Owners of the legendary smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 3S (Prada is often faced with a dilemma: whether to continue using the official, but already outdated version of the operating system, or to switch to custom solutions. This budget device based on the Snapdragon 430 processor at one time set a new bar for performance, but official support from the manufacturer was discontinued several years ago. MIUI 10, based on Android 8.0 Oreo, though enthusiasts have already ported more recent versions.
The software upgrade process on this device has its own unique features related to the processor architecture and bootloader lock. Updating the firmware may be required not only to get new features, but also to improve data security, as older versions of Android no longer receive vulnerabilities patches. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from standard to advanced.
Before you start any manipulation, you need to clearly understand the risks. Incorrect installation of the wrong file can cause the phone to stop loading, turning into a so-called "brick". However, for the Redmi 3S model, there are many working solutions that allow you to resuscitate the device even in the event of an error, the main thing is to strictly follow the algorithm of actions.
Official Update Methods through MIUI
Despite the end of active support, regular update mechanisms are still working for those who are on the official firmware. The easiest way is to use the built-in OTA (Over-The-Air) mechanism. The system independently checks the servers for new versions of the MIUI shell. However, given the age of the device, the probability of finding a new official update in this way is almost zero if you have already upgraded to the latest available version.
To check for updates manually, go to the settings menu. Find Settings → About Phone → System Update. This shows the current version of MIUI and Android. If the server detects a package, a download button will appear. Otherwise, the system will tell you that you are using the latest version.
⚠️ Note: Official Xiaomi servers may not respond to requests from older devices in some regions.If the check is hanging indefinitely, try changing the region in your phone settings or using the manual installation method.
There is also a method of local updates via the Recovery menu. To do this, you will need a firmware file in.zip format, specifically designed for Recovery (Recovery ROM), not for Fastboot. The downloaded file is renamed to update.zip and placed in the root of internal memory. After that, in the update menu, you need to click on three dots in the corner and select "Select a firmware file."
Preparation of the device for flashing
Moving to more serious methods, such as installing custom firmware or manually installing official builds, requires careful preparation. The first and most important step is to create a full backup of data. When you change the version of Android or move from the global version to the Chinese version, all user data, including contacts, photos and applications, will be permanently deleted.
The second critical point is the battery level: the flashing process can take 10 to 40 minutes depending on the method, if the device turns off at the time of writing system partitions, it will damage the file system, and the battery should be at least 60-70% charged.
- 📱 Back up your contacts to your Google account or export them to.vcf SD-map.
- 💾 Copy all important files (photos, videos, documents) to your computer or cloud storage.
- 🔋 Make sure the cable is USB is serviceable and provides a stable connection, since the transfer of firmware files requires reliability.
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader if you plan to install custom recavator or unofficial assemblies.
Unlocking the bootloader requires the Mi Unlock Tool on your computer and linking the Mi Account to the device. The unlock process also cleans the phone completely, so this is done at the beginning. Once unlocked, you can install a modified TWRP recap, which is the standard for the Redmi 3S modification.
☑️ Checklist before firmware
Installation of firmware through TWRP Recovery
The most popular and flexible way to upgrade for Xiaomi Redmi 3S is to use the custom TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) Recovery tool, which allows you to install not only official firmware, but also modified Android builds, patches and mods. First, you need to download the TWRP image corresponding to the code name of the device - prada.
The TWRP installation process is usually done via a computer using command line and Fastboot mode. The phone is put into fast boot mode by pressing the volume down button and connecting the cable.
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x.x-prada.imgOnce you've successfully recorded the image, you'll need to immediately boot into Recovery mode by pressing the volume button when the cable is connected. If you release the buttons and the phone boots into the normal system, the TWRP will be overwritten with Xiaomi's stock recap. The first thing you need to do is clear the partitions (Wipe) in the TWRP menu by selecting Dalvik, Cache, System and Data.
⚠️ Note: When cleaning the Data section in TWRP All data on the internal drive will be deleted. Make sure you have a copy of important files on the external media.
After cleaning, the Install menu selects the downloaded firmware file (.zip). It is important to understand that for Redmi 3S there are different types of firmware: Global, China, Developer and custom (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
What if TWRP doesn’t see internal memory?
Transition to custom firmware Android
Since official support for Redmi 3S ended on Android 8, many users prefer to switch to custom firmware to get more recent versions of the operating system, and on the basis of this device, enthusiasts have released stable versions of Android 10 and even Android 11 through projects like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.
Custom firmware offers a clean Android without Xiaomi’s software, which greatly improves performance on the old hardware. However, this method has its drawbacks: the camera may perform worse due to the lack of original processing algorithms, and some specific MIUI features will become unavailable.
The installation process is similar to the TWRP installation described above, but requires downloading a specific firmware file and often a Google add-ons package (GApps) if they are not built into firmware. For the Snapdragon 430, it is important to choose versions of GApps that match the ARM architecture and Android version so as not to overload the system.
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Use lightweight versions of GApps (such as pico or nano) to save space in the system partition and speed up the old device.
Once custom firmware is installed, it is strongly recommended to run the first run without installing additional applications to make sure the system is stable. If the phone is working correctly, you can start setting up and installing the necessary software, which gives the device a second life and extends its life for years.
Compatibility table of versions and methods
To help you navigate through the many available software options, we’ve created a spreadsheet that will help you determine which method and version of the firmware will work for you, whether it’s going back to factory settings or experimenting with new Android.
| Type of firmware | Max, version of Android | Need an unlocked BL | Data retention | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Global | 8.0 (Oreo) | No. | Maybe. | Tall. |
| Official China | 8.0 (Oreo) | No. | No. | Tall. |
| LineageOS (Custom) | 11 (R) | Yes. | No. | Medium |
| Pixel Experience | 10 (Q) | Yes. | No. | Tall. |
| Xiaomi.eu (Mod) | 8.0 (Oreo) | Yes. | Maybe. | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, for the installation of modern versions of Android, unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader) is a prerequisite. Official firmware allows you to update without complex manipulation, but limits the device to the latest security versions. The choice depends on whether you are more important: stability out of the box or the novelty of functions.
Solving errors during the update
During the process of firmware Redmi 3S users can encounter various errors. One of the most common problems is the error 7 in TWRP when installing firmware. It arises from incompatibility of Android versions (for example, trying to update Android 6 immediately on Android 8 without cleaning).
Another problem is the cyclic reboot, where the phone is constantly showing the MIUI or Android logo. If you have custom firmware installed, try cleaning the Data partition again. If that didn't help, it's possible that the firmware file was corrupted when you downloaded it and you need to download it again, checking the checksum.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone goes into Fastboot mode immediately after turning on and doesn't respond to the buttons, the bootloader may be damaged (clean_all).
Also worth mentioning is the driver problem on your computer: If your PC can’t see your phone in Fastboot or ADB mode, you need to install the original Qualcomm or Xiaomi USB Drivers drivers. Without the right drivers, no firmware can interact with the device.
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90% of the errors in Xiaomi Redmi 3S firmware are solved by completely cleaning the Data partition and re-downloading the correct firmware file.