How to update custom firmware on Xiaomi smartphone: the full guide

Updating custom firmware on Xiaomi devices is a process that requires attention and preparation. OTA-With updates from the manufacturer, installing modified software (such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS) carries risks ranging from data loss to device blink. However, the right approach allows you not only to improve the performance and functionality of the smartphone, but also to access the latest versions of Android that are not officially supported by your model.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the whole process Step-by-step: from checking firmware compatibility to your Xiaomi Redmi, POCO Or Mi before the final setup after installation, and focus on the backup, the current firmware version, and the recovery methods in case of failure. If you're a beginner, don't skip the preparation and warning sections, which will help you avoid common mistakes.

1. Device Preparation: What to Do Before Updating

The first and most important step is to prepare your smartphone, and without it, even a perfectly matched firmware can lead to problems. MIUI or custom software: this will help to avoid conflicts when updating. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Or a similar section in custom firmware. Take a note of that data or take a picture of it.

Then make sure that the bootloader is unlocked on the device. Without this, custom firmware installation is impossible. ADB:

fastboot oem device-info

If you see Device unlocked: true in the answer, you can move on. Otherwise, you will have to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (instructions are available on the forums). XDA Developers or 4PDA).

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 70% – the upgrade can take up to 30 minutes, and discharging in the process will lead to a failure.
• 📱 Backup all important data (photos, contacts, messages) Use Google Account, Mi Cloud or local backup via Google Account TWRP.
• 🔌 Cable USB High quality – cheap cables can interrupt data transmission during firmware.
• 💻 Computer with ADB/Fastboot — You will need to install via fastboot or debug in case of errors.

⚠️ Note: If your device is operating under control MIUI With a locked bootloader, trying to install custom firmware without unlocking will lead to a hard blink (the device will not even be included in fastboot mode), recovery in this case is possible only through an authorized service center Xiaomi.

2. Selection of firmware: where to download and what to pay attention to

Not all custom firmware is equally stable. LineageOS, for example, is notorious for reliability but may lag behind in functionality, and Pixel Experience offers pure Android with Google Pixel chips, but sometimes suffers from bugs.

• 📱 Model Compatibility: The firmware should be built specifically for your device (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro is codenamed sweet, and the firmware should be built for your device). POCO F3 — Alioth.Clarify the code name in Settings → The phone. → Model or via adb shell getprop ro.product.device.
• 🔄 Android Version: Android 13 firmware may not support Android 14-optimized apps, and vice versa.
• 🛠️ Build type: Official (official, tested), Unofficial (assembled by enthusiasts, may contain bugs) or GSI (Universal images work on most devices, but with limitations).
• 🗓️ Build Date: Older versions (over 3-6 months) may have vulnerabilities or may not support modern applications.

Download the firmware only from verified sources:

• 🌐 XDA Developers – the largest community with discussions and links to firmware.
• 🔗 Official website of LineageOS - for official assembly.
• 📥 SourceForge – hosting for many custom firmware (check the author carefully!).

⚠️ Attention: Labeled firmware GSI (Generic System Image may not support hardware graphics acceleration on some Xiaomi devices, which will lead to lags in games and videos. Before installing, check user reviews of your model on the forums.

💡

Before downloading the firmware, check its hash sum (MD5 or SHA-256) with the help of certutil -hashfile filename.zip MD5 This will protect against fake or corrupted files.

3. Updating methods: TWRP, Fastboot and OTA

There are three main ways to update custom firmware, depending on the current state of the device and the type of firmware:

3.1. Through custom Recovery (TWRP)

The most popular method for users who have already installed TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project. Suitable for most custom firmware in.zip format:

1. Download the firmware and place it in your internal memory or on the SD-map.
2. Reboot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up when turned on).
3. Backup of the current system (Backup) → Select sections → Swipe to confirm).
4. Wipe the sections. Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data (if clean installation is required).
5. Install the firmware (Install) → Select a file → swipe).
6. If necessary, go through GApps (Google services) and Magisk (for root).
7. Reboot to the system.

3.2. via Fastboot

It is used for firmware in.img or.tgz format, and if TWRP Requires PC connection and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot. Major teams:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot reboot

To simplify the process, many firmwares are supplied with flash-all.bat (for Windows or flash-all.sh (for Linux/Mac). Just run this file from the firmware folder.

3.3. OTA-Update (if supported)

Some custom firmware (such as LineageOS or crDroid) support the update "over the air" through the built-in Settings menu. → System system → Update. It's the easiest way, but it's only available if you want to update:

• 🔄 You already have the official assembly of this firmware installed.
• 📶 There is a stable Internet connection (preferably Wi-Fi).
• 🔧 The firmware does not require changing the Android version (for example, from 12 to 13).

Backup the current system|Download the firmware and check its integrity|Check the battery charge|Disable the protection (Pin/Pattern) safety-setting|Prepare. OTG-cable SD-crash-card-->

4. Step-by-step instruction: update through TWRP

Let’s look at the process of installing Pixel Experience on Xiaomi. POCO F3 (Similar steps will be suitable for most devices with an unlocked boot loader and installed TWRP.

Step 1: Download files

You'll need:

• 📁 Firmware PixelExperience_alioth-14.0-20260510-UNOFFICIAL.zip (filename).
• 🔗 NikGApps-basic-arm64-14-20260415.zip (Minimum Google Apps Package).
• 🔒 Magisk-v26.4.zip (Optionally, to obtain root rights).

Step 2. Transition to TWRP

Turn off the device. + Loudness up before the logo appears TWRP. If you have a download password, enter it.

Step 3: Cleaning the sections

Go to Wipe. → Advanced Wipe and mark:

• Dalvik / ART Cache
• System
• Data (if you are updating from another firmware or Android version)
• Cache

Swipe for confirmation. Do not clear the Internal Storage if the firmware is in internal memory!

Step 4: Installation of firmware

Back to the main menu TWRP, Select Install and specify the path to the firmware file. Sweep through GApps and Magisk (if you need it). Order is important: first firmware, then GApps, then Magisk.

Step 5: First download

After installation, select Reboot → System. The first download can take up to 10-15 minutes — don't interrupt the process! If the device has been hanging on the logo for longer than 20 minutes, restart in the same device. TWRP And check the error logs.

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the right instructions, there can be problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, refer to a thematic forum (e.g., a forum, 4PDA or XDA) with error logs. TWRP Go to Advanced. → Copy Log.

⚠️ Note: If the update has stopped working NFC, IR-A blaster or a wide-angle camera is probably not supported by the firmware for your model, and you can only restore it by rolling back to the stock. MIUI or by finding an alternative build with corrections.

6.Setup of the system after the update

After successful firmware installation, several steps must be taken to ensure the device works correctly:

• 🔒 Security setting: Install PIN-code or pattern lock. Some firmware (like LineageOS) doesn't lock the screen by default.
• 📶 Network Connection: Enter mobile network data manually if the automatic connection fails (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN)).
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Turn off background activity of unnecessary apps (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start).
• 🎵 Sound and Multimedia: Check Dirac or Dirac settings ViPER4Android (If supported by firmware, to improve sound.

To check the stability of the system:

1. Run Geekbench 6 or AnTuTu for performance evaluation.
2. Test the camera in different modes (photo, video, night mode).
3. Put your headphones on and check the sound.
4. Make sure that Google Pay and banking apps work (if you use Magisk, activate MagiskHide).

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Once custom firmware is installed, the device may lose Google certification (the error "Device is not certified" in the Play Market). To fix this, register with Google Device Registration and type in the Google Device Registration. ID Your device (you can find out through the Device app) ID).

7. How to roll back to the stockpile MIUI

If the custom firmware was unstable or you needed functions MIUI (For example, for a service center, you can return the original firmware:

1. Download fastboot firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website (section) MIUI Downloads).
2. Unclose the file and place the firmware folder in the root of the disk C:\ (convenienceally).
3. Transfer the device to Fastboot mode (Power) + Loudness down).
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and launch the file flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
5. Wait for the process to be completed (the device will restart automatically).

After returning to MIUI:

• 🔄 Update the system through Settings → Update to the latest version.
• 🔒 Unlock the bootloader again (if you plan to return to custom firmware).
• 📱 Recover data from the backup (if it was made through TWRP Mi Cloud).

⚠️ Note: When returning to stock MIUI All data on the device will be erased via Fastboot, including internal memory. If you need to save files, extract it. SD-card (if any) or copy the data to the PC before firmware.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions