How to upgrade Xiaomi Redmi 3 to the latest firmware: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 3, released in 2016, is still a popular budget smartphone thanks to reliable hardware and support for custom firmware. However, official updates from Xiaomi for this model have long been discontinued — the last stable version of MIUI 9 was released in 2018. This does not mean that your device is doomed to outdated software: there are alternative ways to update the system, improve performance and even install modern Android.

In this guide, we will look at all the current upgrade methods, from standard OTA (if available) to manual firmware via Fastboot and custom recavators. We will focus on the risks of locking the bootloader on older Xiaomi devices and how to avoid them. If you have never flashed your own smartphones, don’t worry: the instructions are adapted for beginners, with step-by-step screenshots and an explanation of each action.

1. Verification of the current firmware version and compatibility

Before you upgrade to Redmi 3, you need to make sure your device supports the method you choose.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Remember the current version (for example, MIUI 9.6.3.0).
• 🔍 Check the device model in Settings → The phone. → The model is Redmi. 3 There are two versions: ido, the global version (2/16 GB 3/32 GB) ido_xhdpi — Chinese version (only) 2/16 GB)
• 🔗 Make sure the bootloader is unlocked. Turn off the phone, press Volume down. + Power and look at the screen: if there is an inscription Unlocked – the bootloader is open.

If you have a version MIUI older than 9.5, official OTA-You'll have to use manual methods, and also note that Redmi 3 doesn't support Android 10.+ Officially - the maximum version for custom firmware - Android 9 Pie (based on LineageOS 16).

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 3 Buy in China (model) ido_xhdpi), for firmware global versions MIUI You will need to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool, without which the device can turn into a brick».

Method 1: Air-to-air update (OTA) – if it still works

The easiest and safest method is to update via Settings, but it only works if:

• 📶 You have an official firmware installed without modifications.
• 🔄 Xiaomi servers are still available. OTA for your version.
• 📱 The device is not rooted and does not have a custom recaveri.

Instructions:

1. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (update "over the air" can weigh up to 1.5 GB).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Check Updates. If you find an update, download it.
4. After downloading, click Reboot and install.

If the system writes no Updates or if there is an error Unable to download, then OTA for your version is no longer available.

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If OTA-Update “hangs” at the boot stage, try changing DNS on a router on 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).

Method 2: Manual installation of official firmware via Recovery

If OTA doesn't work, but you want to stay on the official MIUI, you can manually install the firmware through the stock Recovery.

1. Download the latest official firmware for your model from en.miui.com. 3 Look for files marked ido (global) or ido_xhdpi (China).
2. Check that the file has a.zip extension and weighs ~1.2-1.5 GB. Do not download firmware from third-party sites!
3. Move the file to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
4. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
5. In the Recovery menu, select Install update.zip to System (control - volume buttons, confirmation - power button).
6. After installation, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

It takes 5-10 minutes. If the phone hangs on the Mi logo after the reboot, reset it via Recovery (Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data).

⚠️ Note: If you install firmware for another regional version (e.g., Chinese on the global Redmi 3), Google services may disappear after the update. To return them, you will need to manually stitch GApps through the custom Recovery.

4. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for power users)

If the stock recavator refuses to install the firmware or you want to "roll back" to an older version, the method through Fastboot will help.This method requires an unlocked bootloader and a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed.

Step-by-step:

Install Mi Flash Tool on PC| Download firmware in.tgz|Unlock firmware in folder |Enable debugging on USB on phone |Unlock bootloader (if not done)

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1. Download the Mi Flash Tool from Xiaomi’s official website and install it on PC.
2. Download the firmware in.tgz format (such as this one) and unpack it into a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
6. At the bottom, select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Lock bootloader).
7. Press Flash and wait for the process to end (5-10 minutes).

Once the firmware is in place, the phone will automatically restart. The first launch can take up to 15 minutes - don't turn off the device!

5. Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

If the official firmware does not suit you, you can install custom based Android 9 Pie. Popular options for Redmi 3:

• 📱 LineageOS 16 – pure Android without unnecessary applications.
• 🎨 Pixel Experience – firmware with an interface like Google Pixel.
• ⚡ Havoc-OS - customizable firmware with many settings.

The installation will require:

1. Unlocked bootloader.
2. Installed custom TWRP Recovery (download here).
3. Firmware in.zip and GApps format (if you need Google services).

Instructions:

1. Download TWRP for Redmi 3 and run it through Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.5.2-ido.img
2. Download to TWRP (Bulk Up + Power buttons).
3. Make a backup of the current firmware (Backup) → Select Storage → Swipe to Backup).
4. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
5. Install the firmware (Install) → Choose. ZIP-file → Swipe to Confirm).
6. Install GApps (if necessary).
7. Reboot to the system.

⚠️ Attention: Castom firmware may contain bugs, especially on older devices. Check forum reviews before installing XDA For example, in LineageOS 16 for Redmi 3 sometimes does not work the camera module – you will need to install fixes.

6. Solving common errors during the update

When updating Redmi 3, users often face the following problems:

If the IMEI is missing after the update, you can restore it using the engineering menu:

1. Type on the keyboard ##3646633##.
2. Go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.
3. In the field AT+ enter: AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1" AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2" (substitute IMEI_1 and IMEI_2 on their own).
4. Reboot the phone.

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If the phone stopped charging or discharges quickly after firmware, calibrate the battery: completely discharge the device, then charge to 100% without interruptions. Repeat the cycle 2-3 times.

7.How to return the official firmware after custom

If custom firmware is unstable or you want to return the warranty (if it is still valid), you can roll back to the official MIUI.

1. Download fastboot firmware for your model (links in the table above).
2. Unpack it in a folder on your PC.
3. Download your phone to Fastboot Mode.
4. Connect to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Select Clean all and lock mode - this will block the bootloader and return the stock Recovery.
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed.

After this procedure, all data will be erased and the bootloader locked, and to re-install custom firmware, you will need to re-unblock it through the Mi Unlock Tool (the process takes up to 720 hours of waiting for new Xiaomi accounts).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi updates 3