1) make a Xiaomi account with
and
2) insert a SIM card to the device (!)
Is that not insane? Other people seem to think so too: https://android.stackexchange.com/a/186052
Apparently the only alternative to this is rooting the device, which may break it.
Apparently this is a huge problem in China, where there seems to be quite literally no trust at all on online shopping. This actually does seem to be the case if you try buying devices from any NON-xiaomi-official store Aliexpress shop. They're usually $0.01-$1.00 cheaper, and are guaranteed to be packed with massive amounts of malware. None of which can be pressed "disable" or "uninstall" (greyed out).
They use fake reviews and fake buyers much like Amazon in the west, to inflate their order count and ratings to be sorted above Xiaomi official store
The resellers get paid a few dollars for the malware install. I think the most common is people reselling to ship out to other countries, and not sold in China itself.
The aliexpress shops get shut down, negative feedback, but they just open another. Note that aliexpress actually shuts these down in the first place and is "reputable" end of things. Never ever buy devices from gearbest, wish, etc. - ever .
And no, you can't break an Android device by rooting it. Worst case you'll have to reflash the system partition through recovery.
Come on. Do better.
ps: Sadly, the Pinephone is permanently out of stock, otherwise I wouldn't even consider anything else.
For me this was enough of a reason to send the device back, but I started fiddling around and ended up being able to use USB debugging without an Xiaomi account. I don't remember how I managed to do this, I think I had to disable a specific MIUI optimization. No ADB had to be used for this. I think it was this https://android.stackexchange.com/a/185876
I'm also pretty sure that I did not insert a SIM card at that point, because I was still using the device-to-be-replaced on that and the following days.
I think it's just a lot of tactics which they use in order to push you to create an account, but ultimately it's not required.
That being said, I really despise their MIUI, all their modifications. Everything about it attempts to make you use their products, even if Google's apps are already installed.
For me, the Android experience which the Pixel devices give you are all I want. Even Motorola's minor enhancements are something I don't want on a new phone.
Yes I personnaly find it very schocking.
Bought a Samsung A20 for the same purpose, no need for a sim or any sort of dev account.
Plugged the usb cable and a few minutes later my nativescript app was running.
You need to insert a SIM AND use mobile data on it (ie. turn off wifi, enable mobile data). Just inserting a dummy SIM card won't work.
If Lineage starts supporting this device, I'll definitely move over from MIUI.
Get a pixel or a oneplus.
Mind, it's strictly a development phone. It sits on my desk plugged in, unless I debug those Android apps. No sim card in either. My personal phone is an iPhone XS.
And although Lenovo is now China-owned, the Moto line is still pure Android and no bloat.
Did a lot of research and the the last gen G Power is the best spec'd budget phone around this price point that is not a Samsung and sold in typical NA big box stores.