How to update the firmware on Xiaomi Redmi 3: all ways + fixing

Xiaomi Redmi 3 is the legendary budget smartphone of 2016, which is still used by many users. MIUI Android owners are facing a problem: how to update the firmware on an outdated device to get current features and security fixes? In this article, we will analyze all available methods of updating - from official to alternative, and also tell you how to avoid errors and "bricking" the phone.

It is important to understand that Redmi 3 (codename ido) is no longer supported by Xiaomi at regular level. OTA-The latest official firmware for this device — MIUI 9.6 is based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. However, enthusiasts are developing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that can give the device a second life. We will look at both approaches: an official update (if it is still available) and installing unofficial builds.

Before proceeding, check the current firmware version: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If your version is lower MIUI 9.6.2.0 (stable), then officially updated through OTA It might still be available, or you'd have to use manual methods.

1.Preparation for the update: what to do before the start

Updating the firmware is a process that can go wrong if you don't prepare in advance, especially for Redmi 3, which has long since run out of official support.

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%.When upgrading via Recovery or Fastboot, the phone should not turn off - this can damage system files.
• 📱 Back up the data. Use the settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root) can erase user data!
• 🔌 Prepare. USB-For manual upgrade methods, you will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool program.
• 📡 Check the Internet connection. To download the firmware through OTA or download files from Xiaomi servers need stable Wi-Fi (mobile Internet may not be suitable due to traffic restrictions).

If you plan to install custom firmware, you will additionally need:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi blocks it by default and to unlock you need to get permission through the official Mi Unlock website.
• 🛠️ Install custom Recovery (for example, TWRP). This will allow you to sew informal assemblies and make backups.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets the phone to factory settings! All data will be deleted, including photos, contacts and apps. Transfer important information to the PC or cloud in advance.

It is also worth considering that after the update, some features may not work properly. For example, users of Redmi 3 often complain about problems with the system. GPS Or a camera after installing custom firmware, and if the phone is used for navigation or shooting, it's best to stay on the official version or choose firmware with good reviews on forums (for example, on the forums). 4PDA or XDA Developers).

Method 1: Update via OTA (over the air)

The easiest and safest method is to upgrade by air" (OTA). It's good if your current firmware is still supported by Xiaomi, and a new version is available on the servers:

1. Connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If an update is found, click Download and wait for the download to complete.
5. After downloading, select Install and confirm the reboot.

It's going to take 10 to 20 minutes. The phone will reboot a few times, which is normal. Don't interrupt the upgrade and take the battery out!

⚠️ Note: If the message appears when checking for updates, “Your version is current”, this means that OTA-Updates to your model are no longer available. In this case, move to manual methods (see the following sections).

Sometimes. OTA-The update may "hang" during the boot phase:

• 🌐 Xiaomi server problems (especially relevant for older models).
• 📡 Unstable Internet connection.
• 📱 Insufficient memory in the section /system.

Decisions:

• Try connecting to another Wi-Fi network.
• Clear the update cache: go to Settings → Annexes → All applications → Updating the system → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• Download the firmware manually (see the next section) and install it through Recovery.

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OTA-Update is the safest method, but Redmi 3 often doesn’t have it because support is out.

Method 2: Update via Mi Recovery (official method)

If OTA It doesn't work, but you want to stay on the official firmware, you can upgrade through Mi Recovery, the built-in recovery menu, and you need to manually download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website and install it through Recovery.

Instructions:

1. Download the latest stable firmware for Redmi 3 (codename ido) from Miui Download. ROM (file extension).
2. Transfer the downloaded file to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off the phone.
4. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons at the same time to enter Recovery.
5. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if available) then:

If there is no item in the Recovery menu to install the update, try:

• 🔄 Rename the firmware file to update.zip (Sometimes Recovery is looking for a name).
• 📁 Put the file in a folder downloaded_rom memory-root.

⚠️ Note: Do not use Wipe Data or Factory Reset in Recovery unless you want to lose all your data.

If the installation through Recovery ended in an error (e.g., "E:footer is wrong"), it could mean:

• 📄 Damaged firmware file - download it again.
• 🔧 Incompatible version – check that you downloaded the firmware for Redmi 3 (ido).
• 🔒 Blocked bootloader – in this case, you need a Fastboot method (see next section).

Download Recovery ROM for Redmi 3 (ido)|Transfer the file to the root of the memory|Rename in update.zip (if necessary)|Check the battery charge (>60%)|Prepare a backup copy of the data-->

4. Method 3: Update via Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

If previous methods failed, Fastboot is a computer-based firmware mode that is suitable for installing official firmware (including for “recovery” of the phone after crashes) and requires a PC with drivers installed.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer (recommended) 7/10/11).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (low-quality cables can cause errors).
• 📥 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (Fastboot) ROM) for Redmi 3 (ido).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool Programming.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Download Fastboot ROM For your model from the official website, unpack the archive in a folder (for example, C:\miui_ido_fastboot).
3. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (there will be a hare in a hat-eared hat on the screen).
4. Connect your phone to your PC. Make sure the drivers are installed (Android Bootloader Interface should be displayed in Device Manager).
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware.
6. Press Refresh – the program must determine the device (it will appear). ID).
7. Select firmware mode: Clean all - clean (recommended in case of failures). Clean all and lock - clean + Lock the bootloader (only if you need to return the phone to the factory state). Save user data - saving user data (does not always work correctly).

Flash

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can take up to 15 minutes - don't interrupt the process!

⚠️ Note: If after firmware through Fastboot the phone does not turn on or got stuck on the Mi logo, try re-swipe with the choice of Clean all option. If this does not help, perhaps damaged device memory - contact the service center.

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Before you run your firmware through Fastboot, disable the antivirus on your PC – it can block Mi Flash Tool files, causing errors.

5. Method 4: Install custom firmware (TWRP + LineageOS)

If the official firmware is no longer updated and you need new features (like Android) 10/11), You can install custom firmware. 3 popular:

• 📱 LineageOS (Pure Android without a free Android) MIUI).
• 🎨 Pixel Experience (like the Google Pixel interface).
• 🔄 Havoc-OS or Resurrection Remix (extended settings).

To install custom firmware you need:

1. Unlock the boot loader (see Section 1).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
3. Download firmware and GApps (Google services if not included in the build).

Instructions for installing TWRP:

1. Download the latest version TWRP for Redmi 3 (ido) from twrp.me (.img file).
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (see Section 4).
3. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and execute: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0-ido.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0-ido.img
4. The phone will reboot to TWRP. Make a backup of the current firmware (Backup item).

Installation of custom firmware:

1. Copy firmware and GApps files to your phone (you can use it through the MTP into TWRP).
2. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
3. Return to the main menu, select Install and specify the firmware file.
4. After installing the firmware, repeat the step for GApps (if necessary).
5. Reboot your phone (Reboot → System)

⚠️ Attention: Castom firmware may contain bugs! For example, VoLTE often doesn't work on Redmi 3 (calls on the phone). 4G) or encryption. Before installing, check the feedback on forums (for example, 4PDA).

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ Up-to-date version of Android (for example, Android 11 instead of 6.0).
• ✅ No Advertising and Unnecessary Xiaomi Apps.
• ✅ More customization settings.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Possible problems with iron (camera, GPS, sensor).
• ❌ No official support (updates are not regularly available).
• ❌ Risk of "bricking" in case of installation errors.

Typical errors and their solutions

When updating firmware on Redmi 3, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Error 1: The phone does not turn on after the firmware ("brick")

Symptoms: The phone doesn’t respond to the power button, the screen is black, or hovers on the Mi logo.

Causes and solutions:

• 🔋 The battery was drained during the firmware → Connect to charging for 30 minutes, then try logging into Fastboot (Loudness Down). + Food, and re-sweeten.
• 📥 Wrong firmware → Make sure you download the file for Redmi 3 (ido) and not for another model (e.g. Redmi). 3S or Redmi 3 Pro).
• 🔒 Locked loader → Unlock it through Mi Unlock and repeat the firmware.

Mistake 2: Mistake 7 in TWRP custom-fix

Symptoms: when installed ZIP-file TWRP Error 7 is being made".

Decision:

• Make sure that the firmware is compatible with your model (ido).
• Open the updater-script file in the firmware archive and make sure there is no model verification (or delete this line if you know how to work with.zip).
• Try a different version of the firmware or TWRP.

Error 3: After the upgrade, the mobile network or Wi-Fi does not work

Symptoms: the phone does not catch the network, does not detect SIM-Card or not connected to Wi-Fi.

Decisions:

• 📶 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
• 🔄 Reflash the radio modules (if you have custom firmware, find a separate file with a modem for your model).
• 🔙 Return to the official firmware if the problem is not solved.

Error 4: Hanging on the Mi logo after the update

Symptoms: The phone turns on but doesn’t load beyond the logo.

Decisions:

• 🕒 Wait 10-15 minutes – the first download can be long.
• 🔄 Go to Recovery (Loudness Up) + Eating) and make a Wipe Cache.
• 📥 If it doesn’t work, run the firmware again through Fastboot with the Clean All option.

If none of the methods worked, the device’s memory may have been damaged, in which case only soldering the chip at the service center (which is often unprofitable for Redmi 3 due to its age) will help.

7. How to check the success of the update

After the firmware update, it's important to make sure everything goes right and the phone is stable.

1. Check the firmware version: Go to Settings → About the phone. Compare the MIUI and Android version to the one you installed.
2. Test the basic functions: 📞 Calls and mobile internet (enable data transfer and call another number). 📶 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (connect to the network and check the speed). 📷 Camera (take photos and videos). 🔋 Charging (Make sure the battery is charging).

• Restart the phone 2-3 times – it should be turned on without hanging.
• Run multiple apps (like YouTube, Google Maps) and make sure they work error-free.

If there are bugs after the update (for example, spontaneous reboots or overheating), try:

• 🔄 Reset the settings to factory (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).
• 📥 Refuse your phone with the Clean All option in the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔍 Find solutions in forums (for example, on the 4PDA in the theme of Redmi 3).

If the firmware was unstable, but you made a backup in TWRP, we can roll back:

1. Go to TWRP (Loudness Up + Nutrition).
2. Select Restore and specify the folder with backup.
3. Confirm the recovery and restart the phone.

💡

Always test the basic features of communication, camera, sensors and charging after the upgrade. If something doesn't work, roll back to the previous version right away.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)