Does Xiaomi China ROM or devices pass Google CTS?

For tech geeks and importers, the idea of getting a Xiaomi flagship ahead of the global launch is a tempting one. But one major concern always lingers in the back of the mind while making such a purchase: “Will my banking apps work?” This concern is always fueled by the Compatibility Test Suite (CTS), a standard for ensuring the security and compatibility of a device with Google’s ecosystem. One of the long-held myths has to do with China-exclusive ROMs, which supposedly automatically fail these checks, thereby rendering services such as Google Wallet useless. But today, we will put an end to such myths and misinformation. You may be holding a China-exclusive device with Xiaomi HyperOS, and believe us, your situation is far more favorable than what forums will tell you.

TL;DR

• CTS Explained: This is an acronym for Compatibility Test Suite. This is the Google tool for testing the compatibility of devices with the Android OS.
• The Verdict: Yes, Xiaomi China ROMs support CTS and Play Integrity without any modifications.
• The Condition: Your bootloader must remain locked in order for this certification to remain valid.
• Custom Roms: The users of Xiaomi.eu Custom Rom would most likely need manual patches.

What Exactly is CTS?

CTS in the Google ecosystem stands for the “Compatibility Test Suite.” It is a very rigorous, free test tool developed by Google to ensure that any device, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or TV, supports Android standards. Just imagine it as a quality seal. A device that passes CTS certification means that app developers (particularly those from banks and online media services) know that the app is secure and has not been hacked or altered. Without CTS certification, one might not be able to watch Netflix in HD quality or use Google Pay.

Does Xiaomi China ROM Pass CTS?

This is the most frequent question we receive from our readers. The short answer is: Yes. Contrary to popular belief, Xiaomi’s China phones are Google certified. Since the phones come with a locked bootloader and are signed by Xiaomi, this ensures that Google’s security standards are met. Though the devices don’t come with the Play Store pre-installed (which is a requirement in China), the framework is attested to be safe. After installing the Play Store APK manually, the device is able to pass the SafetyNet and Play Integrity test.

Why Do Some Users Face Issues?

If the China ROM has CTS qualifications, why are there failed experiences? It’s almost always the status of the bootloader or Custom ROMs. If you choose to flash a custom firmware such as Xiaomi.eu, you will essentially be altering the system partition. This is because the device signatures will have been altered. Even though Xiaomi.eu is an amazing tool for localization, users of these platforms will need to use certain CTS patches or the application of Magisk tools. However, if you remain on the stock ROM of China with the bootloader locked, your experience would be seamless.

Keeping Your System Apps Updated

It is very important to maintain the integrity of the system in order to ensure that these certificates remain valid. Older parts of the system may sometimes raise a red flag for security. However, users can update this application through our secondary project, HyperOSUpdates.com, or through our MemeOS Enhancer application that can be downloaded from the Play Store. With the installation of the MemeOS application, users are also able to make use of the hidden features in the Xiaomi device.

One Final Caveat for Importers

Although the CTS pass will enable banking apps, it should not be forgotten that China ROMs have a large number of bloatware apps and delayed notifications on Western apps. Although the hardware is the same, it is better to wait for the Global variant, so you will have a smoother experience without having to adjust the settings.

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