Where is the firmware file stored on Xiaomi Redmi: hidden folders, backups and extraction methods

Xiaomi Redmi's firmware isn't just a set of files, it's a whole system spread across different parts of internal memory. Many users mistakenly think that the firmware file is in the root folder as a single.zip archive, but it's actually more complex. OTA These are automatically installed and their files are often deleted after installation, but full firmware images (for manual installation via the Mi Flash Tool or the Mi Flash Tool) are also available. TWRP) You can find it if you know where to look.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible locations for Redmi firmware, including hidden system folders, backups, and even ways to retrieve images from locked devices. It’s important to understand that accessing some partitions requires unlocking the bootloader or superuser (root) rights. Without them, you’ll only be able to see some of the files.

If you want to just upgrade your smartphone, you just need to download the firmware from Xiaomi's official website, but if you need to repair a damaged partition, roll back to an old version, or modify the software, knowing the exact paths to the firmware files will become critical. Let’s start with the most obvious – where are the downloads stored? OTA-update.

1. Folder with loaded OTA-update: /data/ota_package

The easiest place to find firmware files is a folder. /data/ota_package. All updates are automatically downloaded by air" (OTA), But there are a few nuances to what the system offers:

✅ The files are stored here temporarily, after the successful installation of the update, they are usually deleted. If the update is not installed (for example, downloaded, but you postponed the reboot), the file will lie here in the.zip format with the name of the view. miui_MODEL_V12.5.3.0.RJUMIXM_....

❌ Without root rights, the folder is not available, even with debugging enabled. USB and developer rights, a standard file manager (e.g. Mi File Explorer) will not show content /data/. Decisions:

• 🔧 Use it. ADB with the command: adb pull /data/ota_package/. (The point at the end means the current folder on the PC)
• 📱 Install a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🖥️ Connect through TWRP (if installed) and copy the files to the flash drive.

⚠️ Note: If you delete the file from /data/ota_package Before you install the update, the system can start downloading it again the next time you request it.

💡

If you plan to work with firmware often, create a backup folder /data/ota_package So you can quickly roll back to the previous version. MIUI, If the new update is unstable.

2. Hidden system sections: /dev/block/bootdevice/by-name

Xiaomi Redmi’s full firmware consists of several dozen partitions, each responsible for its own part of the system: boot, system, vendor, modem, and others. These partitions do not appear as files in a standard manager, but can be “pulled” using special tools.

📌 Where to find:

• 🗃️ /dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/ — All sections are listed here in the form of symbolic links (for example, system, boot, recovery).
• 🔍 To see their contents, you will need a dd command (requires root): su dd if=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/system of=/sdcard/system.img (This will create an image of the system partition on the memory card).

⚠️ Note: Incorrect use of dd can result in complete loss of data on the partition, for example, if the parameters are confused= (input file and of= (output file, you'll overwrite the partition with garbage. Always check the commands before executing!

🔹 An alternative way is to use the FlashFire utility (for root devices), which allows you to back up partitions in.zip format without manually entering commands.

3. backups in Mi Cloud and local backups

If you have ever created a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup, some of the system files could have been saved to the Mi Cloud or on the device:

🔸 Local backups are stored in a folder /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/. They may come in:

• 📱 System settings (themes, sounds, wallpapers).
• 📞 Call logs and SMS.
• 📁 List of installed annexes.

❌ But, these backups don't have full firmware images, and the most are configuration files that can help you reset your settings after a reset.

🔸 Mi Cloud stores even less, just contacts, notes and some settings.

💡 How to make a full firmware backup?

• 🛠️ Through TWRP: Choose Backup → mark all sections → keep on SD-map.
• 🖥️ Through ADB (requires root: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab (creates a backup.ab file with application data and part of system settings).

4. Official firmware: where to download and how to verify authenticity

If you don't find the firmware file on the device itself, you can always download it from official sources. Xiaomi provides two types of firmware:

📌 1. Recovery firmware (for installation through stock recovery):

• 🔗 Download from en.miui.com (select the Redmi model) → version MIUI).
• 📦 Format:.zip, weight ~1.5–2.5 GB.
• ⚙️ Set through the settings → Update of the PO → Three points. → Select a firmware file.

📌 2. Fastboot firmware (for installation via Mi Flash Tool):

• 🔗 Download from the same site, but in the Fastboot section.
• 📦 Format:.tgz or.zip, weight ~2–3 GB (unpacked into a folder with.img files).
• 🖥️ Install via PC using the Mi Flash Tool (requires unlocked bootloader).

⚠️ Note: Download firmware only from official sources. Files from third-party sites may be:

• 🦠 Viruses (especially if the file weight is suspiciously small).
• 🔄 Modified (Castom firmware may contain spyware).
• 🚫 Inappropriate version (Redmi Note 10 firmware is not suitable for Redmi Note 10 Pro).

🔍 How to verify the authenticity of the firmware?

1. Compare. MD5-hash of the downloaded file with the official (specified on the Xiaomi website).
2. Use the utility. 7-Zip To check the contents of the archive: it must contain files with extensions.img (for fastboot) or.sh (installer scripts).

5. Extracting firmware from a blocked or "brick"

If your Redmi is not turned on (called a “brick”), but it is determined by a PC in Fastboot mode or EDL, There is a chance to extract firmware for analysis or recovery.

🔧 Method 1: Through Fastboot (if the bootloader is unlocked)

• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down) + Nutrition).
• 📥 Use the commands for partition dump: fastboot getvar all # check fastboot flash connection --dump /dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/system system.img (Replace the system with the desired section).

🔧 Method 2: Through EDL (for qualified users)

⚠️ Attention: Regime EDL (Emergency Download Mode allows you to get full access to the device’s memory, but requires an authorized Xiaomi account and special software (Mi Flash Pro, QFil). EDL They can finally kill the device!

📌 How to enter EDL:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the Loud up. + Loud down and plug in. USB-plug-in.
3. Device Manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

💡 What can be done in EDL?

• 📤 Swipe the full firmware image (if you have a suitable.mbn file).
• 🔍 Count memory dump for analysis (requires knowledge in hex-editors).
• 🔧 Recover damaged partitions (such as modem or boot).

💡

If your Redmi doesn’t respond to buttons and isn’t detected by a PC, it’s likely that the boot or modem partition is damaged. EDL Officially from Xiaomi.

6. Alternative methods: custom recovery and ADB

If you have a custom recovery (for example, TWRP), You can create a full firmware backup right from your phone, and this works even without root, but it requires pre-installing. TWRP.

📱 Instructions for TWRP:

1. Boot to TWRP (click Volume Up + Power).
2. Choose Backup → Check all sections (especially system, boot, vendor).
3. Please indicate the location of the save (better to SD-map OTG-flash-drive).
4. After completion, copy the folder. TWRP/BACKUPS/... PC-only.

🖥️ way ADB (rootless, but with limitations)

Even without superuser rights, you can copy some system files:

adb pull /system/app/. # copies system applications


adb pull /system/priv-app/. # copies privileged applications

❌ Limitations:

• You can't copy. /system/bin/ or /system/lib/ — lock-in.
• The files will be read-only (you can’t modify or download them back).

💡 What might that be useful for?

• 🔍 System analysis APK (For example, to find hidden functions. MIUI).
• 📱 Recovery of Remote System Applications (If Uninstalled Accidentally).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Working with Xiaomi Redmi firmware is fraught with errors that can lead to data loss or build-up of the device, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

🚨 1. "Invalid sparse file format at header magic"

🔹 Reason: The partition image file is damaged (e.g, system.img).

🔧 Decision:

• Download the firmware from the official website.
• Check the integrity of the archive through MD5-hash.
• If an error occurs when the firmware is TWRP, Try using OrangeFox Recovery.

🚨 2. "This package is for "xxx" devices; this is a "yyy""

🔹 Reason: You are trying to install firmware from another model (for example, for the Redmi Note 9 on the Redmi Note 9 Pro).

🔧 Decision:

• Double check the model name in Settings → The phone. → Model of the device.
• Download the firmware specifically for your device code (e.g., merlin for Redmi Note 9).

🚨 3. Hanging on the logo MI post-fix

🔹 Causes:

• Incompatible version MIUI (For example, the firmware for Global on the China version).
• The boot or modem section is damaged.
• Incorrectly installed recovery.

🔧 Decision:

1. Download to Fastboot and stream the original boot.img:
2. If it doesn’t work, run the full fastboot firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select clean all).

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on after the firmware is done, don't panic. In 90% of cases, it can be restored via Fastboot or Fastboot. EDL. The main thing is not to try to stitch random files and follow official instructions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi firmware