Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face the need to reinstall the operating system, which may be necessary when there are software failures, “perpetual download” or want to get a fresh version of Android before the official update by air.
The process of installing software requires carefulness and accurate follow-up to the algorithm of actions. Unlike updating through the menu of a smartphone, the method using a PC gives full control over the memory partitions, you can not only update the system, but also change the region, move from the Chinese version to the global version, or even roll back to an earlier build if the new one is unstable.
Before taking action, you need to understand the risks. Any interference with system files carries a potential risk of data loss. The Clean All procedure will permanently delete all photos, contacts and applications. It is critical to back up important information in the cloud or on external media in advance so that valuable files do not lose in the event of a failure.
Tool preparation and firmware loading
The success of the operation depends on 90% of the quality of the preparatory stage. You will need a computer running the Windows operating system (versions 7, 8, 10 or 11), a good working computer. USB-The cable must be original or quality, capable of transmitting data, not just charging the device. Cheap charging cables often cause connection errors and interruption of the process.
The next step is to find and download the correct firmware file, the official source is miui.com or specialized resources like xiaomiui.net. It is important to choose the file that matches your model. There are different versions for Redmi Note or Xiaomi Mi, and installing the wrong software can cause communication modules or touchscreen to fail.
Pay attention to the type of firmware: it can be for Recovery mode and Fastboot mode. To work through the computer, we need a Fastboot firmware. It is easy to recognize it by the file extension - the archive should end in.tgz, not.zip. Inside the archive should be folders with images of the system partitions.
💡
Always check the checksum (MD5) of the downloaded firmware archive to make sure the file is intact and there are no download errors.
You also need to install specialized software, the main tool is the Mi Flash Tool, which should be downloaded only from trusted sources, since modified versions may contain malicious code. After installing the program, remember to restart your computer to correctly register system libraries.
Installation of drivers and setting up the environment
Windows doesn't always automatically recognize Xiaomi smartphones in firmware mode. Most often, you need to manually install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers, depending on your device's processor. Without the right drivers, your computer won't see the phone in the right mode, and the firmware will give you a connection error.
Installation of drivers often requires disabling driver signature verification in Windows 10/11. This is done through the Update Options menu → Reboot now → Reboot now → Troubleshooting → Additional Options → Boot Options. After the reboot, select “Disable Mandatory Driver Signature Verification.”
After the drivers are turned on, connect the smartphone to your PC by holding a certain button combination (usually Volume Down + Power). Device Manager should have a device called Xiaomi Android Bootloader or Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader. If the "Unknown Device" is displayed instead, the driver is installed incorrectly.
What to do if the driver is not installed?
It is important to make sure that the system drive (usually a C: drive) has enough free space. Temporary files created during the unpacking and firmware process can take several gigabytes. It is also recommended to disable the antivirus during the procedure, as it can block the program from accessing USB ports or system files of the bootloader.
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
The key to overblocking through a computer is an unlocked bootloader. Bootloader is a program that runs to the operating system and checks the digital signature of the software being downloaded. If the bootloader is blocked, it will prevent you from installing an informal or regional version of the firmware.
To unlock, you need to apply to Xiaomi through your Mi Account. The process is not instant: the wait can take from 3 to 15 days. Once you get permission, you need to log into the same account in the smartphone menu and in the Mi Unlock app on your computer. The unlock process will completely clear the data from the device.
There are exceptions where unlocking is not required or possible by official methods. For example, on some global versions with a closed bootloader, flashing is only possible through EDL (Emergency Download Mode), which often requires an authorized Mi Account and paid service centers. For ordinary users, the standard Mi Unlock path is the only true one.
When successfully unlocked, the screensaver will display an image of a hare repairing an android, or the words FASTBOOT. This signals that the device is ready to accept commands from the computer. Ignoring this step will lead to the error "Mi Account is not bound to this device" when trying to firmware.
The process of firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
When all are completed, you can start the main process. Unpack the archive with the firmware in the root of the disk so that the path to the files is short and does not contain Cyrillic (for example, C:\mi_rom\). Long paths or Russian letters in folder names often cause file read errors by the utility.
Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press refresh to detect the connected smartphone. If the device is identified correctly, its serial number will appear in the list. If the field is empty, check the cable, USB port or drivers.
At the bottom of the program window you will see three firmware modes, the choice of which is critical:
- 🟢 clean all – complete data cleanup and firmware installation (recommended when switching between Android versions).
- 🔵 save user data – install firmware with user data (only possible when updating within one version of Android).
- 🔴 clean all and lock – complete cleaning, firmware installation and re-locking of the bootloader (use only for global firmware on global devices!).
☑️ Checklist before the start of the firmware
Once you select the mode, press the flash button, start a data recording process that takes 200 to 600 seconds, the progress bar will be filled in green, during which time it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the program, any interference can damage the boot sector.
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
Even with careful preparation, there can be failures. One of the most common errors is Missmatching image and device. It means you're trying to flash firmware from another model. For example, a file for the Redmi Note 9 Pro (codename curtana) won't land on the Redmi Note 9 (codename merlin). Always check the code name of the device.
The Not enough space error indicates memory overflow or, more often, file path problems. As mentioned earlier, move the firmware folder closer to the root of the disk. USB-port, preferably connected directly to the motherboard, rather than through USB-hub.
If the process hangs on a certain percentage or gives an error Error: Flash image overflow, try to switch the firmware mode in the program settings (Flash menu). → FlashAll or FlashAll_Lock). Sometimes it helps to reconnect the cable at the moment when the progress bar just started moving.
| Error code | Description of the problem | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Flash error: 0x... | Problem with connection or driver | Reinstall drivers, change port/cable |
| Missmatching image | Inconsistency of the firmware model | Download the correct file for the codename device |
| Not enough space | Lack of space or long journey | Move files to the root of the disk (C:\rom) |
| Device unauthorized | Phone not authorized in Mi Unlock | Log in to Mi Account in your phone settings |
💡
Most errors arise from inattention when choosing a firmware file or using poor quality USB-cable.
First start and initial setup
Once the process is complete, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can take longer than usual, from 5 to 10 minutes. This is normal, as the system optimizes files and creates new partitions. Don't panic if the screen is lit for a long time by the MI or Redmi logo.
When you first download, you'll be greeted by a greeting screen, and if you've used clean all, the phone will be like new, and you'll be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and log into a Google or Mi Account account, and if you've previously synced your data, it will automatically recover.
It is important to check the system version in the Settings → About Phone menu. Make sure the build number matches the downloaded file. It is also recommended to check for more recent updates immediately, since the firmware you downloaded may have been released several months ago.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone goes into an endless bootloop after firmware, don't panic. + Power and reset (Wipe Data) If this doesn't work, you'll have to repeat the firmware procedure by selecting clean all mode.
In some cases, after flashing, some features, such as NFC or camera, may not work correctly, and this often happens when switching between regional versions (for example, from CN to Global), the solution is a full reset (Wipe All Data) through the Recovery menu or re-routing with cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use Xiaomi without unlocking the bootloader?
Will the warranty disappear after the flashing?
What if your computer can’t see your phone in Fastboot?
Can we switch from the Chinese version to the global version?
⚠️ Note: Locking the bootloader is only possible if you are flashing the device with firmware in the same region for which it was released. Blocking global firmware on the Chinese device (and vice versa) will make it impossible to boot the system.