Updating the firmware on Xiaomi smartphones through a computer is the only way to bring back to life the “brick” device, install custom firmware or go to a new version MIUI/HyperOS before the official release, unlike OTA-Updates, this method gives full control over the process, but requires preparation: from installing drivers to unlocking the bootloader.
In this article you will find the relevant instructions for 2026 year, including support for the latest models (Xiaomi) 14, Redmi Note 13, POCO F6) We're going to look at two major scenarios: updates through the Mi Flash Tool (the official way) and updates using the Mi Flash Tool. fastboot/ADB (We will pay special attention to common errors such as anti-rollback or problems with Qualcomm drivers that block the process of the user. 99%.
If your phone doesn't turn on, hangs on the logo or gives an error "This" MIUI "version cannot be installed on this device" - this guide will help restore the functionality. For beginners, we have prepared checklists and video instructions, and for advanced users - a section with fastboot commands and bypassing the restrictions of Xiaomi.
1. Update Preparation: What to Do Before Firmware
Before you connect your phone to your PC, follow 5 mandatory steps, and skipping at least one of them can lead to data loss or turn your smartphone into a brick.
First, check the current version. MIUI/HyperOS And the device model. Go to Settings for that. → About the phone. Write down the data:
- 📱 Device model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G or the code name ruby)
- 🔢 Version. MIUI/HyperOS (for example, V14.0.5.0.TMBCNXM)
- 🔒 bootloader status (unlocked/locked) can be found through the fastboot oem device-info command
Then back up. Even if the update is successful, some settings (such as fingerprints or Mi Account data) may reset.
- 🔄 Local Backup: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset
- ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: sync contacts, notes and photos in Mi Cloud
- 💻 Third-party tools: Titanium Backup (requires root) or Swift Backup
A critical error of 75% of users: ignoring unlocking the bootloader. Without this, the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool will not install, and the unofficial one will lock the device forever. If you are a Locked bootloader, follow the instructions in the next section.
Know the code name of the model (e.g., "tucana" for Mi) 10)|Check the version. MIUI/HyperOS|Make a data backup|Install the drivers Qualcomm/MTK|Unlock the loader (if required)|Charge your phone at least to 60%-->
2. Unlocking Xiaomi bootloader: a step-by-step guide
Xiaomi locks the bootloader on all devices to protect against unauthorized firmware.To update the phone through your computer, it needs to be unlocked - this takes between 72 hours and 1 week due to the Mi Account verification.
Algorithm of action:
- Attach Mi Account to your phone: Settings → Xiaomi account → Come in.
- Activate debugging via USB: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times), then Additional → For Developers → Debugging via USB.
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- Download the Mi Unlock Tool (the official tool from Xiaomi).
- Launch the utility, log in to the same Mi Account as on your phone, and follow the instructions.
You'll have to wait until you send the unlock request, and you can check the status on the Mi Unlock app, and when you say "Unlocked successfully," you can start the firmware.
1. Use another. USB-cable (original from Xiaomi).
2. disable the antivirus on the PC.
3. Run the utility on behalf of the administrator.
4. Connect the phone to the port USB 2.0 (usually black).-->
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all the data on the phone! After the procedure, the device will return to the factory settings.
3. Selection of firmware: official vs custom
The type of firmware that you use not only determines the functionality of your phone, but also the risk of turning it into a brick.
| Type of firmware | Pluses | Cons | Who's right for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official (Fastboot) | Stable work, support OTA, guarantee | Long wait for updates, limitations MIUI | For those who value reliability and trustworthiness |
| Official (Recovery) | Does not require unlocking the bootloader, saves data | Not all models support limited functionality | For minor updates without PC |
| Castomic (AOSP, LineageOS) | No advertising, current software, advanced settings | No guarantee, possible bugs, complex installation | Experienced users |
| Port from another device | Unique features, experiments | High risk of bricking, no support | Enthusiasts and developers |
For most users, the best choice is the official firmware in the format of Fastboot.
- 🌍 Official portal MIUI (Choose a version for your model!)
- 🔗 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (the latest builds, including beta versions)
- 📦 4PDA (Russified firmware and patches)
⚠️ Warning: Never install firmware from another model, even if the names are similar (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro and Redmi Note 12 Pro).+). This will result in an anti-rollback error and irreversible device failure.
Official (stable)|Official (developer)|Castomy (AOSP)|Port from another device|I'm not updating at all.-->
Installation of drivers: without them, the computer will not see the phone
Frequent problem when running through a PC – the computer does not recognize the device in fastboot or EDL. This is due to the lack of drivers for Qualcomm or Mediatek chipsets.
Instructions for installing drivers for Windows:
- Download Mi. PC Suite (automatically installs basic drivers).
- For fastboot: download Android SDK Platform Tools and Unpack to the Root of the Disk C:\platform-tools.
- For Qualcomm devices: install QDLoader HS-USB Driver (required for mode) EDL).
- For Mediatek: Download MediaTek USB VCOM drivers.
Check the correctness of the installation:
- Connect the phone off to the PC, keeping Volume down + Meals (to enter fastboot).
- Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
- The list should appear Android Bootloader Interface or Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
If the device is displayed as Unidentified, right-click on it → Update the driver → Perform a search on this computer → Select from the list and manually specify the path to the downloaded drivers.
What to do if drivers are not installed?
5. Firmware through Mi Flash Tool: step-by-step instructions
Mi Flash Tool is Xiaomi's official firmware tool for fastboot. It supports all models, including the latest Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 13.
Step 1: Preparing files
- 📁 Download firmware in.tgz or.zip format (for example, tucana_global_images_V14.0.6.0.TMBMIXM_20231212.0000.00_12.0_global_1d1d1d1d1d.tgz).
- 📂 Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\rom).
- 🔧 Install the Mi Flash Tool and unpack it in the same folder.
Step 2: The firmware process
- Turn off the phone and press the volume down. + Food for fastboot entrance (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
- Connect the phone to the PC.
- Run MiFlash.exe on behalf of the administrator.
- Click Select and point the way to the folder with unpacked firmware.
- Select firmware mode at the bottom: clean all – complete cleaning (recommended when changing version) MIUI). Clean all and lock - cleaning + bootloader lock (only for official firmware!) save user data - data storage (not always stable).
Refresh
Flash
If the process is hanging on 99% or a mistake "flash_all_lock.bat failed, try it:
- 🔌 Reconnect. USB-cable.
- 🔄 Reboot your phone in fastboot again.
- 📁 Reinstall the driver (see previous section).
- 🖥️ Repeat firmware on another PC.
💡
If the Mi Flash Tool is giving you an anti-rollback error, you are trying to install an older version. MIUI, It's better than the one on the phone before, and then you can only use the firmware through the phone. EDL (emergency mode) or contacting a service center.
6. Firmware through fastboot manually (for experienced)
If the Mi Flash Tool doesn't work (for example, when you make errors with super or vendor partitions), you can flash the phone through fastboot commands. This method requires knowledge of the console, but gives you more control.
Instructions:
- Unpack the firmware in a folder. C:\platform-tools\rom.
- Open the Command Prompt in this folder (Shift) + right-button → Open the team window).
- Check the phone connection: fastboot devices should show the serial number of the device.
- Sweat each section separately (example for Redmi Note) 10 Pro): fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img fastboot flash recovery recovery.img fastboot flash super super.img fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img
- Clear the cache: fastboot erase cache fastboot erase userdata
- Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot
⚠️ Note: If there is a file in the firmware archive flash_all.bat, You can run it with a double click, it will automatically execute all the commands, but before you do that, check the contents of the file for any unnecessary commands (for example, locking the bootloader).
For devices on Mediatek (e.g., Redmi) 9A) Instead of fastboot, we use a utility. SP Flash Tool. The process is similar, but requires a separate setup of the scatter file.
7.Error Solving: What to do if the firmware fails
Even with the correct following of the instructions, errors can occur, and we will discuss the most common ways to correct them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| anti-rollback | Trying to revert to the old version of MIUI | Only re-read the new version or EDL |
| This MIUI version cannot be installed | The firmware is not designed for your model. | Download the correct version from Xiaomifirmwareupdater.com |
| 99% Freezing in Mi Flash | Problems with drivers or USB-port | Reconnect the cable, change the port to USB 2.0 |
| fastboot: error: Command failed | Lack of rights or file corrupted | Run the command line from the administrator, download the firmware |
| The phone does not turn on after the firmware | Firmware inconsistency or error in recording | Repeat firmware in mode EDL (Authorized account required) |
If the phone has turned into a “brick” (no buttons, no PC is detected), try to enter mode. EDL:
- 🔌 Turn off the phone.
- 🔘 Hold the Loud up. + Loud down and plug in. USB-cable.
- 🖥️ In the Device Manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
- 🛠️ Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil to Firmware in EDL-mode.
Important: Firmware in mode EDL Requires the authorization of Xiaomi account with an official partner. Independent attempts can lead to permanent brick (irrecoverable breakage).
8.After Firmware: First Steps and Optimization
After a successful upgrade, follow a few steps to keep your phone running smoothly:
Step 1: Initial settings
- 🔄 Go through the initial setup (choose language, connect to Wi-Fi).
- 🔑 Log in to the same Mi Account you used to unlock the bootloader.
- ☁️ Restore data from backup (if you did backup).
Step 2: System inspection
- 📱 Make sure the version MIUI/HyperOS Updated: Settings → The phone.
- 🔋 Check the operation of the main functions: camera, sensors, mobile network.
- 🔄 Update all apps through Google Play or App Store.
Step 3: Optimization (optional)
- 🚀 Disable unnecessary system applications through Settings → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔒 Set up permissions for applications in Settings → Confidentiality.
- 🎯 Activate Performance Mode: Settings → Special facilities → Game mode.
If there are bugs after firmware (for example, the battery quickly goes down or does not work). NFC), try:
- Reset settings to factory: Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge.
- Install the patch through TWRP (If there is a custom recovery).
- Reverse to the previous version MIUI (Unless there is an anti-rollback limit!).
💡
After firmware is installed via fastboot, it is recommended to manually update the camera and radio modules through the Xiaomi Community app (Updates section), which will improve photo quality and communication stability.