The Xiaomi Mi 8 SE (codename sirius), launched in 2018, was the compact powerhouse of the Mi 8 series. It made a global impact as the world’s first smartphone to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 chipset, setting a new benchmark for upper mid-range performance. Designed for those who wanted flagship-level speed in a one-hand-friendly size, the Mi 8 SE packed its impressive power into a distinctive, angular body with a stunning 5.88-inch Super AMOLED display. As this “pocket rocket” was exclusive to the Chinese market, this page provides the official China Fastboot ROM, the essential Xiaomi.eu ROM for international users, and the TWRP custom recovery needed to install it.
Important: You must verify your device is a Mi 8 SE (sirius). Its firmware is not compatible with the flagship Mi 8 (dipper) or the stylish Mi 8 Lite (platina). Flashing the wrong ROM will hard brick your phone.
Quick Device Specs
- Device: Xiaomi Mi 8 SE (sirius)
- Release year: 2018
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 710
- Display: 5.88″ Super AMOLED, HDR10
- Battery: 3120 mAh, 18W fast charging
- Original MIUI: Android 8.1 (Oreo), MIUI 10
Required Downloads
| File / Tool | Download Link |
|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Flash Tool | Download Latest Version |
| Xiaomi USB Drivers | Included with Mi Flash Tool |
| Bootloader Unlock Tool | Official Mi Unlock Page |
Official & Custom ROMs / Recovery
| Region | Build | Android | Type | Download | Codename |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | V12.5.1.0.QEBCNXM | 10.0 | Official Fastboot ROM | Download | sirius |
| Xiaomi.eu (Custom) | V12.5.1.0.QEBCNXM (Based) | 10.0 | Custom Recovery ROM | Download | sirius |
| TWRP (Custom Recovery) | 3.3.1 | — | Custom Recovery | Download | sirius |
How to Flash Official ROM (Mi Flash Tool)
Use this method to restore your phone to the official China MIUI firmware.
- Boot into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down).
- Extract the official China firmware (.tgz file) and select the main folder containing the
/imagesdirectory in Mi Flash Tool. - Select clean all for a safe installation (you can use clean all and lock to return to a fully stock, locked state).
How to Install TWRP & Flash Xiaomi.eu ROM
Use this method to get a multilingual experience with Google Apps.
What is TWRP? TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a powerful custom recovery that replaces your phone’s basic stock recovery. It is the essential tool needed to install, or “flash,” custom software like the Xiaomi.eu ROM (.zip file). It also allows you to make full system backups, root your device, and perform other advanced tasks.
Disclaimer: This is an advanced process. Proceed at your own risk.
- Unlock the Bootloader: This is the first and most important step. Use the official Mi Unlock Tool.
- Flash TWRP:
- The TWRP download is a
.7zarchive. Extract it to get the recovery.imgfile and flashing scripts. - Boot your phone into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down) and connect it to your PC.
- Run the included
fastboot-flash-recovery.batscript to automatically install TWRP.
- The TWRP download is a
- Boot into TWRP: After flashing, immediately boot into recovery by holding Power + Volume Up.
- Install Xiaomi.eu ROM:
- In TWRP, it’s recommended to first go to “Wipe” and select “Format Data” to remove encryption.
- Transfer the Xiaomi.eu .zip ROM file to your phone.
- In TWRP, tap “Install,” locate the xiaomi.eu…zip file, and swipe to confirm the flash.
- Reboot your system once the installation is complete.
FAQs
Q1. Is there an official Global ROM for the Mi 8 SE?
No. The Mi 8 SE was sold exclusively in Mainland China and never received an official Global ROM version. To get a multilingual experience with Google Play Services, users must unlock the bootloader and install a custom ROM like Xiaomi.eu.
Q2. What was the main selling point of the Mi 8 SE?
Its primary appeal was being the first phone to use the powerful Snapdragon 710 chipset, offering near-flagship performance in a compact, one-hand-friendly size. It was a true “pocket rocket” for its time.
Q3. Can I flash a standard Mi 8 (dipper) ROM on my Mi 8 SE?
No, absolutely not. The standard Mi 8 uses a flagship Snapdragon 845 processor and has a different screen and body. The Mi 8 SE (sirius) has its own specific firmware, and cross-flashing will brick your device.
Q4. What was the final official update for the Mi 8 SE?
The device launched with Android 8.1 Oreo and received its final major OS upgrade to Android 10. The MIUI 12.5 builds provided on this page are the last official software updates for this model.
Troubleshooting
- Drivers: If your PC does not recognize the phone in fastboot mode, reinstall the Xiaomi USB drivers and run Mi Flash Tool as Administrator.
- Fastboot errors:
- “error: not catch checkpoint” → This common error means you have selected the wrong folder. In Mi Flash Tool, be sure to select the parent folder that was created when you extracted the .tgz file, not the images folder inside it.
- “Anti rollback error” → You are attempting to flash an older firmware version than what is currently on the device. Xiaomi’s Anti-Rollback Protection (ARB) prevents this.
- TWRP Issues:
- TWRP asks for a password → This means your phone’s storage is encrypted. The standard fix is to go to the “Wipe” menu in TWRP and choose “Format Data”. This will erase everything on your internal storage.
- Stuck on boot after flashing → If the phone doesn’t boot up after flashing a custom ROM, reboot to TWRP, perform a full wipe (Cache, Dalvik, System, Data), and then re-flash the ROM .zip file.
