Database Users

Beginner question - how to start?

Hi,
It will probably take some time until I'll get my phone, but I am trying to understand how to start.
I am OK with having only English on my phone, but I would prefer to have a clean and bloat free rom that has the GAPPS and that can get OTA updates.
I want to do the minimum needed to get this, I really don't want to change roms every other week.
How should I start? I am a bit lost.
Is the Chinese rom that bad?
Should I change the rom and root it?
Thanks in advance,
Asaf

I think this should be in the Q&A forum
It sounds like you want a stable ROM with Gapps. Xiaomi offer several ROM types. If you want Gapps included from the start, you want their stable international ROM. The trouble is that at the moment they don't do one for the XRN2 yet. Head over to en.miui.com, pick a phone that has been around for longer and in the download section for that device you will see the different ROM types (there are tabs at the top of each phone section). There are also a couple of great explanatory pages in their forum that guide you through the different ROM types.

Use the xiaomi.eu ROM. Multilanguage, clean and with Gapps. OTA also included
Sent from my Redmi Note 2 using Tapatalk

First, get TWRP installed in your phone.
Then flash a stable rom
At the end, install proper gapp using TWRP.

Thanks.
So
1. Install TWRP, will this link should be enough to install it? http://en.miui.com/thread-156838-1-1.html
2. Go to http://xiaomi.eu --> ROMs DOWNLOAD and take the DOWNLOAD WEEKLY rom (http://miuif.celogeek.com/5.9.10/xiaomi.eu_multi_hermes_5.9.11_v7-5.0.zip)?

shemsha said:
Thanks.
So
1. Install TWRP, will this link should be enough to install it? http://en.miui.com/thread-156838-1-1.html
2. Go to http://xiaomi.eu --> ROMs DOWNLOAD and take the DOWNLOAD WEEKLY rom (http://miuif.celogeek.com/5.9.10/xiaomi.eu_multi_hermes_5.9.11_v7-5.0.zip)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BUT, you said you don't want to have to flash a new ROM every week. The xiaomi.EU weekly ROMs are a beta ROM, they are not the same as the 'stable' ROM. I'm using the weekly version just fine, but there are a few bugs. This ROM may or may not suit your needs. Please be aware of that As soon as Xiaomi release the official stable International ROM with Gapps, that's the one you want (based on your stated requirements).

Thanks
So perhaps I'll wait, hopefully it will come up soon enough.
Hope the Chinese rom isn't too bad...

shemsha said:
Thanks
So perhaps I'll wait, hopefully it will come up soon enough.
Hope the Chinese rom isn't too bad...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first ROM I flashed was the stable ROM from MIUI.com. At the moment this is available as Chinese only (with only Chinese and English languages on board). It is also MIUI version 6 not 7. You do not need TWRP installed to flash this. You can just download it straight to internal storage, then use the Xiaomi updater app (which is already on the phone) to manually flash it. This ROM is not rooted.
Next I tried the weekly ROM from MIUI.com. At that point I incorrectly thought that it would be multi language, but it wasn't. It did at least have MIUI 7 on board though. TWRP is also not needed to flash this. This ROM is rooted. Root settings can be accessed via the Security app. You can also install SuperSU, grant it root access, then use it to control the root access of other apps if you wish. There are no Google apps on board. I was on n holiday at the time so I manually placed all the relevant files, set permissions and so on using ES File explorer that I side loaded and granted root privileges to. Yes, my girlfriend thought it was very romantic of me to spend a whole evening split between doing this and hunting some particularly aggressive mosquitoes trapped in our room. Only the best for my love.
Finally I downloaded the latest weekly (not stable) ROM from from Xiaomi.EU. As well as being a beta, it is not an official Xiaomi ROM. They do also have a stable ROM in offer, but it is not rooted. Basic Google apps are installed. TWRP is not needed here either. However, I installed it briefly to make a full backup of my phone, and a separate backup of the NVRAM portion of the device where the IMEI resides. Experience tells me this is important on an MTK phone in case the area becomes corrupt during an incorrect flash. You can also use SPFlash Tools to do this from a computer. Google the process, it's well worth being prepared. Damian Parsons over on GizBeat and China Phone Arena has done some useful tutorials with videos. Make sure you have the right version of SPFlash tools (which is not the same as MTKdroidtools -or something like that). I have only used a couple of times with my first two MTK phones so I don't know what version you need to use with this chipset.
For my purposes NONE of these ROMs actually fit the bill. Why? Because none of them so far allow me to select UK English as the default language or select the UK as the region I'm in. It's a small thing, but the last three Chinese phones I've had all suffered from the same problem. I end up rooting and using More Locales app to create a new default language code over and above selecting UK English in Google keyboard.
Once Xiaomi release an official global ROM the download page for the Note 2 will look like in the attached screenshot which shows the Mi4 page. Note the two tabs at the top, global and Chinese, in addition to the 'stable' and 'developer' sections down the left hand side.
Please somebody correct me if I'm wrong because I'm new to Xiaomi devices

Thanks for the detailed response.
Sounds like that for my purposes, and until an official rom is out, the easiest option is either the latest weekly or stable from xiaomi.eu.
I understand they can be installed using xiaomi updater as well?

Yes, you can install them the same way as official ROMs.

shemsha said:
Thanks for the detailed response.
Sounds like that for my purposes, and until an official rom is out, the easiest option is either the latest weekly or stable from xiaomi.eu.
I understand they can be installed using xiaomi updater as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, when I received my phone there was a lot of non-MIUI related bloatware and possibly malware on board. It was multi language (with UK English as a built in option) but it all felt wrong, slow and dodgy. Reading elsewhere it was recommended the best thing to do was flash a ROM from a PC using the fastboot method to erase everything, then start from there. There are fastboot ROMs with instructions on the en.miui.com site. If you think you need to, you could flash via fastboot, then download your subsequent choice of ROM from xiaomi.EU and flash that however you please. As I was away (and impatient) I didn't do the first flash via fastboot. I just did a full wipe from the stock recovery, then put a ROM into internal memory, then flashed it from the stock recovery, then factory reset again. No idea if that was sufficient, but there's no sign of the extra apps any more.

You don't need TWRP
Sent from my Redmi Note 2 using Tapatalk

Ouzo said:
I installed it briefly to make a full backup of my phone, and a separate backup of the NVRAM portion of the device where the IMEI resides. Experience tells me this is important on an MTK phone in case the area becomes corrupt during an incorrect flash. You can also use SPFlash Tools to do this from a computer. Google the process, it's well worth being prepared. Damian Parsons over on GizBeat and China Phone Arena has done some useful tutorials with videos. Make sure you have the right version of SPFlash tools (which is not the same as MTKdroidtools -or something like that). I have only used a couple of times with my first two MTK phones so I don't know what version you need to use with this chipset.
For my purposes NONE of these ROMs actually fit the bill. Why? Because none of them so far allow me to select UK English as the default language or select the UK as the region I'm in. It's a small thing, but the last three Chinese phones I've had all suffered from the same problem. I end up rooting and using More Locales app to create a new default language code over and above selecting UK English in Google keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, this is great for me. I will follow what you said regarding backing up this NVRAM you speak of, as I just read that the source code for the Helios X10 has been released, so we can expect more people including members of the HTC M9+ forum playing around with code.
It would be nice to have an option for UK English (or Australian English for me, to be precise) however I haven't noticed much of a difference, maybe because I have Swiftkey installed and that already has the correct language setting.

zan5hin said:
Thanks for the info, this is great for me. I will follow what you said regarding backing up this NVRAM you speak of, as I just read that the source code for the Helios X10 has been released, so we can expect more people including members of the HTC M9+ forum playing around with code.
It would be nice to have an option for UK English (or Australian English for me, to be precise) however I haven't noticed much of a difference, maybe because I have Swiftkey installed and that already has the correct language setting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changing the language to UK English is only part of the problem for me. Basically the phone thinks I'm in the U.S, or rather, that I have a U.S phone in the UK. This can cause problems within apps that want tailor content to my region code (or even deny me content). I've tried editing the build.prop a little, but it doesn't seem to help.
Mobile Uncle tools (free in Play Store) used to be able to back up one's IMEI number, but it didn't work on this phone. Dunno if that's because it runs lollipop. Anyway, that's why TWRP was handy and I will try using SPFlashTools again at some point.

No oddities at all

Got my Mix yesterday - set it up last night.
I was apprehensive with everyone talking about different ROMs, unlock codes, rooting, throttling, etc etc.
Mine came with MIUI Global 8.0.7.0.0 with Google appstore already installed. The packaging was sealed.
Downloaded apps at about 3.5 megabytes per second (as shown by the notification bar connection speed widget).
SMS works fine.
Calling works fine.
I even get 4G on O2 (in the UK). I live in Leeds so it's one of those cities where O2 are using 1800 mhz for 4G as well as the usual 800 Mhz which Mix can't do.
All my banking apps work fine.
I've got Nova Prime on it. MIUI has some nice tweaks built in. There's no bloatware on it at all.
Also, compared to the Lumia 950XL I had for a year, it's about 2 mm wider and that's about it.
I've been using an S7 Edge for the last couple of months and set up wise, there's no difference. Everything just works out of the box. No flashing, tweaking, rooting etc.
Fingerprint reader is faster than S7. It can also wake the phone as well. Double tap to wake is there too.
If I didn't know better, I'd say this was just any other Android phone bought in the UK, instead of a China import where people have been talking about flashing EU ROM etc and having other issues.
Funniest thing about it is that once you get over the initial WOW factor of the screen, you just get used to it. It's only when you look at other phones you think, haha your phone looks like it's from the 1970s.
Only thing I haven't really tried is the camera. Pretty sure it won't be up to 950XL or S7 standards but I've installed Snap Camera so let's see if it's half decent.
Great phone so far.

Just depends if your happy with vendor rom and no updates as long as you own the phone, I removed vendor rom and have had 2 updates since with like yourself no issues.

Where did you get your Mix? Mine also had that ROM but I flashed the China ROM since it wasn't getting OTA updates. Your Mix might be fine for now but I hear the spyware/malware stuff works like a trojan horse, I'd recommend flashing now, your bootloader is probably already unlocked. Just install the China ROM and skip the EU ROM or rooting if you want.

slitz123 said:
Where did you get your Mix? Mine also had that ROM but I flashed the China ROM since it wasn't getting OTA updates. Your Mix might be fine for now but I hear the spyware/malware stuff works like a trojan horse, I'd recommend flashing now, your bootloader is probably already unlocked. Just install the China ROM and skip the EU ROM or rooting if you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed and I skipped rooting and EU (for now)

jazz452 said:
Agreed and I skipped rooting and EU (for now)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm really confused now.
I thought my Global 8.0.7 ROM was the 'normal' China ROM.
Is it a VENDOR ROM? Is it obvious because it came with Gapps installed?
Also, how do you know this has malware on it? Kaspersky doesn't find anything on it.
Anyway, I better flash the official China ROM now - the EU one sounds more suitable (since I'm in the UK) but it's not official is it so ANYTHING might be in that.
Thanks.

Hid Sugiura said:
I'm really confused now.
I thought my Global 8.0.7 ROM was the 'normal' China ROM.
Is it a VENDOR ROM? Is it obvious because it came with Gapps installed?
Also, how do you know this has malware on it? Kaspersky doesn't find anything on it.
Anyway, I better flash the official China ROM now - the EU one sounds more suitable (since I'm in the UK) but it's not official is it so ANYTHING might be in that.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think they do put spyware on never found anything, no updates is the killer for me, they probably aren't allowed to mess with official ROM and keep the same numbers plus updates would probably mess up Google apps.
I went with stable China as it has English language and didn't want to TWRP at the moment. OTA updates aren't available on EU ROM ATM although first custom ROM is out with OTA based on EU ROM see forum. I installed Google apps from the mi store with no issues once all permissions were granted.

jazz452 said:
Don't think they do put spyware on never found anything, no updates is the killer for me
I went with stable China as it has English language and didn't want to TWRP at the moment. OTA updates aren't available on EU ROM ATM although first custom ROM is out with OTA based on EU ROM see forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so this ROM I have is some sort of weird ROM put on by Gearbest (where I got it from). Who developed it and has it been confirmed that there is malware on it?
Reading up on it, I can see how to install: China stable V8.0.12.0.MAHCNDI
Download ROM. Copy to root directory of phone.
Go into Settings/updates/reboot to recovery mode and install the Zip.
Is that right? Since it's not an update, do I have to wipe the phone in recovery?
I'm a bit loathed to do it cos:
a) This is a rather expensive phone from China which makes it a bit hairy. I've flashed ROMs on cheaper devices before but...
b) It's currently running dandy.. everything is fast and smooth and everything WORKS but this thing about spyware and malware I find worrying (even tho I can't seem to find any proof of this.) But yeah, lack of updates is a problem.
Does anyone have a link on an idiots guide on how to go from Vendor to China Stable Official?
There's a thread on this forum about this but it kinda says you need TWRP and Root etc.
If I put China Stable, do I need to root it to put on Gapps?
Will China ROM stop my banking apps to work?

jazz452 said:
Don't think they do put spyware on never found anything, no updates is the killer for me, they probably aren't allowed to mess with official ROM and keep the same numbers plus updates would probably mess up Google apps.
I went with stable China as it has English language and didn't want to TWRP at the moment. OTA updates aren't available on EU ROM ATM although first custom ROM is out with OTA based on EU ROM see forum. I installed Google apps from the mi store with no issues once all permissions were granted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another question... since I have the Vendor ROM on it, does it mean that my bootloader is unlocked already?

Hid Sugiura said:
Another question... since I have the Vendor ROM on it, does it mean that my bootloader is unlocked already?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The updater app has been disabled on this ROM, there is a guide (under guides) how to flash from vendor rom to China stable mine came from gearbest and was unlocked. No need TWRP or root. No rush your home won't set on fire with vendor rom just read a few times till you are sure of what you are doing. mi flash is used for flashing ROMs with xiaomi.

Hid Sugiura said:
I'm really confused now.
I thought my Global 8.0.7 ROM was the 'normal' China ROM.
Is it a VENDOR ROM? Is it obvious because it came with Gapps installed?
Also, how do you know this has malware on it? Kaspersky doesn't find anything on it.
Anyway, I better flash the official China ROM now - the EU one sounds more suitable (since I'm in the UK) but it's not official is it so ANYTHING might be in that.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use Malwarebytes on the Vendor ROM, it flags the MIUI Notes app as "Agent.downloader.Trojan". Check it out! I didn't even sign in on the phone until I could get the EU ROM flashed. Not saying that Vendors deliberately inject their ROMS with malware. Just saying there can always be that one hacker dude who is compiling these ROMS for the vendors.
From what it looks like, most vendors are given a flashable signed zip file that can be flashed using official recovery, the file is named MIUI Global 8.0.7.0 or 8.0.8.0 (Mine came with 8.0.8.0).
So when most vendors receive stock, guess they unbox it, flash this zip file most probably via the official MIUI recovery, run the diagnostic test and if everything passes, they box the item and ship it out. Most vendors may have staff who are trained to copy the flashable zip file via MTP, boot stock recovery and flash! It doesn't take a genius to do that and its done it 5 minutes.
I am on the EU ROM. Even though unofficial, these MIUI EU ROMS have been there since the beginning of MIUI and no one ever had any reliability issues with the EU ROM. The ROM has no bloatware and comes with GAPPS pre-installed.
---------- Post added at 02:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 AM ----------
Hid Sugiura said:
Another question... since I have the Vendor ROM on it, does it mean that my bootloader is unlocked already?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessarily! Mine came with a vendor ROM and bootloader locked. This is why I assume that Vendors are given a Signed ROM file which can be flashed using the official MI Recovery. I don' t think every vendor has the skills to unlock bootloader and flash a vendor ROM after installing a custom recovery. Its a time consuming process.
If they already have a Signed customized ROM file that can be flashed using the official recovery, its as easy as copying the ZIP file to the phone and flashing it via the recovery. Takes hardly 5-10minutes.

Thank you very much for your replies - much appreciated.
As soon as I read your post, I did Malwarebytes and that found nothing - apart from saying I should switch off NFC so that's a little more comforting. As I said, Kaspersky hasn't found anything.
So, the China Stable is the ONLY official ROM there is - the vendor and EU ones are equally unofficial and neither have OTA updates.
OK more questions:
Some people say China Stable is the way to go cos of the updates.
1) Is the bloatware that bad? Can't I just ignore it? haha
2) Does it need rooting to put Gapps on it? Rooting is a no no for me cos certain apps won't run with it.
If I go the EU ROM, cos of the built in Gapps, can it be updated without wiping every time?
Thanks for all your help.

Hid Sugiura said:
Thank you very much for your replies - much appreciated.
As soon as I read your post, I did Malwarebytes and that found nothing - apart from saying I should switch off NFC so that's a little more comforting. As I said, Kaspersky hasn't found anything.
So, the China Stable is the ONLY official ROM there is - the vendor and EU ones are equally unofficial and neither have OTA updates.
OK more questions:
Some people say China Stable is the way to go cos of the updates.
1) Is the bloatware that bad? Can't I just ignore it? haha
2) Does it need rooting to put Gapps on it? Rooting is a no no for me cos certain apps won't run with it.
If I go the EU ROM, cos of the built in Gapps, can it be updated without wiping every time?
Thanks for all your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should go with EU rom, or custom rom which is starting to appear now. The worst rom to go for imo is the China one, and I find it a bit strange some people want to go for that due to OTA update. OTA update is not such a big deal, you get more update with EU or custom rom and no, you don't need to wipe data, it is so simple and easy to do manual update.
If you are totally beginner then maybe you find the OTA update easier, but at the same time if you are totally beginner you will find it hard to get china rom to become stable and usable. By the way the new custom rom also has OTA update, if you really want that.
So in short, I see almost no reason to stay in China rom, unless you find selecting zip file and flashing rom "too hard". But it's really quite easy to learn.

Mine from gearbest has unlocked bootloader but slightly different number than yours 8.0.8, it's easy to check from fastboot plenty of threads on here.
---------- Post added at 11:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:22 AM ----------
satishp said:
If you use Malwarebytes on the Vendor ROM, it flags the MIUI Notes app as "Agent.downloader.Trojan". Check it out! I didn't even sign in on the phone until I could get the EU ROM flashed. Not saying that Vendors deliberately inject their ROMS with malware. Just saying there can always be that one hacker dude who is compiling these ROMS for the vendors.
From what it looks like, most vendors are given a flashable signed zip file that can be flashed using official recovery, the file is named MIUI Global 8.0.7.0 or 8.0.8.0 (Mine came with 8.0.8.0).
So when most vendors receive stock, guess they unbox it, flash this zip file most probably via the official MIUI recovery, run the diagnostic test and if everything passes, they box the item and ship it out. Most vendors may have staff who are trained to copy the flashable zip file via MTP, boot stock recovery and flash! It doesn't take a genius to do that and its done it 5 minutes.
I am on the EU ROM. Even though unofficial, these MIUI EU ROMS have been there since the beginning of MIUI and no one ever had any reliability issues with the EU ROM. The ROM has no bloatware and comes with GAPPS pre-installed.
---------- Post added at 02:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 AM ----------
Not necessarily! Mine came with a vendor ROM and bootloader locked. This is why I assume that Vendors are given a Signed ROM file which can be flashed using the official MI Recovery. I don' t think every vendor has the skills to unlock bootloader and flash a vendor ROM after installing a custom recovery. Its a time consuming process.
If they already have a Signed customized ROM file that can be flashed using the official recovery, its as easy as copying the ZIP file to the phone and flashing it via the recovery. Takes hardly 5-10minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xiaomi hate vendor ROMs that's why they lock bootloader, no one wants a bad name with spyware installed on their phones.

RIGHT! Thank you again for all your replies and advice.
I'm gonna do:
1) Find out if it's unlocked and get that done if necessary.
2) Install the EU one knowing now that updates don't wipe the phone.
My fear is that somewhere in between having an unlocked bootloader (which I might have already) and having the EU ROM, I lose the ability to use my Barclays Banking apps. I definitely know that it won't work with root but I also know that unlocked bootloaders and custom ROMs aren't the same as being rooted.
However, the fear of this vendor ROM being a security hazard gives me the heebie jeebies so I'll follow the kind advice given and put on the EU ROM.
Thanks for now!

Hid Sugiura said:
RIGHT! Thank you again for all your replies and advice.
I'm gonna do:
1) Find out if it's unlocked and get that done if necessary.
2) Install the EU one knowing now that updates don't wipe the phone.
My fear is that somewhere in between having an unlocked bootloader (which I might have already) and having the EU ROM, I lose the ability to use my Barclays Banking apps. I definitely know that it won't work with root but I also know that unlocked bootloaders and custom ROMs aren't the same as being rooted.
However, the fear of this vendor ROM being a security hazard gives me the heebie jeebies so I'll follow the kind advice given and put on the EU ROM.
Thanks for now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck! Just to let you know i am on EU ROM with bootloader unlocked and rooted, i can still use Paypal and HSBC Banking apps. I don't use Barclays so can't comment on that.

OK I'm following the guide on XDA under Guides: Guide: Flash Global/China ROM.
I've checked that the bootloader is unlocked - which it is.
I've done point 7:
copy the latest xiaomi.eu rom zip to your device (which you can see in your computer's explorer as a device)
But when I use the command to get the phone into TWRP, the screen is unresponsive so I can't Swipe to Unlock.
I've waited for minutes as suggested on other sites but to no avail.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.

Hid Sugiura said:
OK I'm following the guide on XDA under Guides: Guide: Flash Global/China ROM.
I've checked that the bootloader is unlocked - which it is.
I've done point 7:
copy the latest xiaomi.eu rom zip to your device (which you can see in your computer's explorer as a device)
But when I use the command to get the phone into TWRP, the screen is unresponsive so I can't Swipe to Unlock.
I've waited for minutes as suggested on other sites but to no avail.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't root remember to flash dm-verify before you boot phone or will boot loop. TWRP unresponsive is known have a search

Again, thanks for helping me.
So, found the right TWRP for my phone. For others having the same non-responsive screen, don't install the TWRP that has RC1 or RC2 EU in the file name.
Thanks to the guy above for telling me to install dm-verity before rebooting. I would never have known that.
It installed - but there was a slight strangeness.
I expected the phone to be totally wiped and set to default but everything was as I had set it.
I checked the About Phone and it is now MIUI 8.2 by xiaomi.eu 6.12.29 Beta.
Everything works and is set up as before when I was on Vendor Rom.
Am I safer now?

Hid Sugiura said:
Again, thanks for helping me.
So, found the right TWRP for my phone. For others having the same non-responsive screen, don't install the TWRP that has RC1 or RC2 EU in the file name.
Thanks to the guy above for telling me to install dm-verity before rebooting. I would never have known that.
It installed - but there was a slight strangeness.
I expected the phone to be totally wiped and set to default but everything was as I had set it.
I checked the About Phone and it is now MIUI 8.2 by xiaomi.eu 6.12.29 Beta.
Everything works and is set up as before when I was on Vendor Rom.
Am I safer now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was fate TWRP failed, could of been in a whole heap trouble, although not to the point of brick

Good stuff that you managed to get the EU ROM on. You didn't actually need to install TWRP if you just wanted to flash the China ROM though, EDL mode with the stock image on full clear would've been fine but don't worry about it. Gearbest get their stock from other suppliers who are the ones that put the vendor ROM on apparently, but I can't confirm that.
A good order to do things if you've identified you have a vendor ROM would be:
Flash the China ROM with EDL mode with the flash tool set to Flash all (using other options will keep your apps and settings on the vendor ROM but I have no idea if that means it'll keep any trojans or spyware installed)
Boot up the phone and set it up
If you're happy with the China ROM then call it a day then optionally use the Google Installer v2 from the Xiaomi forums if you need GApps (you may have to tinker with the GApps permissions if some things aren't syncing right).
If not then you could flash twrp-3.0.2-0-rc2-eu-lithium.img, flash on the EU ROM and optionally SuperSU for root and also optionally Xposed, then enjoy a preconfigured GApps with no Chinese apps that you aren't too likely to use plus extra languages!
If you are rooted then I'd recommend adding the following line in your build.prop to enable the Camera2 API:
Code:
persist.camera.HAL3.enabled=1
Personally, I'm still waiting on a CM port though, MIUI is too aggressive in killing my apps even though I have like 4.2 GB of RAM free even with all the relevant power settings, app settings, app locks, dev settings etc off. Android Wear functions better after disabling those power settings at least, I sat there scratching my head for a while wondering why the heck my watch wasn't showing any notifications.

Comprehensive step by step guide to flash custom ROM for Moto G5 Plus

Hi all.
I have a Moto G5 Plus(XT1687) that I would like use a custom ROM on. In fact I bought a second one to specifically do this with. I have only done this once with a Samsung Galaxy S5 and the MicroG version of LineageOS 14.1
With the Moto G5 Plus there are some extra steps from what I gather(you have to get permission from Motorola in order to unlock the bootloader is one example). And there are some intimidating things that I am just unsure about - such as to install Arrow you have to have Oreo 8.1 installed - but when you unlock the bootloader it wipes the phone? So how is this possible? Do I have to install the stock Oreo ROM first? Where do I get the stock ROM?
I have done a couple of months of searching for guides but have found different instructions and some with broken links to software on google drives or other sites I am not sure are safe. I asked about on the subreddit for Moto G and they pointed me here(which I have read a lot here over the past several months.).
Here is what I know:
1) I will need to enable developer options and USB debugging on the phone
2) I will have to get a code from the phone through abd and fastboot. In order to unlock the bootloader, I have to contact Motorola. give them a code and they will send me a code in order to do so(correct?)
3) I need to install TWRP in order to flash any ROM and other software, such as Gapps.
What I am asking of the community:
1) Legitimate link to the software needed.
2) Recommendations for ROMs. What do I want? I want to get be able to get out of the clutches of Google as much as possible. I understand that Android is Google, but most of the custom ROMs have removed most of the Google code. There is not a ROM from the MicroG website for Potter, which is what I really wanted(is this just LineageOS with thew micro Gapps?) I also have found replacement apps for almost all of my normal apps in the F-Droid repository. Ones I have studied: LineageOS(no official for Moto G5 Plus), Arrow OS, HavocOS and RessurectionOS. I have heard there are many out there. Important to have the actual phone part working well.
3) What is the differences in the different Gapps packages(Open Gapps, Mind the Gapps)?
4) What is this magisk I keep on reading about? Is that just for root? And don't you need root to install TWRP?
5) A step by step guide to make sure I don't jack this up. Even though this is my 'play' phone, I would like it to become my daily driver and plan on getting a SIM card as soon as I can get a stable OS on it.
6) Any tips or recommendations for someone like me.
I appreciate any input.
Thank you.

OK, I found this, but it is over a year old.
Is the info there still relevant? Is there anything that has changed since it was posted?

one two and three of what you know is ok.
The custom rom must be for the device.
On my motog5 plus I use Crdroid-Rom without Google Gapps.
Magisk is used to get root, that is, make changes and view the root of the device.
The information is valid. Rom-are outdated.

Thank you. Doing more research. Hopefully I will have a functioning device by the end of the weekend.

If you want smoothest experience try citrus-CAF its pure CAF rom its very nice smooth and fast.

Advice on going from Stock 8.1 to ABC ROM.

I recently got a 6P and have learnt a few things that are pushing me towards a custom ROM;
1. No Night Light (blue light filter) on stock.
2. No NFC quick toggle
3. Enforced encryption
4. In the event of the dreaded bootloop, I understand it's only possible to rescue the device if bootloader is unlocked.
I don't particularly want to unlock the bootloader etc as I want to be able to use Google Pay and banking apps freely, however I understand that with the use of Magisk this shouldn't be a problem.
I've rooted etc many devices since Android 2 but I'm aware that each device has its quirks.
Basically (TLDR):
What do I need to know/do to get from Stock to ABC rom with with Google Pay etc working fully?
Thanks for your help!

Just found this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928
Is all of that still accurate? Anything else on top of that worth knowing?

tooplanx said:
Just found this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928
Is all of that still accurate? Anything else on top of that worth knowing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as flashing 8.1 devices? Yeah, based on when this device was made the unlock and flash process was nice and simple.
Don't be surprised if some stuff won't work with an unlocked BL though. Yeah root can hide itself but some safety net checks are better than others and they look at the BL. I don't use banking apps on an unsafe phone, but I still see people every once in a while posting about *whatever* app they use does not work due to safety net.
Do not use above as a reason to lock your BL on a custom rom. NEVER do it.
If you descide at some point to want to move on to 9.0, do some research between FDE encryption, which is what this device has always used. And FBE encryption which some people are building 9.0 ROMs with. This will save you from me yelling at you for not being able to read an OP if you want to go to 9.0

Thanks for your reply.
I apologise for being lazy in my post. I have two small children and know from part experience that one can spend a long time collecting various patchy, out dated pieces of info from disparate, incomplete forum threads! However, it seems that there is pretty good, comprehensive tutorials for the Nexus 6p :victory:
My main questions I guess now are:
1. Do I still need to flash the vendor image if coming from stock 8.1?
2. I've heard ABC has safetynet built in... Does this mean Google Pay etc is more likely to work?
3. I can't find a link to the last ABC rom. That Kajinsk(?) Website doesn't seem to be in use anymore.
4. Is it possible to go back to fully stock with a locked bootloader if I decide to?
Thanks

tooplanx said:
Thanks for your reply.
I apologise for being lazy in my post. I have two small children and know from part experience that one can spend a long time collecting various patchy, out dated pieces of info from disparate, incomplete forum threads! However, it seems that there is pretty good, comprehensive tutorials for the Nexus 6p :victory:
My main questions I guess now are:
1. Do I still need to flash the vendor image if coming from stock 8.1?
2. I've heard ABC has safetynet built in... Does this mean Google Pay etc is more likely to work?
3. I can't find a link to the last ABC rom. That Kajinsk(?) Website doesn't seem to be in use anymore.
4. Is it possible to go back to fully stock with a locked bootloader if I decide to?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the vendor image does not match the month of the rooms security patch you get a message that pops up on the device about it, other than that I doesn't hurt anything.
No idea, again, I don't mess with stuff that checks safteynet.
Not sure on the rok quest either, can try in the thread but yeah kantjer nuked his site when he got rid of his 6p.
Yeah, just get the factory image from the Google site and fastboot flash it.

Lawlrus said:
If the vendor image does not match the month of the rooms security patch you get a message that pops up on the device about it, other than that I doesn't hurt anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if vendor image is newer than rom security patch? So I'd probably have to flash an older vendor image than the current OPM7.181205 so that it matches whatever the last ABC rom patch level was?
Knowing that I can go back to stock and locked bootloader makes me happier to see how things go with a custom rom. I know some devices can't be relocked fully.
Think I've found the last ABC rom image:
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=288070

tooplanx said:
Even if vendor image is newer than rom security patch? So I'd probably have to flash an older vendor image than the current OPM7.181205 so that it matches whatever the last ABC rom patch level was?
Knowing that I can go back to stock and locked bootloader makes me happier to see how things go with a custom rom. I know some devices can't be relocked fully.
Think I've found the last ABC rom image:
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=288070
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said, I have NEVER heard of anyone having issues not being on the right vendor aside from a notification on reboot.

Okay, thanks!

[REVIEW] Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G Xiaomi.eu ROM

Last month I got my Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G(European Version). I was a bit disappointed with the battery life and also not being able to record phone calls. Soon I found out that Xiaomi with global roms/EEA roms don't come with call recording feature anymore. I wanted to have recording functionalities without Rooting the phone, so decided to unlock the boot loader and flash a custom rom. Technically Rooting is just a step away after unlocking the boot-loader, but I did not root my phone.
After unlocking the boot loader i tried flashing(fastboot method) 3 different ROMS and got following result:
Installed Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G ROM which is a China based ROM. It installed fine no issue but the camera didn't work(Camera couldn't focus). It wasn't unexpected as Mi 10T Lite 5G and Note 9 Pro 5G's camera systems are different; though I took a chance to see if it works as they both have same gauguin named ROMS.
Tried installing the global version ROM of Mi 10T Lite 5G but installation kept failing. Can't remember the exact error code but I could not install the global version.
Finally, Installed the Xiaomi.eu ROM for Mi 10T Lite 5G everything is working well so far and here is what I found:
Downloaded the ROM from Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G Custom ROM(Xiaomi.eu)
The ROM feels much faster than the stock ROM. It is slightly updated than the stock ROM as it is based on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G Chinese ROM which has MIUI 12.0.7
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
And Call recording works as it has MIUI dialer and Messaging App.
Battery performance is MUCH better than the stock ROM as it does not have any ads or any bloatware. Moreover I also got rid of other apps that I don't need through using Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Tool
Slightly makeover in Security App
Overall, I am very happy with this Xiaomi.eu ROM for Mi 10T Lite 5G. The phone feels much smoother and faster. Also I don't get to see annoying ads (though you can disable ads in Stock ROM by turning of Recommendation/MSI) and reduced bloatware has definite effect on improved battery life. ​

Thanks for the report/review. Does this ROM support encryption? It can be viewed for example in "Settings -> Passwords & security -> Privacy -> Encryption & credentials -> Encrypt phone".

_mysiak_ said:
Thanks for the report/review. Does this ROM support encryption? It can be viewed for example in "Settings -> Passwords & security -> Privacy -> Encryption & credentials -> Encrypt phone".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it does support encryption!

So using the fastboot method there is no need to install some modded recovery?

Did you try to update to the newest weekly?

rafsteam said:
Did you try to update to the newest weekly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. I m using stable release only and haven't found any stable release update yet.

Spennacchionr said:
So using the fastboot method there is no need to install some modded recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Using fastboot method did not change my recovery as I only flash the ROM (I did not flash recovery/TWRP for this particular model wasn't released when I flashed)

try indian varient's rom, mi 10i.
Rock stable, not so bloated.

saifsuse said:
try indian varient's rom, mi 10i.
Rock stable, not so bloated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried and camera didn't work. Xiaomi.eu ROM is without any bloatwares. Moreover I got rid of many Xiaomi apps without roots.

Thinking on trying Xiaomi.eu (link on first post).
Anything I should be aware of and will I loose all my settings when I flash it via fastboot?
Thank you.

2cyrano2 said:
Thinking on trying Xiaomi.eu (link on first post).
Anything I should be aware of and will I loose all my settings when I flash it via fastboot?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it will wipe off your phone. Make sure to take back up first. Apart from that, there aren't anything that you need be aware of.

And anytime you update the rom it will do that? Wip off the phone, I mean.

2cyrano2 said:
And anytime you update the rom it will do that? Wip off the phone, I mean.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it depends on ROM. For example, an update ROM for Xiaomi.eu ROM patches only the updates without data loss.

Thanks for your kind replies .

ash_nabil said:
Last month I got my Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G(European Version). I was a bit disappointed with the battery life and also not being able to record phone calls. Soon I found out that Xiaomi with global roms/EEA roms don't come with call recording feature anymore. I wanted to have recording functionalities without Rooting the phone, so decided to unlock the boot loader and flash a custom rom. Technically Rooting is just a step away after unlocking the boot-loader, but I did not root my phone.
After unlocking the boot loader i tried flashing(fastboot method) 3 different ROMS and got following result:
Installed Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G ROM which is a China based ROM. It installed fine no issue but the camera didn't work(Camera couldn't focus). It wasn't unexpected as Mi 10T Lite 5G and Note 9 Pro 5G's camera systems are different; though I took a chance to see if it works as they both have same gauguin named ROMS.
Tried installing the global version ROM of Mi 10T Lite 5G but installation kept failing. Can't remember the exact error code but I could not install the global version.
Finally, Installed the Xiaomi.eu ROM for Mi 10T Lite 5G everything is working well so far and here is what I found:
Downloaded the ROM from Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G Custom ROM(Xiaomi.eu)
The ROM feels much faster than the stock ROM. It is slightly updated than the stock ROM as it is based on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G Chinese ROM which has MIUI 12.0.7
View attachment 5180515
And Call recording works as it has MIUI dialer and Messaging App.
View attachment 5180495
Battery performance is MUCH better than the stock ROM as it does not have any ads or any bloatware. Moreover I also got rid of other apps that I don't need through using Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Tool
View attachment 5180517
Slightly makeover in Security App
View attachment 5180521
Overall, I am very happy with this Xiaomi.eu ROM for Mi 10T Lite 5G. The phone feels much smoother and faster. Also I don't get to see annoying ads (though you can disable ads in Stock ROM by turning of Recommendation/MSI) and reduced bloatware has definite effect on improved battery life. ​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hiya,
Do you fancy pulling together some instructions for the rest of us to follow? Nice review, thank you
John

ash_nabil said:
Last month I got my Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G(European Version). I was a bit disappointed with the battery life and also not being able to record phone calls. Soon I found out that Xiaomi with global roms/EEA roms don't come with call recording feature anymore. I wanted to have recording functionalities without Rooting the phone, so decided to unlock the boot loader and flash a custom rom. Technically Rooting is just a step away after unlocking the boot-loader, but I did not root my phone.
After unlocking the boot loader i tried flashing(fastboot method) 3 different ROMS and got following result:
Installed Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G ROM which is a China based ROM. It installed fine no issue but the camera didn't work(Camera couldn't focus). It wasn't unexpected as Mi 10T Lite 5G and Note 9 Pro 5G's camera systems are different; though I took a chance to see if it works as they both have same gauguin named ROMS.
Tried installing the global version ROM of Mi 10T Lite 5G but installation kept failing. Can't remember the exact error code but I could not install the global version.
Finally, Installed the Xiaomi.eu ROM for Mi 10T Lite 5G everything is working well so far and here is what I found:
Downloaded the ROM from Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G Custom ROM(Xiaomi.eu)
The ROM feels much faster than the stock ROM. It is slightly updated than the stock ROM as it is based on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G Chinese ROM which has MIUI 12.0.7
View attachment 5180515
And Call recording works as it has MIUI dialer and Messaging App.
View attachment 5180495
Battery performance is MUCH better than the stock ROM as it does not have any ads or any bloatware. Moreover I also got rid of other apps that I don't need through using Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Tool
View attachment 5180517
Slightly makeover in Security App
View attachment 5180521
Overall, I am very happy with this Xiaomi.eu ROM for Mi 10T Lite 5G. The phone feels much smoother and faster. Also I don't get to see annoying ads (though you can disable ads in Stock ROM by turning of Recommendation/MSI) and reduced bloatware has definite effect on improved battery life. ​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also I have noticed that the quick settings layout is not being saved. It resets after reboot. And it is not Google Play Store certified. Should be fixed after Xiaomi will release the next stable update.

jdtanner said:
Hiya,
Do you fancy pulling together some instructions for the rest of us to follow? Nice review, thank you
John
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here are some institution that people interested in flashing Xiaomi.eu ROM can follow:
Bootloader has to be unlocked first. Without it custom ROM can't be flashed. Unlocking bootloader will void the warranty.
Refer to Xiaomi.eu flashing guidelines. Simply visit Xiaomi.eu and there are bunch of useful information on "How to" section.
Once unlocked, download the compatible ROM for your device in your computer. For this review I downloaded fastboot ROM from the link below: https://sourceforge.net/projects/xi...12.0.7.0.QJSCNXM_v12-10-fastboot.zip/download
You will need Xiaomi flash tool to flash the ROM. This process will remove all data from your phone.
I suggest watching some YouTube tutorial on how to flash Xiaomi fastboot ROM. For example here is one video
After flashing the phone successfully, it will restart and you will need to setup your phone from the scratch.
If all goes without any problems you hav now a fantastic custom ROM without any adds or bloatwares. You can get rid of even more apps by using some uninstall tools for Xiaomi. An useful video for this
Basically fastboot flashing isn't very complex process if you know what you are doing, but again there are always risk of bricking your device if steps are not followed correctly. However, to help you with that there are literally hundreds of tutorials/blogs on how to use fastboot method safely in your Xiaomi device. You can let me know if you have any questions related to flashing, I will try to answer.
Happy flashing!

rafsteam said:
Also I have noticed that the quick settings layout is not being saved. It resets after reboot. And it is not Google Play Store certified. Should be fixed after Xiaomi will release the next stable update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting point. I haven't faced this issue yet. Strange one! I will see if I can replicate the issue. One thing I noticed, gesture navigation does not have app swapping option by sliding the edge off the screen and hold it to switch to previous app.

I am on latest stable Miui 12 rom (Mi 10T, Xiaomi.eu). Netflix is not in Play Store, I downloaded another version. Gallery keeps crashing. All good apart from those.

abrahamjones said:
I am on latest stable Miui 12 rom (Mi 10T, Xiaomi.eu). Netflix is not in Play Store, I downloaded another version. Gallery keeps crashing. All good apart from those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here! Because it's not play protect certified
Surprisingly the first version that I installed before this latest update, was play protect certified.