In the custom ROM ecosystem, if there is one ROM that is respected by all — it is the LineageOS. It breathes new life into otherwise monotonous and gloomy Xiaomi and Redmi devices.
Lineage OS, the successor to widely known CyanogenMod, offers a complete stock Android look with hundreds of customization options.
If you are infuriated over the bloatware, intrusive ads and the crowded interface of the MIUI Android-skin, then here is how you can install LineageOS in your Xiaomi device —
Installing LineageOS on Xiaomi and Redmi
Installing LineageOS is no different from installing acustom ROMon an Android device; it involves three major steps — unlocking the bootloader, installing a custom recovery, and finally flashing the custom ROM.
Prerequisites:
1. Unlock the Bootloader
Bookmark this page because it will take you days before you may cross this step. Unfortunately, Xiaomi makes users go through an agonizing wait before allowing them to unlock their devices. Here are the steps –
While it says 360 hours, users end up getting their phones unlocked within a week.
2. Install a custom recovery
Custom recovery enables users to install third-party firmware often unsupported by Android stock recovery. Here I have usedOrange Fox recovery, users can also use the widely knownTWRP custom recovery.
Avoid rebooting the device after installing the custom recovery, otherwise, Xiaomi might remove it.
3. Flashing the LineageOS ROM
Before moving ahead, download thelatest LineageOSfor your device. Other than installing a custom ROM, users will also need to flash theGoogle Apps(GApps) zip file. Move both the files on the device Internal Storage.
Congratulations Xiaomi users upon the successful installation of Lineage OS on your device. Although, I would highly doubt that you would have managed to get it right the first time.
Since there are too many unknown variables, it is normal to be stuck at certain steps. However, there is nothing you’re able to do to your device that cannot be reversed. Even if you have bricked the device (worst of all), you will have multiple guides all over the Internet at your disposal.
