How to Reflash Xiaomi Column: Official and Unofficial Ways

Reflashing Xiaomi’s smart speaker is a procedure that can solve device problems, add new features, or even improve sound, but the wrong actions often lead to a gadget becoming “bricked” when it stops turning on or responding to commands. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to update software for models Mi Smart Speaker, Redmi Speaker, Xiaomi. AI Speaker and others, including official methods through the Mi Home app and alternative options for power users.

It's important to understand that the firmware process varies depending on the speaker model and the version of the current software. MT7688 (Like Xiaomi Mi. AI First-generation Speaker requires one approach, and chip speakers ESP32 (We'll describe each case in detail, specify the tools you need, and warn you against common mistakes that can turn your column into a useless brick".

Preparation for Flashing: What You Need to Know Before You Start

Before you start updating your firmware, make sure you understand the risks and consequences. Unofficial firmware can take away your warranty, and a mistake in the process can take your device down.

• 🔋 Battery charge: Column must be charged at least 50%.Discharge during firmware is high risk of damage to firmware.
• 📋 Device model: Refine the exact model (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker Art or Redmi Speaker) X55) — firmware is not universal!
• 🔗 Stable connection: Use 2.4 GHz network to upgrade over Wi-Fi (5 GHz may not be supported).
• 💾 Backup: Save your current settings (e.g., connected devices in Mi Home) as a firmware reset may be required after the firmware is installed.

Also check the current firmware version. You can do this in the Mi Home app: Device Profile → Settings → If the version is older than the one offered on the Xiaomi website, an update is mandatory, but beware: some users face loss of functionality of the voice assistant after updating on the 2019-2020 speakers of the release.

⚠️ Note: If your column was purchased in China (market version) CN), firmware (EU/RU) It can block some features, such as working with Alice or Google Assistant.

Official way: Update via Mi Home

The safest method is to use the branded Mi Home app.It is suitable for most models, including Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker, Redmi Speaker Play and Xiaomi. AI Speaker Art. Instructions are relevant for 6.0 and later versions (2023–2026.).

Steps to update:

1. Open Mi Home and select your column from the device list.
2. Go to Settings → About the device → Update firmware.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (usually 5-15 minutes) and the column will reboot automatically.

If the update button is inactive, check:

• 🌍 Account Region: The region corresponding to the column model must be selected in Mi Home (e.g. Russia for the mobile phone). EU-version).
• 📶 Internet connection: The speaker and phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
• ⏳ Xiaomi server times: Sometimes updates are delayed - check later.

Check out the Mi Home version (update if necessary)

Connect the column to the 2.4 GHz network

Ensure a stable Internet connection

Charge the column by at least 50%

Take a screenshot of the current settings-->

If the update was delayed during the Preparation for Update phase, try:

1. Reboot the column (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Remove the device from Mi Home and add it again.
3. Repeat the update attempt in 30 minutes.

⚠️ Note: After updating with Mi Home, some users note the reset of the equalizer settings. If you use custom audio settings, write them down in advance.

Alternative methods: manual firmware

If the official update is not available or you want to install custom firmware (for example, to add support for Multi-room or change the sound profile), you can use manual methods. They are suitable for power users and require special software.

For most Xiaomi speakers on the base ESP32 or MT7688 need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux;
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (to connect the column to the PC);
• 📁 Firmware in.bin format (you can download on the forums) 4PDA or XDA Developers);
• 🛠️ Utilities: Flash Tool for ESP32 or SP Flash Tool for the MT7688.

Firmware-through process SP Flash Tool (for columns on the MT7688, For example, Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker):

1. Download and unpack. SP Flash Tool and firmware.
2. Launch it. flash_tool.exe on behalf of the administrator.
3. In the Scatter-loading File field, select the file MT7688_Android_scatter.txt firmware.
4. Click Download and connect the switched-off column to the PC via USB.
5. Wait until the process is complete (the indicator is the green circle).

For columns on ESP32 (For example, Redmi Speaker X55) Use esptool via the command line:

esptool.py --chip esp32 --port COM3 write_flash 0x0 firmware.bin

Where COM3 — port of your column (check in Device Manager) and firmware.bin — firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through SP Flash Tool or esptool erases all data on the device, including Bluetooth pairs and Wi-Fi settings. After the procedure, you will need to reconfigure the column as a new device.

Solving problems after firmware

Even if you upgrade successfully, you can have problems, and let's look at the typical situations and how to fix them.

The column shall not be switched on after the firmware:

• 🔌 Check the battery charge (plug in to charge for 30 minutes).
• 🔄 Try resetting: Hold the power button for 15-20 seconds.
• 🖥️ If the column is defined as Unknown Device by the PC, repeat the firmware with another version of the software.

No sound or distortion:

• 🔊 Reset the equalizer settings in Mi Home.
• 📱 Update the firmware again – it is possible that the file was corrupted during downloading.
• 🎵 Check if the sound on the device itself is turned off (for example, by the physical switch on the Redmi Speaker).

The column does not connect to Wi-Fi:

• 📶 Make sure the router is running in 2.4GHz mode (5GHz is not supported by many models).
• 🔄 Reboot the router and column.
• 📱 Remove the device from Mi Home and add again.

If the column loads but is not running smoothly (e.g., spontaneously reboots), this may indicate firmware incompatibility.

1. Find the original firmware for your model (e.g., on Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
2. Return to the previous version of the software through SP Flash Tool (select Firmware Upgrade instead of Download).

💡

If the Russian localization is lost after the firmware, try to change the region in Mi Home to Russia or Europe, then update the firmware again.

Reverse Firmware: How to return the previous version

Sometimes new firmware brings more problems than benefits: it loses functions, worsens sound or develops bugs, in which case you can return the previous version of the software. However, note that downgrade is not always supported officially and can lead to errors.

The rollback will require:

1. Download the archive with the desired firmware version (for example, from the firmware archive).
2. Use it. SP Flash Tool (for Flash Tool) MT7688) or esptool (for the ESP32) Download Only mode.
3. Select a firmware file (firmware.bin or recovery.img) start the process.

Important: when rolling back on the speakers with a chip MT7688 (For example, Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker) may require unlocking the bootloader:

1. Connect the column to the PC in Preloader mode (hold the reset button when connected). USB).
2. V SP Flash Tool Select Format All + Download.
3. After formatting, run the old version of the software.

⚠️ Note: Firmware rollback on Secure Boot-protected speakers (e.g. Xiaomi Smart Speaker) IR) It can block the device, and you'll need a service center.

💡

Before rolling back the firmware, be sure to check the compatibility of the version of the software with your column model. Non-conformity can lead to complete loss of functionality.

Firmware via Recovery Mode (for experienced users)

Some Xiaomi speakers (such as Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker Art) support Recovery Mode, which allows you to install firmware without a PC, a method that is useful if the device is not defined by a computer.

Instructions for entering Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the column.
2. Hold the Volume button. + (or Mute, depending on the model) and connect the power.
3. Release the button when the indicator lights up (usually red or orange).

Next:

• 📁 Place the firmware file (update.zip) microSD card (FAT32).
• 📱 Insert the card in the column (if there is a slot) or connect through OTG-adapter.
• 🔄 In the Recovery menu, select Apply update from SD card.

If the column does not support Recovery Mode, but there is a connector UART (For example, on the Xiaomi Mi board AI Speaker, you can flash it through a serial console using Python scripts, but this method requires soldering and electronics.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Firmware errors are often associated with inattention or the use of inappropriate tools, and these are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:

To minimize the risks:

• 🔍 Always check your column’s chipset model (for example, through disassembly or documentation).
• 📥 Download firmware only from verified sources (official sites, 4PDA, XDA).
• ⚡ Use a stable power supply: sew a column from the network, not from the battery.
• 📝 Keep a log of actions (which firmware was installed, what errors occurred).

If the speaker doesn't respond to the buttons and is not detected by the PC after a failed firmware, the last option is to sell the flash memory using a programmer, which requires soldering iron skills and knowledge of circuitry.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions