Crucial Warning: Flashing via flash_all.bat reformats internal eMMC storage, permanently erasing all downloaded apps, saved media, user accounts, and local documents. Packages carrying the aries identifier belong strictly to the quad-core Mi 2 and Mi 2S. NEVER flash aries firmware onto the dual-core Mi 2A (taurus, Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960T), as differing CPU core structures, display sizes (4.5" vs 4.3"), and NFC baseband layers will result in a hard brick. In addition, do not cross-flash with the 5.0-inch Mi 3/Mi 4 (cancro).
Download Firmware for Xiaomi Mi 2 / Xiaomi Mi 2S
Global Stable Channel (MI / Worldwide) 2 packages
aries_global_images_V9.2.2.0.LXAMIEK_20180117.0000.00_5.0_global_2b5d73471b.tgz
Final official factory Global Fastboot firmware release for unified Mi 2 and Mi 2S based on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop with MIUI 9. Merges dual system partitions into a unified 1.2 GB system layout.
MD5: 2b5d73471b2fc572b9d4e7a3d2ba5d53
⬇️ Download (2 links)
miui_MI2Global_V9.2.2.0.LXAMIEK_ecf9dfbeb9_5.0.zip
Final official factory Global Recovery package for stock updater app or Mi-Recovery installation. Retains user data when updating across matching Android 5.0.2 builds.
MD5: ecf9dfbeb964bae8fa99e3f304dad199
⬇️ Download (2 links)
China Domestic Channel (CN) 2 packages
aries_images_V9.2.3.0.LXACNEK_20171229.0000.00_5.0_cn_c54a41d74c.tgz
Final official factory China Fastboot firmware release for Mi 2 and Mi 2S based on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop with MIUI 9. Contains complete domestic partition binaries for unbricking.
MD5: c54a41d74c765ef8d1bc34017504b138
⬇️ Download (2 links)
miui_MI2_V9.2.3.0.LXACNEK_68e064332d_5.0.zip
Final official factory China Recovery package for stock updater app or Mi-Recovery installation. Features domestic MIUI 9 software build.
MD5: 68e064332dce7f12f1fd3deb605b5e53
⬇️ Download (2 links)
Community Multilingual & Custom Recovery 2 packages
xiaomi.eu_multi_MI2_V8.2.1.0.LXACNDL_v8-5.0.zip
Community xiaomi.eu multi-language recovery release based on official China stable base. Stripped of Chinese bloatware, preloads Google Play Services, and adds European languages.
MD5: 4537558f38585fb5803ef9653bf30bcb
twrp-3.7.0_9-0-aries.img
Official Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP) custom recovery image for aries. Supports merged unified system partitions, full Nandroid backups, and custom ROM installation.
MD5: 5feb5e3a7df0a111b87967be06251d78
Flashing Overview for Xiaomi Mi 2 / Xiaomi Mi 2S
- Verify your phone codename is aries using fastboot getvar product.
- Extract the .tgz archive twice using 7-Zip until flash_all.bat and the images folder appear.
- Power off the phone and hold Volume Down + Power together until the FASTBOOT screen displays.
- Open Mi Flash Tool, select the extracted firmware root directory, and choose "clean all".
- Click "Flash" and keep the phone connected while partitions stream into eMMC flash storage.
Expand preparation checklist for Xiaomi Mi 2 / Xiaomi Mi 2S
- Verify your device codename is 'aries' by executing 'fastboot getvar product' from a command line while in Fastboot mode.
- Confirm that your phone is the quad-core Mi 2/Mi 2S and not the dual-core Mi 2A (taurus).
- Install official Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers and updated Android SDK Platform Tools on a 64-bit Windows PC.
- Ensure the removable 2,000 mAh BM20 or 3,100 mAh BM30 battery holds at least 50% charge before beginning the flashing process.
- Extract the .tgz archive twice using 7-Zip until flash_all.bat and the images directory appear in the root path.
- Connect the phone via a quality microUSB 2.0 data cable directly to a rear motherboard USB port to avoid communication drops.
Compatibility & Bootloader Notes
Early Xiaomi Mi 2 and Mi 2S production batches shipped with open bootloaders. Flashing modern MIUI 9 Fastboot packages executes an automated repartition sequence via flash_all.bat to convert legacy dual-boot partitions into a unified system layout. Hard-bricked units can be recovered via Emergency Download (EDL 9008) mode; the APQ8064 platform on aries does not enforce server firehose authorization.
Ready to Flash This Firmware?
Full step-by-step instructions for Xiaomi Mi 2 / Xiaomi Mi 2S, including prerequisites, error fixes, and screenshots, are on FlashGuideHub's Mi Flash Tool guide.
Can also be flashed via Fastboot: Open Fastboot Guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
The Xiaomi Mi 2 utilizes Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064, Krait 200 quad-core up to 1.5 GHz), while the Mi 2S upgrades to the Snapdragon 600 (APQ8064T, Krait 300 quad-core up to 1.7 GHz). Both chipsets share the identical 28nm pin configuration, memory controller bus, and Adreno 320 GPU architecture. Because of this architectural alignment, Xiaomi unified the software codebase under the single codename aries. The Linux kernel queries the silicon hardware ID during initialization and dynamically configures CPU frequency scaling governors and voltage tables to match the installed processor.
Early MIUI versions on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean employed a dual-system partition structure (system1 and system2, each allocated approximately 512 MB) to enable background seamless OTA updates. As Android evolved, framework and Google service footprints expanded beyond 512 MB. Official MIUI 9 Fastboot packages include an updated partition configuration script (partition.mbn) executed by flash_all.bat that dissolves the dual-boot layout, merging the allocations into a single unified 1.2 GB system partition to accommodate Android 5.0.2 framework binaries.
The standard Mi 2 and the 16GB edition of the Mi 2S are equipped with an 8 MP Sony Exmor R back-illuminated (BSI) sensor featuring an f/2.0 aperture and 27mm wide-angle lens. In contrast, the 32GB edition of the Mi 2S was manufactured with an upgraded 13 MP Sony Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and 28mm lens. Official stock firmware packages contain universal camera HAL drivers that automatically probe the camera I2C bus during boot, loading the appropriate sensor driver profile automatically.
The microUSB interface on the Mi 2 and Mi 2S incorporates Silicon Image MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) 1.0 transmitter hardware alongside a USB OTG controller. This allows the port to output 1080p uncompressed video and 7.1-channel digital audio to an HDMI display while simultaneously receiving charging current when connected via an MHL adapter cable. Clean stock Fastboot flashing restores the original kernel USB gadget driver configurations and video output handshake parameters.