Xiaomi phones fabricated for the Chinese market are typically cheaper than Global models, and they often go along sale sooner. That means users outside China can often observe themselves with Chinese models.

Even if the Chinese-language interface and keyboard is not a barrier to you, virtually western users are accepted to such things every bit Google Play and Google services. These are non preinstalled on Xiaomi phones running Chinese MIUI ROMs.

If you find yourself in this situation you have three possible ways out:

  1. Return the telephone to sender and buy a Global model
  2. Unlock the bootloader and install a Global ROM
  3. Install Google services and customise the Chinese ROM to accommodate your needs

We'll deal with the latter option here. For the post-obit walkthrough we are using a Redmi Annotation eight Pro running MIUI 11. The steps volition be similar for all Xiaomi/Redmi phones.

How to install Google Play on a Xiaomi telephone

  • Launch the Mi App Store
  • Search for Google
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the list and select this selection:

Install Google Play on Xiaomi phone

  • Though the results will be in Chinese, you should be able to make out the Google Installer app from its icon:

Install Google Play on Xiaomi Phone

  • Select Install, so when it has downloaded tap Open
  • Hit the big blueish circular button to brainstorm installing the various components
  • Y'all will be prompted to allow the phone to install apps from unknown sources - select Settings, toggle on the slider, then keep with the installation
  • Let any prompts for permissions that pop up

Install Google Play on Xiaomi

  • Yous will first be prompted to install the Google Services Framework. Click Install, and then Done
  • Second is the Google Account Manager app. Click Install, then Done
  • 3rd is Google Play Services. Click Install, then Done

Install Google Play on Xiaomi

  • At this point the installation appears to hang. Hit the large blue circular button to begin installation of Google Calendar Sync. Again, tap Install, then Done

Install Google Play on Xiaomi

  • Once more hit the big blue button to begin installing Google Contacts Sync. Tap Install, and so Done
  • Hit the big blueish button one last time to install Google Play itself. Tap Install, then Open
  • Follow the familiar Google setup wizard to sign into your Google business relationship

Sign into Google

Now, at this point, you take your Google account running on your device and you lot might think everything is done and set up to go. Wrong. You'll yet exist faced with a Chinese-linguistic communication keyboard, various Chinese-linguistic communication apps, and you'll find none of your contacts or agenda data is available. We'll run through how to deal with each of these things beneath.

Install Gboard - the Google Keyboard

Google Play should exist operational on your device. Launch the app, search for Gboard and hitting Install. When it's finished, click Open up, and allow any requested permissions.

Install Google Keyboard

Y'all'll want to set this as your default keyboard. Click Enable in Settings, then toggle on Gboard (and off everything else). Click Ok to the security prompt, so click Washed.

Let Sync Permissions for Contacts and other data

Even if you lot install the official Google Contacts app, it still won't show whatsoever of your contacts. This is because you take non given MIUI permission to sync with Google.

  • From the phone'south home screen launch Settings > Apps > Manage Apps
  • Curl down to and select Google Contacts Sync

Allow Contacts Sync

  • Toggle on the slider side by side to Autostart
  • Open up Permissions
  • Allow the following permissions: Alter and delete contacts; Read your contacts; Admission accounts on device; Get-go in background
  • Go out the Permissions menu and open Battery Saver. Cull No Restrictions

Contacts Permissions

  • Next is Google Calendar Sync, which you should select from Settings > Apps > Manage Apps > Google Calendar Sync
  • Again, allow it to Autostart and turn off the Bombardment Saver, so allow the following permissions: Read Calendar Events; First in background
  • Finally, open Settings > Apps > Manage Apps > Google Account Manager
  • Toggle on Autostart and remove any Battery Saver options, then allow all permissions under the Privacy department

If there are any other apps that reject to operate correctly on your phone, or for which y'all realise you have not received any notifications for a while, it is near always a Permissions, Autostart or Battery Saver event. For each afflicted app cheque the relevant options are enabled.

Remove the Chinese dwelling screen search bar

Remove Chinese search bar

  • Open the telephone's Settings menu
  • Use the Search option to find Dwelling screen search bar, then toggle this off

Tidy up your home screen

Uninstall any Chinese apps that can be removed from the phone by tapping and property their app shortcuts, then dragging to an Uninstall option at the summit of the screen.

If there are any Chinese apps that cannot be removed but that you lot will non use, create a new folder on the dwelling house screen and hide them all away in here. You can create a new folder by clicking, holding and so dragging one app shortcut on meridian of another.

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