How to install ADB on Xiaomi: Setup debugging and drivers

Xiaomi’s mobile devices, including sub-brands Redmi and Poco, have a wide range of functionality that is often hidden from the average user. For deep system customization, custom recaps or just for easy file management, gadget owners often need the tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a console utility that allows a computer to interact with the operating system of a smartphone at a low level.

The setup process may seem complicated to the beginner because of the lack of a graphical interface for the tool itself and the need to manually install specific drivers. However, if you break the procedure into sequential steps, the entire process will take no more than 10-15 minutes. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to prepare a computer, where to download secure files and how to properly configure the device itself.

It's important to understand that a successful ADB installation opens the door not only to debugging applications, but also to removing system debris that can't be cleaned up by standard means. You can turn off unnecessary services, make full backups, and even flash your device in case of software failures. Let's move from theory to practice and customize your environment.

Preparation of the workplace and downloading components

The first step is to prepare the software on your personal computer. You don't have to download huge SDK packages if your goal is just debugging. There's a lightweight version of Platform Tools that only contains the necessary adb.exe and fastboot.exe executables. This is the official Google package that is guaranteed to work with all modern versions of Android.

Download the archive from the official developer site or verified mirrors. After downloading, unpack the contents into the root folder of the disk, for example, in C:\platform-tools. Using paths without Cyrillic and spaces in folder names is critical for stable operation of the command line in the future.

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Create a separate tool folder on disk C to make it as short as possible, making it easier to type commands into consoles and reducing the risk of syntax errors.

Beyond the tools themselves, your computer will need the right drivers. Windows 10 and 11 often automatically find the basic drivers, but Xiaomi devices are better off using specific versions.

• 📥 Download the official Platform Tools package from the Android Developers website.
• 💾 Unpack the archive in the root of the system disk for easy access.
• 🔌 Prepare an original or quality cable USB-C join.
• 🖥️ Make sure that the latest operating system updates are installed on the PC.

Don't ignore the quality of the cable. Cheap wires designed only for charging may not transmit data, leading to a false opinion about the faulty drivers or port. Use the cable that came with the device, or a certified analog.

Activation of the developer mode on a smartphone

Before you plug in the cable, you want to let the smartphone communicate with the computer. By default, this security feature is disabled. You need to activate the hidden Developer menu. Go to the phone's settings and find the About Phone section.

Inside this section, locate the line MIUI Version (or HyperOS Version). You need to quickly click on this line 7-10 times in a row, the system will start counting the clicks and tell you that you have become a developer, and then a new item will appear in the main settings menu.

⚠️ Note: Do not turn on the debugging mode USB, If you connect to public charging stations or unfamiliar computers, this can create a vulnerability to your personal data.

Go to the menu that appears Additional → For developers. Find the USB Debugging Switch and activate it. The system will warn you of the risks - confirm the action. Also, in this menu, it is recommended to include the item "Do not turn off the screen" during debugging, so that the device does not go into sleep mode during long operations.

Some firmware versions may require an additional SIM card or a Mi Account login to activate developer features. If the system requires this, log in using your credentials. Without this, the activation step may not be available.

Installation of Xiaomi drivers for Windows

The most critical step is to install drivers. Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. In the notification curtain, select USB mode. By default, it is Charge Only, you need to switch it to File Transfer (MTP).

Open Device Manager in Windows (click Win) + X and select the appropriate item. Find your device in the list. It can be displayed as "Android», «QHSUSB_BULK» Or with a yellow exclamation point. If there's a sign, the driver is not installed.

For manual installation, right-click on the device, select “Update driver» → «Search for drivers on this computer» → «Select a driver from the list of available drivers. Click the “Install from Disk” button and specify the path to the folder where you previously unpacked Xiaomi drivers (usually a file). android_winusb.inf file usb_driver).

After successful installation in Device Manager in the "Portable Devices" or "Android Devices" section, your smartphone name should appear without warning signs. If the device is identified as "Unknown Device", try another one. USB-port, preferably USB 2.0, as some older drivers conflict with ports 3.0.

Connection check and ADB launch

Once the drivers are installed, we go to check the connection. Open the folder with the platform-tools tools. Press the Shift key and right-click on the empty space in the folder, select "Open PowerShell window here" or "Open in Terminal."

Enter a command to check the visibility of the device:

adb devices

When you first start up, the phone will be asked, "Allow debugging over USB?" and be sure to tick "Always allow from this computer" and click "OK." Without this confirmation, the computer will not get access to the phone's command line.

If you see the serial number of the device and the status of the device in response to the command, it means that everything is set up correctly. Unauthorized means that you have not confirmed the request on the phone screen. Offline status indicates problems with the cable or driver.

Now you can execute commands. For example, to reboot to recovery mode, use:

adb reboot recovery

Or to reboot to bootloader mode:

adb reboot bootloader

Solving Common Connection Problems

Often, users are faced with a situation where the computer sees the phone only as a drive, but not as a debugging device, in which case the method of forced installation will help. In Device Manager, select "Update driver", then "Select from the list of available drivers on the computer."

You can find Google or Xiaomi on the list of manufacturers. If you google, you can use the Android ADB Interface driver. If Xiaomi is the Xiaomi Android ADB Interface. Sometimes you can use the Android Composite ADB Interface driver.

⚠️ Warning: If after installing the drivers, the device is missing from the list or (appeared) a blue screen, immediately disable the cable.

Another common problem is antivirus software that can block low-level access to the Internet. USB-Try temporarily disabling the protection or adding a folder with ADB Exceptions. Also make sure the phone is not activated «USB Debugging (Security settings) if available, as it requires constant confirmation of every action.

For Windows 11 users, it is worth noting that the system can automatically update drivers to older versions through Update Center. Turn off automatic driver installation in system settings if you encounter persistent connection resets.

Safe work and basic teams

With ADB working, you get a powerful tool, but with great power comes a lot of responsibility. Don't delete system packages that you don't know what they're supposed to be, and that can lead to bootloop and data loss.

First, learn safe commands, like looking at the list of installed applications:

adb shell pm list packages

Or take a screenshot of your phone directly to your computer:

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png

adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

Always back up important data before any manipulations through ADB. even if the command seems harmless, a failure in the execution process can damage the file system.

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ADB is a powerful administration tool, and errors in removing system components can cause a device to fail, and always check the command online before entering.

Use this knowledge to clean your phone of advertising and software, but do it consciously. Proper use of debugging allows you to significantly speed up the work of an old smartphone and extend its life.