Database Develop

[Q] A Proper Guide for Rom Flashing Our Mi8? Avoiding EDL and Bricking Device

Greetings Folks
For starters I just got Mi8 and am planning to go for Havoc or Pixel Experience there is a Pixel Port too I'll have to try which is best close to stock but with gestures features and full fledged Gcam support
Back to Questions
I have seen many threads where newer folks are victim of their devices getting bricked and paying for fix?
Why isnt there a proper guide thread to avoid these obstacles and spread awareness out ?
I know there are certain partitions you need to backup too e.g efs in case of lost IMEI there was a thread Its hell I have been through it with a Samsung Device,There was a guy who messed up his phone sensor files?
But most of all EDL and Devices getting brick so lets address the elephant in the room
Now My Phone is on
MIUI 10.3 Global 10.3.2.0(PEAMIXM)
Android Version : 9 PKQ1.180729.001
Android Security Patch : 2019-04-01
Rom threads say 9.3
take havoc for example
Help Appreciated thanks

@techyrock
Here is a guide : https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-8/how-to/how-to-install-roms-resolve-issues-t3911611
Part 1 ( The OP is general info ) Below the first couple of comments have detailed steps for AOSP.
Be extremely careful, unfortunately this community doesn't have a lot of highly active professionals.
So definitely double check any advice that you are given, or that you find. With that being said there are definitely several members that are mature, knowledgeable, friendly and overall fantastic.
If you need help, feel free to ask me anytime, I haven't had a lot of time to use XDA recently. But if I am around, I am always willing to help. At the moment I am going to sleep, but go ahead and read my thread, and I have made some lengthy post that may be helpful as well. You can find those posts by reading my post history. Enjoy.
As long as your account is bound to your device, unbricking is pretty easy with these phones. If you want to avoid a brick, avoid brand new builds, test software etc. Some of the recent issues actually stemmed from the 7.11 china developer rom which had a major issue.
if you want to use Miui with zero ads, and every single feature, then Mi-Globe is pretty great, and solid on a week to week basis.
As far as AOSP, I feel that in my experience that Syberia is practically always highly stable, but it's a little plain compared to some other roms. I also liked Pixel 3, Bootleggers ( Newer version) and Havoc. ( I used Havoc in the beginning of July and loved it, that build is fantastic)
I haven't tried a lot of AOSP roms on this phone yet. So that is all I have

Addition to that, the main issue is people are using Miflash to flash a ROM from bootloader. DO NOT USE IT.
Just use the flash_all.bat in the fastboot rom zip, it's easy. Miflash chooses to lock bootloader by default, and if you don't change it, you'll need to use EDL to fix your device. People usually forget about it, and will whine here to be able to unbrick. Don't be one of them
Don't relock the damn bootloader. It's unnecessary, and dangerous on a Chinese machine.

The War Profiteer said:
Addition to that, the main issue is people are using Miflash to flash a ROM from bootloader. DO NOT USE IT.
Just use the flash_all.bat in the fastboot rom zip, it's easy. Miflash chooses to lock bootloader by default, and if you don't change it, you'll need to use EDL to fix your device. People usually forget about it, and will whine here to be able to unbrick. Don't be one of them
Don't relock the damn bootloader. It's unnecessary, and dangerous on a Chinese machine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We ok that to unlock bootloader on mi8 we have to use mi "flash" unlock tool. Right?
Cheers

Erpe7 said:
We ok that to unlock bootloader on mi8 we have to use mi "flash" unlock tool. Right?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that is the only way to unlock. he was talking about using Mi Flash to flash roms, which may seem to be user friendly which it is but is also extremely dangerous because the the option to lock the bootloader is checked by default. If using it make sure that its unchecked and you should not have any issues.
Personally, I prefer ADB if flashing via fastboot or TWRP with a OTG flash drive.
Also there is a tool that is excellent that I have also used many times, its called Tool all in One ( TAIO) After your bootloader is unlocked, you can use TAIO for many functions, including keep your PC's ADB platform tools, up to date, and providing system wide access. You can use it to remove encryption, flash recovery, root, roms or to restore to stock. It definitely worth installing if if you only use it to keep your drivers, and platform tools up to date.

First of all thanks guys for replies wasn't expecting this response
My device is Global Mi8 bootloader is locked for now I still have some hours left I'll be able to unlock it by 26th
miflash_unlock prompted to bind my account from developer option for unlocking,I did so it will be bound to my account and ill be unlocking it for first time I believe i bought it used but previous owner seemed to have know info about ROMs though
I have been using Pixel 2XL twice followed by Nokia 8 so I am much more inclined towards AOSP stock experience the two feature I would love to have from MIUI are the
1)MIUI gestures
2)MIUI Dual Apps (I am aware of Play store alternatives but clash of clans doesnt work as good on them as on dual apps )
I know gestures are on Havoc
guess you guys have been playing around with your mi8 kindly guide me to right directrion what ROMs you guys prefer and why ?
how would you prefer to flash a ROM do I need to back up any partitions ? if so which app should use for it ,Ill surely back up everything via TWRP for sure
also the encryption thingy should I sign out my google account before bootloader unlock and other stuff?
and since I am on
MIUI 10.3 Global 10.3.2.0(PEAMIXM)
Android Version : 9 PKQ1.180729.001
Android Security Patch : 2019-04-01
is it safe to flash havoc ?

tsongming said:
Yes, that is the only way to unlock. he was talking about using Mi Flash to flash roms, which may seem to be user friendly which it is but is also extremely dangerous because the the option to lock the bootloader is checked by default. If using it make sure that its unchecked and you should not have any issues.
Personally, I prefer ADB if flashing via fastboot or TWRP with a OTG flash drive.
Also there is a tool that is excellent that I have also used many times, its called Tool all in One ( TAIO) After your bootloader is unlocked, you can use TAIO for many functions, including keep your PC's ADB platform tools, up to date, and providing system wide access. You can use it to remove encryption, flash recovery, root, roms or to restore to stock. It definitely worth installing if if you only use it to keep your drivers, and platform tools up to date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this precious advices ;(
I'll note that!
Sent from my Redmi Note 5 Pro using XDA Labs

Thank you folks.
Could someone explain what EDL is meaning?
Gesendet von meinem BTV-DL09 mit Tapatalk

ktrokar said:
Thank you folks.
Could someone explain what EDL is meaning?
Gesendet von meinem BTV-DL09 mit Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a primary bootloader that we consumer know of and there's Qualcomm's Emergency Download Mode bootloader (EDL) , since Mi8 has ARB(Anti Rollback) downgrading the phone gets it bricked to EDL mode requiring EDL authentication to my understanding thats why edl is a thing(since its just emergency bootloader for oems to work with) I have not experienced it personally so I don't know whether it bricks that way or not but ARB and EDL authentication are a thing with Mi8 from what I have read in different threads
Sent from my MI 8 using Tapatalk

ktrokar said:
Thank you folks.
Could someone explain what EDL is meaning?
Gesendet von meinem BTV-DL09 mit Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EDL is Qualcomm recovery mode, it's the mode that you must be in to restore a hard bricked phone.
As long as you are careful you should never need to worry about EDL. Basically, you place the phone into a mode that the computer is able to recognise port 9008, once that is down you can use 1 of 4 techniques to restore your phone. Unbricking Xiaomi's is actually very easy to do, as long as the device is bound to your account.
The big issue is that unscrupulous Chinese vendors, used their own account to unlock bootloaders of Mi8's and other Xiaomi devices, then installed the Global Miui ROM and then sold the phone as new to unsuspecting western customers and at a lower price than western outlets such as Amazon. These vendors marketed the phones as Ïnternational versions" when they were actually Chinese devices and not the Global version that the customer thought they bought.
When these customer's used programs such as MiFlash to upgrade their phone's their bootloaders were locked and the are unable to log into their Mi Account to restore the phone. Remember the vendors unlocked the phone, so these Mi8's were bound to the vendor and not the final customer. This is the Primary reason why Xiaomi makes us wait to unlock the bootloader. Finally, ARB is potential issue, but it hasn't been implemented yet on Global devices.
So do your research before flashing anything and you should be safe.

Some questions about the aftermath of unlocking bootloader and rooting of k20 pro

Hi guys I want to ask about the after effects of unlocking bootloader of k20 pro (China rom)
I tried searching for the threads on these but it seems there's not much answer to it
I read that once bootloader is unlocked, certain apps like banking apps can't be used
And Google pay can't be used too. Is this correct?
What else am I missing?
rooting also renders some apps unusable right?
I want to flash my k20 pro (China rom) to oxygen os
But these are the trade offs right?
I want to o root my phone to over clock my screen to 81 Hz too
My questions in a nutshell :
Is the oxygen os stable? Any bugs?
If unlock bootloader many apps cannot be used? (banking apps, lottery apps, Google pay, etc)
i learnt that xiaomi has this anti rollback thing that bricks your phone if you try to root? How does this works?

I know there's a google pay fix file for flashing with TWRP recovery if someone else can help with a link or if you can look for it in one of the guides. You can hide banking apps with magisk hide and use normally.
Oxygen OS isn't stable as far as i know.
This is the first time I've heard from you about brick I the phone with root, i don't think it's true.
Sent from my Mi 9T Pro using Tapatalk

Kira3891 said:
Hi guys I want to ask about the after effects of unlocking bootloader of k20 pro (China rom)
I tried searching for the threads on these but it seems there's not much answer to it
I read that once bootloader is unlocked, certain apps like banking apps can't be used
And Google pay can't be used too. Is this correct?
What else am I missing?
rooting also renders some apps unusable right?
I want to flash my k20 pro (China rom) to oxygen os
But these are the trade offs right?
I want to o root my phone to over clock my screen to 81 Hz too
My questions in a nutshell :
Is the oxygen os stable? Any bugs?
If unlock bootloader many apps cannot be used? (banking apps, lottery apps, Google pay, etc)
i learnt that xiaomi has this anti rollback thing that bricks your phone if you try to root? How does this works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no Oxygen OS port for this phone, your only option for that will be a GSI, which will have a few minor issues.
Using Magisk to root the phone will allow you to allow you to keep on using all your financial apps, etc. Magisk is able to hide from other apps the fact that phone is rooted. If you've not used Magisk before, go search these forums for the devs thread on it. He gives you a lot of good guides and info.
There are a few guides for getting GPay to work on this phone, just search the K20 Pro sub forums.
Anti rollback does what it says. It prevents you from reverting back to an earlier version of MIUI. It has nothing to do with having a rooted phone. So far Xiaomi has not activated this yet for this phone.

K20 Pro Indian Variant Clarifications

1. Do we lose L1 certification after flashing custom roms? Do we recover status back with persist image?
2. Are we able to use all the Indian banking apps? Since GPay is a pain in ass to make it work with root/custom ROMs
Getting back to android modding community after approximately 3 years, though have been following threads.
Any inputs on the above would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

No.
Yes

venu44 said:
No.
Yes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean is the No part for the persist image or the status of L1.

Satzz said:
I mean is the No part for the persist image or the status of L1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For some custom ROMs you need to wipe Persist to get some sensors to work and you loose then L1.
When going back to MIUI you can restore Persist and L1

I wanted to switch from MIUI Global 12.0.1 Stable to the Indian version V12.0.2.0 to have the default call recorder,
through the file raphaelin_in_global_images_V12.0.2.0.QFKINXM_20200710… tgz
after expanding it, using XiaoMiFlash latest version.
But after pressing the Flash key the message “error: Missmatching image and device” appears.
What can I do to install the Indian version?
Thank you for your help.
nigol

Satzz said:
1. Do we lose L1 certification after flashing custom roms? Do we recover status back with persist image?
2. Are we able to use all the Indian banking apps? Since GPay is a pain in ass to make it work with root/custom ROMs
Getting back to android modding community after approximately 3 years, though have been following threads.
Any inputs on the above would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought a k20 pro (raphealin) like a month ago I think, got it with miui 11, updated to miui 12 12.0.2.0, got bored looked up the EU version, unlocked bootloader, installed orange fox r11 (or whichever version is the latest that just came out I don't remember), took a backup of persist along with everything (cuz I read somewhere that I could lose L1 and having a backup of persist might help so I took backup), flashed the EU rom 12.0.3.0, flashed magisk (didn't plan on flashing it, but then when I was flashing the rom, I thought might as well no downside, voiding the warranty anyway), have been using it for 2 weeks I guess now, its been working great, renamed the magisk manager to something else, used magisk hide on other apps. I didn't loose L1 and can see FHD in Netflix and best in PrimeVideos, High in Disney+, banking apps work fine (iMobile, PayTM, Gpay (Indian version / used to be called tez I think before), BOB apps also (although they aren't working but I think that's BOB's fault as I am not getting OTP, checked on other phones too, not receiving there too, but they are opening no rooted error or anything), Digilocker too (this won't work with just magisk hide, you will need to rename magisk manager and after a reboot it works, I would you rename it anyway cuz there is no downside, cuz otherwise if you wanna use this then you will need to later so), ETMoney, Groww PhonePe, MyCAMS, PAYPAL these all work fine, I don't know any other apps I don't use them). Even though I didn't lose L1 after flashing I have kept the backup in case in future I need it.

Is Asus Rog 2 12gb ram 512gb Developer Friendly

Hello Everyone,
I want to know If Asus rog 2 12gb ram 512gb memory ZS660KL Is developer friendly or not.
I am not a developer but Can be considered advanced user. I want to know if Asus rog 2 12gb/512gb Variant is Developer Friendly like rooting, Installing Twrp, Will I be able to do stock updates without losing twrp and rooting, Switching to custom Roms in future (Option should be available).
I am coming from redmi note 4 SD version So buying this phone will be a big purchase for me and if I purchase it I don't want any problems for next 3-4 years either Hardware or software related.
I will be using this phone in India but it will be purchased outside India. After searching Internet I see I will not get warranty also.
Any help is highly Appreciated.
Thanks In Advance
Best Wishes

kk100 said:
Hello Everyone,
I want to know If Asus rog 2 12gb ram 512gb memory ZS660KL Is developer friendly or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Device development is kinda dead, most of the developers who received the device have moved on to the newer ROG 3.
We do have a stable twrp & a stable kernel but that's it, the custom rom's you see here have issues which won't be fixed unless some skilled developer with the device is willing to fix them. I'll suggest you get another device if you're into custom rom's and rooting.
Hope this helps.

deadlyindian said:
Device development is kinda dead, most of the developers who received the device have moved on to the newer ROG 3.
We do have a stable twrp & a stable kernel but that's it, the custom rom's you see here have issues which won't be fixed unless some skilled developer with the device is willing to fix them. I'll suggest you get another device if you're into custom rom's and rooting.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for taking time to reply. Really Appreciate it.
I have a question if stable twrp is there and stock ROM is used will I be able to get updates after rooting without any problems like twrp and rooting is intact even after updates.
Thanks.
Best Wishes

kk100 said:
Thanks for taking time to reply. Really Appreciate it.
I have a question if stable twrp is there and stock ROM is used will I be able to get updates after rooting without any problems like twrp and rooting is intact even after updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're unlocked and rooted, you'll have to update through TWRP using the full firmware & once you flash the full firmware via TWRP you will have to flash the TWRP installer & Magisk to keep root. TWRP is installed in boot partition as the device doesn't have a recovery partition so each time you flash stock firmware it is always replaced with the stock recovery.

deadlyindian said:
If you're unlocked and rooted, you'll have to update through TWRP using the full firmware & once you flash the full firmware via TWRP you will have to flash the TWRP installer & Magisk to keep root. TWRP is installed in boot partition as the device doesn't have a recovery partition so each time you flash stock firmware it is always replaced with the stock recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for replying. Seems like lot of trouble just get updates and maintain twrp and root. It will also affect the backups if updates are maintained.
Tried a lot to get Xiaomi K20 Pro premium edition 12gb ram 512gb memory but it's not available. I hear its one of the favourite devices here at xda.
Again Thanks a lot for your support.
My best wishes to you. Tc

Question (Q) GSI images

Have never needed to install a GSI before but as we're kind of stuck here without a single custom ROM, I thought I'd have a look.
AFAIK installing one of these would still leave the door open for stock recovery to be used should something go wrong, so as long as you've made a back up it should be fine.
I'm just curious as to the method of installation?
Has anyone had any experience with GSI ROMs before.
How was it? Did it work?
Would DSU image loader be an option?
I've attached what treble version we have and the relevant info required from the treble info app.
Apparently we have VNDK compatibility, not sure what that is but we have it.

Hi @dladz, I ran into a similar question three years ago when I bought a Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro. I was so used to using custom ROMs that I didn't even check before I bought it whether any custom ROMs would be available.
I was honestly shocked to see that that wasn't the case - there was absolutely NOTHING available - and that I had ended up with a device that couldn't even be unlocked right away, you had to wait and open a Mi account to be allowed to unlock it. I couldn't believe it at the time, I had come from a OnePlus X and had helped others root and install custom ROMs on other OnePlus phones without any problems, so I felt like I had just thrown quite some money out the window to run around with a mobile Chinese Spyware gadget I didn't want to use.
That was the first time I ever came across the term GSI ROM and it took me several weeks to figure out how to flash a ROM that I could also use afterwards. I knew I wouldn't want to have a stock ROM by a company that has very loose data privacy standards and even clearly states they collect your data (Lesson learned, I thought, I just had to buy a "proper" phone again and no more phones from budget manufacturers).
Several weeks later, after I had finally managed to get a custom GSI ROM working on my device I posted a lengthy how-to here on XDA.
Again, it took me weeks to get everything to work that I could not go without. And even then, I had to resign to the fact that many features of the phone would not be working (The fingerprint sensor, for example. Also, the Xiaomi Mi stock rom apparently had excellent GPS support (dual GPS support) but GPS positioning is just alright on the GSI ROM I'm using, also there were many cool Xiaomi apps like a compass app that wouldn't work outside MIUI). But I was more than happy I had gotten different GSI ROMs to work in the end and settled on one that I could live with, knowing my phone wouldn't be sending data to some Chinese servers constantly.
Now that the Mi 8 Pro has become a bit slower over time with all the latest apps, I took the plunge and spent a ton of money on the OnePlus 10 Pro 256 GB version only to be disappointed again, but this time by a company that used to be the epitome of openness when it came to custom development.
I got my OnePlus 10 Pro on release in my region in April, together with the 50W wireless charger and both have been sitting here since April, I'm not touching that phone until I can remove all the Spyware it comes installed with. At this stage, I'm not yet willing to go through the weeklong trial-and-error again that it took to get the Mi 8 Pro running a custom GSI ROM (also considering that some of its features never worked...), but if OnePlus doesn't get its **** together soon with the MSM tool and some openness towards developers, I will seriously just consider selling it on eBay again (It is brandnew after all) and will never buy another phone from OnePlus again. This has been an extreme disappointment and I'm still struggling to understand why they wouldn't support custom development any more. I had checked the OnePlus 9 Pro threads on XDA just to see if there's still custom development going on for OnePlus and it seemed everything was still OK, but now... .
On a more positive note: The Mi 8 Pro did eventually get some custom ROM love and there are now several ROMS to choose from, so to answer your original question - If you ask me, don't bother with GSI ROMs until we can be sure there won't be any custom ROMs for our phone. I'm still hoping that will be the case.

Gsi will work but no fingerprint or faceunlock.
Installing is easy just reboot to fastbootd open device with fastboot enchanted and delete all _cow files and reboot too bootloader flash stock vbmeta with
"fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification vbmeta vbmeta"
Download gsi that you like and flash it in fastbootd using "fastboot flash system gsi.img"

MrScarl3t said:
Gsi will work but no fingerprint or faceunlock. And many more visual glitches.
Installing is easy just reboot to fastbootd open device with fastboot enchanted and delete all _cow files and reboot too bootloader flash stock vbmeta with
"fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification vbmeta vbmeta"
Download gsi that you like and flash it in fastbootd using "fastboot flash system gsi.img"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Well... I tried GSI and some steps and sure enough I broke my phone (hard brick) so now I'm on Google 6 pro

MrScarl3t said:
Gsi will work but no fingerprint or faceunlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless someone posts a step-by-step guide with screenshots of a successful flash, I wouldn't believe anything.
This sounds more like it:
Twiggy000b said:
Well... I tried GSI and some steps and sure enough I broke my phone (hard brick) so now I'm on Google 6 pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It took me weeks going back and forth, going back to stock and retrying again before I had any luck at all with my Mi 8 Pro.
Theoretically, it should work, but you can easily hard-brick your phone if you take one wrong turn and then goodbye to a phone with a premium price tag and no open MSM tool available... .

yo-less said:
It took me weeks going back and forth, going back to stock and retrying again before I had any luck at all with my Mi 8 Pro.
Theoretically, it should work, but you can easily hard-brick your phone if you take one wrong turn and then goodbye to a phone with a premium price tag and no open MSM tool available... .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah was not happy said screw it and went back to google at least ive got lineage os now lol but still what a waste of 1k

Twiggy000b said:
Yeah was not happy said screw it and went back to google at least ive got lineage os now lol but still what a waste of 1k
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try sending it in?

I'll make a guide just like I did with the Xiaomi 11t pro. Post it within a week
Already did it when I got the device but I use the fingerprint alot so not for me.
Only tricky is reflashing system when you want to go for stock again.

nah i reached out and oneplus never got back to me.

sorry to hear that :/

Twiggy000b said:
Well... I tried GSI and some steps and sure enough I broke my phone (hard brick) so now I'm on Google 6 pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What phone was you on mate??

MrScarl3t said:
I'll make a guide just like I did with the Xiaomi 11t pro. Post it within a week
Already did it when I got the device but I use the fingerprint alot so not for me.
Only tricky is reflashing system when you want to go for stock again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be great, I'll be your test subject, I can live without fingerprint and face unlock.
Think the camera might be a bit meh but maybe I can live with that.
Another odd thing is I got treble check and it said I cannot use treble ROMs?
No idea if that's true but that's what the app said.

dladz said:
That would be great, I'll be your test subject, I can live without fingerprint and face unlock.
Think the camera might be a bit meh but maybe I can live with that.
Another odd thing is I got treble check and it said I cannot use treble ROMs?
No idea if that's true but that's what the app said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah camera is gcam but the main sensor is fine with it.
Every OnePlus 10 pro works with gsi, and general boot images as well. I will start tomorrow making the guide.
Will test if you can use rollback zip to get back to stock

Here you go https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/how-to-flash-a-gsi-on-oneplus-10-pro-t.4479429/

MrScarl3t said:
Here you go https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/how-to-flash-a-gsi-on-oneplus-10-pro-t.4479429/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Legend