Ubuntu 20.04 install.

MrT10001

For those that are deciding to try out 20.04 on this device, obviously it is in the development channel, some points to note....

Unlocking the bootloader of an Xiaomi device is the usual absolute mess and is not straightforward. You need a Windows PC (or Virtual Machine) and the Mi Unlock Tool. THERE IS NO GETTING ROUND THIS, unless you are an absolute black belt at hacking. Follow the instructions and you may get lucky or have to wait up to a month to unlock the devices bootloader.
After the hard bit was done the UT install when perfectly (my note 7 is on Android 10 and it worked well).
Once installed, you don't get the usual set up screens, you have to go through settings and sort things out.
It is very, very basic in apps, no UT store, no Terminal, no file manager. Basic things, but gives the challenge to install them at some point.
The browser works really well.
I wish I had half a dozen SIM cards to muck about with, but due to UK pricing and the idiotic way some of the main ones want to link to your bank account, I only have 3, which at the moment are all in use. I will therefore at some stage test out the mobile side of things.
The notch is still in the way, bugs some people, not me.

So to summarise, Xiaomi make it a trial to unlock the bootloader. The UT install was a breeze. Very basic device at the moment.

But, looking good.

Thank you to those working on this. Big thumbs up so far.

MrT10001

Today, there is an update. When you reboot to install, reboots to recovery. Reboot again it boots back into UT with no install.