Hello everyone,
I have got a mountain of questions that arised from reading the forum and a lot of different topics.
I'll have numbers on them, so if you can/want to only answer a few of them you can refer to the number.
1. I've read about this ARB quite a lot, what's the deal with that if I want to go to a custom rom?
2. I understood that it matters where to buy the device in terms of an unlocked bootloader (TradingShenzen seems like a good place to start). But if I can't get my hands on a phone with unlocked bootloader, can I unlock it myself?
3. I'd like to go with the xiaomi.eu rom, any advice on how to get there? What I mean is, should I choose a CN model or is a Global model better, does it matter? What steps to take regarding TWRP and avoiding ARB, etc.
4. What does GSI stand for? I haven't found any thread explaining what that means, and I'm quite new to xiaomi devices (would be my first one).
5. I've also seen that there are quite a few different variants of this device, do the roms for it just work on all of them or do I need to check if the model is supported? (That seems to be a bit different to other phone vendors)
That's it for now, please don't kill me if some of the things have been answered before, I haven't found an answer to the questions so far (the infos that I got so far were insufficient)
Cheers,
Zacki
1 Google introduced ARB, a safeguard to not create an older version of the system from the currently released. If you install the official older version of the system for a new one, you will wall your phone.
Does not apply to Custom ROM
2 You can unblock the bootloader yourself on the official xiaomi website. It takes about 300 hours
3 unlock the bootloader, install recovery, install xiaomi.eu. Global rom is more stable, but xiaomi.eu has more personalization options. Recently, xiaomi.eu does not cause problems on Mi Max3, but it causes problems on other models.
4 GSI https://source.android.com/setup/build/gsi
5 Mi Max3 Global 4gb RAM 64gb internal memory,
Mi Max China 6gb RAM 128gb internal memory
You can install the Global ROM on the china version if you have unlocked the boootloader, and remember about the ARB. Otherwise, you will wall your phone
The Global version is popular.
Bartos81 said:
1 Google introduced ARB, a safeguard to not create an older version of the system from the currently released. If you install the official older version of the system for a new one, you will wall your phone.
Does not apply to Custom ROM
2 You can unblock the bootloader yourself on the official xiaomi website. It takes about 300 hours
3 unlock the bootloader, install recovery, install xiaomi.eu. Global rom is more stable, but xiaomi.eu has more personalization options. Recently, xiaomi.eu does not cause problems on Mi Max3, but it causes problems on other models.
4 GSI https://source.android.com/setup/build/gsi
5 Mi Max3 Global 4gb RAM 64gb internal memory,
Mi Max China 6gb RAM 128gb internal memory
You can install the Global ROM on the china version if you have unlocked the boootloader, and remember about the ARB. Otherwise, you will wall your phone
The Global version is popular.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply.
@1. Interesting to see what Google is up to with things like this...why would they want this?
@2. Thanks, but whoa that's quite some time...and I guess I can only trigger the 300h AFTER I bought the phone, right? (Why so many hours actually...?)
@3. I've read about the changes they made to the rom and I like that. But what do you mean with being "less stable" than the global rom? In what way? I'd like to use that as my daily driver if I get it (not the weekly builds of course).
@4. Will have a look, thanks :good:
@5. I was actually looking at the 6GB/128GB version of the phone, if I can convince my wife to allow me to spend ~260€ on a phone (I'm currently a student ).
In this case, I'd already have an unlocked bootloader and if I want to install the rom from xiaomi.eu, there should be no problem, right? Also regarding ARB, this should be fine, right?
And in what ways are the CN and the Global versions different other than the rom? Are there differences for the supported bands or radios? I live in Austria, can I use the CN model here without any downside?
Edit: I'm having a look at this particular model, it would be available with CN firmware or with Global firmware. Would that still account as CN model in this case?
TradingShenzhen - Mi Max 3 - 6gb-ram-128gb-rom-snapdragon-636
Cheers
Google thinks people should use the latest system because it provides better security.
Xiaomi introduced a long wait time to unlock the bootloader, because dishonest sellers offered CN versions outside of China and India by installing the Global system on it. The CN version is only for China and India.
Xiaomi.eu provides its system every week. Contains various patches and additions. Sometimes something does not work, payments, BT paired in the car, notifications etc. In my phone, the last two versions do not work Gmail notifications. In today's version, people write that OK Google is not working.
If you unlock the bootloader, you can install xiaomi.eu. The ARB will be kept at the level of the official system you had.
The CN system contains only Chinese and English. It does not offer Google Play, it also contains full Chinese software.
Version 6/128 is only a CN model. If the seller offers with the Global system, it means that he has unlocked the bootloader and installed the Global system. You naturally lose the Xiaomi warranty.
Bartos81 said:
Google thinks people should use the latest system because it provides better security.
Xiaomi introduced a long wait time to unlock the bootloader, because dishonest sellers offered CN versions outside of China and India by installing the Global system on it. The CN version is only for China and India.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok got that, seems like people are trying everything to make a few bucks extra... Then it would have to be so (waiting).
Bartos81 said:
Xiaomi.eu provides its system every week. Contains various patches and additions. Sometimes something does not work, payments, BT paired in the car, notifications etc. In my phone, the last two versions do not work Gmail notifications. In today's version, people write that OK Google is not working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok that's not such a big issue, as I said. I'd stay on the "stable" builds, not the weekly ones.
Bartos81 said:
If you unlock the bootloader, you can install xiaomi.eu. The ARB will be kept at the level of the official system you had.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the xiaomi.eu roms don't have any of that ARB stuff, good to know. Could I technically install an older version of that custom rom without triggering the ARB or is that not possible? Just so I understand that.
And how is that with other custom roms? I've read in some threads that you have to make sure you have the correct ARB if you want to flash that particular rom, why that?
Bartos81 said:
The CN system contains only Chinese and English. It does not offer Google Play, it also contains full Chinese software.
Version 6/128 is only a CN model. If the seller offers with the Global system, it means that he has unlocked the bootloader and installed the Global system. You naturally lose the Xiaomi warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not worried about the warranty but more about the specifics of the device. Is the CN model different in any way that it may not work properly with the providers in europe? Or things like that?
And sadly that vendor does not seem to have that version in stock at the moment, so I was thinking of getting the regular CN version of the device, that's why I'm asking
As for xiaomi.eu it does not contain ARB, but there are exceptions. If the phone gets an update to android 9 - xiaomi.eu must use the full original xiaomi firmware from ARB. The next versions on the same adroid no longer have files responsible for ARB.
Current level of ARB = 4 from Oreo to Pie. What you can not do:
to install MIUI9,
to install Miui Global on a CN version phone with a locked bootloader
block in the bootloader if you have Miui Global on your CN
install Miui China on a Global phone and block the bootloader.
Custom GSI roms do not have an ARB, you can install anything.
Mi Max 3 in the CN version in addition to the system and memory does not differ from the specification from Global. Will work in Austria.
Bartos81 said:
As for xiaomi.eu it does not contain ARB, but there are exceptions. If the phone gets an update to android 9 - xiaomi.eu must use the full original xiaomi firmware from ARB. The next versions on the same adroid no longer have files responsible for ARB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I get the phone with Android 8.1 and I want to get MIUI 10 (Android 9) I need to update with the official rom and then flash the xiaomi.eu rom?
And while we are at that, if I buy the CN variant, do I have to upgrade to PIE with the CN official rom or can I also do this with the Global rom to get ARB to 4?
And what't the deal with the developer versions of the original roms? I've read something about them but would that help me in any way?
Found that website in another thread: Link
Bartos81 said:
Current level of ARB = 4 from Oreo to Pie. What you can not do:
to install MIUI9,
to install Miui Global on a CN version phone with a locked bootloader
block in the bootloader if you have Miui Global on your CN
install Miui China on a Global phone and block the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok but once the bootloader is open, why relock it anyway?^^ And I've read that on the xiaomi.eu roms you can not accidentaly relock the bootloader.
Bartos81 said:
Custom GSI roms do not have an ARB, you can install anything.
Mi Max 3 in the CN version in addition to the system and memory does not differ from the specification from Global. Will work in Austria.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Working in Austria sounds good, but what exactly do you mean with "in addition to system and memory". The system and memory are different in the two versions and the rest is the same? Is there anything I should be aware of while using the phone?
Oh and by the way, thank you for answering all my questions
So if I get the phone with Android 8.1 and I want to get MIUI 10 (Android 9) I need to update with the official rom and then flash the xiaomi.eu rom?
And while we are at that, if I buy the CN variant, do I have to upgrade to PIE with the CN official rom or can I also do this with the Global rom to get ARB to 4?
And what't the deal with the developer versions of the original roms? I've read something about them but would that help me in any way?
Found that website in another thread: Link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not like that. You do not need to update the system. Xiaomi.eu is built with miui china developer extended to additional language translations, optimizations of softu for Europeans and a few additions that occur only in the Chinese version of the miui.
The whole system, firmware and kernel is miui china. If you install xiaomi.eu then you install the entire system, with the firmware and kernel. They are suitable for the android version.
You can have miui global Oreo and install xiaomi.eu Pie. Everything will be updated.
Miui Global is available in Stable and Dev versions. Dev-Beta is a development version released every week, contains the latest security, system fixes and errors detected in the Stable version, as well as new additions that are tested and do not always have to work correctly (like the development version of xiaomi.eu). As developers will correct detected errors, the stable version is created.
I just installed myself Global dev. I like it more than xiaomi.eu. Everything works so far. I usually use Global dev, and xiaomi.eu tests once in a while.
Ok but once the bootloader is open, why relock it anyway?^^ And I've read that on the xiaomi.eu roms you can not accidentaly relock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some block the bootloader from ignorance or inadvertently.
When installing a new ROM by MiFlash, you have the following options:
install and block the bootloader (by default selected)
clean everything and install
save data and install
Working in Austria sounds good, but what exactly do you mean with "in addition to system and memory". The system and memory are different in the two versions and the rest is the same? Is there anything I should be aware of while using the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the parameters of the telephone accessories and the frequency ranges of the network are the same. The difference is 6gb RAM, 128gb Internal memory and MIUI china.
Bartos81 said:
it's not like that. You do not need to update the system. Xiaomi.eu is built with miui china developer extended to additional language translations, optimizations of softu for Europeans and a few additions that occur only in the Chinese version of the miui.
The whole system, firmware and kernel is miui china. If you install xiaomi.eu then you install the entire system, with the firmware and kernel. They are suitable for the android version.
You can have miui global Oreo and install xiaomi.eu Pie. Everything will be updated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok sounds good, so if I want to go for the xiaomi.eu rom, I can just go ahead an flash that thing and I'm good, that's what I understood. Is that correct?
Bartos81 said:
Miui Global is available in Stable and Dev versions. Dev-Beta is a development version released every week, contains the latest security, system fixes and errors detected in the Stable version, as well as new additions that are tested and do not always have to work correctly (like the development version of xiaomi.eu). As developers will correct detected errors, the stable version is created.
I just installed myself Global dev. I like it more than xiaomi.eu. Everything works so far. I usually use Global dev, and xiaomi.eu tests once in a while..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, because I've read somewhere that the normal and the dev version are more or less the same, just that you have to use the dev version in certain situations to "unbrick" because of something with the bootloader (but I don't actually remember the details).
Bartos81 said:
Some block the bootloader from ignorance or inadvertently.
When installing a new ROM by MiFlash, you have the following options:
install and block the bootloader (by default selected)
clean everything and install
save data and install
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've also read about that tool, is it required to flash roms or can I do that via TWRP? And why would such an option be selected by default...? I've already seen someone brick his device because of that
Bartos81 said:
the parameters of the telephone accessories and the frequency ranges of the network are the same. The difference is 6gb RAM, 128gb Internal memory and MIUI china.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok got that, and the MIUI china doesn't really matter once I'm on the xiaomi.eu rom.
Good, I think I might actually see that I can get the cash together and order the phone Getting excited now.
Any resources I should read before I might do something stupid?
If you have an unlocked bootloader then you install twrp and flash xiaomi.eu
Interesting, because I've read somewhere that the normal and the dev version are more or less the same, just that you have to use the dev version in certain situations to "unbrick" because of something with the bootloader (but I don't actually remember the details).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using dev to unlock the bootloader affected old phones. Currently, it does not matter. Rom useful as well as Stable.
I've also read about that tool, is it required to flash roms or can I do that via TWRP? And why would such an option be selected by default...? I've already seen someone brick his device because of that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Miflash is used to install only official miui Rom, you use the rom .Tgz package
It installs through Miflash with the cleaning option. It does not leave garbage in the old system.
Ok got that, and the MIUI china doesn't really matter once I'm on the xiaomi.eu rom.
Good, I think I might actually see that I can get the cash together and order the phone Getting excited now.
Any resources I should read before I might do something stupid?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have xiaomi.eu then china rom does not matter.
You can look for a seller who offers a phone with downloaded xiaomi.eu or miui global - to choose from
in the past, the sellers offered the china version.
Bartos81 said:
If you have an unlocked bootloader then you install twrp and flash xiaomi.eu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So last question for now (I hope ), if I decide to get the EU version instead, can I still unlock the bootloader or is that only possible on the CN versions?
you can in any xiaomi
Bartos81 said:
You can unblock the bootloader yourself on the official xiaomi website. It takes about 300 hours
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've just read in another thread that it is 720 hours that's full 30 days... I hope it's more the 300 hours you said but I fear I might have to wait a full month for that...
Can anyone confirm this number of hours?
Cheers
Usually it is 720 hours, but I checked it every now and then, after 4 days, this time has decreased by half.
It's 100% not decreased or changed it 720 hours. Unless you had a mi account before an unlocked a phone
techdeisel said:
It's 100% not decreased or changed it 720 hours. Unless you had a mi account before an unlocked a phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is an interesting note. I created an account a few days ago, when I ordered the phone. Does this already count as "having an account before trying to unlock"?
Hey,
as one of very sad users of K20 Pro (cause of L3 widevine ofc ) I've finally found the fix for Netflix on K20 Pro thanks to older post by ingbrzy here: h..ttps://xiaomi.eu/community/threads/widevine-l1-netflix-15001-error.49716/post-496616
He posted a Netflix patched apk, which surprisingly works, even with L3. Like original creator mentioned "it works with phones which have adequate drm libraries".
This just proofs that there is a way to bring L1 to K20 Pro, unfortunately for now it's still L3 (9.9.3).
Apk is a bit old, and layout of Netflix is fc*d up, but FHD works like charm (tested on netflix's pattern video).
h..ttps://xiaomi.eu/community/attachments/img_20190904_214020-jpg.26045
(as a new user I cant post links, just remove dots before ttps)
Interesting find. There has been a post on xiaomi.eu regarding installing a module to get L1 on weekly builds. Doesn't seem to work though, and there are no updates. It definitely seems possible though.
I am on xiaimi.eu 9.9.3 & I have L1
tariq2kn said:
I am on xiaimi.eu 9.9.3 & I have L1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not Chinese k20 pro for sure... there is no L1 for CN variant currently.
spl1terCN said:
Hey,
as one of very sad users of K20 Pro (cause of L3 widevine ofc ) I've finally found the fix for Netflix on K20 Pro thanks to older post by ingbrzy here: h..ttps://xiaomi.eu/community/threads/widevine-l1-netflix-15001-error.49716/post-496616
He posted a Netflix patched apk, which surprisingly works, even with L3. Like original creator mentioned "it works with phones which have adequate drm libraries".
This just proofs that there is a way to bring L1 to K20 Pro, unfortunately for now it's still L3 (9.9.3).
Apk is a bit old, and layout of Netflix is fc*d up, but FHD works like charm (tested on netflix's pattern video).
h..ttps://xiaomi.eu/community/attachments/img_20190904_214020-jpg.26045
(as a new user I cant post links, just remove dots before ttps)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just downloaded Netflix APK version 6.26.1
Is there a fix for Amazon prime video too for fhd ?
tariq2kn said:
I am on xiaimi.eu 9.9.3 & I have L1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey dude i have a question.
I bought the phone in India but now i am in Europe is it safe to install eu rom ?
itzznithu said:
Hey dude i have a question.
I bought the phone in India but now i am in Europe is it safe to install eu rom ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can install EU rom without any issues!
Regards,
acervenky
spl1terCN said:
Not Chinese k20 pro for sure... there is no L1 for CN variant currently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do we have it for the Indian version?
Can someone confirm that K20 Pro CN variant has L1 widevine on Xiaomi EU 9.9.6 ?
Thanks and really appreciate !
Anand_theGeek said:
Do we have it for the Indian version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, Indian version does have L1, so there won't be any problem to get it in custom rom.
crystal20797 said:
Can someone confirm that K20 Pro CN variant has L1 widevine on Xiaomi EU 9.9.6 ?
Thanks and really appreciate !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My man, like I just wrote that it ain't workin' for CN variants, why do ya ask again bruh. I got info from xiaomi.eu user, that with MIUI 11 update there should be l1 fix pushed too, for k20 pro C H I N E S E variant.
Just download it from Aptoide....
With 9.9.6
I’m on China variant with global stable version 10.3.2 and Netflix V6.26.1
Don’t have Widewine l1 also
spl1terCN said:
Not Chinese k20 pro for sure... there is no L1 for CN variant currently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Raphaelin comes with L1
So stupid that the Chinese version has L3, it's not even a hardware limitation either, I really hope that xiaomi update this so that it gets L1, what the point of having a great screen when your limited to 480p quality streaming
sofir786 said:
So stupid that the Chinese version has L3, it's not even a hardware limitation either, I really hope that xiaomi update this so that it gets L1, what the point of having a great screen when your limited to 480p quality streaming
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well u can stop hopin' right away m8. Xiaomi is not goin' to do anything in that matter, because google is banned in China.
The only way we can get L1 is when independent devs on custom rom will enable it, like I said there were rumors that it should be added in tomorrow's xiaomi eu update, but nothin' confirmed.
Cheers.
Well, unfortunately like I thought they did not fix shiet, moreover they removed certificate from fingerprint payments so they gave up on it.
I lost hopes for L1 so idc, will use this patched apk.
Doesn't seems to work for me, MIUI Glogal 10.3.2. + i got an error 0013 after a few seconds :/ maybe Netflix patched it ?
I am using Realme X3 (indian varient), I registered under the UI 2.0 beta programe and during all time I have never unlocked my bootloader or try to root my phone. Suddenly my widevine was downgraded from L1 to L3 so I thaught it might me just a software problem and then my downgraded my software from UI 2.0 beta to my UI 1.0 stable version from their official website( without rooting or unlocking bootloader or installing twrp) but still my Widevine is L3, then within few days realme released stable version of UI 2.0 and even after the update the widevine is L3. While I was researching a fix for this, I found that Oppo provides an apk for such issue. Is there an app that might fix my issue on my device. Can any one tell me how to get my widevine L1 back?
I too have the same problem with my Realme X3 superzoom
Same here, i have updated mobile through official OTA
any response? From realme
I am still trying to get a fix, you all can try the app from this solution that I found on YouTube.
I just got my Poco F3 6/128 a few days ago and I was thinking about rooting it, but will I lose the ability to use banking apps, NFC payments, Widevine L1, OTA updates, etc? Running latest MIUI Global 12.5.6.0 Stable.
wall_ said:
I just got my Poco F3 6/128 a few days ago and I was thinking about rooting it, but will I lose the ability to use banking apps, NFC payments, Widevine L1, OTA updates, etc? Running latest MIUI 12.5.6.0 Global Stable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use banking apps on my Poco F3 but I can tell you right now safety net is passing on EU rom which is basically like stock Chinese rom but with extras. I can also tell you topjohnwu that guy that makes magisk is now working for Google and his latest version is without magisk hide because it's a conflict of interest. So it's not going to stay but at anytime you can wipe your phone, flash stock and even relock bootloader if you want to. So whatever you decide it's not permanent. I personally always want root access so I don't care about safety net I'm still going to root. Also this phone is extremely difficult to flash roms on. I've only done 2 roms but I had to wipe phone and flash stock because the update zip screwed up the phone.
Flashing a stock ROM and locking the bootloader restores everything even if I lose Widevine L1?
wall_ said:
I just got my Poco F3 6/128 a few days ago and I was thinking about rooting it, but will I lose the ability to use banking apps, NFC payments, Widevine L1, OTA updates, etc? Running latest MIUI Global 12.5.6.0 Stable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to root you should be a risk-taker because there is a 90% chance of losing something in your phone.
I have stock EEA ROM rooted and all my banking apps, GPay, Netflix work fine. The latest update didn't want to update with the smaller delta update. But MIUI offered to download a bigger package (full rom), which installed fine. Had to re-root after the update, but this is normal.
Running on latest xiaomi.eu ROM AND rooted, Widevine L1, NFC and banking app is working (Israel)
deathhated said:
Running on latest xiaomi.eu ROM AND rooted, Widevine L1, NFC and banking app is working (Israel)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Running on latest Xiaomi.EU Stable ROM and rooted with Magisk, can use banking apps and passes SafetyNet.
Automated firmware updates may not be working.