How to unpack Xiaomi firmware: official and custom files

Unpacking Xiaomi firmware is a necessary step for modifying the device, recovering data or analyzing system files. But the firmware format from Xiaomi (most often.tgz,.zip or.bin) is not always opened by standard archivers. In this article, we will discuss how to properly extract the contents of the firmware without risking damage to files, what tools to use for different types of firmware, and what to look for when working with official and custom builds.

Xiaomi firmware is unique in that it can contain encrypted partitions, compressed images or packaged archives with non-standard structure. For example, official firmware for the Mi Flash Tool often comes in the form of.tgz archives with nested.mbn files, and custom recovery firmware (for example, for TWRP) can use.img images. Incorrect unpacking can lead to data loss or “bricking” of the device, so it is important to follow proven methods.

1. Xiaomi firmware types and their formats

Before you unpack the firmware, determine the type of firmware, which determines the choice of tool and the method of extraction, Xiaomi firmware is divided into three main categories:

• 📦 Official stock firmware – released by Xiaomi for updates via Mi Flash Tool or OTA. Formats:.tgz,.zip,.bin (for EDL-regime).
• 🔧 Custom firmware - modified builds (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience) Formats:.zip (for recovery),.img (partition images).
• 🛠️ Firmware for recovery – files for Fastboot or EDL, often in.mbn or.elf format.

Official firmware is usually packaged in a.tgz archive, inside which lies an image folder with partition files (boot.img, system.img, etc.). Custom.zip firmware can contain scripts for automatic installation via TWRP, and their unpacking requires special tools like 7-Zip or Payload Dumper.

If you are working with a firmware for EDL-The mode (for example, to unlock the bootloader), its format can be.bin or.mbn. Such files are not unpacked by standard methods - they need to be converted into a readable form using utilities like Qualcomm Firehose or EDL Tools.

2. Standard methods of unpacking: archivers and utilities

For most firmware Xiaomi will fit standard archivers, but there are nuances. Consider the tools that support firmware formats:

• 📂 7-Zip — Opens.tgz,.zip,.img (as archive) and maintains high compression and file integrity checks.
• 🐧 WinRAR – unpacks.tgz and.zip, but may not properly process.img files.
• 🖥️ PeaZip is an open source alternative that supports.tar,.gz,.xz.
• 🔍 Payload Dumper – a specialized tool for extraction payload.bin from Google Pixel and some Xiaomi firmware (for example, for Mi) A1/A2).

For unpacking.tgz firmware:

1. Download the archive from Xiaomi’s official website (e.g. new.c.mi.com).
2. Open the file in 7-Zip (right mouse button → 7-Zip → Unpack here).
3. Inside, there will be an image folder with partition files (boot.img, system.img, etc.).

If the firmware is.bin (like EDL), standard archivers won't help, and you need specialized tools like Qualcomm Firehose or Mi Flash Tool in firmware mode, and trying to open a file like an archive will cause error or damage to the data.

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If 7-Zip gives you an error called "Unknown Archive Format", try renaming the file extension from.tgz to.tar.gz and repeat unpacking.

3. Unpacking of firmware with partition images (.img)

.img files (such as boot.img or system.img) are partition images that cannot be opened like a regular archive.

• 🛠️ Android Image Kitchen (AIK) — A script for retrieving and repackaging.img files. Linux/Windows (Python requires).
• 💻 Ext4 Unpacker - utility for mounting system.img as a virtual disk (only for the purpose of Ext4-section).
• 🔧 Simg2img — Converts sparse images (for example, system.img) In the normal.img for further unpacking.

Example of boot.img unpacking using AIK:

# Cloning AIK repository


git clone https://github.com/osm0sis/Android-Image-Kitchen.git




cd Android-Image-Kitchen




Copy boot.img to the folder with AIK



cp/path/k/boot.img.




Start unpacking.



./unpackimg.sh boot.img

After the script is executed, a directory will appear in the folder split_img with unpacked files (kernel, ramdisk, etc.) Use reverse build repackimg.sh.

Download Android Image Kitchen|Install Python 3.x|Place the.img file in the folder with AIK|Run the script unpackimg.sh-->

4. Work with firmware for EDL-mode (.mbn,.bin)

Firmware for EDL-Emergency Download Mode is used to recover "brick" Xiaomi devices with Qualcomm processors. These files have.mbn or.bin extensions and are not unpacked by standard methods:

• 🔌 Mi Flash Tool – the official utility from Xiaomi for firmware in EDL. It does not unpack files, but allows them to flash.
• 🔥 Qualcomm Firehose is a toolkit for working with Qualcomm firmware. QPST.
• 📡 EDL Cable – a special cable to transfer the device to EDL-mode (or button combination).

To extract data from the.mbn file:

1. Download QFil (part of QPST) from Qualcomm's official website.
2. Connect the device to EDL-Mode (usually clamp Vol)+ and Vol- when connected USB).
3. In QFil, select Flat Build and specify the path to the.mbn file.
4. Click Download, and it'll show you the firmware structure, but it won't unpack it. It'll require a hex editor or specialized scripts to extract the data.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Without official permission from Xiaomi (for example, using uncertified.mbn files) can lead to blocking. IMEI or activate anti-rollback protection. Always check that the firmware is compatible with your device model.

5. Unpacking custom firmware (.zip for TWRP)

Custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, ArrowOS, Pixel Experience) is distributed as.zip archives designed to be installed via TWRP or OrangeFox. They can be unpacked with standard archivers, but inside are often found:

• 📄 Installation scripts – updater-script files or META-INF, recovery-command.
• 🖼️ Images of section — boot.img, vendor.img, dtbo.img.
• 📦 Enclosed archives - for example, payload.bin inside.zip (typical for Google Pixel-based firmware).

To extract payload.bin from custom firmware:

1. Unpack the.zip archive with firmware.
2. Find the payload.bin file (usually in the root or in the image folder).
3. Use Payload Dumper (available on GitHub) to unpack: python payload_dumper.py payload.bin
4. As a result, you will get a folder with images of all partitions (system, vendor, boot, etc.).

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmwares contain dynamic partitions (e.g, super.img), They're not unpackable by standard methods, and you'll need lpunpack or similar tools to work with them.

Integrity and security verification

Before unpacking the firmware Xiaomi be sure to check its integrity and authenticity.

• 🔍 Damaged files – incomplete download or archiving errors.
• 🛡️ Malware – Fake firmware may contain backdoors.
• 🔄 Incompatibility – firmware for another model or region.

Methods of verification:

Critical information: Firmware for locked bootloaders (e.g., Xiaomi EU ROM) may contain an anti-rollback mechanism. Trying to roll back to an older version will result in a complete lock on the device. Always check the anti-rollback version in the anti.txt file inside the firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unpacking Xiaomi firmware