Buying a Chinese version or wait for Global version? (how difficult to DIY?) - Xiaomi Mi 8 Questions & Answers

Hi everyone,
Apologies for my noob question, I'm a former Windows Phone user who is going to buy his second Android phone (upgrading from the A1).
When I buy the MI 8 right now, it's going to be the Chinese version (with English language support). Is it officially supported to "upgrade" the ROM to the international version when it becomes available? It's ok if I would need to reset the phone (lose all data/apps etc.) But my concern is that it will be a "hack" with no official support for updates later on.
Also, is it difficult to do that upgrade? (I'm a developer, so I have a tech background but I've never juggled with Android ROMs since my A1 came with the international ROM)
Thanks!!
J

Hi,
is not difficult unlock the bootloader, flash the twrp and the rom.
I have installed the xiaomi eu miui 10 version and seems that all work ok

Related

[Q] Ascend P7 - chinese EMUI to English

Hello,
I am a newbie. Recently, I purchased Ascend P7 from China. It came with the chinese EMUI and I was able to change the language setting to English. But still I get notifications and other apps in chinese only. I am not too hung up on keeping the EMUI 3.0. But my main concern is how do I get a complete English version of the operating environment.
What are my options? and if you can share detailed instructions that will be helpful.
software_apple said:
Hello,
I am a newbie. Recently, I purchased Ascend P7 from China. It came with the chinese EMUI and I was able to change the language setting to English. But still I get notifications and other apps in chinese only. I am not too hung up on keeping the EMUI 3.0. But my main concern is how do I get a complete English version of the operating environment.
What are my options? and if you can share detailed instructions that will be helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you wont get 100 % English ..i was annoyed by that so i sold it and purchased EU version of phone...
Is there anyway to get rid of EMUI and install another one (I see some chatter around an EU firmware 602). If so, how do I un-install the current EMUI? And install the new one?
software_apple said:
Is there anyway to get rid of EMUI and install another one (I see some chatter around an EU firmware 602). If so, how do I un-install the current EMUI? And install the new one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can install custom roms ;
1.seven ROM am currently using - http://forum.xda-developers.com/asc...7en-rom-v3-0-emui-3-0-4-4-2-18-11-14-t2945104
2. my ROM - http://forum.xda-developers.com/ascend-p7/development/rom-rom-v3-1-emui-3-0-t2977409
3.Miui ROM - http://forum.xda-developers.com/ascend-p7/development/miui-v5-huawei-p7-td-scdma-t2978268
MIUI user - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCI5QMK3atQ
My phone is a P7-L00. Does it matter? The build number is B608.
Can you pl. tell me if its essential to remove the Huawei EMUI 3.0 from the phone before attempting to install a new ROM?

China Manufactured Mi 8 Can't use Global ROM!!

Greetings to XDA Community,
Xiaomi really make the worst announcement ever on MIUI Forum. It is posted by Administrator called DinaDuan. The message are as follows :
"Dear Mi Fans,
Here's something VERY important before you flash or update the ROM.
1. Xiaomi Phones manufactured for Chinese market are not able to run MIUI Global ROM.
2. Xiaomi Phones manufactured for Global markets are not able to run MIUI China ROM.
We highly recommend you to buy Xiaomi Phones via official or authorized sales channels and double check the system infomation before flashing or updating.
Thank you for understanding
MIUI Team."
What do you think about this issue? Will china phones user still able to use Global ROM after this?
Here is the link to the thread :
http://en.miui.com/thread-3831680-1-1.html
anonyxr said:
Greetings to XDA Community,
Xiaomi really make the worst announcement ever on MIUI Forum. It is posted by Administrator called DinaDuan. The message are as follows :
"Dear Mi Fans,
Here's something VERY important before you flash or update the ROM.
1. Xiaomi Phones manufactured for Chinese market are not able to run MIUI Global ROM.
2. Xiaomi Phones manufactured for Global markets are not able to run MIUI China ROM.
We highly recommend you to buy Xiaomi Phones via official or authorized sales channels and double check the system infomation before flashing or updating.
Thank you for understanding
MIUI Team."
What do you think about this issue? Will china phones user still able to use Global ROM after this?
Here is the link to the thread :
http://en.miui.com/thread-3831680-1-1.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they are full of horsesh*t because i'm running a Global ROM on a Chinese version phone. You just can't lock the bootloader or it will brick.
anonyxr said:
Greetings to XDA Community,
Xiaomi really make the worst announcement ever on MIUI Forum. It is posted by Administrator called DinaDuan. The message are as follows :
"Dear Mi Fans,
Here's something VERY important before you flash or update the ROM.
1. Xiaomi Phones manufactured for Chinese market are not able to run MIUI Global ROM.
2. Xiaomi Phones manufactured for Global markets are not able to run MIUI China ROM.
We highly recommend you to buy Xiaomi Phones via official or authorized sales channels and double check the system infomation before flashing or updating.
Thank you for understanding
MIUI Team."
What do you think about this issue? Will china phones user still able to use Global ROM after this?
Here is the link to the thread :
http://en.miui.com/thread-3831680-1-1.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you can install global rom, it's just impossible to lock BL again, you have to back to chinese rom to lock it!
With this new announcement, does it mean that we can still flash the xiaomi.eu ROM?
I have a phone on the way from china with the global rom flashed onto it
I'm a bit worried now
Agimax said:
I think they are full of horsesh*t because i'm running a Global ROM on a Chinese version phone. You just can't lock the bootloader or it will brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about the next update? I am worried if it will brick the device after next OTA update
anonyxr said:
How about the next update? I am worried if it will brick the device after next OTA update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll let you know, but if they do that they lose tons of customers.
Irish_Dude said:
With this new announcement, does it mean that we can still flash the xiaomi.eu ROM?
I have a phone on the way from china with the global rom flashed onto it
I'm a bit worried now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you can flash xiaomi.eu rom but maybe can't go back to your global rom back
Irish_Dude said:
With this new announcement, does it mean that we can still flash the xiaomi.eu ROM?
I have a phone on the way from china with the global rom flashed onto it
I'm a bit worried now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries.
Agimax said:
I'll let you know, but if they do that they lose tons of customers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I almost regret buying this chinese phone. First, they introduced bootloader locking issue then edl authorization and now this! Xiaomi is becoming worst than I thought.
Will this be implemented for all Xiaomi phones?
unlock your bootloader and you can flash it
I think that Xiaomi is just taking that load out of his conscience.
Reminding people that if they brick is not their fault but yours.
I agree with you, a lot of people flesh before they read any instructions and end up with bricked device.
I bought a Xiaomi mi 8 from GeekBuying some days ago, faulty advertised as global version. When I updated the result was a bricked phone. Now I have asked for a full refund since it was totaly their fault...i don't want to say the word "fraud". If they don't give me a full refund I will have to complain to the European department responsible for customer's rights in Europe and ask charges against GeekBuying warehouses in Europe.
ekc_1971 said:
I bought a Xiaomi mi 8 from GeekBuying some days ago, faulty advertised as global version. When I updated the result was a bricked phone. Now I have asked for a full refund since it was totaly their fault...i don't want to say the word "fraud". If they don't give me a full refund I will have to complain to the European department responsible for customer's rights in Europe and ask charges against GeekBuying warehouses in Europe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did the upgrade brick your phone? Is it using Global ROM or China ROM?
ekc_1971 said:
I bought a Xiaomi mi 8 from GeekBuying some days ago, faulty advertised as global version. When I updated the result was a bricked phone. Now I have asked for a full refund since it was totaly their fault...i don't want to say the word "fraud". If they don't give me a full refund I will have to complain to the European department responsible for customer's rights in Europe and ask charges against GeekBuying warehouses in Europe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are totally right about it. This re-sellers are selling the Mi8 as Global Version, they unlock the BL without the buyer consent, so yes, they are adultarating the product and selling something that doesn't even exist.
And the problems with BL are there just because re-sellers are doing this kind of thing!
anonyxr said:
How did the upgrade brick your phone? Is it using Global ROM or China ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhm I'm not sure but I would say that geekbuying flashed the Global rom through EDL, so they didn't need to unlock bootloader. He then updated OTA with locked bootloader and **** happened. @ekc_1971 do you remember if bootloader was locked or unlocked?
Wait a little, I have a xiaomi mi 8 Chinese version with global rom installed, also the bootloader is unlocked l, does that mean that if I upgraded OTA to miui 10 my device will get bricked?
BTW I upgraded 2 times from 9.5 to 9.6 and everything ran smoothly, can someone please clarify?
edwarddd said:
Wait a little, I have a xiaomi mi 8 Chinese version with global rom installed, also the bootloader is unlocked l, does that mean that if I upgraded OTA to miui 10 my device will get bricked?
BTW I upgraded 2 times from 9.5 to 9.6 and everything ran smoothly, can someone please clarify?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your bootloader is unlocked you won't brick. Make sure you never lock the bootloader though.
Thank you for clarifying, why would somebody want to lock the bootloader again?
I should not have any problem then, but I would appreciate if you guys could post comments when you upgrade to a global miui 10 having a Chinese version.

Planning on buying this phone tommorow, have a question.

Hi all,
So I'm about to buy this phone and really hyped to start flashing.but some of things I am not at all sure of .so my questions are:
1.only the China version is available in my country right now,can I flash xaomi eu or the global rom in this varient?
2.is the China version is going to be the main varient for ROMs/kernels/mods?
3.what kind of Dev support can I expect? Im currently using the redmi note 4 pro (mido).can I expect ROMs plentiful as mido?
If u can answer,it would be really helpful.custom ROM support are what I look for buying a phone.so it's big deal for me.
Thanks ?
1. Yes you can flash eu rom, global not available yet, need to unlock bootloader.
2. Probably there will be both variant support as they use same hardware.
3.when global variant comes out there should plenty roms
ef1x said:
1. Yes you can flash eu rom, global not available yet, need to unlock bootloader.
2. Probably there will be both variant support as they use same hardware.
3.when global variant comes out there should plenty roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a bunch

Buying K20 Pro From China

Hello All,
A friend of mine will be traveling to china the next week, and i can ask him to get me a K20 Pro device.
So i need your advice if i can later install the Global ROM easily without harming the device ?
A friend if mine wants one too, but he uses the phone in Arabic, So does the Global Rom contain Arabic language ?!
Where to buy the phone from Shenzhen - China, and how much it will cost for the 128/8 and 256/8 versions
Thanks all
There's nothing like Global rom as of now. There's either China rom or India rom. Global rom would only be released once K20 is released in Global markets. Your best bet is to either use India or miui.eu rom which both suppport multi-lang. The prices of K20 pro in China have recently received a price cut and your friend can easily get the devices from the Official MI stores. Check mi.com for the latest price, conversion and store info.
To flash EU or India rom or Global(Post Release) rom, you'll have to keep bootloader unlocked forever. Locking it back while being on any other Rom from the Original rom (China) will brick the device.
Not sure if you plan to use any apps that highly depend on a locked bootloader.
Sent from my Redmi K20 Pro using Tapatalk
Sukhi said:
There's nothing like Global rom as of now. There's either China rom or India rom. Global rom would only be released once K20 is released in Global markets. Your best bet is to either use India or miui.eu rom which both suppport multi-lang. The prices of K20 pro in China have recently received a price cut and your friend can easily get the devices from the Official MI stores. Check mi.com for the latest price, conversion and store info.
To flash EU or India rom or Global(Post Release) rom, you'll have to keep bootloader unlocked forever. Locking it back while being on any other Rom from the Original rom (China) will brick the device.
Not sure if you plan to use any apps that highly depend on a locked bootloader.
Sent from my Redmi K20 Pro using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great and easy to understand reply
If i don't care for other languages, do the Chinese version has English ?! or only Chinese ?!
i can wait till there is an official Global ROM not in rush to install a modified ROM, if then will i be able to update the phone OTA ?!
is there any problem with the phone or everything is working just fine ?!
Appreciate if you can post photos for the box to send it to my friend to get the exact same model
Thanks :good:
Chinesse version also has english language, just ask him to look for sealed box that has not been opened before (wrapped in nylon)
This color is amazing, and yes there is a nice price cut which makes it even better
image safe
Here are the pics of box 8gb 128gb
ef1x said:
Here are the pics of box 8gb 128gb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many Thanks, Much appreciated
No mention for device color on the box ?!
And do you recommend getting it and getting the Chinese version ?!
is there any problems with the 4G or Network Signal in general ?!
Easy to check, search for yours and your friend's carrier frequencies for every band, then compare with this site:
https://www.frequencycheck.com/mode...[device_brand_id_eq]=&q[frequency_bands_id_eq
This is a list that shows you which of the frequencies does K20 Pro support.
If you want to know about carriers and their frequency compatibility, go there:
https://www.frequencycheck.com/countries
MohamedYousri said:
is there any problems with the 4G or Network Signal in general ?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
on the other side of the box there is color name, china ver doesnt support band 20 (800Mhz) 4g frequency. for me its not big deal because my carrier doesnt use it, but in Germany i had trouble sometimes getting 4g in smaller cities.
forgot to mention that indian ver doesnt have nfc
MohamedYousri said:
Great and easy to understand reply
If i don't care for other languages, do the Chinese version has English ?! or only Chinese ?!
i can wait till there is an official Global ROM not in rush to install a modified ROM, if then will i be able to update the phone OTA ?!
is there any problem with the phone or everything is working just fine ?!
Appreciate if you can post photos for the box to send it to my friend to get the exact same model
Thanks :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. China version has two other languages apart from Chinese and English. You'll get OTA's aswell. Just that you'll to have to debloat and Install Google Play and Services manually initially. Too much of Junk comes pre-installed which can be uninstalled easily.
If you're getting the device from MI home or mi.com then nothing to worry as you'll get a sealed device. If your friend orders it online (Ali, gearbest etc) then look for sealed devices in the listing or ask the seller in PM. Most of the sellers online, unlock the devices and flash a fake global rom to be able to sell them globally. There's also an MI official store on Ali, which will give you a sealed device. But, if a MI store is closeby, then nothing like getting in person from there.
I have used this device extensively for the last 2 weeks and i don't see any major challenges. Fantastic VFM device with up to date features. Just minor software bugs that'll iron out with time.
China version has NFC as an added advantage which the India unit misses on. Not sure if the Global units will get it. Another advantage of China model is that it gets you beta access. Beta builds (more stable while still being beta) are still available for China only models while Xiaomi few months back phased out global beta builds to focus on stable channel. Android Q beta is only available for China models as of now.
Sent from my Redmi K20 Pro using Tapatalk
Thanks bro, much appreciated
If i got the Chinese version, and Xiaomi released the device in Europe as Mi 9T Pro
Will i be able to convert the phone to the official EU ROM without any problems or need to unlock the bootloader and lose the OTA updates ?!
MohamedYousri said:
If i got the Chinese version, and Xiaomi released the device in Europe as Mi 9T Pro
Will i be able to convert the phone to the official EU ROM without any problems or need to unlock the bootloader and lose the OTA updates ?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need an unlocked bootloader to flash the Global Rom (Official or MIUI.Eu) Till the time you're on an Official rom, irrespective of whether it is Chinese or Global, you'll always get OTA's. Just that you can't lock the bootloader of a Chinese device with Global rom on it. Moreover, unlocking the bootloader doesn't effect the OTA updates.
Sent from my Redmi K20 Pro using Tapatalk
Sukhi said:
You'll need an unlocked bootloader to flash the Global Rom (Official or MIUI.Eu) Till the time you're on an Official rom, irrespective of whether it is Chinese or Global, you'll always get OTA's. Just that you can't lock the bootloader of a Chinese device with Global rom on it. Moreover, unlocking the bootloader doesn't effect the OTA updates.
Sent from my Redmi K20 Pro using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So i will unlock the bootloader, Flashing the official Global, then use the device as normal without any problems
And the ROM will be intact not a modified one ?
MohamedYousri said:
So i will unlock the bootloader, Flashing the official Global, then use the device as normal without any problems
And the ROM will be intact not a modified one ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your use of the device is subjective. Unlocking the bootloader would show the device as uncertified in the playstore. You can't play FHD Videos in Netflix because your L1 certification would be downgraded. Any pay apps that you might wanna use, GPay etc you won't be able to use that.
All.of the above could have been fixed if Xiaomi didn't probhit people from locking Bootloaders of Chinese variants with global roms. This was possible a year back but it's getting harder day by day.
Band 20 is missing on the China Device. Usually the Global variants would have that. Some countries use that band for VoLTE service, check that with your service provider.
Honestly, I can live w/o all the above because my usage doesn't require them. Not sure about yours.
Sent from my Redmi K20 Pro using Tapatalk
Sukhi said:
Your use of the device is subjective. Unlocking the bootloader would show the device as uncertified in the playstore. You can't play FHD Videos in Netflix because your L1 certification would be downgraded. Any pay apps that you might wanna use, GPay etc you won't be able to use that.
All.of the above could have been fixed if Xiaomi didn't probhit people from locking Bootloaders of Chinese variants with global roms. This was possible a year back but it's getting harder day by day.
Band 20 is missing on the China Device. Usually the Global variants would have that. Some countries use that band for VoLTE service, check that with your service provider.
Honestly, I can live w/o all the above because my usage doesn't require them. Not sure about yours.
Sent from my Redmi K20 Pro using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i don't mind using the Chinese version ROM, i guess it's even better with quick access to updates
but they said that it has a lot of bloatware , is this true ?!
MohamedYousri said:
well i don't mind using the Chinese version ROM, i guess it's even better with quick access to updates
but they said that it has a lot of bloatware , is this true ?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it comes with lot of chinese apps that probably rest of the world defines as bloat. Most of them can be directly uninstalled and the rest can be either disabled or uninstalled through adb. You can clean the OS as much as you wish.
Can i flash the Indian Stock Official ROM to Chinese K20 Pro ?!

Installing EU rom on Chinese version?

I'll be receiving this phone with a Chinese version on it, is it possible to flash the eu/global version on it?
Nope and not gonna happen anytime soon, I ended just buying another phone
One seller told me that they were sending a chinese phone with the global rom and another one told me that it was the chinese rom but that they gave me an easy process to add google apps.
exadeci said:
One seller told me that they were sending a chinese phone with the global rom and another one told me that it was the chinese rom but that they gave me an easy process to add google apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a global ROM version of this phone. And I believe there are less issues than the CN ROM for non-China users.
I have a CN ROM version and I've removed all the bloatware and installed Google apps.. but it's still not the same as a pure global ROM.
There are many small differences that cannot be fixed so easily with the CN version. Such as the Google Assistant can't be accessed with the long press home button. Also, some of the apps still show the Chinese version even when downloaded in English.
I would suggest spending a bit more and home straight for the global ROM.
danvalang said:
Nope and not gonna happen anytime soon, I ended just buying another phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it happened in realme q to relme 5 pro, they ported the global rom. Check the forum
I hope so.. Thanks for the update
CN > Global
I wonder if this is possible? If so, then it will be possible to take the Chinese version. And if all the same, Realme protected the system so that it is impossible to do? All the same, the device is distributed in different countries.

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