Earlier this week, Xiaomi started rolling out the MIUI 8 Global beta build for its devices. The company did not release the beta version of the ROM for all its devices at one go, and has been adding download links of the ROM for new devices every day.

MIUI 8 was unveiled by Xiaomi in China in May. The latest version of the company’s skin comes with a number of new features such as Second Screen, Dual Apps, a redesigned notification bar, vastly improved system apps, a custom Chinese font with better readability, and more.

In case you cannot wait for the final release of MIUI 8 and are tempted to install the beta on your device right away, we have you covered with the steps. The steps below should work on the following Xiaomi devices:

• Mi 2
• Mi 3
• Mi 4
• Mi 4i
• Mi 5
• Redmi 1S
• Redmi 2/Prime
• Redmi Note 3
• Mi Max
• Mi Note

The beta MIUI 8 Global ROM might not be available for all the above devices right now, but their download links should be made available within the next few days.

Do note that for the Mi Max, you need to unlock the phone’s bootloader first. As for other phones, you must already be on MIUI 7’s global beta ROM. If not, you will likely have to format the device completely to install the ROM, or the installation procedure will not start depending on the device.

Also, Xiaomi is rolling out an OTA update for the MIUI 8 global beta for all beta users of its MIUI 7 ROM. If you are on the beta channel, you should receive the OTA update for the ROM eventually. You always have the option of sideloading the update by following the steps below though.

On most devices, installing the beta ROM will not touch your personal data in anyway. However, it is still recommended that you create a backup of all your important data before proceeding with the steps below.

Step 1: Head over to MIUI forums and download the global MIUI 8 beta ROM for your device. Make sure to download the recovery version of the ROM, and not the fastboot version. Transfer this file to the root of the internal storage of the handset.

Step 2: On your Mi device, head over to the Tools folder and open the Updater app. Proceed to tap the three-dot overflow menu button located on the top-right corner of the display and tap the Choose Update Package option.

Step 3: Point the Updater app to the zip file of the ROM that you transferred to the handset in Step 1. The app will first verify the file and then prompt you to install it. Select the Reboot & Install option, and sit back.

The whole process will take around 5-10 minutes after which your handset will automatically restart.

Since your device will be on the MIUI 8 beta channel once you install the ROM, you will receive weekly OTA updates directly from Xiaomi. Your device, however, will not receive the final stable OTA build of MIUI 8. In case you want to switch over to the final stable release of MIUI 8 when it lands in August, you will have to manually flash the ROM.