Many users are faced with a situation where the standard system update through the menu of the Xiaomi smartphone does not work, interrupted or simply does not come. In such cases, the only reliable way to return the current version of MIUI or switch to HyperOS is to use a personal computer, which is a more complex, but also more powerful tool that allows you to not only update the software, but also restore the “brick” after unsuccessful experiments.
The PC upgrade process gives you full control of the device. You can change the firmware region, for example, switch from the Chinese version to the global version, or roll back to a more stable build if the new one contains critical errors. Update via Fastboot mode allows you to completely clear the device's memory of old system debris, which often solves performance problems. However, this method requires careful and strict adherence to the sequence of actions, since an error can lead to the failure of the gadget.
Before you start taking action, you need to understand what exactly is the right method for your case. There are several main ways: using the official Mi Flash Tool utility, manual installation through Recovery mode or using third-party programs like Xiaomi. ADB/Fastboot The choice depends on the current state of your smartphone and the availability of an unlocked Bootloader.
Preparation of the device and the workplace
The first and most important step is quality training. You will need a good computer running Windows, because most tools are sharpened for this OS. USB-cable, preferably original, which came with the device, or certified analogue with support for data transfer, not just charging.
Make sure to back up all your important data. Even if you plan to upgrade without losing data, there is always a risk of failure. Save contacts, photos and documents to the Mi Cloud or external media. Make sure your smartphone battery is at least 60%, so that the device does not turn off at the most inopportune time.
⚠️ Note: Use of unoriginal or damaged USB-cables are the most common cause of communication failure when firmware is being run, which can lead to software errors.
Don't forget to turn on Developer Mode. To do this, go to the settings, find the "About Phone" item and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI version. After that, the Developer Menu will appear in the advanced settings, where you need to activate debugging over USB.
The phone will require special drivers to work with the computer, which are usually installed automatically when connected, but for Fastboot mode, it is better to install them manually in advance through the Device Manager or SDK installer.
Without the right PC-side software, the process is impossible. The basic set is Google's ADB and Fastboot drivers, which can be downloaded as part of the Android SDK Platform-Tools from the official developer's website, the minimum kit needed for any Android system.
For Xiaomi device owners, it is critical to have Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers, depending on your smartphone’s processor. If you have a Snapdragon-based model, you will need Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers for deep firmware mode. VCOM drivers are relevant for MediaTek processors.
The main utility for the official firmware is the Mi Flash Tool, a graphical interface program that automates the process of writing a system image to the phone's memory. There are various versions of this utility, and for new models it is important to use the current release to avoid compatibility errors.
Where to download the official firmware?
You should only download firmware from trusted resources such as miui.com or xiaomirom.com. Avoid third-party forums where files could have been modified by malicious actors (MD5 or SHA1) After downloading to ensure the integrity of the archive.> You may also need an archiver that supports.tar or can properly unpack nested archives, as firmware often comes in a compressed form. Windows standard Explorer sometimes can't handle file paths if they're too long, so use it. 7-Zip WinRAR. 📱 ADB Fastboot Tools – basic set of commands for communication with Android. 💻 Mi Flash Tool - official firmware program through Fastboot. 🔌 Drivers. Qualcomm/MediaTek — It's essential for recognizing the phone in special modes. Finding and downloading the right firmware is the right firmware. 90% succession. Firmware is divided into two main types: Recovery and Fastboot. To update through the computer, we usually need a Fastboot version, which has the extension.tgz. Files with the extension.zip are designed to update through the menu of the phone itself. It is important to distinguish between the types of firmware by region. The Global version is suitable for most countries in the world, contains Google services and many languages. The Chinese version (China) may not have some languages and pre-installed Google services, but often receives updates earlier (EEA) Russian (RU) When you search, look for the encoding of the file name. miui_HMNOTE1WETD_V8.1.3.0.KHLMIDI_7b5c7c6b0e_6.0.zip The device model is encrypted and the Android version is encrypted, and an error in the choice of the model will cause the firmware program to issue an error or, in the worst case, damage the memory partitions. The downloaded archive must be unpacked into the root of the disk or into a folder with a short path, for example, C:\mi_flash\. Mi Flash Tool sometimes works incorrectly with paths containing Cyrillic or spaces, so it is better to be safe. Firmware type Extension Installation mode Recovery data saved.zip Through phone menu Yes (usually) Fastboot.tgz Through PC (Mi Flash) No (unlock required) Recovery (Card).zip C memory card Yes Fastboot (Clean).tgz Through PC (full clean) No (full reset) Update via mode Fastboot and Mi Flash are the basic method that allows you to completely reinstall the system. First, you need to put your smartphone in Fastboot mode. To do this, turn off the phone completely, then press the volume button and hold it, plug it in. USB-computer-wire. On the screen should appear a picture with a hare repairing Android, or an inscription FASTBOOT. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the "Refresh" button to make sure the computer sees the device. In the path bar, specify the folder with the unpacked firmware. At the bottom of the window, select the firmware mode: Clean all (clean up) or save user data (trying to save data doesn’t always work). ⚠️ Warning: Clear all mode deletes all files, photos and apps completely. Use it only if you have a backup or a new phone. Once you select the settings, click Flash. The process will take 200 to 600 seconds. At this time, it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the program. Upon completion, the status will appear "success", and the phone will automatically restart. It's okay, it's customizing the internals, and if the phone's stuck on the logo for more than 15 minutes, it may have been an incompatible version of the software. ADB If the Fastboot mode is not available or the bootloader is blocked, you can use the update method via ADB Sideload: This is less radical and often allows you to update without losing data, even if the usual update is not available. OTA To do this, you need to select "Connect with MIAssistant" or "Sideload" from the Recovery menu. Open the cmd command line in the tool folder. ADB. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the device is displayed, you can start the process. The command to start the boot mode looks like adb reboot sideload if the phone is not in the right mode. adb sideload name file firmware.zip After entering the command, the transfer of the firmware file to the phone will begin. The progress bar will appear on the screen. It's important not to interrupt the process, even if it seems to be hanging on a percentage. Once completed, the phone will suggest rebooting. This method requires that the firmware file be in.zip for Recovery, not.tgz. Also, the device must be unlocked bootloader or stand official firmware, otherwise the command may be rejected by the security system. 🔍 Check the connection with the adb device command. 📥 Use the adb sideload command to transfer the file. ⏳ Wait for 100% transmission to complete before restarting. Frequent errors and problems are solved. Firmware often has errors. Error code 0x0000000a Mi Flash usually means that the path to the firmware files is too long or contains Cyrillic. The solution is simple: move the firmware folder to the root of the C disk and rename it using only Latin letters. If a program writes "Miss matching image," you're trying to flash the firmware from another phone model. Carefully check the model code in the device settings and the name of the firmware file. Never ignore this warning when you try to force the process. The "No enough space" error indicates a lack of space in the partition where the recording is going, or an attempt to stitch a heavier version of the system on top of the old one without cleaning it, in which case only clean all mode helps, which erases all the contents. If the phone has gone into an endless restart (bootloop), try to press the power and volume button on the phone. 10-15 If that doesn't work, you'll need to log in to Recovery and reset your settings). FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions: Can I Upgrade Xiaomi from a Computer Without Unlocking the bootloader? Yes, but only using Recovery mode and official Recovery firmware (.zip). Fastboot (.tgz) method via Mi Flash Tool requires unlocked Bootloader, otherwise the program will give an authorization error. Will my photos and contacts disappear when updated via PC? If you use Clear All mode in the Mi Flash Tool, yes, all data will be deleted. If you select Save user data, the data may be saved, but there is always a risk of failure, so backup is mandatory. When you run through Recovery, the data is usually saved. What to do if your computer can't see your phone in Fastboot mode? USB-cable, preferably short and without breaks. Connect the phone directly to the port on the motherboard (back of the PC), bypassing USB-Check Windows Device Manager — if there's an unknown device, you need to manually update the driver. Is it safe to put Chinese firmware on the global Xiaomi? Technically, it is possible, but not recommended for ordinary users: Chinese firmware does not have Google Play by default, there may be problems with notifications, communication frequencies (Band 20) and voice assistant, and the Widevine L1 certificate can fly, which will worsen the quality of the image in streaming.