The Xiaomi Mi 8 SE (codename sirius) was a trailblazer in 2018, launching as one of the very first devices with the powerful upper mid-range Snapdragon 710 chipset. It perfectly embodied the "compact powerhouse" ethos, packing a stunning AMOLED display and near-flagship performance into a small, one-hand-friendly design that is now a rarity in the market.
However, the Mi 8 SE's greatest challenge for international fans has always been its exclusivity: it was only ever officially sold in mainland China. This means no official Global ROM with Google Play Services was ever released. For the enthusiasts who own and cherish this compact classic in 2025, the community-built Xiaomi.eu ROM is the essential key to unlocking its full potential for international use.
This guide will show you how to install its final and most polished software—MIUI 12.5 based on Android 10—transforming your China-market device into a fully functional global powerhouse.
This is the definitive global conversion guide for the Mi 8 SE:
Why You Must Flash Your Mi 8 SE (sirius)
For any international owner of this phone, flashing is not just an option—it's a requirement.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: sirius)
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the official China ROM for emergencies and the essential Xiaomi.eu ROM for your daily driver.
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Installing the Xiaomi.eu "Global" ROM (Recommended Method)
This is the standard process for converting your China-only device for full international use.
➡ Your Mi 8 SE will now boot into a clean, multilingual system with full Google services, ready to be used anywhere.
Method 2: Flashing Official China ROM (For Unbricking)
Use this method only if your phone is bricked or you wish to return it to its original, non-global factory state.
➡ This will restore your phone to the original Chinese software. From here, you can repeat Method 1 to install the globalized Xiaomi.eu ROM.
FAQs
Q1: Is the Mi 8 SE still a good phone in 2025?
Yes, for users who love compact phones, it's a fantastic device. The Snapdragon 710 is still very capable for daily tasks, social media, and light gaming. Its main weakness is the lack of recent security updates, so it's best for users who are mindful of security practices.
Q2: Will I get Android 11 or newer on this phone?
Not from Xiaomi or Xiaomi.eu. Official development ended with Android 10. However, the Mi 8 SE (sirius) has a healthy custom ROM community on forums like XDA, where you can often find unofficial builds of newer Android versions from independent developers.
Q3: Is there an official Global ROM I can use instead of Xiaomi.eu?
No. The phone was never sold globally, so no official Global ROM was ever created for it. Any phone sold by a reseller as a "Global Version" has a custom ROM (most likely Xiaomi.eu) or a modified "vendor ROM" installed.
Q4: Is the Xiaomi.eu ROM stable for daily use?
Yes, it is widely considered to be as stable, and often more stable, than official MIUI ROMs. It is built directly from the official China Stable version, which is generally the most updated and polished branch of MIUI.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
However, the Mi 8 SE's greatest challenge for international fans has always been its exclusivity: it was only ever officially sold in mainland China. This means no official Global ROM with Google Play Services was ever released. For the enthusiasts who own and cherish this compact classic in 2025, the community-built Xiaomi.eu ROM is the essential key to unlocking its full potential for international use.
This guide will show you how to install its final and most polished software—MIUI 12.5 based on Android 10—transforming your China-market device into a fully functional global powerhouse.
This is the definitive global conversion guide for the Mi 8 SE:
- ✔ An explanation of why the Xiaomi.eu ROM is necessary for this device
- ✔ The official China MIUI 12.5 firmware for unbricking and restoration
- ✔ The essential Xiaomi.eu ROM to provide a "global" experience with Google Apps
- ✔ Direct links to a working TWRP custom recovery and all required tools
- ✔ Step-by-step instructions to make your compact classic internationally viable
Why You Must Flash Your Mi 8 SE (sirius)
For any international owner of this phone, flashing is not just an option—it's a requirement.
- Install Google Play Store & Full Language Support → This is the primary, mandatory reason. The stock China ROM lacks Google integration and has limited language options. The Xiaomi.eu ROM provides both out of the box.
- Remove All Chinese Bloatware and Ads → The Xiaomi.eu ROM is based on the clean China stable build but removes all the unnecessary Chinese apps, services, and system ads.
- Get the Final, Most Optimized Software → The provided MIUI 12.5 build is the last and most polished official software the Mi 8 SE ever received, ensuring the best possible performance from the Snapdragon 710.
- Unbrick a Bricked or Bootlooping Device → By flashing the official China ROM, you can fully restore a dead or malfunctioning device before converting it to the globalized Xiaomi.eu ROM.
- Revive a Compact Classic → For enthusiasts pulling this phone out of a drawer, this guide provides the path to making it a perfectly usable and enjoyable device in 2025.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: sirius)
- Model: Xiaomi Mi 8 SE
- Release Year: 2018
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 710
- Display: 5.88” Super AMOLED
- Key Feature: A powerful, premium phone in a compact form factor
- OS at Launch: MIUI 9 on Android 8.1 Oreo
- Final Official OS: MIUI 12.5 on Android 10 (China Only)
- Codename: sirius
China Exclusive Notice: The Mi 8 SE was a China-exclusive device and has no official Global ROM. For all international users, the Xiaomi.eu ROM is the essential software needed to get Google services, remove Chinese apps, and unlock the phone's full potential for daily use.
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the official China ROM for emergencies and the essential Xiaomi.eu ROM for your daily driver.
| Tool / File | Purpose / OS Version | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Flash Tool | For flashing the official China Fastboot ROM. | Download Latest Version |
| Xiaomi USB Drivers | Ensures your PC can communicate with your phone. | Driver Pack |
| Mi Unlock Tool | Required to unlock the bootloader. | Official Unlock Page |
| Custom Recovery (TWRP) | Required to flash the Xiaomi.eu ROM. | TWRP for Sirius (Fastboot 7z) |
| Official China ROM | For Unbricking (MIUI 12.5 / Android 10) | V12.5.1.0.QEBCNXM |
| Xiaomi.eu ROM | Essential Global Conversion (MIUI 12.5) | V12.5.1.0.QEBCNXM |
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Installing the Xiaomi.eu "Global" ROM (Recommended Method)
This is the standard process for converting your China-only device for full international use.
- Unlock Bootloader: Your device's bootloader must be unlocked using the Mi Unlock Tool. This will erase all your data.
- Flash TWRP: Extract the downloaded TWRP .7z file. Boot your phone into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down). Run the fastboot_twrp_installer.bat script from the extracted folder to install TWRP.
- Boot into TWRP: After flashing, hold Power + Volume Up to boot directly into the newly installed TWRP recovery.
- Wipe Data: This step is mandatory. In TWRP, go to Wipe → Format Data and type "yes" to confirm. This will remove the old system's encryption.
- Transfer ROM File: Connect your phone to your PC and copy the downloaded Xiaomi.eu .zip file to its internal storage.
- Install the ROM: In the TWRP main menu, tap Install, select the Xiaomi.eu ROM .zip file, and swipe the slider to begin flashing.
- Reboot: Once finished, tap "Reboot System."
➡ Your Mi 8 SE will now boot into a clean, multilingual system with full Google services, ready to be used anywhere.
Method 2: Flashing Official China ROM (For Unbricking)
Use this method only if your phone is bricked or you wish to return it to its original, non-global factory state.
- Boot into Fastboot Mode: Power off your phone. Press and hold Power + Volume Down until the Fastboot logo appears.
- Extract Firmware: On your PC, extract the downloaded official China .tgz file twice until you have a folder with an images directory.
- Launch Mi Flash Tool: Open the tool as an administrator. Click "select" and choose the extracted firmware folder.
- Connect Device & Flash: Connect your phone, click "refresh" to see it listed, ensure "clean all" is selected at the bottom, and click "flash".
➡ This will restore your phone to the original Chinese software. From here, you can repeat Method 1 to install the globalized Xiaomi.eu ROM.
FAQs
Q1: Is the Mi 8 SE still a good phone in 2025?
Yes, for users who love compact phones, it's a fantastic device. The Snapdragon 710 is still very capable for daily tasks, social media, and light gaming. Its main weakness is the lack of recent security updates, so it's best for users who are mindful of security practices.
Q2: Will I get Android 11 or newer on this phone?
Not from Xiaomi or Xiaomi.eu. Official development ended with Android 10. However, the Mi 8 SE (sirius) has a healthy custom ROM community on forums like XDA, where you can often find unofficial builds of newer Android versions from independent developers.
Q3: Is there an official Global ROM I can use instead of Xiaomi.eu?
No. The phone was never sold globally, so no official Global ROM was ever created for it. Any phone sold by a reseller as a "Global Version" has a custom ROM (most likely Xiaomi.eu) or a modified "vendor ROM" installed.
Q4: Is the Xiaomi.eu ROM stable for daily use?
Yes, it is widely considered to be as stable, and often more stable, than official MIUI ROMs. It is built directly from the official China Stable version, which is generally the most updated and polished branch of MIUI.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
- TWRP asks for a password or shows gibberish files: This means your phone's storage is encrypted by the stock ROM. The only way to fix this is to use the "Format Data" option in TWRP, which will wipe the internal storage and remove encryption.
- Bootloop after flashing Xiaomi.eu: You must Format Data before flashing. A simple "Wipe" of caches is not enough. Boot back into TWRP, Format Data, and then re-flash the ROM .zip file.
- Mi Flash Tool cannot flash the Xiaomi.eu .zip file: This is correct. Mi Flash Tool is only for official .tgz Fastboot files. The Xiaomi.eu ROM is a .zip file and must be flashed through a custom recovery like TWRP.
- "The system has been destroyed": This is a standard Xiaomi error message for a failed boot. It is not a hardware problem. Simply force the phone back into Fastboot mode (Power + Vol Down) and flash the stock China firmware again to recover it.