Xiaomi HyperOS

In 2017, Xiaomi begun developing Vela OS, a unified software platform designed to be used with its own IoT devices. It is based on NuttX and was announced in 2020. In 2019, Xiaomi pre-developed Mina OS, a microkernel security system. HyperOS was launched globally at MWC 2024 in Spain. ==Development==

Technical white paper On 7 December 2023, Xiaomi held a HyperOS experience communication meeting, explaining some details, underlying technical architecture, current and future functions and designs of HyperOS. Alleged name change before release In August 2023, during the promotional phase of the Redmi K60 Extreme Edition after its release, Xiaomi stated that this phone would be among the first to upgrade to MIUI 15, promising five years of OTA updates. However, Xiaomi ultimately did not release MIUI 15 but instead officially announced Xiaomi HyperOS. Some netizens believed that Xiaomi HyperOS was a temporary rebranding of MIUI 15 for promotional convenience. Additionally, on 4 November 2023, during a Bilibili live stream by the Chinese digital media , the host Yunfei revealed that the system version sent for media testing in September for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 was MIUI 15, not HyperOS. Xiaomi has not explained the cancellation of MIUI 15, and the promotional material regarding the five-year system OTA updates for the Redmi K60 Extreme Edition has not been retracted. On 1 December 2023, the first official version of Xiaomi HyperOS was pushed to this model. Alleged "Android shell" Similar to old versions of Huawei's dual-framework HarmonyOS, Xiaomi HyperOS faced widespread netizen controversy over whether it was entirely self-developed and accusations of being an "Android shell" upon its unveiling. Addressing this controversy, Jin Fan, Vice President of Xiaomi Group's Mobile Department and head of the System Software Department, stated in an interview with Flypig that Xiaomi has the capability to use its own kernel or Linux to launch an operating system functionally and UI-wise identical to the released HyperOS. He suggested that the reason Xiaomi uses the Android kernel for phones and tablets is due to considerations of the existing software ecosystem. ==Versions==

As for MIUI, there are HyperOS versions for different regions: China, India, EEA (Europe) and a Global version. EEA HyperOS, in particular, supports EEA phone regulations such as for GDPR and restricting advertising. HyperOS versions are specific to a region and to a particular device model. Xiaomi makes communication devices under three brands, which all support HyperOS: Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco; Poco phones and tablets are global versions of devices sold as Redmi in China. The version code consists of the release number followed by seven letters. The first letter identifies the Android version it is based on, the second and third letters specify the device model, the fourth and fifth letters the region, and the last two letters the mobile operator, or "XM" if not locked to any operator. For example, 2.0.205.0.SKGTRXM is release 2.0.205.0 of HyperOS 2, based on Android 12 (S), for Redmi Note 10 (KG), Turkey version (TR), not locked to an operator (XM). A list of the latest releases for different models and regions is maintained. Custom versions An organization named Xiaomi Europe, using the domain xiaomi.eu and working officially with Xiaomi despite not being affiliated with the Chinese company, was set up in 2010 as a community for English-language Xiaomi users with phones running MIUI, and later HyperOS, associated with an Android version, with discussion forums. The website issues its own debloated and improved versions of Xiaomi ROM images based on China ROMs for devices using Qualcomm Snapdragon hardware. Weekly beta versions of MIUI and HyperOS were also issued, but Xiaomi later stopped making their HyperOS beta code available. According to a xiaomi.eu leader in 2021, the official ROM must be flashed and the bootloader locked before returning a device for warranty repair. There are other customised versions of HyperOS for Xiaomi devices, and also other non-HyperOS-based custom Android ROMs can be installed on Xiaomi phones. Version history ==Unlocking the bootloader==

Unlocking the bootloader of an Android device allows the firmware to be changed to a custom ROM different from the official Xiaomi firmware, and can permit privileged access by a process known as rooting. Rooting carries risk in case of a malicious exploit. Xiaomi has procedures to allow users to unlock the bootloader of devices. To prevent users from using their devices how they want to, push advertisements and collect user location and device data, and to avoid some users attributing to Xiaomi bugs due to modifying the system, Xiaomi has gradually restricted the ability to unlock the bootloader since the release of HyperOS. Also, HyperOS updates, or upgrades from MIUI, are not available over-the-air (OTA) for unlocked phones, but can be downloaded. The procedure for unlocking the bootloader changes from time to time, becoming more restrictive, particularly for devices sold in China. Significant changes were made in 2025. Only one device per year per account can have the bootloader unlocked. Procedures have to be completed within a specified time frame, and errors may result in becoming permanently unable to unlock the bootloader. Full details for 2025 are available. After a successful bootloader unlock, face and fingerprint unlock will become unavailable, the Xiaomi Find Device service will be disabled, and Google Pay and some other features may stop working. XDA Developers has ongoing forum discussions on unlocking the Xiaomi bootloader without going through the company's procedure. ==See also==