Update Xiaomi Rn2

[alexpcr]

Dear all,

I have a xiaomi rn2 with the following rom: MIUI 7.4 by xiaomi.eu, 6.5.5| beta.

I've never changed anything on the phone, just OTA updated until this one.

I would like to know if that ROM is the best for the phone, and if not how to update.
The ROMS on this website seems to be for miui 8, is it necessary to update for miui or I can update a new rom with miui 7?

thank you for your help

 

[pippolone]

IMHO you can try any version you want.
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=18823
If you take a nandroid backup using TWRP before flashing, if something is wrong with the new ROM you can revert at the exact point where you took the backup.
Many people using MIUI8 on RN2 want to return to MIUI7 because of the increased battery usage.
I always run stable on RN2 and frankly speaking I did not notice any increase, for me battery on RN2 always sucked.
I think that you should try with 6.9.28 to see the new features in MIUI8, then judge by yourself if it's worth keeping else restore from TWRP and maybe try another one.
BTW, I think that you are using the last (dev) version of MIUI7.

 

[alexpcr]

Thank you for your answer. how can I instal TWRP? I think is not installed in my phone...

 

[pippolone]

Download the TWRP image from here: https://dl.twrp.me/hermes/twrp-3.0.2-0-hermes.img
Then follow the guide at https://twrp.me/devices/xiaomiredminote2.html starting from "Fastboot Install Method".
But just before sending the fastboot reboot command, keep vol+ pressed until the phone reboot, hopefully into TWRP.

Instead of installing Android SDK and ADB Drivers, you should try installing MiFlash which should have anything you need and it could come handy if you ever want to install a fastboot rom to clear completely your device.

BTW, to check if you have TWRP installed reboot the phone keeping vol+ pressed, so you'll get into recovery.
If there is an interface with 2x4 big grey button (more or less) that's TWRP.
I don't even remember the original one, I think it has red button or text.

 

[alexpcr]

Hello,

Do I need the superSu file to update the remi note 2?

ty

 

[pippolone]

No, SuperSU is not required.
Is up to you.
If you don't need it (some apps requires it) it's better not having it as it could potentially be a security risk.

 

[alexpcr]

No, SuperSU is not required.
Is up to you.
If you don't need it (some apps requires it) it's better not having it as it could potentially be a security risk.

Thank you for your answer!

 

[alexpcr]

Hello,

which Wipes I need to do before installing the new rom?

ty

 

[pippolone]

It depends.
If you are on the same branch (dev->dev or stable->stable) just a cache+dalvik should be enough.
The same should apply if you are going dev->stable as dev should be more recent (unless you get a very old dev release, older than stable).
If you are going stable->dev you should also wipe data.
But you could also try keeping your data and look if everything works.
If everything seems ok for a week you can go on, otherwise you can then wipe data/factory reset.

 

[giogio02]

pippolone,
"battery on RN2 always sucked" means you will never get 1 day 1/2 or something like that?
I am not looking for new features, just a decent batter life...

gio

 

[pippolone]

pippolone,
"battery on RN2 always sucked" means you will never get 1 day 1/2 or something like that?
I am not looking for new features, just a decent batter life...gio

If you are talking about days, my RN2 can do also ~2.5 days and even ~>3 on wifi only for data.
The main problem is SoT.
When I wrote that post, the best I can get was ~2h15m±15m.
The other problem are 2 sims and mobile data.
Later I realized than when it turns off at 0%, I can turn it on again and use it for 45m-1h.45 more!
A couple of months ago I decided to give another chance to a nohon battery, bought just one month after my RN2 (~2015 Nov.) and tested a couple of times with unsatisfactory results.
In the same time I switched back to xiaomi.eu, but developer version (I did xiaomi.eu stable->miui.it dev.->official global stable->xiaomi.eu dev) and with wifi only - no sims because I'm using another device - I can do ~4h SoT and maybe some more.
I should do another test with also sims and mobile data during the daytime (at work I can't connect to corporate wifi).

 

[giogio02]

I tried many improvements, and while wakelocks are acceptable, SoT is still unsatisfactory.
So, basically the only solution is a new ROM (not MIUI8): from 2,5 to 4 SoT.
Shall I start with TWRP?
Any good guide for someone who has never installed a ROM?

 

[pippolone]

Get the official TWRP from here:
https://eu.dl.twrp.me/hermes/twrp-3.0.2-0-hermes.img

Follow the Fastboot Install Method from here:
https://twrp.me/devices/xiaomiredminote2.html
but don't download drivers from there.
Get MiFlash from here:
http://api.bbs.miui.com/url/MiFlash
it contains drivers and adb+fastboot executables.
When you send the fastboot reboot command keep vol+ pressed to enter TWRP and prevent stock recovery from restoring.

Once done you can download any flashable from recovery ROM to your device, enter TWRP, press Install and select the file.
Once done clear cache+dalvik cache. If you are changing ROM (not upgrading) wipe also data.
The first reboot could take also 10 minutes, so be patient.

Before flashing you may want to take a nandroid backup from TWRP, so if anything goes wrong you can restore the previous image.

 

[giogio02]

Thanks a lot!
I'll try when I have some time.
I was thinking about flashing TWRP from the "Redmi note 2 Tool" app from the store
..but I guess there must be a reason to follow your guidelines..

Could you please point me to one of the latest MIUI7 ROM (or any which is not battery hungry)?
Ah, apparently "Kernel Adiutor" has helped so preserve battery a bit

 

[pippolone]

I think that to flash TWRP from "Redmi note 2 Tool" your device have to be root, and in this case it's likely it already have a custom recovery.
If you manage to install with that app, go on, it's easier.
"Kernel Adiutor"? Doesn't it requires root as well?
Can you enter recovery, take a photo of your RN2 and post it?

 

[giogio02]

yep, sorry, I forgot to say it's already rooted (with KingRoot).
I'll follow your tips, thanks again.
To be honest, I think that neither Kernel Adiutor nor HEBF have solved much.
Maybe I should try a new battery.
Wakelocks are usually under control but some days ago gmail synchro lasted 1h40... no idea what got stuck.
I'll look for a promising ROM, install it and post my impressions.