Best Custom ROM Options for Infinix Hot 50i (X6531): A Comprehensive GSI and Root Guide

Understanding the Infinix Hot 50i (X6531) Development Landscape

Navigating the world of Android customization for the Infinix Hot 50i requires a solid understanding of the device’s specific architecture and the current state of the custom development community. We recognize the desire to move away from the stock XOS experience, which often comes pre-loaded with bloatware and aggressive background optimizations that can hinder performance. The Infinix Hot 50i, powered by the MediaTek Helio G81 (T618) chipset, presents a unique scenario for enthusiasts. While it is a capable budget segment device, it does not yet command the massive, dedicated community support that older, more established lineups like the Xiaomi Redmi Note series or the Google Pixel lineup enjoy.

As of right now, the development scene for the Infinix Hot 50i is in its nascent stages. We must be transparent about this: you will not find a highly polished, official LineageOS build or a stable Pixel Experience ROM specifically optimized for the X6531 model on popular repositories like XDA Developers. The primary barrier to entry for device-specific ROMs is the kernel source code. Infinix, like many other OEMs in the budget sector, is often slow to release their kernel source code under the GPL license. Without this source, developers cannot easily adapt proprietary hardware libraries (HALs) to work with custom Android builds, making device-specific ROM development nearly impossible.

Therefore, the “best” and currently only viable path for running a stock Android experience on the Infinix Hot 50i is through the use of a Generic System Image (GSI). A GSI is a pure Android build that runs on top of a Treble-compliant device, effectively decoupling the OS from the vendor-specific hardware drivers. This guide will serve as a detailed roadmap, covering the prerequisites for unlocking your device, the nuances of flashing a GSI, managing hardware compatibility like the 120Hz display and camera, and the role of Magisk for root access and module-based enhancements.

Prerequisites: Unlocking the Bootloader on Infinix Hot 50i

Before we can flash any custom system image, we must unlock the bootloader (BL). This process is the gateway to modifying the system partition and is mandatory for any form of Android customization. Infinix has a specific method for unlocking the bootloader on their devices, which is more involved than the simple OEM unlock toggle found on older devices.

The Official Method: Via Infinix Official Unlock Tool

We strictly recommend using the official method provided by Infinix to avoid hard-bricking the device. The process involves a specific tool provided by the manufacturer.

1. Download the Infinix Official Unlock Tool: You will need to find the Infinix_Official_Unlock_Tool.exe for Windows. Ensure you are downloading it from a reputable source within the Android development community.
2. Install MediaTek VCOM Drivers: The tool communicates with your device in a pre-boot environment (Brom mode). You must install the necessary MediaTek USB VCOM drivers on your PC. If these drivers are not installed correctly, the tool will not detect your phone.
3. Boot into Fastboot Mode:
   • Power off your Infinix Hot 50i completely.
   • Press and hold the Volume Up button and connect the device to your PC via USB cable. This should boot you into Fastboot mode.
4. Run the Unlock Tool:
   • Launch the Infinix Official Unlock Tool on your PC.
   • The tool should detect your device and show a “Connected” status.
   • Click the “Unlock” button within the tool.
   • Warning: The tool will display a prompt stating that unlocking the bootloader will erase all your data (factory reset). You must accept this.
   • The process will take a few moments. Once completed, the device will reboot automatically.

Critical “Gotchas” and Considerations

There are specific issues we need to highlight regarding this process:

• No “OEM Unlock” Toggle: Unlike Google Pixel or Samsung devices, Infinix devices running XOS often lack the “OEM Unlocking” toggle in the Developer Options menu. The official tool bypasses this requirement, but it also means you might encounter a “Verified Boot” warning or “Orange State” screen every time you boot the device. This is normal.
• Secure Boot and AVB (Android Verified Boot): The Infinix Hot 50i likely utilizes a locked-down Secure Boot chain. Flashing a GSI will likely trip the Verified Boot check. This means you cannot rely on the device’s stock security features once you mod it.
• Backup is Essential: The unlocking process will perform a factory reset. We cannot stress this enough: back up all your personal data, photos, contacts, and files before initiating the unlock process.

The Feasibility of Device-Specific ROMs for the Helio G81

We address the core question regarding LineageOS or Pixel Experience builds for the Infinix Hot 50i (X6531). Currently, there are no stable, public device-specific ROMs available for this model.

Why Device-Specific ROMs are Scarce

The MediaTek Helio G81 (T618) is a capable chipset, but it requires specific firmware blobs to function correctly. These include:

• Vendor Partition: Contains proprietary drivers for the GPU (Mali-G52), the ISP (Image Signal Processor) for the camera, and the audio DSP.
• Kernel Source: The Linux kernel used by Infinix must be open-sourced. Without the specific kernel source for the X6531, developers cannot compile a custom kernel that interfaces correctly with the hardware.

Because Infinix has not publicly released a tailored kernel source for the Hot 50i, developers would have to reverse-engineer these components. This is an incredibly time-consuming and difficult task, which is why development is currently limited to GSI testing rather than full ROM creation.

The Future of Development

The community relies on “ports.” Sometimes, a developer will port a ROM from a device with similar hardware (another Helio G81/T618 device) to the Infinix Hot 50i. However, even these ports are rare and usually experimental. If a specific device-specific ROM does appear, it will likely surface on Telegram groups or XDA threads dedicated to Infinix devices. For now, setting expectations on running a custom ROM like LineageOS is not realistic. The GSI route is the definitive answer for modern Android versions.

The GSI Route: A Deep Dive into Stability and Compatibility

A Generic System Image (GSI) is a userdebug Android build that supports Project Treble. Since the Infinix Hot 50i launched with Android 13 (or 14) and supports Project Treble, it is compatible with GSIs. This is where we will focus our efforts for finding a “clean, optimized experience.”

Choosing the Right GSI for Infinix Hot 50i

Not all GSIs are created equal. We must select a build that matches the architecture of the Helio G81.

• Architecture: The Helio G81 is a 64-bit architecture. You must download GSIs labeled as arm64.
• Variant: You will see GSIs listed as “Phh-Treble” or “Vanilla.”
  • Vanilla: Pure Android with no Google Apps.
  • Phh-Treble with GApps: Includes Google Apps (Play Store, Gmail, etc.) and is the most popular choice for daily driving.
• Android Version:
  • Android 13 (T): Currently the most stable option for GSIs.
  • Android 14 (U): Available but might have more bugs on budget chipsets like the Helio G81.
• File System: Most GSIs now use the erofs or ext4 file system. We generally recommend erofs for better performance and read-only security, provided your recovery supports it.

Flashing Procedure: Project Treble and Your Device

We will outline the flashing process. This requires a custom recovery (TWRP or a similar A/B non-treble recovery).

1. Wipe Data/Factory Reset: In your custom recovery (e.g., TWRP), go to Wipe > Advanced Wipe, and select Dalvik/ART Cache, Cache, System, and Data. Do not wipe the Internal Storage (sdcard) if you have the GSI zip stored there.
2. Flash the GSI:
   • Copy the GSI .img file to your device (or an SD card).
   • In TWRP, go to Install > Install Image (usually a button at the bottom right).
   • Select the GSI .img file.
   • Select the System Image partition.
   • Swipe to flash.
3. Reboot to System: The first boot will take a significant amount of time (10-15 minutes). This is normal as Android is setting up the new system for the first time.

Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) Handling on GSIs

This is the most critical section regarding the stability of the Infinix Hot 50i. When you flash a GSI, the “Hardware Abstraction Layers” (HALs) from the stock ROM are often incompatible or missing. This leads to specific hardware failures.

120Hz Refresh Rate Handling

The Infinix Hot 50i boasts a 120Hz display. On a GSI, this feature is rarely supported out of the box.

• The Issue: The GSI does not know how to talk to the specific display driver of the Hot 50i to switch refresh rates.
• The Workaround (Phh Treble Settings): Once you have flashed the GSI and booted, you will need to use the Phh Treble Settings app (usually pre-installed on popular GSIs).
  • Go to Phh Treble Settings > Miscellaneous Features > Force FPS.
  • You will need to experiment with forcing 90Hz or 60Hz. Forcing 120Hz is unlikely to work without a patched kernel.
  • Without the correct drivers, the screen may be stuck at 60Hz, or you may experience screen flickering.

Camera Processing (ISP)

This is the hardest hardware component to get working on a GSI. The camera on the Helio G81 relies heavily on MediaTek’s proprietary “Mediatek Camera” HALs and ISP tuning files.

• The Issue: Stock camera apps usually crash. The GSI’s default AOSP Camera2 API might only provide a black screen or extremely poor quality (no HDR, no night mode).
• Solutions:
  • GCam (Google Camera): You can try porting GCam ports (like BSG or Arnova8G2) that support MediaTek. However, you often need specific XML configuration files for the Infinix Hot 50i to enable the auxiliary cameras (if any) and fix processing.
  • Footej Camera or Open Camera: Sometimes third-party apps can interface better with the limited HALs available.
  • Snapcam: Some MediaTek devices benefit from the Snapcam app, which is designed for MTK chips.
  • Note: It is highly probable that you will lose the “bokeh” or portrait mode features and high-resolution video recording capabilities on a GSI.

Audio and Fingerprint

• Audio: Usually, basic calls and media work via the Phh Treble Settings “SELinux to Permissive” or “Disable AudioFX” toggles. However, high-quality audio effects (DTS, Dolby Atmos) from XOS will be lost.
• Fingerprint Sensor: This is highly specific. If the Hot 50i uses a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, it requires a specific keylayout and fingerprint HAL. You may need to flash a “Magisk Module” later to fix the fingerprint sensor, as GSIs usually do not support budget MTK side sensors out of the box.

Rooting with Magisk and Essential Modules

Once you have a stable GSI running, you may want to root the device to further optimize performance, remove ads, or restore missing hardware functionalities.

Installing Magisk

On a GSI, the standard “Patch Boot Image” method is often difficult because you don’t have the stock boot image. The easiest way to root a GSI is via the Magisk in Recovery method or flashing a pre-patched image if available.

1. Transfer Magisk APK: Rename the Magisk-vXX.apk to Magisk-vXX.zip.
2. Flash in TWRP: Reboot to recovery and flash this zip file. This installs Magisk directly to your system partition.

Essential Modules for Infinix Hot 50i

This is where we leverage the Magisk Module Repository to fix the bugs inherent in running a GSI. We host a variety of modules at Magisk Module Repository that can help stabilize your device.

• MTK Camera Magisk Module:
  • Purpose: To restore the stock MediaTek Camera HALs to the GSI. This is often the only way to get the camera fully working (Portrait mode, specific resolutions).
  • How to use: Search our repository for “MTK Camera” modules compatible with Android 13/14. Flashing this alongside a GSI can sometimes resurrect the camera hardware.
• Vendor Privacy GSI Module:
  • Purpose: GSIs are generic and do not have vendor privacy apps. If you rely on specific privacy features or need to hide root from specific apps (like banking apps), this module helps configure the Magisk environment to mimic a stock system.
• Dolby Atmos / Audio Mod Modules:
  • Purpose: Since the GSI lacks XOS audio drivers, you can flash a Magisk Module to add system-wide Dolby Atmos or ViPER4Android support. This improves the audio quality significantly over the stock GSI audio drivers.
• Refresh Rate Fix Modules:
  • Purpose: There are modules designed to force high refresh rates on specific MediaTek devices. You can browse the Magisk Module Repository for “Refresh Rate” or “120Hz” fix modules tailored for MTK Helio chipsets.

Performance Optimization and Verdict

After flashing the GSI and rooting with Magisk, we recommend the following optimization steps to ensure the Infinix Hot 50i runs smoothly:

1. Thermal Throttling: The Helio G81 can get warm. Use a Magisk module like “LKT” or “FDE.AI” (if available) to manage CPU governor settings.
2. ZRAM Management: The Hot 50i comes with 4GB or 6GB of RAM. GSIs can be memory hungry. Enable ZRAM in the developer options or via a Magisk module to create virtual RAM.
3. Debloater: Use a root-based debloater (like Titanium Backup or a Magisk module script) to remove any leftover system apps from the GSI that you don’t need.

Conclusion

To answer the user’s original query directly: For the Infinix Hot 50i (X6531), device-specific ROMs are currently non-existent and not a viable option. The only high-quality path to a clean Android experience is the GSI route, specifically using an Android 13 arm64 erofs GSI. While you will face challenges with the 120Hz refresh rate and camera processing, these can often be mitigated through Phh Treble Settings and the installation of specific Magisk Modules found in our repository. This approach offers a superior experience to the heavy XOS, provided you are willing to tinker with the hardware abstraction layers to get everything functioning perfectly. We at Magisk Modules are dedicated to providing the tools you need to make this transition as smooth as possible.