[Xiaomi Redmi 3 Guides, News, & Discussion] yeaka:
[Tools, Tips & Tutorials] Installing & Updating Weekly China Dev ROM - Keep Root, Gapps, TWRP

I had encountered many problems while flashing the latest weekly ROMS and will like to share what worked for me.

Right now, there is no Global Developer ROM for Redmi 3, thus we will have to survive with China Developer ROM (which is better).

What is the difference between Global Developer ROM and China Developer ROM?

The difference is the China Developer ROM has no GApps (but we can flash it easily), but you get the quickest Weekly Updates (every Friday, around 0200 GMT), and it also comes in English (only English, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional available). The China Developer ROM also includes many Chinese bloatware which you can freeze using ROM Toolbox Lite or others.

Will I be able to get OTA after rooting and having TWRP Recovery?

No, you will be able to download and your phone will try to install it.... unsuccessfully and will request for you to download the full ROM.

After updating is root still available?

No, you will have to re-root.

I thought the China Developer ROM have a root option out of the box?

Yes, there is a root option under the Security -> Permissions, but it is a limited root. Adaway will not work. You can't freeze some system apps as well. It is a useless root.

STEP 1 - Install China Developer ROM

a. You need to be on China Developer ROM first. If you are on Global Stable ROM then you need to install China ROM and then you can install China Developer ROM.

b. Google "redmi 3 china developer rom", and choose the first link.

Download the China Stable ROM. Install it using Updater app in your Redmi. Press the 3 dots on the top right to choose the file you downloaded.

c. After installing that, go back download the latest Beta ROM (updated weekly) and install it.

d. Now you will be in China Developer ROM.

STEP 2 - Unlock Bootloader

a. Go to the MIUI Unlock site.

b. Login using facebook (easier)

c. You will be asked for your phone number which Xiaomi will send a SMS with a code for verification.

d. You will be asked for a reason to unlock bootloader. Just type something like "Phone bricked and stuck in bootloop."

e. After a few days (it took 2 days in my case), Xiaomi will send you a SMS letting you know that you have been approved.

f. Install MiFlash Unlock

g. Login to your Mi account on your phone. (Mi Account app)

h. Go into Fastboot mode. (Power off, then hold Volume Down + Power till you enter Fastboot mode).

i. Connect phone to PC. Open MiFlash Unlock, login, and press unlock.

j. After 10 seconds, your bootloader is unlocked.

STEP 3 - Install TWRP (Cofface Edition)

a. You can install the official TWRP but it will require some editing of some files. There is a modded TWRP which has made it easier without any editing. Search for "REDMI 3 TWRP Cofface" on the MIUI forum

b. It comes with a *.bat file which means once you open it, the script will install and reboot the recovery automatically.

c. Boot into Fastboot mode, connect to PC, and click the *.bat file. After it works its magic you will be rebooted into TWRP, in Chinese.

d. Swipe right (warning that you will have the power to edit system files).

e. To change language, 3rd button down, right row.

f. When you wish to exit, swipe the big button on the bottom to disable recovery going back to stock, thus keeping TWRP.

STEP 4 - Install Gapps

a. There's two methods. Flashing Open GApps in TWRP or installing an app called Google Installer (download from MIUI forum) which will download the required files and install it. Installing with the app, I encountered many Play Store error (like unable to connect to Play Store). I recommend flashing the first method.

b. Download from GAPPS official siteChoose Platform: ARM64, Android: 5.1. The Pico variant will work fine.

c. Power off. Hold Volume Up + Power Button. You will get into a menu with Chinese words. Press the button that has the word "recovery".

d. Flash Gapps, and remember to Wipe Cache afterwards.

e. Restart and you will have Play Store etc. on your phone.

STEP 5 - Root (with SuperSU)

a. Download the zip file from the official Chainfire site.

b. Boot into TWRP

c. Flash SuperSU, Wipe cache, Reboot

d. Rooted

STEP 6 - Updating ROM Weekly

a. Download the latest beta ROM. You need the full ROM (which is typically 900MB and above).

b. Go to TWRP, flash the ROM, wipe cache, flash Gapps (or you won't be able to connect to Play Store), wipe cache, flash SuperSU (because flashing the ROM removes root), wipe cache. Reboot.