Please help, need to better understand all steps in Installing new ROM from new MI5sP

[gregersdk]

I just bought a Xiaomi Mi 5s Plus in China after having to return my Note7, not wanting to die...

So far, it's been a big disappointment. I heard it would be easy to get non-Chinese settings (Play apps, English everything etc.) on Xiaomi, but so far it hasn't been the case.

I think I need to fully understand what I need to do exactly to be able to flash a EU ROM on this device, before I give up entirely on it. I haven't had Android in a few years and this has proven more difficult than flashing a HK ROM on my Note7.

So, What I gathered:

* I need to unlock the bootloader. Does that really take up to 12 days!? I have gotten a MIUI account and tried to apply for Unlock. Get no further than the Verification message being sent, reveives nothing. Will try again later. What to do if I don't get it? Do I really need to download PC software to do this? Seems strange and somewhat unsafe.

* After I get permission, I need to Flash TWRP. I have installed Fastboot, so guess that should work with the version described here?

* Then I use TWRP in some way to install the EU ROM I downloaded. There seems to be some confusion on the method. Do I do from the phone or through my PC?

Please help. I'm stuck with a phone that's hardly usable, although it seems like a great device...

 

[corrsea]

You should get a reply pretty quickly about unlocking the bootloader.
There are already threads on TWRP and an Eu ROM in the a android development sections. If you are not in a hurry you could wait for the official global rom to be released.
What exactly are your problems with running the China rom and Playstore etc?

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk

 

[simonbigwave]

i am confused with the question also. does that mean 5s Plus China rom cannot run Google play app like other devices? (usually I buy a device any country Google play works fine)?

 

[patoberli]

On the Chinese ROM no google apps are pre-installed. No google Play, nothing. You then have to manually download a special gapps version (you find that in the xiaomi.com forum) and install it yourself.
But as a Mi 5s Plus owner you're in luck, there is a global rom for your phone, which includes google apps:
http://en.miui.com/download-315.html

 

[mmicoo]

How long do you need to wait that you can unlock bootloader. I am waiting more than 10 days and divice is still not supported

 

[patoberli]

In that case please ask in the unlock thread about the status, or simply submit the request again.