[Xiaomi Redmi S2 Guides, News, & Discussion] tinosoft:
REDMI Y2/S2 Ultimate Guides!

(ysl)

!DISCLAIMER!

Most people I know (including myself) who used my Guides and steps, did that with success many times. If you don't follow exactly the steps or you do a mistake during the process, I do not take any responsibility for any unexpected results or damage that may happen. However I am here to help if something goes wrong, just ask in the thread.​

AMD RYZEN FASTBOOT FIX 💻

Some AMD Ryzen Systems may have problems to recognize your device in fastboot. Try the following ways:

1. Install AMD Ryzen Chipset Drivers.

2. Enable USB Debugging at device (Settings > Additional settings > Developer options > USB Debugging) and give authorization after connecting it to PC.

3. Use USB Hub.

4. Use USB Type-A 2.0.

5. Download this .bat file (unzip it) or manually create a .bat file with these lines below, and run it as an administrator, then reboot:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\usbflags\18D1D00D0100" /v "osvc" /t REG_BINARY /d "0000" /f​

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\usbflags\18D1D00D0100" /v "SkipContainerIdQuery" /t REG_BINARY /d "01000000" /f​

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\usbflags\18D1D00D0100" /v "SkipBOSDescriptorQuery" /t REG_BINARY /d "01000000" /f​

Check the steps an another user did to make it work here.

If this doesn't help, unfortunately you have to use Intel System.

UNLOCK BOOTLOADER 🔓

Note: Some AMD Ryzen Systems may have problems to recognize your device in fastboot. [Read the AMD Fastboot Fix Guide above]

Please keep in mind by Unlocking Bootloader the device will reset and all your data will be lost. Make a backup of your data first to PC or to USB.

1. Create a Mi account on Xiaomi’s website.

2. Add a phone number to your Mi account.

3. Insert a SIM into your phone (If you haven't added already).

4. Enable developer options in Settings > About Phone by repeatedly tapping (7 times) on MIUI Version.

5. Link the device to your Mi account in Settings > Additional settings > Developer options > Mi Unlock status. Also enable USB Debugging.

6. Download the Mi Unlock app (Windows is required to run the app).

7. Run the Mi Unlock app and follow the instructions provided by the app.

8. Reboot your device into Fastboot mode. For that simply turn off your device, press the Power Button + Volume Down (–) button at the same time. Then connect the device to the Windows PC/laptop via a micro USB cable.

9. After device and Mi account are successfully verified, the Bootloader should be Unlocked and your device will restart by itself.

INSTALL CUSTOM RECOVERY 🛠️

Fastboot Method (

No Custom Recovery currently installed

)

Note: Some AMD Ryzen Systems may have problems to recognize your device in fastboot. [Read the AMD Fastboot Fix Guide above]

1. Make sure your Bootloader is Unlocked.

2. Enable developer options in Settings > About Phone by repeatedly tapping (7 times) on MIUI Version.

3. Enable USB Debugging in Settings > Additional settings > Developer options > USB Debugging.

4. Download a custom recovery of your choice. [You can find a recovery of your choice in my Collection]

5. Download the portable Minimal ADB and Fastboot and run adb.exe

6. Reboot to Fastboot mode by pressing Power Button + Volume Down (–) and keep holding both buttons until the word “FASTBOOT” appears on the screen, then release.

7. Once the device is in Fastboot mode, connect your device to PC and verify you can find it by typying in adb: fastboot devices.

8. Flash Recovery by typing in adb: fastboot flash recovery <recovery_filename>.img (The file may not be named identically to what stands in this command, so adjust accordingly).

9. Reboot to Recovery by typing in adb: reboot recovery or manually hold Power Button + Volume Up (+) until you boot to Recovery.

10. Done! You now have a new Custom Recovery installed.

Recovery Method (

Custom Recovery already installed

)

1. Download a custom recovery of your choice. [You can find a recovery of your choice in my Collection]

2. Reboot to Recovery by holding Power Button + Volume Up (+).

3. Press Install Image.

4. Locate the recovery.img you recently downloaded.

5. Select it and choose the option Recovery and Flash.

6. Go back and Reboot to Recovery.

7. Done! Your new recovery should be installed.

MAGISK ROOT SOLUTION 🧙‍♂️

The easiest way to root your device is via Magisk, it should work in all ROMs, Stock and Customs.

Install Magisk:

1. Install latest TWRP Recovery. [Read the Install Custom Recovery Guide above]​

2. Download the Magisk [You can find it in my Collection]​

3. Reboot to TWRP Recovery by pressing Power Button + Volume Up (+) and flash it.​

4. Reboot and check whether the Magisk app is installed. If it isn’t installed automatically, manually install the APK. [You can find it in my Collection]​

Note: From Official TWRP Recovery 3.5.1 and onwards (and other recoveries based on that), Magisk.apk can be flashed as apk without the need of rename it to .zip. So you can simply flash the Magisk.apk in TWRP.​

Manually Creation of Flashable Zip:​

Download the latest Magisk APK and rename the Magisk.apk → Magisk.zip.​

Uninstall Magisk:

Flash the Uninstall.zip in TWRP Recovery and reboot. [You can find it my Collection]

If Magisk App isn’t uninstalled automatically, manually uninstall the app.

Manually creation of Flashable Uninstall Zip:

Download the latest Magisk APK and rename the Magisk.apk → uninstall.zip

Uninstall Magisk directly through the Magisk app. Simply press the Uninstall button.

DISABLE FORCE ENCRYPTION (DFE) & Encryption 👀

[You can find it in my Collection]

Disable Force Encryption

Disable Force Encryption (a.k.a DFE) is flashed during installation of a custom ROM to avoid the system encrypting /data partition when the devices boot for the first time.​

Some ROMs are not encrypted by default and so is not necessary to flash DFE. However if your ROM comes with encryption by default you can always flash DFE after clean installation of ROM and always after every update or flash or you can use any custom recovery like OrangeFox, Pitchblack, Skyhawk Recovery Project which can automatic flash DFE after every flash.​

I don't recommended to use DFE if you don't switch ROMs frequently and you are casual user. Beside the fact that if you lose your device your data are not protected, many people get in confusion while doing OTA or manually updates, which if the ROM is encrypted by default and flashed DFE and in next update you forget to flash DFE you will lock out from your data and you wil get into bootloop (use custom recoveries mentioned above to avoid that).​

​

Encryption

⚠️Warning - This works only on clean flash:

1. Flash ROM.zip in recovery

2. Mount vendor partition in recovery (for some reason does not mounting with newer TWRP).

3. Flash encrypt.zip.

4. Reboot to system.

Note:

The encrypt zip needs to be flashed after every update.

So flash ROM.zip and follow with encrypt zip.

Encrypted ROMs are recommended if you are stable and casual user of a ROM. Encryption have the benefit to protect your data, in case you lose your device for example. ​

Always use the latest TWRP Recovery so you can be able to decrypt the data by filling the same lock screen password you have set in ROM.​

Some ROMs are not encrypted by default but devs provide an Encryption.zip (script) which can encrypt the ROM. Same as DFE you need to flash it after clean installation of ROM and always after every update to stay encrypted and not get into bootloop. Unfortunatly there is not any custom recovery automatic doing that like with DFE, so you must be careful, avoid doing OTA updates and flash it every time you manually update a ROM.​

BATTERY TIPS 🔋

Advanced Guide

Simple Battery & Charging Tips

Improve your SOT

Battery Calibration

Steps:

1. Discharge your phone fully until it turns itself off.

2. Turn it on again and let it turn itself off.

3. Plug your phone into a charger and, without turning it on, let it charge until the on-screen or LED indicator says 100 percent.

4. Turn your phone on. It's likely that the battery indicator won't say 100 percent, so plug the charger back in (leave your phone on) and continue charging until it says 100 percent on-screen as well.

5. Unplug your phone and restart it. If it doesn't say 100 percent, plug the charger back in until it says 100 percent on screen.

6. Repeat this cycle until it says 100 percent (or as close as you think it's going to get) when you start it up without it being plugged in.

Overheating

Following reasons will lead to device heating issue:

During the initial setup after purchase or when restoring data.

Downloading large files.

Using apps that require more power or using apps for extended periods such as:

Playing high-quality games for long time.

Recording videos for extended periods.

Streaming videos while using the maximum brightness setting.

Using the Screen Mirroring / Smart View feature (connecting mobile to a TV).

While multitasking or when running many apps in the background i.e:

Using Multi window.

Updating or installing apps while recording videos.

Downloading large files during a video call.

Recording videos while using a navigation app.

Large amount of data for syncing with the cloud, email, or other accounts.

Exposing device under sunlight when temperature is high around you.

Extensive usage of mobile hotspot and tethering feature.

Using device in areas with weak signals or no reception or in roaming network.

Charging the battery with a damaged / unapproved USB cable.

Device's multipurpose jack is damaged or exposed to foreign materials, such as liquid, dust, metal powder, and pencil lead.

Solution:

Turn off Wi-fi, GPS , bluetooth and other connectivity options when not in use by dragging the notification panel.

Decrease screen brightness.

Close background running applications.

Too many applications installed in device may result in device heating since their corresponding process will keep on running in background. It is advised to uninstall un-necessary apps if not using them.

Avoid using apps like GPS, data dependent apps or graphic intensive games for longer duration since they require more energy to function, causing device to heat.

It is advised not to use device while charging as it may cause the device to over heat.

General:

DO:

Use manual brightness or dim the screen.

Turn off notifications for apps you don't use. Better still, delete/disable the apps entirely if you don't need them.

Enable battery or power saving mode when you want to extend your battery life.

Use the power adapter that came with your phone. Other chargers can charge slowly/faster but they can also damage your phone or battery.

Turn off bluetooth, location tracking, and Wi-Fi (unless you are actively using it)

Turn off print services from bluetooth connection preferences.

Avoid extremes of heat and cold. If your phone gets very hot or cold it can strain the battery and shorten it's lifespan.

DON'T:

Have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi turned on constantly.

Leave apps running in the background. Instead restrict background usage off apps that you don't need running.

Push email means your device is always listening for new email which drains alot of battery.

Drain your phone battery all the way to 0% or charging it all the way to 100%. Keep it between 20% - 90% for longer battery lifespan.

The more advanced the graphics and animations are (games, videos, photos, animations), the harder the processor and graphics chip in your smartphone have to work. More activity means more battery use.

PRIVACY & SECURITY 👮‍♂️

Some useful links:

All about Privacy & Security at PrivacyTools.

Electronic Frontier Foundation

Check if your email address is in a data breach at Firefox Monitor & at Have I been Pwned

Test your browser to see how well you are protected from tracking and fingerprinting at Cover Your Tracks by EFF.

Ad Block Tester is a free service on the Internet to evaluate content blocking solutions. It is not designed to be a benchmark, but it reveals the level of blocking against a set of hosts that are very popular.

Check on AM I FLoCed? by EFF if your your Chrome browser has been turned into a guinea pig for Federated Learning of Cohorts or FLoC, Google’s latest targeted advertising experiment.

How to block ads on Android.

General:

Always prefer Open Source or well popular Programs, Apps, ROMs, Kernels & Stuff.

Open Source doesn't mean it's 100% safe but it's unlikely to have something suspicious, since you and other users can check the code in GitHub or in any other code hosting platform the "stuff" is hosted.

Prefer ROMs & Kernels with SELinux Enforcing. You can find informations here.

Always download and install Apps, Programs, ROMs & Stuff from official sources and do not use redirection links from different sites. Google is your friend to find the official source of the stuff you want.

Always check the permissions an app requires, before download and install it to your device. If an app ask for permissions which has nothing to do with the app functionality then it's should be reconsider or ask the developer why these permissions needed.

If you want to avoid Google and Play Store (De-Google), you can choose a ROM without GApps preinstalled like LineageOS and use F-Droid client which is an installable catalogue of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications for the Android platform. The client makes it easy to browse, install, and keep track of updates on your device. Note that not all apps from Play Store will be available in F-Droid. Only Open Source projects. You can find alternatives though.

Alternative you can use LineageOS for microG or any ROM which support signature spoofing and can support microG.

For Windows use the default Windows Defender & Malwarebytes to scan your files whenever you want (Prefered before open or install them). Also use the addon/extension uBlock Origin in your Browser. These should be enough for normal users.

For Android Do not use any antivirus - antimalware since it's useless, just check what apps and from where you installing.

Always verify the source of addons/extensions in your browser. Avoid installing random and unpopular addons/extensions. Keep it minimal and clean, so browser can be fast and safe, no need bunch of extensions.

If you are using VPN, always check the terms and rules of the provider. Avoid random VPN Services.

Recommended VPN Services.

Using a VPN will not keep your browsing habits anonymous, nor will it add additional security to non-secure (HTTP) traffic.

Recommended is to encrypt your data/files always before uploading them to cloud with tools like Cryptomator.

Always use unique and strong passwords for each of your accounts.

Use awarded open source Password Managers like KeePass or KeePassXC for Desktop and KeePassDX for Android to manage your passwords and have them with you safe, encrypted and secure. Must be noted you can use the same database file between these programs.

Always enable 2 Step Authentication wherever is available for your accounts.

You can use apps like Aegis Authenticator.

Do not open or click on links attached in unknown emails you may get. Always check the adress of the email and verify it's legit from the official source.

Create and use "burned" email for accounts/sites you have concerns but you definitely want to try them. Do not use your personal or business email.

CLEAN INSTALL CUSTOM ROM ⚡

You can also do the same steps below to install Stock MIUI

Recovery ROM

.

1. Backup all your data to PC or to external SDCard. [All your data into Internal Storage will be lost on step 7 while Formating Data or Wiping Internal Storage]

2. Unlock Bootloader. [Read the Unlock Bootloader Guide above]

3. Download: [You can find everything in my Collection]

Custom Recovery of your choice.

Custom ROM of your choice

GApps (be sure you have selected Platform: ARMx64 and the proper Android version of the ROM you are going to flash) if the ROM you are going to flash does not include. [Optional]

Magisk Root Solution [Optional]

Disable Force Encryption [Optional]

4. Move all these files in one folder to your Internal Storage or to External SDCard if you have.

5. Install Custom Recovery. [Read the Install Custom Recovery Guide above]

6. Reboot to Recovery Power Button + Volume Up (+)

7. Installation:

Steps without external SDCard:

Select Wipe > Advanced Wipe

Select Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Vendor, Cache and then Swipe to Wipe.

Flash ROM > GApps [Optional] > Magisk [Optional] > DFE [Optional - Not Recommended]

Go back and select Wipe > Format Data > type yes [All your data into Internal Storage will be lost]

Reboot Enjoy!

Steps with external SDCard:

go to Advanced > File Manager > External_SD and delete all folders in ur ext sd card (For example you should delete: Android, .android_secure, LOST.DIR, DCIM, etc) except your personal files/folders and the folder with your custom ROM/Gapps/Magisk/DFE you want to flash.

Each app on your phone with the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission may create files or folders in ur sdcard. Most of these folders have once been created by one of these apps and many of them may be deleted with a few exceptions (e.g. Android, .data, .android_secure, these contain important system or app data like a game's downloaded content):

.android_secure: apps installed and then moved to sdcard

Android: app data/cache

data: app data

.estrongs: ES file manager

LOST.DIR: sort of trash folder (collects recovered files after phone crashes)

DCIM: phone gallery's photos and previews

OTA-update: Over The Air update service

ppy_cross: an unknown third-party app's data.

So I recommend to delete them so you can put your phone/sdcard in a clean state and is guaranteed to be able to re-create these folders.

Select Advanced Wipe

Select Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage, Vendor, Cache and then Swipe to Wipe. [All your data into Internal Storage will be lost]

Flash ROM > GApps [Optional] > Magisk [Optional] > DFE [Optional - Not Recommended]

Go back and select Wipe > Format Data > type yes [All your data into Internal Storage will be lost]

Reboot Enjoy!

DIRTY INSTALL YOUR CUSTOM ROM 📲

Note: Before you start flashing, keep in mind the ROM you dirty flashing MUST be the same with the one you have already installed.

1. Make a full nandroid backup, just in case something goes wrong. You can use TWRP to do that. (TWRP > Backup > Select everything) [Optional]

2. Remove all Magisk modules. [Optional]

3. Reboot to TWRP and Wipe Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Vendor, Cache.

4. Flash the ROM > GApps [Optional] > Magisk [Optional] > DFE [Optional - Not Recommended]

5. Reboot and Enjoy!

I've skipped some explanations, because if you are going to dirty flash, you already know for example how to boot to TWRP.

CLEAN INSTALL OFFICIAL STOCK MIUI ROM & RELOCK BOOTLOADER 🔐

Note: Some AMD Ryzen Systems may have problems to recognize your device in fastboot. [Read the AMD Fastboot Fix Guide above]

1. Download the official Fastboot ROM and unzip it to your PC. [You can find it in my Collection]

2. Download Xiaomi Mi Flash Tool and run XiaomiMiFlash.exe

3. Turn off you device and then boot in Fastboot mode by pressing Power Button + Volume Down (–) and keep holding both buttons until the word “FASTBOOT” appears on the screen, then release.

4. Connect your device to PC via USB Cable.

5. On the Xiaomi Mi Flash Tool, Click on Select and browse to the folder where you have Unzip the downloaded ROM file then press OK.

6. Click on Refresh button and you will see that your device connected to port com.

7. Select what method you prefer:

Clean All: The process will flash full Fastboot ROM and will wipe everything (include user data) but Bootloader will remain unlocked.

Save User Data: The process will flash Fastboot ROM without wiping user data.

Clean All and Lock: The process will flash full Fastboot ROM and will wipe everything (include user data) but Bootloader will be relocked

8. Now click on the Flash button to begin the flashing progress.

9. Once your ROM is successfully flashed, you’ll see green bar inside XiaomiMiFlashtool.

FIX FOR STUCK ON OREO FIRMWARE (SOFTBRICKED)👨‍🔧

FIX (Read Carefully)