Mi Mix 4
shortcuts
volume down + power = fastboot
volume up + power = bootloader / twrp
TWRP + Recovery ROM
You need to know a few things:
- to get developer options on you need to go to settings -> my device -> all specs -> click on miui version repeatedly. Developer options are in settings -> additional settings -> developer options
- it's a recovery image (not a fastboot image - fastboot images need to be flashed using the fastboot command on a PC every time there's an update, recovery images can be flashed using TWRP)
- It has an encrypted A/B partition scheme. Not all versions of TWRP can decrypt and mount these partitions
- you need drivers and the sdk installed on the PC and the bootloader on the phone unlocked.
Xiaomi.eu
To install stable I had to reboot and wipe data and then re-set up the official ROM a few times before it installed. Sometimes it gives an assert error (xiaomi assert failed update_dynamic_partitions_op_list) [1]
Instructions to install everything are https://xiaomi.eu/community/threads/howto-install-recovery-image.66211/
Get twrp image from https://xiaomi.eu/community/threads/howto-install-recovery-image.66211/ (skkk) - you will need to change the language afterwards from Chinese :)
Do NOT get it from https://twrp.me/xiaomi/xiaomimimix4.html as it can't decrypt the data directory or connect the USB.
rename it (after unzipping) to twrp.img
In a command prompt cd wherever the image is on the pc and reboot the phone in fastboot mode (power off, then power on + volume down button - should be an orange fastboot text) then type:
fastboot boot twrp.img
now you can copy the eu rom and twrp.img. Then flash the image and afterwards use the advanced tab to Install Recovery Ramdisk with twrp.img. After this you need to wipe -> format data or you get stuck in a bootloop.
DONT FLASH THE TWRP! - it's an A/B device, so you have to use the "install recovery ramdisk" option
I got rid of weekly due to stability issues
- Calendar wasn't syncing
- couldn't get 2FA notifications from Google or banking apps
- autostart didn't work
- severe lag on the back gesture
- severe lag on the volume buttons
- a loading screen every time it loaded up the xiaomi launcher
- inability to use gestures in other launchers
pixelexperience
I went for this because of problems with xiaomi.eu Find it here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/rom-13-0-unofficial-pixelexperience-for-xiaomi-mix-4.4446953/
To adb sideload stuff, enter adb sideload mode in orangefox (fastboot) or twrp (bootloader) then type
adb sideload filename
from a command prompt in the directory the bootlader is there.
Unfortunately I had problems with the phone:
- randomly rebooting when travelling in a car
- firefox rebooting
- the camera app not opening (especially in 3rd party apps)
- google translate not working
Restoring official ROM
The latest ROM is a recovery ROM so you need to fastboot to twrp to install it and not use miflash tool
You can find it at miuirom.org
After installing this you should get a chinese miui recovery screen. You need the 2nd option (wipe data) and then the 2nd option and 2nd option again. Then you will be in the screen with 4 options again and you need the 1st option - reboot. Then the second option and you should actually reboot. This will take quite some time, but then you will be at the beginning of miui 13.
When downgrading you need to factory reset the phone, then start it up without setting up a pincode to create the data partition (lots of pressing skip). Then you can install this ROM. After that, update this OTA you can install another ROM.
Good links
https://www.getdroidtips.com/twrp-recovery-xiaomi-mi-mix-4-root/
Root
If all goes wrong, download stock from https://flashxiaomi.com/download-install-miui-rom-for-xiaomi-mix-4-all-miui-firmwares/
Get magisk from https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk
Rename the .apk to .zip and copy this to the phone storage, then install with TWRP using the Install button. Reboot and use rootchecker to see if you are rooted.
Open the magisk app and go to settings (top right). Enable zygisk and enforce denylist. Under configure denylist you can put things like banking apps that don't like rooted phones.
To get rid of navbar + include gestures
This is for when you want to use gestures in a different launcher than the miui standard one
Install FoxMagiskModuleManager https://github.com/Fox2Code/FoxMagiskModuleManager
in order to install Fullscreen Immersive Gestures HideNavBar https://github.com/Magisk-Modules-Alt-Repo/HideNavBar
I put spacing under the keyboard to around 1000.
you need something like T Swipe Pro Gestures to perform the actual gestures though, because Xiaomi
Option 2
Install G-VisualMod https://github.com/Magisk-Modules-Repo/G-VisualMod#g-visual-mod
which allows loads of control over the visuals
adb
ensure usb debugging is on for adb
adb shell settings put global hide_gesture_line 1
or
adb shell settings put global force_fsg_nav_bar 1
(but there's still a small bar / gesture pill at the bottom of the screen, see above to get rid of that)
adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural
(just puts a black block over the buttons)
Terminal shortcut allows you to run the command after reboot (was not necessary for me)
Phone not showing contact names when called
This could be caused by having google phone and google contacts apps installed from the Google Play store - they copied over from my old phone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=1dSrbTFh4Ns
In apps -> manage apps search for phone services (and manage calls), force stop them and then clear data.
contacts + contacts storage
If you also clear data from phone, open the phone app as it will require becoming default again and want some permissions.
Contact names not showing in WhatsApp
https://www.techbout.com/contact-names-not-appearing-in-whatsapp-27252/
refresh contacts
1. Open WhatsApp and tap on New Chat Icon located at the bottom right corner of your screen.
2. On the next screen, tap on the 3-dots Menu icon located at the top right corner of your screen.
3. From the menu that appears, tap on the Refresh option
This will Refresh your WhatsApp Contacts list and if this fix has worked, you should now be able to see WhatsApp displaying Contact Names.
Try to sync the account
I usually get a sync error though
WhatsApp official website recommends that you may have to Reset WhatsApp Sync process, in case WhatsApp continues to display Numbers instead of Contact Names, even after Refreshing the Contacts.
1. Open Settings on your Android Phone > scroll down and tap on Accounts.
2. On the Accounts Screen, tap on WhatsApp.
3. On the next screen, tap on WhatsApp.
On WhatsApp Sync screen, make sure that Contacts is toggled ON and tap on More (or 3-dots icon)
5. In the little Menu that appears, tap on the Sync Now option.
Manually Sync WhatsApp Settings On Android Phone
check phone book permissions
In order to display Contact Names, WhatsApp needs to be provided with permission to access the Address book on your Android Phone.
Follow the steps below to make sure that WhatsApp has access to the Address book on your device.
1. Open Settings > scroll down and tap on Applications. (Apps in case of Stock Android Phones)
2. On the next screen, tap on Application Manager.
Note: This step is not required on Stock Android Phones
3. On the Application Manager screen, scroll down and tap on WhatsApp.
4. On the App Info screen, tap on Permissions.
5. On WhatsApp permissions Screen, move the toggle next to Contacts to ON position
This will ensure that WhatsApp is able to get Contact Names from the Address book on your phone.
Update WhatsApp Messenger
It is possible that WhatsApp is going through a glitch and has come up with an Update to fix the problem of WhatsApp Not Showing Contact Numbers.
Follow the steps below to make sure that you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on your Android Phone or Tablet.
1. Open Google Play Store on your Android Phone or Tablet
2. Once you are on Google Play, tap on the 3-line Menu Icon located at the top left corner of your screen.
3-line Menu Icon in Google Play Store on Android Phone
3. From the drop-down menu that appears, tap on My apps & Games option.
4. On My Apps & Games screen, tap on the Updates Tab and then tap on the Update button located next to WhatsApp Messenger.
Note: WhatsApp will only be listed on this screen, if an Update is available. Related
Wallpaper engine won't start up after reboot
https://www.reddit.com/r/wallpaperengine/comments/r576jv/wallpaper_engine_on_xiaomi_devices_fix_for/
Step 1 Go to your stock xiaomi themes app, click on wallpapers tab, then click live wallpapers button on centre of screen.
Step 2 Select any live wallpaper (this is temporary) and apply it to BOTH HOME AND LOCK SCREEN. It must be both or it doesn't work.
Step 3 Open WPE and set your wallpaper. Done (In playlist select one of the items and then the check mark top right)
Step 4 - Optional
To set a standard wallpaper on lock screen and wpe on home screen, apply any other image to lock screen only. Note this cannot be a different live/animated wallpaper.
Calendar sync not working with 3rd party calendars
Uninstall Google Calendar from Play store and try again. It looks like the ROM contains a calendar.
Changing WhatsApp notifications
This is done in the xiaomi phone main settings -> notifications, not in the WhatsApp settings