Xiaomi rolls out the exclusive series of Android phones which are photography-centric. These series are also meant to be secure and be always up to date.
The Mi A-series boasts Google’s near-to-stock Android OS through the company’s Android One program. These series represent an escape from the MIUI experience. Surely, these phone series become the answer for those who love Xiaomi for its hardware-per-price ratio but do not agree with MIUI, Xiaomi’s own skinned Android OS.
Xiaomi Mi A3 is another successor of the Mi A series. It is another iteration of Mi A1 and Mi A2.
Despite some mixed reviews here and there, the Mi A3 is still the most favorable Android One phone coming at the mid-range segment. The Mi A3 sits with the Galaxy M20 and Nokia 7.1 at the same level.
We like the Mi A3 for the company’s decision to dropping the Full HD+ IPS LCD display from the Mi A2 for an HD+ AMOLED screen. This could be controversial news for others but those who prefer AMOLED over IPS, this is great news obviously.
Specs-wise, the Mi A3 boasts Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 SoC that comes with 4x 2.0GHz Kyro 260 Gold CPUs and 3x 1.8GHz CPUs.
Now let’s cut the chit chat and let’s get into the tutorial.
Since you came to this page, we expect a Mi A3 device in your hand and you are finding a way to get TWRP recovery installed. Without further ado, let’s jump in.
Wait, wait, wait, wait…! Before we begin, it is our duty to remind you of one thing.
It is advise-able to create a backup of all important files and data locally. We hold no responsibility for any damage that may happen to your device.
Flashing Requirements
You’ll need:
- A Xiaomi Mi A3 device (obviously!).
- Make sure its battery is at least 50%.
- A USB data cable. Use the one shipped with the device.
- A Windows-based computer. We prefer to use Windows 10 or 8.1 64-bit operating system.
- Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Drivers.
- Download TWRP Recovery for Mi A3. Grab the installer pack (zip).
- Download Force Encryption Disabler (zip). Grab the latest version with build number 08.18.2019.
- Magisk Root package (zip). Download the latest version available.
- A cup of coffee (optional).
HOW TO FLASH TWRP ON MI A3
We dedicate the first three steps of this guide to installing the necessary drivers properly. Hence, you may skip them and jump directly to Step 4.
Step 1. Disable Windows Drivers Signature Enforcement on your computer. This step is not mandatory but is recommended to ensure the drivers being installed properly. We have the detailed tutorial here.
Step 2. Extract Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Driver zip file (miui-ADB-Driver-Installer-v1.4.3.zip) and install it on your computer. This step is necessary to install ADB Fastboot system-wide. Make sure you install it on C:\adb\.
Step 3. Unlock the bootloader of your phone. Read the full guide on how to unlock the bootloader of Android One here. Please be aware that the process requires you to reset your phone. All your data will be lost. Unlocked already? Jump to the next step.
Step 4. Download and extract the TWRP Installer Pack: Unofficial-TWRP-v3.3.1-15-INSTALLER-PACK.zip. You’ll get a new folder named “platform-tools“.
Step 5. Enable USB Debugging option on your phone. Basically, you enabled this if you followed our tutorial. However, it is better to double-check it.
Go to:
Settings >> System >> Developer Options >> enable the "USB Debugging" option.
Couldn’t find the Developer Options? Go to:
Settings >> System >> About phone >> Tap the Build Number several times >> congratulation you are a developer.
Step 6. Connect your Mi A3 phone to the computer using its USB cable.
Step 7. Open Command Prompt Window right in the Platform Tools folder. There are two methods of doing this. First, you can hold down the Shift key on the keyboard and right-click anywhere inside the “platform-tools” folder. Choose “Open Command Prompt Window Here” or “Open PowerShell Window Here”. Second, open the Platform Tools folder then type “cmd” in the address bar followed by hitting the Enter key.
Step 8. Now type following command and hit Enter after each line:
adb devices
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot devices
The adb devices command asks ADB to list all Android devices connected in the bootloader mode. The “adb reboot bootloader” command asks ADB to reboot the connected phone into bootloader mode in which most MIUI users know it as Fastboot mode.
The familiar Fastboot logo shall appear:
The “fastboot devices” command asks the computer to establish the Fastboot connection and to list all devices attached.
Step 9. Issue command below to boot your phone into TWRP:
fastboot boot twrp-3.3.1-15-laurel_sprout-mauronofrio.img
You can copy-paste the command if you want.
Step 10. Do the “Swipe to allow system modification” since this is the first time booting to TWRP.
Step 11. Choose “Advanced” from the TWRP main menu.
Step 12. Choose “ADB Sideload” then do the “Swipe to Start Sideload“.
Step 13. Get back to the computer and type the following command:
adb sideload twrp-3.3.1-15-laurel_sprout-mauronofrio-installer.zip
Congratulation! The TWRP will be sideloaded (installed) on your Mi A3 phone.
FIXING THE TWRP DECRYPTION ISSUE ON XIAOMI MI A3
Step 1. Boot into TWRP recovery (if you haven’t done it yet). Turn off the phone completely. Press both Power button and Volume Up button simultaneously. Skip this if your phone is already in the TWRP recovery mode.
Step 2. Choose “Wipe” from the main menu.
Step 3. Choose “Format Data” then type “Yes” to confirm.
Step 4. Go back to the main menu of TWRP once the process of formatting the /data partition completed.
Step 5. Choose “Mount” then tap the “Enable MTP” option.
Step 6. Connect your phone to the computer. Skip this if your phone is still connected.
Step 7. Copy the downloaded “Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt_08.18.2019.zip” file to the phone storage. Doing so is easy. Simply copy-and-paste it in the Windows Explorer, like you usually do with a USB flash drive.
Step 8. Now choose “Install” from the main menu of TWRP.
Step 9. Locate the copied “Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt_08.18.2019.zip” file and tap on it to select it.
Step 10. Finally, do the “Swipe to confirm flash” action.
Step 11. Now you are safe to boot into normal system again. Simply choose “Reboot” then choose “System“.
HOW TO ROOT XIAOMI MI A3 ON ANDROID ONE
Follow these steps:
Step 1. Open up your favorite web browser in your phone (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, UC Browser, etc).
Step 2. Download the latest Magisk zip file from this link. Usually, the downloaded zip file will be stored in the Downloads folder.
Type this URL on the web browser:
https://tny.xyz/magisk
or scan this QR Code with your phone.
Alternatively, you can also download it in your computer then transfer the ZIP file to your phone since it is still currently connected.
Step 3. Turn off the phone completely. Press both Power button and Volume Up button simultaneously to reboot into TWRP recovery again.
Step 4. Choose “Install” from the menu.
Step 5. Find the Magisk zip file (e.g: Magisk-v19.3.zip). Normally, the downloaded Magisk zip file resides in the Downloads folder.
Step 6. Tap on the filename to select it.
Step 7. Now do the “Swipe to confirm flash” action.
Step 8. Sit tight and wait for the TWRP to flash Magisk.
Step 9. Finally, choose “Reboot” then choose “System“.
Step 10. Enjoy! You’ll notice a new app called Magisk Manager.
Optionally, you can download and install Root Checker app to confirm the root status.
POSSIBLE ISSUES:
Cannot boot into the system (bootloop) after flashing TWRP:
Try flashing DM-Verity and Force Encrypt zip file again.
Cannot boot into the system (bootloop) after flashing Magisk:
Try flashing Magisk and DM-Verity and Force Encrypt zip file again.
The phone is rooted but no Magisk app installed:
Download Magisk Manager APK file here and install it.
