Install Android 16 on Poco F3 (LineageOS 23) – How to Guide!

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Want to install Android 16 on your Poco F3? You are in the right place. This comprehensive, step-by-step guide walks you through the complete process of flashing the unofficial LineageOS 23 custom ROM on the Poco F3 (also known as Redmi K40 or Mi 11X, codename: alioth).

Even though Xiaomi has ended official software support for the Poco F3 (which shipped with Android 11 and received Android 13 as its final update), you can breathe new life into this Snapdragon 870-powered device with Android 16. This custom ROM delivers the latest Android features, improved performance, better battery optimization, enhanced privacy controls, and a clean AOSP stock Android experience.

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Why Install Android 16 on Poco F3?

The Poco F3 (released March 2021) was a flagship-killer smartphone powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G processor with 6GB or 8GB RAM and a stunning 6.67 inch 120Hz AMOLED display. Despite being a capable device, Xiaomi ended official software support at Android 13 (HyperOS), leaving users stuck on outdated software with potential security vulnerabilities.

Installing Android 16 via LineageOS 23 gives your Poco F3 a second life with:

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Latest Security Patches
Protection against current known vulnerabilities and exploits.
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Better Performance
AOSP-based ROMs are usually leaner and faster than stock firmware.
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Extended Battery Life
Android 16 power optimizations can improve battery efficiency.
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Modern App Support
Run newer apps that require recent Android API levels.
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Android 16 Key Features You'll Get on Poco F3

Android 16 on Poco F3 with LineageOS 23 delivers a modern Android experience. Android 16 continues the push toward smoother performance, stronger privacy, and better device longevity. Key highlights include:

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Better Resource Management

Improved memory and process scheduling can keep multitasking smoother on older devices.
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System Responsiveness

Latency reductions across common UI actions make navigation feel faster and cleaner.
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Next-Gen Security

Updated platform protections reduce attack surface and tighten app-level boundaries.
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Smarter Performance Tuning

More adaptive runtime behavior for mixed workloads, gaming sessions, and thermal balance.
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Modern App Compatibility

Improved support for newer app expectations and platform APIs.
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Stability Refinements

Broader framework refinements for fewer crashes and more consistent daily use.
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Important Warnings — Read Before Installing Android 16

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Device-specific ROM: This Android 16 custom ROM is ONLY for the Poco F3. Do not flash it on any other device — it will brick your device.

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Brick risk: Carefully follow every step in the correct order. Incorrect installation — such as flashing the wrong file, interrupting the process, or skipping the wipe — can permanently brick your Poco F3. TheUpgradeGuide is not responsible for any damage.

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Complete data wipe: Installing this custom ROM erases everything on your Poco F3 — apps, photos, contacts, messages, and files. Create a complete backup before proceeding.

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Battery requirement: Charge your Poco F3 to at least 50–60% before starting. An accidental shutdown during the flashing process can leave your device in a non-bootable state.

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Warranty void: Unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom ROM will void your manufacturer warranty.

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Pre-Installation Requirements for Poco F3

Make sure you have all of the following ready before starting the Android 16 installation on your Poco F3:

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Unlocked bootloader: Your Poco F3 must have an unlocked bootloader. Use Xiaomi’s official Mi Unlock Tool if you haven’t done this. The process requires linking your Mi account and waiting approximately 7 days.

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TWRP Recovery installed: You must have TWRP Recovery installed on your Poco F3. Watch TWRP installation tutorial for Poco F3 →

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Full data backup: Back up all important data — photos, contacts, messages, app data, WhatsApp chats, and files — before starting the installation. Consider using Google Backup and Google Photos for cloud backup.

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USB drivers installed: Install the appropriate USB drivers on your PC/Mac. These are needed if you’re using ADB/Fastboot for any part of the process.

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XDA Forum Thread: LineageOS 23 for Poco F3 — XDA Forum (1) → | LineageOS 23 for Poco F3 — XDA Forum (2) →

Always check this XDA Forum thread for the latest build updates, known bugs, required patches, firmware requirements, and community feedback before installing.

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Download Android 16 ROM & GApps for Poco F3

LineageOS 23 ROM (AOSP-Based Android 16) for Poco F3

Google Apps (GApps) for Android 16 ARM64 – Choose One Package

apps LiteGApps (Android 16 ARM64)apps NikGApps (Android 16 ARM64)apps MindTheGApps (Android 16 ARM64)apps BiTGapps (Android 16 ARM64)

search Not sure which GApps to pick? Read our complete GApps compatibility guide ->

bolt Quick Installation Overview

Short on time? Here’s the 5-step summary of how to install Android 16 on your Poco F3. Scroll down for the detailed guide with screenshots.

  1. 1Download the LineageOS 23 Android 16 ROM & GApps for Poco F3.
  2. 2Boot your Poco F3 into TWRP custom recovery mode.
  3. 3Wipe system, vendor, data, cache, and dalvik cache partitions.
  4. 4Flash the Android 16 ROM zip followed by the GApps zip via TWRP Install.
  5. 5Wipe cache, reboot, and enjoy Android 16 on your Poco F3!
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Step-by-Step: Install Android 16 on Poco F3

1

install_mobile Install TWRP Custom Recovery on Poco F3

The first step is to install TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) custom recovery on your Poco F3. TWRP replaces the stock recovery and allows you to flash custom ROMs, GApps, and create complete system backups. You’ll need a PC/Mac with ADB and Fastboot tools installed, plus a USB cable. If TWRP is already installed on your Poco F3, skip directly to Step 2.

2

file_copy Transfer the ROM and GApps Files to Your Poco F3

Download the Android 16 LineageOS 23 ROM zip and your preferred GApps package from the download section above. Connect your Poco F3 to your computer via USB and transfer both .zip files to the device’s internal storage root folder or SD Card. Remember the file location — you’ll need to find these files in TWRP later.

Transfer Android 16 LineageOS 23 ROM and GApps zip files to Poco F3 internal storage via USB
3

restart_alt Boot Poco F3 into TWRP Recovery Mode

Disconnect the USB cable and power off your Poco F3 completely. Once the device is off, press and hold the Power button + Volume Up button simultaneously until you see the TWRP logo appear on screen. Release both buttons when TWRP loads. If prompted, swipe to allow modifications.

Boot Poco F3 into TWRP Recovery Mode using Power and Volume Up buttons
4

backup Create a Nandroid Backup of Your Current ROM

This step is critical for safety. In TWRP, tap Backup and create a complete Nandroid Backup. This creates a bit-for-bit copy of your entire current system — including the ROM, apps, data, and settings. If anything goes wrong during the Android 16 installation, or if you want to return to your previous ROM, you can restore this backup in minutes.

Detailed Nandroid Backup guide →

Create a full Nandroid Backup in TWRP before installing Android 16 on Poco F3
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delete_sweep Perform a Factory Reset Using Advanced Wipe

Now perform a thorough Factory Reset to prepare your Poco F3 for the Android 16 ROM. In TWRP, navigate to Wipe → Advanced Wipe. Check the boxes for Cache, Dalvik Cache, System, and Data partitions. Then Swipe to Wipe. This completely clears the old system files, user data, and cache — preventing conflicts with the new Android 16 ROM.

TWRP Advanced Wipe selecting Cache, Dalvik, System, and Data partitions on Poco F3
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home Return to the TWRP Main Menu

After the wipe completes successfully, navigate back to the TWRP Main Menu by tapping the back arrow or pressing the home/center navigation button on your Poco F3. You should see the main TWRP screen with options like Install, Wipe, Backup, Restore, etc.

Navigate back to TWRP Main Menu on Poco F3 after factory reset
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system_update Flash the Android 16 ROM (LineageOS 23)

This is the main step. From the TWRP Main Menu, tap Install. Navigate to the folder where you saved the LineageOS 23 (Android 16) ROM zip file. Tap the file to select it, then Swipe to Confirm Flash. The flashing process takes 2–5 minutes — do not touch anything or power off your Poco F3 until it completes. You’ll see “Successful” when done.

Flash Android 16 LineageOS 23 custom ROM zip file via TWRP Install on Poco F3
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apps Flash the Google Apps (GApps) Package

Immediately after the ROM flash completes, do not reboot yet. Instead, tap “Install” again (or use the back button), navigate to your GApps zip file, and flash it the same way. This installs the Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, and other essential Google services on your Poco F3. Without GApps, you won’t have access to Google services or the Play Store.

Flash GApps package via TWRP immediately after Android 16 ROM on Poco F3
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cached Wipe Cache and Dalvik Cache

After the GApps flash completes, you’ll see a “Wipe cache/dalvik” button at the bottom left of the TWRP screen. Tap it and Swipe to Wipe. This clears any residual cached data and ensures a clean, error-free first boot of Android 16 on your Poco F3. Skipping this step can cause boot loops or app crashes.

Wipe cache and dalvik cache in TWRP after flashing Android 16 ROM and GApps on Poco F3
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restart_alt Reboot Your Poco F3 into Android 16

After the cache wipe completes, Press the Home Button, Click Reboot button from the main menu, Tap on System and Swipe to Reboot. Your Poco F3 will now boot into Android 16 (LineageOS 23) for the first time! Important: The first boot typically takes 5–10 minutes as the system optimizes all applications. The screen may appear stuck on the boot animation — this is completely normal. Do not force restart during this process.

Reboot Poco F3 into Android 16 LineageOS 23 - first boot after successful custom ROM installation
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Android 16 Successfully Installed on Your Poco F3!

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Android 16 (LineageOS 23) on your Poco F3. Enjoy the latest Android features, improved performance, enhanced security, and a clean stock Android experience on your refreshed device!

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What’s Working & Not Working on Android 16 (Poco F3)

Based on the XDA Forum thread and community reports, here’s the current status of features on the LineageOS 23 (Android 16) ROM for the Poco F3. Note: This may vary between builds, so always check the latest forum post.

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  • ✅ Phone calls & SMS
  • ✅ Wi-Fi & Hotspot
  • ✅ Mobile data (4G LTE)
  • ✅ Bluetooth & audio
  • ✅ Camera (photo & video)
  • ✅ GPS & location
  • ✅ Fingerprint sensor
  • ✅ NFC

cancel Known Issues

  • ⚠️ Minor camera quirks in some modes
  • ⚠️ Some hardware features may vary by build

Always check the XDA Forum thread (1) | XDA Forum thread (2) for the most up-to-date bug list for your specific build version.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

🔄 Stuck on Boot Animation (Bootloop)

If your Poco F3 is stuck on the boot animation for more than 15 minutes, it may be bootlooping. Reboot into TWRP (Power + Vol Up), perform a full wipe (System, Data, Cache, Dalvik), and re-flash the ROM and GApps. Make sure you’re using compatible GApps for Android 16 arm64.

❌ “Error 7” or “Zip Verification Failed”

This usually means you’re flashing a ROM not built for your device. Double-check that the ROM zip is specifically for the Poco F3. Also ensure your TWRP version is up-to-date and compatible with Android 16 ROMs.

📱 No Mobile Data or Signal After Installation

You may need to flash the correct firmware (baseband/modem) before installing the ROM. Check the XDA Forum thread for the recommended firmware version for your build of LineageOS 23.

🔙 How to Restore Back to Stock ROM

If you want to go back to the stock ROM: (1) restore your Nandroid Backup via TWRP → Restore, or (2) download the official stock ROM from the manufacturer and flash it using the appropriate flash tool on your PC. This will completely restore your Poco F3 to factory stock condition.

Frequently Asked Questions — Android 16 on Poco F3

Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about installing and using Android 16 (LineageOS 23) on the Poco F3:

Is the Android 16 ROM for Poco F3 stable enough for daily use?

The LineageOS 23 (Android 16) ROM for the Poco F3 is an unofficial build. Core features — including phone calls, Wi-Fi, mobile data, camera, Bluetooth, GPS, and the fingerprint scanner — work well in most builds. Some minor bugs may exist depending on the build version. We recommend checking the XDA Forum thread (1) | XDA Forum thread (2) for the latest known issues before installing it as your daily driver.

Will installing a custom ROM void my Poco F3 warranty?

Yes, unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom ROM voids the manufacturer warranty. However, since the Poco F3 was released in September 2019, virtually all units are well past their warranty period, so this shouldn’t be a concern for most users.

Can I go back to stock ROM after installing Android 16 on my Poco F3?

Absolutely. You have two options: (1) Restore your Nandroid Backup through TWRP Recovery to return to your exact previous ROM state, or (2) Download the official stock ROM from the manufacturer’s website and flash it using the appropriate flash tool to perform a clean restore to stock firmware.

Which GApps package should I use with Android 16 on Poco F3?

You can choose from four popular options: LiteGApps (recommended for minimal footprint), NikGApps (offers granular control over which Google apps to install), MindTheGApps (balanced package), or BiTGapps (lightweight alternative). All must be the ARM64 variant for Android 16 (API 36). Read our complete GApps compatibility guide to choose the best option for your needs.

Do I need an unlocked bootloader to install Android 16 on Poco F3?

Yes, an unlocked bootloader is a mandatory prerequisite. Without it, you cannot install TWRP Recovery or flash any custom ROM. Use the manufacturer’s official unlock tool to request a bootloader unlock. The process typically involves a waiting period before the unlock is approved.

Does the Android 16 ROM support the Poco F3’s fingerprint scanner?

Yes, in most LineageOS 23 builds for the Poco F3, the fingerprint scanner works correctly. However, functionality can occasionally vary between different build versions. If the fingerprint scanner isn’t working after installation, try updating to the latest build or check the XDA Forum for any required patches.

How do I update the Android 16 ROM on my Poco F3 after installation?

To update to a newer build of LineageOS 23: Download the latest ROM zip from the LineageOS download page, transfer it to your device, reboot into TWRP, and flash the new ROM zip over the existing installation (this is called a “dirty flash”). Then wipe cache/dalvik and reboot. A full data wipe is usually not needed for minor updates, but always check the XDA thread for update-specific instructions.

Is the Xiaomi Mi CC9 the same as the Poco F3 for custom ROM installation?

Yes, the Xiaomi Mi CC9 and Poco F3 are the same hardware device sold under different names in different regions. The Mi CC9 was the Chinese variant, while the Poco F3 was the global/international variant. Both use the exact same ROM, TWRP recovery, firmware, and kernel files. You can follow this same guide for either device.

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Have questions or ran into issues while installing Android 16 on your Poco F3? Drop a comment below and we’ll help you out! You can also get support from the XDA Forum community (1) | XDA Forum community (2) where the ROM developer and experienced users actively respond to questions.