Xiaomi Mi3 receives Android 5.0.2 Lollipop via CyanogenMod 12 ROM

Owners of Xiaomi Mi3 are in for some great news, as the industrious CyanogenMod team has unleashed the latest custom ROM for the flagship smartphone via Android 5.0 Lollipop based CyanogenMod 12 ROM.

With Xiaomi refusing to publish the source code for their kernels, it becomes impossible to create a custom kernel for third-party Android developers.

However, a group of developers from CancroCM Team comprising XDA senior members kD, audahadi, kairi_zeroblade, XDA Forum member david_korbu and XDA Recognised Contributor jack_eagle have successfully created a functional and highly stable build of CyanogenMod 12 for the smartphone.

Despite the effort of the CancroCM Team, the ROM is not free from a handful of minor bugs with Bluetooth connectivity, NFC, camcorder and USB-OTG.

Except for these bugs, the rest of the features are reportedly working fine with the new CyanogenMod 12 ROM for Xiaomi Mi3.

Interested users can go ahead and install this ROM manually on the Mi3 via CWM recovery, using the step-by-step guide provided below.

IBTimes UK reminds readers that it will not be held liable for any damage to device during or after the ROM installation. Users are advised to proceed at their own risk.

Pre-requisites

• Verify that the correct USB drivers are installed on your Xiaomi Mi3 (download latest drivers here)
• Back up important data and settings on your phone via custom recovery (CWM or TWRP)
• Enable USB debugging mode on your Xiaomi Mi3 by navigating to Settings > Developer Options
• Ensure your phone's battery has at least 80% charge, before you proceed with the ROM installation
• Verify that your Mi3 is factory unlocked, bootloader unlocked and rooted
• The firmware and the instructions provided in this guide are meant for the Xiaomi Mi3 only. Do not attempt installing this firmware on any other variant as it may inadvertently brick the device. Verify the device model number by going to Settings > About Phone

Downloads Required

CyanogenMod 12 Android 5.0.2 ROM

Google Apps

Steps to Install Unofficial CyanogenMod 12 Android 5.0.2 ROM on Xiaomi Mi3

Step 1 - Download CyanogenMod 12 Android 5.0 custom ROM for Mi3 on the computer

Step 2 - Connect and mount the phone's USB mass storage on computer with USB cable

Step 3 - Now, copy the downloaded CM12 ROM zip file to the root folder on the phone's SD card

Step 4 - Power off the phone and disconnect its USB cable from computer

Step 5 - Now boot the device into Recovery Mode by pressing and holding Volume Up and Power buttons together

Step 6 - Once the phone enters into CWM Recovery, perform a full data wipe task by clicking Wipe Data/Factory Reset. Use the Volume keys to navigate between options and Power button to select an option in the Recovery Mode

Step 7 - Then, perform Wipe Cache Partition and format system. Wait until the process completes

Step 8 - Now perform Wipe Dalvik Cache as well. To do this, go to 'advanced' option and then click Wipe Dalvik Cache. This will help in preventing boot loop issues or any boot ROM related errors during firmware installation

Step 9 - Then return to the main recovery menu and choose Install Zip from SD card

Step 10 - Now click Choose Zip from SD card. Use volume keys to navigate to the CM12 ROM zip file that you copied earlier to your phone's SD card and choose it by tapping the Power button. Confirm the ROM installation on next screen and the installation process will begin

Note: Repeat Step 9 and Step 10 to install Google Apps (Gapps) as well

Step 11 - Once the ROM and Gapps installation completes, go to "+++++Go Back+++++" and select Reboot System Now in the Recovery menu

The phone will now reboot and the first boot may take about five minutes to complete. So, please be patient.

Your Xiaomi Mi3 is now running the latest Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update via CM12 custom ROM. Go to Settings > About phone to verify the firmware version installed.

[Source: XDA]