Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones face the need to reinstall the operating system sooner or later, which can be caused by “bricking” the device after a failed update, the desire to change the firmware region from Global to China, or the need to install Android cleanly without unnecessary debris. Unlike an “over the air” update, the method using a personal computer gives full control over the process and allows you to restore even those devices that have stopped responding to touching the screen.
Firmware-through process USB-cable is the most reliable way to restore the health of the gadget, as it minimizes the risks of interruption of data transmission due to unstable Wi-Fi connection. However, this method requires pre-workplace preparation, installation of specialized software and a clear understanding of the sequence of actions.
In this article, we will discuss all the preparation stages in detail, consider the differences between the Fastboot and EDL modes, and provide a step-by-step algorithm for safely reinstalling the system. You will learn how to properly prepare firmware files and what drivers are necessary for the correct operation of the computer with your smartphone.
Preparation of equipment and choice of firmware
The first step is to search and download the correct image of the operating system. You need to visit the official Mi Community resource or verified archives, such as XiaomiFirmwareUpdater. It is critical to choose a file that matches your device model. Using firmware from another smartphone can lead to permanent damage to the hardware.
Pay attention to the type of firmware: Fastboot is required to flash through the computer most often version Recovery (extension.zip) or Fastboot (extension.tgz). For the Mi Flash Tool, which will be discussed below, it is necessary to Fastboot archive. Once the file is downloaded, you need to unpack into the root folder of the disk so that the path to it does not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces.
Where can I download a secure firmware?
You will also need quality. USB-The cable, preferably original, that comes bundled with the device.Cheap charging cables often don't support data transmission, which will lead to connection errors. The computer must be running Windows 7 or a newer version, as Qualcomm and Xiaomi drivers work best in this environment.
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Use it. USB-Port 2.0 (black) on the motherboard behind the system unit. Ports 3.0 (blue) on older motherboards sometimes cause driver conflicts when firmware is used.
Installation of drivers and software
Without the right drivers, your computer won’t see your phone in firmware mode. You need to install the ADB and Fastboot drivers package and Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9003 drivers. These components provide communication between the PC operating system and the smartphone bootloader. Installation usually occurs automatically when you connect the device, but sometimes you need to manually update through Device Manager.
The main tool for work is the Mi Flash Tool. Download the latest stable version of the program from the official developer website. When installing, make sure that all items are marked in the list of components, including USB Driver and Qualcomm Driver. After installation, it is recommended to restart the computer to apply changes to the registry.
☑️ Firmware readiness check
Check the driver installation via Windows Device Manager. Connect the phone when it's off by pressing certain buttons (which will be discussed below). If a new device with an exclamation mark or the name QDLoader appears on the list, then the connection is established, but the driver may require manual updates by selecting a file from the installation folder.
Modes of operation: Fastboot and EDL
There are two main modes for flashing Xiaomi devices: Fastboot, a low-level access mode that allows you to change the file system partitions. To log in, you need to turn off your phone and pinch the Volume Down + Power key combination before you see an image of a hare repairing an android, in which the firmware is fast and requires no special rights.
The second mode is EDL (Emergency Download Mode), which is used to restore bricks when the phone does not respond to buttons or cyclically reboots, and often requires disassembling the case and closing contacts on the board (Test Point) or using special authorized accounts, and the average user is advised to start with Fastboot mode.
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Fastboot mode is available to all users for free. EDL mode often requires authorization through Xiaomi servers, which can be a paid service in service centers.
The difference between the two is fundamental: Fastboot works via standard Android protocol, while EDL interacts directly with Qualcomm's processor, ignoring the bootloader. If your phone turns on and shows the Mi logo but doesn't boot any further, try Fastboot mode. If the screen is black and the phone is only vibrating - chances are you'll need an EDL.
| Parameter | Fastboot mode | EDL mode (9008) |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance | Buttons (Loudness - + Nutrition) | Disassembly / ADB Team / Three buttons |
| Requirements | Unlocked bootloader (often) | Authorized Mi Account (often) |
| Risks. | Average. | Tall. |
| Speed. | Tall. | Medium |
The process of firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
Once all the components are ready, you can start the main process. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Select button and point the way to the unpacked firmware folder. Make sure there are no Russian letters on the way. flash_all.bat script.
Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode to your computer. The program should show a line with the serial number of the device. If the number shows an empty line or error, check the drivers and cable. Before starting the operation, select the firmware method in the lower right corner: clean all (full data clean) or save user data (save data, does not always work).
⚠️ Warning: Selecting the clean all and lock option will block the bootloader. If you have global firmware installed on a Chinese phone (or vice versa), the device will go into eternal reboot. Use this option only if the firmware region matches the region of the device.
Press the Flash button to start the process. The progress bar will show the status of execution. At this time it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the power of the computer. The process can take from 200 to 600 seconds. Once completed, the phone automatically restarts, and you will see the Mi logo, and then the welcome screen.
Typical errors and methods of their solution
One of the most common errors is the Flash Error code or the message "Missmatching image and device." This means you're trying to flash the firmware from another model. Carefully check the device's code name (such as raphael for Mi 9T Pro) in the firmware file name and in the phone's properties.
The “Not enough space in phone storage” error often occurs when you’re trying to install a heavier version of Android on the old partition markup, or vice versa. In such cases, choosing the clean all option that recreates partitions helps. USB-port.
⚠️ Attention: If the firmware is 99 percent dead and doesn't respond for more than 10 minutes, don't be in a hurry to turn off the cable. Sometimes the verification process takes a long time.
If your computer stops seeing your device during the firmware process, the contact may have gone away. Try using another port, preferably on the back of the system unit. It's also worth disabling the antivirus and Windows firewall, as they can block the QDLoader drivers.
Actions after successful firmware
The first start-up after reinstalling the system takes much longer than usual, from 5 to 15 minutes. This is normal, because it optimizes applications and creates cache. Don't try to speed up the process by restarting, this can lead to a cyclic bootloop.
Once the system is loaded, it is recommended to check the software version immediately in the Settings → About Phone section. Make sure that the build number matches the downloaded file. It is also worth checking the main modules: the camera, microphone and touch screen to exclude hardware malfunctions that may have manifested coincidentally.
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After the first download, uninstall unused system applications through ADB if you are an advanced user, which will free up space and increase autonomy.
Recovering data from your backup is the final step. If you've opted for a full cleanup, use your Google or Mi Cloud account to return contacts and photos. Don't install all apps at once, do it gradually, keeping your system stable.