 hours, just got my rn5p in a week now i have to wait a month before rooting...

Some questiona.

Hello everyone. Mi max 3 is my first xiaomi device, so I do not basically understand anything about the devices. Before I had an Honor X2 (Huawei) and the process is a bit different. So here are some questions:
1- How do I backup the original recovery?
2- When I went to check if the rollback was active, no information appeared, so does it mean it is not active? (the miui version is 9.6.7.0 OEDMIFD)
3- If I back up via twrp of the original rom, can I restore it normally over another ROM or have some procedure to be done before?
In your opinion, is it worth installing the resurrected kernel?
I will unlock the bootloader soon and I need this information to learn about this device. Thanks and sorry for the lousy English (Google translator).

Germano1980 said:
Hello everyone. Mi max 3 is my first xiaomi device, so I do not basically understand anything about the devices. Before I had an Honor X2 (Huawei) and the process is a bit different. So here are some questions:
1- How do I backup the original recovery?
2- When I went to check if the rollback was active, no information appeared, so does it mean it is not active? (the miui version is 9.6.7.0 OEDMIFD)
3- If I back up via twrp of the original rom, can I restore it normally over another ROM or have some procedure to be done before?
In your opinion, is it worth installing the resurrected kernel?
I will unlock the bootloader soon and I need this information to learn about this device. Thanks and sorry for the lousy English (Google translator).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 - When you do backup within twrp you just select recovery as well. I think this is the same with every twrp, not device specific.
2 - Seem like you have a global version taking this from your post and the version you have. I don't think you have anti rollback activated. However as there is no official global version released by xiaomi no one really knows what to expect.
In additional I cannot really understand your reason why you want to unlock your bootloader if you have an official version?? Some people may kill for that version here . Be careful though what you would install after you have the BL open because lots of the newer roms got ARB enabled.
3 - If you have permissions on all the partition once you installed twrp then backing up the current rom and restore it should work fine.

Is there any safe method to update MEE7S using global rom yet?

I'm using RN5 chinese edition, but currently I'm using global stable rom.
I've just read that the new update will brick chinese phones running global stable rom. Is there any way to avoid the brick / recover from such thing?

Where did You read that ?
As far as i know, as long as you have unlocked bootloader you can install global mui on chinese device. Just leave your bootloader unlocked

Do not update before you unlocked the Bootloader.
Unlocked first then update.
If you see the problem (stuck in recovery mode).. You must flashing china rom first via fastboot metode. Then flash global rom...
I have tested. (Mee7s)

MikiGry said:
Where did You read that ?
As far as i know, as long as you have unlocked bootloader you can install global mui on chinese device. Just leave your bootloader unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the article I read: Article

ruditremonti said:
Do not update before you unlocked the Bootloader.
Unlocked first then update.
If you see the problem (stuck in recovery mode).. You must flashing china rom first via fastboot metode. Then flash global rom...
I have tested. (Mee7s)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see that you have MEE7S, which is the exact same device as the one I use.
So, did you succeed on upgrading the first time? Please tell me more. Do you use fastboot method (bypassing ARB first with dummy image or not) or how?

My Redmi Note 5 Bricked after MIUI 10 update
MikiGry said:
Where did You read that ?
As far as i know, as long as you have unlocked bootloader you can install global mui on chinese device. Just leave your bootloader unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone gave me an option to update and it downloaded the image and then asked to restart so I did like have done in the past for v9 incremental updates.
It download the new ROM and I accepted the Restart Phone. After restarting I got a warning message at the bottom of the screen in red "This MIUI version can't be installed on this device" and the options are:
1. Reboot, which just brings me back to this same screen on startup.
2. Wipe Data. This goes through a wipe storage but it doesn't make any difference and just brings me back to the same screen after a restart.
3. Connect with MIAssistant. With MiPCSuite installed, it doesn't connect and just hangs.
Chatting to Mi Support, they tell me they don't recognise the phone even though I provided the IMEI number and the fact it is less than 1 year old. I bought it off Ebay new unused.
So now I have a bricked useless phone. Well done Xiaomi

@moby17
Can you boot your phone into fastboot mode ?
---------- Post added at 09:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------
gamalkevin said:
This is the article I read: Article
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well.That"s new
This article has a one flaw. Were those devices officialy unlocked or fake-unlocked ?

Well it goes into Fastboot screen but just sits there.
MikiGry said:
@moby17
Can you boot your phone into fastboot mode ?
---------- Post added at 09:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------
Well.That"s new
This article has a one flaw. Were those devices officially unlocked or fake-unlocked ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it goes into Fastboot screen but just sits there. I remember it did one update when it was still MIUI 9 something earlier this year and right after that an annoying message would show up a few times a day near the top saying it wasn't an official Rom. I just touched on close and it would carry on working fine. The update to MIUI 10 was in settings, system update section.
Since then someone recommended flashing it back to v9 and using MI's rom flash app MiFlash I'm in the process of flashing it now. The small green progress bar has gone all the way to the end but in Result column it is still showing "Flashing". after 2 hours. Not sure if it's completed or not, will leave it alone for another few hours before rebooting it.

moby17 said:
Well it goes into Fastboot screen but just sits there. I remember it did one update when it was still MIUI 9 something earlier this year and right after that an annoying message would show up a few times a day near the top saying it wasn't an official Rom. I just touched on close and it would carry on working fine. The update to MIUI 10 was in settings, system update section.
Since then someone recommended flashing it back to v9 and using MI's rom flash app MiFlash I'm in the process of flashing it now. The small green progress bar has gone all the way to the end but in Result column it is still showing "Flashing". after 2 hours. Not sure if it's completed or not, will leave it alone for another few hours before rebooting it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your device a chinese version with global rom and fake-unlocked bootloader ?
Which rom are you trying to flash ? China or Global ? ARB 4 or ARB 3 ?

MikiGry said:
Is your device a chinese version with global rom and fake-unlocked bootloader ?
Which rom are you trying to flash ? China or Global ? ARB 4 or ARB 3 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is fake-unlocked bootloader exactly? Currently I have it unlocked (from what I know), and am on MIUI global before the latest update. Probably ARB 4.
I'm low-key hesitant to upgrade, because I don't want to wipe my phone in case anything bad happen, and worse, bricking.

I'm in the UK and it was a Global Rom.
gamalkevin said:
What is fake-unlocked bootloader exactly? Currently I have it unlocked (from what I know), and am on MIUI global before the latest update. Probably ARB 4.
I'm low-key hesitant to upgrade, because I don't want to wipe my phone in case anything bad happen, and worse, bricking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't upgrade it if I were you, you might brick it too.
I'm trying to flash it with a rom, any rom would do to get it back to a working condition but I haven't been able to flash it. I'm using MiFlash, I've tried China, Global, both newer 10 versions and the 9 without success.
I'm not sure what you mean by ARB 3 and 4.
There seems to be 2 types of ROMs available to down load. One for MiFlash
i.e whyred_global_images_9.6.20_20190620.0000.00_9.0_global_006620721b and the 10.x version which has 1 folder called Images and a list of .bat files
flash_all.bat
flash_all_except_data.bat
flash_all_lock.bat and a dozen more files.
and another miui_HMNote5Global_9.6.20_9d5e732488_9.0 and Chgina rommiui_HMNote5_V10.3.1.0.PEICNXM_38eb804e2b_9.0
with
Folders Firmware-Update, META-INFO and compatabily.zip
a boot.img file and another 6 files. For instance system.new.dat.br, system.patch.dat

gamalkevin said:
I see that you have MEE7S, which is the exact same device as the one I use.
So, did you succeed on upgrading the first time? Please tell me more. Do you use fastboot method (bypassing ARB first with dummy image or not) or how?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have try upgrading from ota & flash rom via twrp but stuck in mi logo.
Then i trying flash china rom first (10.3.4.0 stable oreo) via fastboot method, let it booting and flash global rom (10.3.1.0 stable pie) via fastboot method too.
Succeed, no stuck in mi logo..

ruditremonti said:
I have try upgrading from ota & flash rom via twrp but stuck in mi logo.
Then i trying flash china rom first (10.3.4.0 stable oreo) via fastboot method, let it booting and flash global rom (10.3.1.0 stable pie) via fastboot method too.
Succeed, no stuck in mi logo..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay. Thanks for the information.