How to Install Android 9.0 Pie ROM on Xiaomi Mi8!

This is a tutorial on how to install Android 9.0 Pie ROM such as the LineageOS 16 ROM, Pixel 3 ROM, or Pixel Experience ROM on your Xiaomi Mi8.  There are several guides floating on the internet but none of them work 100% of the time so I had to figure out exactly how to install Android 9.0 Pie ROMs on my Mi8 and here’s the process I came up with that works everytime so you don’t have to spend 2 days like I did trying to install a ROM and end up in a bootloop.   The Xiaomi Mi8 is slightly complicated beast compared to other Android phones and even as an Android expert, it took me a quite awhile to figure this out so follow the tutorial if you want to save yourself some headache and most importantly spend more time with your family.  Doing it right will only take you 10-20 minutes.

Also, these steps should work for GSI images/ROMs but I have not found a GSI so far that even boots.  I should figure that out shortly but if you do get any GSI booting using this method, let me know!

Step 1. Unlock the bootloader on your Xiaomi Mi8 – See How to Unlock Bootloader on Xiaomi Android!

Step 2. Install TWRP recovery but do not need to root – See How to Root Xiaomi Android! (Follow up to Step 8 ONLY to install TWRP) and also use this TWRP recovery NOT one on TWRP.me.

Step 3. Download the following:

  • Xiaomi Mi8 Global MIUI 10 v8.10.25 firmware – Link
  • Android 9.0 Pie ROM – I will be using LineageOS 16 ROM for this tutorial but you can use any. – Download LineageOS 16 ROM here.(Download the flash build) For Pixel 3 ROM, download here.
  • Android 9.0 GappsLink
  • Magisk – Link
  • Magisk Manager APK – Link
  • DM No Verify ZIP for Xiaomi Mi8 – Link (Required for installing Pixel 3 ROM!)

Download all the files to your phone directly or download them on your computer then copy over to your phone’s storage.

Step 4. Reboot into TWRP recovery by powering off your Xiaomi Mi8 then holding down Volume Up + Power buttons for about 5 seonds.

Step 4. (Optional) You can make a backup ROM of whatever you have at this point if you want to.

Step 6. Go to Wipe then “Swipe to Factory Reset”.

Step 7. Use Install menu and install the v8.10.25 firmware.

Step 8. Reboot system.  MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS otherwise camera may not work or you may end up in a bootloop.

Step 9. Once booted to MIUI 10, skip through the sign up process, DO NOT SETUP SECURITY as you will be flashing another ROM over anyways.

Step 10. Reboot back into fastboot and re-install the TWRP recovery like you did in Step 2.  MAKE SURE to use this TWRP image file!!! 

Step 11. Reboot into TWRP recovery.

Step 12. Go to Wipe then “Swipe to Factory Reset”.

Step 13. Use Install menu to install ROM, Gapps, and Magisk.  Then reboot.

Step 14. Your Android 9.0 Pie ROM should have booted in about 5 minutes.  If not, something may be wrong with the ROM.

Step 15. If you are not booting, repeat from Step 11 but also flash DM No Verify ZIP after Step 13.   I had to do this to boot the Pixel 3 ROM.

Enjoy!

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Max Lee

Max Lee is the founder of HighOnAndroid.com. Max makes Android tutorials and review videos for people who want to get high on Android over at his YouTube channel and Korean YouTube channel.