Let's take a look at one of the most unique and experimental devices in Xiaomi's history: the Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 (codename `latte`). Released in late 2015, this tablet was a true design icon, featuring a premium all-metal body and a sharp "Retina" display that rivaled Apple's iPad Mini. What made it a legend for enthusiasts was its processor: a rare Intel Atom x5-Z8500, and the fact that Xiaomi also sold a version that could run a full desktop version of Windows 10.
As a China-exclusive device, it never received an official Global ROM. In 2025, this 10-year-old tablet is a collector's item. Its final Android software was MIUI 9.6, based on the ancient Android 5.1 Lollipop. This guide is a restoration manual for the hobbyists and tech lovers who want to revive the Android version of this historic tablet, either to preserve it or to convert it for international use with the essential Xiaomi.eu ROM.
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Mi Pad 2
For a vintage device like `latte`, flashing is about restoration and making it usable outside of China.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: latte)
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the final official firmware and the specific tools needed for an Intel-based Android device.
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Flashing with Fastboot Commands (Recommended for Intel)
For Intel-based devices, flashing each partition manually via the command line is often more reliable than automated tools.
This is the essential step to make the Android version of the Mi Pad 2 usable outside of China.
➡ Your Mi Pad 2 will now run a clean, multilingual system with Google Apps.
FAQs
Q1: Can I still install Windows 10 on this tablet?
Yes, it is possible, but it is a completely different and highly complex process. You would need to find the specific Windows 10 firmware for the Mi Pad 2 and use Intel's flashing tools. This guide is only for restoring the Android OS.
Q2: Is the Mi Pad 2 usable in 2025?
As a simple offline e-reader, comic book viewer, or a beautiful digital photo frame, its high-resolution screen is still great. For any modern apps, video streaming, or web browsing, it is far too old, slow, and insecure.
Q3: Why did Xiaomi use an Intel chip in a tablet?
In the mid-2010s, Intel made a huge effort to get its Atom processors into Android phones and tablets to compete with ARM-based chips from Qualcomm and MediaTek. Several major brands released Intel-powered devices, but the experiment was short-lived, and the industry largely returned to ARM.
Q4: I'm a tech fan in Nigeria. Is this a cool device to own?
Absolutely. It's a very rare and unique piece of technology history. It's a great conversation starter and a perfect example of the experimental, premium devices Xiaomi was making in its early days. It's not a daily driver, but it's a fantastic collector's item.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
As a China-exclusive device, it never received an official Global ROM. In 2025, this 10-year-old tablet is a collector's item. Its final Android software was MIUI 9.6, based on the ancient Android 5.1 Lollipop. This guide is a restoration manual for the hobbyists and tech lovers who want to revive the Android version of this historic tablet, either to preserve it or to convert it for international use with the essential Xiaomi.eu ROM.
- ✔ A tribute to the rare Intel-powered Android tablet and its unique history
- ✔ Download links for the final official MIUI 9.6 (Android 5.1) firmware
- ✔ An explanation of the flashing process for Intel-based devices
- ✔ All the essential tools and drivers to revive this vintage tablet
- ✔ Device-specific troubleshooting for this unique hardware
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Mi Pad 2
For a vintage device like `latte`, flashing is about restoration and making it usable outside of China.
- Install Google Play Store & Multi-Language Support → This is the #1 mandatory reason. The stock China ROM has no Google apps. The Xiaomi.eu ROM is the all-in-one solution for international users.
- Restore the Android Operating System → For users who may have a Windows version of the tablet and want to switch back to Android, or for those with a corrupted Android installation that needs to be fixed.
- Unbrick a Bricked or Bootlooping Device → The definitive guide to recovering a Mi Pad 2 that is stuck on the Mi logo or fails to boot.
- Restore a Piece of Tech History → Perform a clean flash to bring this pioneering tablet back to its original factory software state for a collection.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: latte)
- Model: Xiaomi Mi Pad 2
- Release Year: 2015
- Chipset: Intel Atom x5-Z8500
- Display: 7.9” 2048x1536 IPS LCD
- Key Feature: Intel processor, premium all-metal body, could also run Windows 10
- OS at Launch: MIUI 7 on Android 5.1 Lollipop
- Final Official OS: MIUI 9.6 on Android 5.1 Lollipop (China Only)
- Codename: latte
EXTREME WARNING: The Mi Pad 2 runs a critically outdated and insecure version of Android (5.1). Do not use it for any online tasks with personal data. This is an Intel-based tablet, and the flashing process is different from Qualcomm or MTK devices. Standard Mi Flash Tool may not work; manual Fastboot commands are often required.
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the final official firmware and the specific tools needed for an Intel-based Android device.
| Tool / File | Purpose / OS Version | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| ADB & Fastboot Platform-Tools | The official toolset for manual Fastboot flashing. | Download from Google |
| Intel Android USB Drivers | Essential: For your PC to recognize the Intel chip. | Intel Driver Pack |
| Mi Unlock Tool | Required to unlock the bootloader. | Official Unlock Page |
| Custom Recovery (TWRP) | Required to flash the Xiaomi.eu ROM. | TWRP 3.0.3 for Latte |
| Official China ROM | For Unbricking (MIUI 9.6 / Android 5.1) | V9.6.2.0.LACCNFD |
| Xiaomi.eu ROM | Older MIUI 8.5 (Android 5.1) build | V8.5.1.0.LACCNED |
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Flashing with Fastboot Commands (Recommended for Intel)
For Intel-based devices, flashing each partition manually via the command line is often more reliable than automated tools.
- Unlock Bootloader: You must unlock the bootloader first. This can be challenging for a device this old and may require an older version of the Mi Unlock Tool.
- Install Drivers: On your PC, install the Intel Android USB Drivers. This is the most important step.
- Extract Firmware & Tools: Extract the downloaded official `.tgz` firmware file twice to get a folder with `system.img`, `boot.img`, etc. Extract the ADB & Fastboot Platform-Tools into the same folder.
- Boot into Fastboot: Power off your Mi Pad 2. Press and hold Power + Volume Down until you see the Fastboot logo. Connect it to your PC.
- Open Command Prompt: In the folder containing all your files, open a command prompt or PowerShell window.
- Flash Partitions Manually: Execute the following commands one by one, waiting for each to complete:
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash cache cache.img
fastboot flash userdata userdata.img
fastboot reboot
This is the essential step to make the Android version of the Mi Pad 2 usable outside of China.
- Unlock Bootloader & Flash TWRP: Ensure the bootloader is unlocked. Boot into Fastboot mode and flash the downloaded TWRP image with the command:
fastboot flash recovery TWRP_3.0.3.0_recovery.img - Boot into TWRP: Hold Power + Volume Up from a powered-off state to boot into TWRP.
- Wipe Data: In TWRP, go to Wipe and perform a "Factory Reset".
- Transfer and Flash ROM: Connect the tablet to your PC, copy the Xiaomi.eu `.zip` file to its storage, and install it using the "Install" menu in TWRP.
➡ Your Mi Pad 2 will now run a clean, multilingual system with Google Apps.
FAQs
Q1: Can I still install Windows 10 on this tablet?
Yes, it is possible, but it is a completely different and highly complex process. You would need to find the specific Windows 10 firmware for the Mi Pad 2 and use Intel's flashing tools. This guide is only for restoring the Android OS.
Q2: Is the Mi Pad 2 usable in 2025?
As a simple offline e-reader, comic book viewer, or a beautiful digital photo frame, its high-resolution screen is still great. For any modern apps, video streaming, or web browsing, it is far too old, slow, and insecure.
Q3: Why did Xiaomi use an Intel chip in a tablet?
In the mid-2010s, Intel made a huge effort to get its Atom processors into Android phones and tablets to compete with ARM-based chips from Qualcomm and MediaTek. Several major brands released Intel-powered devices, but the experiment was short-lived, and the industry largely returned to ARM.
Q4: I'm a tech fan in Nigeria. Is this a cool device to own?
Absolutely. It's a very rare and unique piece of technology history. It's a great conversation starter and a perfect example of the experimental, premium devices Xiaomi was making in its early days. It's not a daily driver, but it's a fantastic collector's item.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
- Device is stuck in "DNX Fastboot" mode: This is the standard bootloader mode for these Intel devices. If your PC doesn't recognize it when you type `fastboot devices`, it is an Intel USB driver issue. You must successfully install the correct drivers for your version of Windows.
- Fastboot flash fails with an error: This can be due to a bad USB port/cable or a corrupted download. Re-download the firmware and try using a USB 2.0 port. Flashing partitions one by one (Method 1) is often more successful than using an automated script.
- Tablet is bricked and only shows a USB symbol: This is the Intel equivalent of a hard brick (often called "mofd" or "droidboot"). Recovery is very difficult and requires specialized tools like Intel's Phone Flash Tool and specific debrick files. This is a procedure for experts only.
- Unlocking the bootloader fails: Unlocking these very old devices can be a major challenge. It often requires an older version of the Mi Unlock Tool and a Mi Account that was created and bound to the device years ago.