The Xiaomi Mi MIX (codename lithium), launched in 2016, was a groundbreaking “concept phone” brought to life, and the device that single-handedly kickstarted the modern bezel-less smartphone trend. Its revolutionary design achieved a stunning 91.3% screen-to-body ratio by removing the top bezel entirely. This was made possible by innovative technologies like a piezoelectric ceramic earpiece that used the frame to produce sound. Encased in a beautiful and premium full ceramic body and powered by the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, the original Mi MIX is a true collector’s item and a piece of smartphone history. This page provides the final official fastboot ROMs, the popular Xiaomi.eu custom ROM, and the official TWRP recovery for this iconic device.
Important: You must verify your device is the original Mi MIX (lithium). This firmware is not compatible with the later, more common Mi MIX 2 (chiron) or Mi MIX 2S (polaris). Flashing the wrong ROM will hard brick your phone.
Quick Device Specs
- Device: Xiaomi Mi MIX (lithium)
- Release year: 2016
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
- Display: 6.4″ IPS LCD, 91.3% screen-to-body ratio
- Battery: 4400 mAh, 18W fast charging
- Original MIUI: Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), MIUI 8
- Key Features: Full Ceramic Body, Piezoelectric Earpiece, Bezel-less Design
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 | V11.0.2.0.OAHCNXM | 8.0 | Official Fastboot ROM | Download | lithium |
| Global | V11.0.2.0.OAHMIXM | 8.0 | Official Fastboot ROM | Download | lithium |
| Xiaomi.eu (Custom) | V11.0.2.0.OAHCNXM (Based) | 8.0 | Custom Recovery ROM | Download | lithium |
| TWRP (Official) | 3.2.1-0 | — | Custom Recovery | Download | lithium |
How to Flash Official ROM (Mi Flash Tool)
This is a quick checklist for this device. For a complete tutorial on installing drivers, unlocking the bootloader, and troubleshooting, please read our master guide:
Read Our Ultimate Guide to Mi Flash Tool
Use this method to unbrick your phone or restore official MIUI firmware.
- Boot into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down).
- Extract the official 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 Custom ROMs
Use this method to install the Xiaomi.eu custom ROM or other community-developed ROMs.
What is TWRP? TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a powerful custom recovery that replaces your phone’s limited stock recovery. It is the essential tool that allows you to install custom software (.zip files), create full backups of your system (a “Nandroid”), and perform other advanced maintenance. The official ROMs on this page do not require TWRP.
Disclaimer: This is an advanced process. Proceed at your own risk.
- Unlock the Bootloader: This is a mandatory first step. Use the official Mi Unlock Tool.
- Flash TWRP:
- Boot your phone into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down) and connect it to your PC.
- Using ADB & Fastboot tools, flash the downloaded twrp-3.2.1-0-lithium.img file with the command:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.2.1-0-lithium.img
- Boot into TWRP: After flashing, immediately boot into recovery by holding Power + Volume Up.
- Install Custom ROM:
- In TWRP, it’s recommended to first perform a Factory Reset via the “Wipe” menu.
- Transfer the Xiaomi.eu .zip ROM file to your phone’s storage.
- In TWRP, tap “Install,” select the .zip file, and swipe to confirm the flash.
Device-Specific Troubleshooting for Mi MIX (lithium)
The original Mi MIX is a unique device with specific characteristics. Please review these points.
- Hard Brick Recovery (EDL Mode): If your Mi MIX becomes completely unresponsive (hard bricked), the only way to recover it is via EDL Mode (Qualcomm 9008). This requires opening the fragile ceramic back cover and shorting two specific test points on the motherboard while connecting to a PC, which forces Mi Flash Tool to detect it.
- Piezoelectric Earpiece Sound: The Mi MIX uses a piezoelectric speaker that vibrates the phone’s frame to create sound for calls. The audio can sound different, more diffuse, or “thinner” than a traditional earpiece. It is also less private, as people nearby might hear your call. This is a normal characteristic of the hardware, not a software fault.
- Handling with Care: The full ceramic body is stunning but also brittle and slippery. It is highly susceptible to cracking or shattering from drops, especially on the corners. Using a high-quality protective case is strongly recommended.
- Bottom-Mounted Selfie Camera: To take a conventional selfie, you must rotate the phone 180 degrees (upside down). The camera software is designed to automatically orient the picture correctly when you do this.
FAQs
Q1. What made the Mi MIX so revolutionary? It was the first widely available phone that aggressively pushed for a “bezel-less” design, achieving a screen-to-body ratio over 91%. It eliminated the traditional earpiece and top bezel, forcing innovations that started the all-screen trend we see in smartphones today.
Q2. What was the final official update for the Mi MIX? The Mi MIX launched with Android 6.0 Marshmallow and received its final major OS upgrade to Android 8.0 Oreo. The MIUI 11 builds provided on this page are the last official software updates for this model.
Q3. Can I flash a Mi MIX 2 (chiron) ROM on the original Mi MIX? No, absolutely not. The Mi MIX 2 was a full redesign with different dimensions, a traditional earpiece, and different internal components. Their firmwares are completely incompatible.
