Locked Firmware = The bootloader is locked and you can only reopen it by binding the device to a Mi account. This is usually needed to install custom roms or alternative firmware versions. A locked firmware has no disadvantage and all services and apps work without problems.

Unlocked Firmware = The bootloader is unlocked and custom roms or alternative firmware versions can be installed without problems. Since Xiaomi has changed the process, most China devices with Global Firmware are unlocked. The only drawback at the moment is that this firmware cannot be unlocked again and Google Pay does not work. Apps like Netflix, Pokemon or Banking Apps have no influence on this. They usually work.

While this varies by manufacturer, most major Chinese brands now recognize that long-term software support is important to customers. Large companies such as Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Realme, Redmi, Asus, Nubia, and Meizu typically provide two to three years of software updates, with security updates often extending even longer. Consequently, devices from China generally receive these updates seamlessly and without restriction via Over-The-Air (OTA) delivery, no matter where in the world you are located.

OTA means Over The Air and means that updates can be downloaded and installed easily via WLAN. You don't have to download ROM and install it in a complicated way, but always get the latest updates via the download.

On the one hand there is the stable rom. This is the official and recommended rom version by the manufacturer. The stable version comes out every 2-3 months and does not offer root privileges.

Then there is the Developer Editon (= German developer version). This is actually, as the name already says, intended for developers. It does not differ much from the stable, but you get weekly updates. This version is just as stable as the other one, but offers the possibility of root privileges (by unlocking the bootloader).

Last but not least, there are roms from Xiaomi.eu: These are unofficial Miui roms with several languages (including German) and without China apps.

While this may not apply to every manufacturer, the majority of leading Chinese brands now recognize the importance of providing long-term software support for their customers. Major companies such as Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Realme, Redmi, Asus, Nubia, and Meizu typically offer 2-3 years of operating system updates, with security patches provided for an even longer period.

These updates are delivered seamlessly via OTA (Over-The-Air), directly to the device, regardless of your location in the world. This means devices from these manufacturers receive support without restriction and with minimal effort required from the user.

Either via OTA (= Over The Air dt. directly via the device itself) or via our site. Your smartphone will alert you to the upcoming or possible installation, but you can choose the time of installation yourself.

Of course you can also find these updates in the well-known forums like Xiaomi.eu, download them and install them yourself. Xiaomi also publishes updates every Friday at the Developer Rom.

One good site for all possible Xiaomi devices and their Firmware is xiaomifirmwareupdater.com

Basic differences are as follows: 

• Xiaomi.EU (Fastboot) = Forum Custom Firmware, no OTA Updates (manual), Saftynet Passed, Widevine Level 1 usually, Multilanguage
  
  
• Xiaomi.EU (TWRP) = Forum Custom Firmware, OTA Updates, Saftynet Passed, Widevine Level 1, Multilanguage
  
  
• Xiaomi Global Firmware = official Xiaomi Global Firmware, OTA Updates, Saftynet Failed (in the new versions, therefore no Google Pay), Widevine Level 1 usually
  
  
• Xiaomi China Original = official Xiaomi China Firmware, OTA Updates, Saftynet Passed, Widevine Level 1 usually, only Chinese + English language
  

What does no OTA updates (manual) mean for Xiaomi.EU firmware?
- With the Xiaomi.Eu firmware, you download the firmware to your PC, connect your PC to the smartphone, put the smartphone in fastboot mode (volume down + hold power button until the Mitu male appears) and then you can flash the custom rom. There is the first_install file (for Windows, MacOSX, Linux) with which you install the Rom the first time or the update file (for Windows, MacOSX, Linux) with which you can update the system every time. During an update no data is lost, everything remains, only the software is updated.


What does Saftynet Failed or Passed mean?
- The Saftynet test checks whether the device is also intended for banking apps such as Google Pay. If the test fails, Google Pay will not work. Other banking apps might not work either, but that depends on the app. Kontist or ING Diba do work, but DKB refuses the service. 


What does Widevine Level 1 mean?
- Every smartphone comes with a Widevine level and this is important for encrypting streaming data. Usually, Netflix, Amazon Prime or Disney+ require Level 1, so everything works without any problems. If a device has Level 3, which can happen with China smartphones, it cannot see the content at all or with Netflix, for example, only with 480p resolution.


Does the Xiaomi.Eu Rom also get updates as long as the Global Rom?
- Yes, usually even longer, because the Xiaomi.eu is based on the official China Rom. This usually comes faster and often has features that the Global does not offer. Xiaomi.eu unpacks this, adds the multilanguage strings (languages) and a few mods and actually releases these on the same day every time Xiaomi does it for the last 10 years.


Which Rom is the right one?
- You can't give a blanket answer to that. If it is important for you to receive constant OTA updates, you should choose the Global, knowing that Google Pay will not work. If functionality is more important to you, you should go for the Xiaomi.eu Rom. The advantage is that both are usually based on the stable firmware, which usually gets updates every few months and becomes rarer and rarer over time. As with all manufacturers, there are a few FIX updates in the first few weeks, then only every few months. And don't worry, if it's May and you don't have the May security package yet, the world won't end and your smartphone will become a holey cheese where any hobby hacker can rule the world right now.


Can I flash the Xiaomi.eu Firmware by myself?
- Of course, it is pretty easy. We got a nice tutorial for that. Click Here

As a rule, Android Auto does not work on most China ROM smartphones. There are a few exceptions, such as Oneplus devices or Xiaomi with Xiaomi.eu firmware.

Is it possible to install it later? NO, unfortunately not.

NO, unfortunately Samsung Galaxy Watch Wear OS mostly does not work on the China smartphones. There are exceptions like the Oneplus series or Xiaomi devices with Xiaomi.eu, but on most other smartphones from Oppo, Vivo, Meizu & Co. the watch will not connect to the smartphone. Even on a China Samsung smartphone, it won't work.

Normal Wear OS watches from other brands have no problem. They only need the Wear OS China app from APKMIRROR.com and then it should work.

If you do not have 4G reception with band 20, your smartphone will try to connect to other available LTE bands. In Europe, Band 3 (1800 MHz) and Band 7 (2600 MHz) are also commonly used. If no LTE bands are available, your smartphone will fall back to 3G or 2G.