Modern Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their functionality, but sometimes the operating system starts to work unstable, there are errors or just want to change the firmware region. In such situations, a standard update “over the air” may not help, and the only way out is a complete reinstallation of the software using a PC. This method is considered the most reliable, since it allows you to restore the device even from the “brick” state when the phone stops loading in normal mode.
Xiaomi’s flashing process through a computer requires careful and strict follow-up to ensure that the system partitions are not damaged. You will not only need the smartphone itself and the Windows PC, but also special software to interact with the bootloader. Proper preparation is 90% of the success, so do not neglect to check the integrity of files and battery power before starting the procedure.
In this article, we will discuss how to prepare the device, install the necessary drivers and start the firmware process through the Mi Flash Tool. We will discuss the nuances of unlocking the bootloader, since without this step, installing a global or Chinese version of the software is impossible.
Preparation for firmware: tools and requirements
The first step is to assemble the necessary hardware and software, without the right quality. USB-If you have a cable that can transmit data, not just charge the device, the connection to the computer will be unstable. Use the original cable or certified analogue, as cheap wires often cause a connection to break at a critical time of writing system files.
You need to install current ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer, as well as specific drivers for Xiaomi devices. Often Windows 10 or 11 automatically finds the basic drivers, but Fastboot mode may require manual installation through Device Manager. Make sure that at least 10 GB of free space is reserved on the system disk to unpack firmware archives.
⚠️ Before starting any manipulations, be sure to make a full backup of all important data, since in the process of firmware, the information will be completely destroyed.
You will need the latest Mi Flash Tool to work with, and older versions of the software may not work properly with new smartphone models released in 2023-2026, and download the current version is best from an official community forum or proven resources specializing in mobile technology.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
The key step before flashing is to unlock the Bootloader. Xiaomi defaults to lock this component for security reasons, preventing the installation of modified software. To unlock, you will need a Mi Account account that must be linked to the device, and a special Mi Unlock application on your computer.
The process does not happen instantly: once you submit an application in the Settings → For developers → Uploader status you will have to wait from 7 to 168 hours. This is the time it takes for the company's servers to verify the status of the account.
After receiving the permission SMS, re-start Mi Unlock, put the phone in Fastboot mode (clamping the power and volume buttons) and connect to the PC. Press the Unlock button and wait for the process to complete, which will take a few seconds but require a stable Internet connection.
- 🔒 Make sure that the developer settings include the item "Factory unlocking».
- 📱 Link your Mi Account to your device via mobile internet, not Wi-Fi.
- 💻 Install the latest version of Mi Unlock from the official website.
- 🔋 Charge your smartphone to at least 60% before the unlock procedure begins.
Selecting the type of firmware: Fastboot or Recovery
There are two main types of firmware for Xiaomi devices, and the choice between them depends on your goals and system status.Recovery firmware has a.zip extension and is installed via a restore menu or a regular updater. This method is easier, but it does not allow you to change the region (for example, from China to Global) without additional manipulation and does not clean the partitions as deeply as you would like in case of serious failures.
The Fastboot variant is designed specifically for full-memory formatting firmware through a computer, a clean setup that erases all data and writes system partitions anew, and this is a method recommended if the phone is catching cyclic reboots, not seeing the network, or requiring a regional version of the software to be changed.
When downloading a file, pay attention to the notation in the title: Global, European, EEA, Russian, RU, and Chinese. It is also important to distinguish between stable and test versions (Beta), since beta versions can contain critical errors.
| Characteristics | Recovery ROM | Fastboot ROM |
|---|---|---|
| File extension | .zip | .tgz |
| Installation without PC | Possible. | Impossible. |
| Change of region | Hard to do. | Full support |
| Depth of cleaning | Surface. | Full formatting |
Where is it safe to download firmware?
The process of firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
Once you've got it all ready, you can start the basic process. Unpack the firmware archive at the root of the C disk so that the path to the files is short and doesn't contain Cyrillic or space. C:\ROM\, not C:\My documents \ Firmware is new \ as the utility may not properly process long paths.
Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press refresh to detect the connected device. If the phone is identified correctly, the serial number will appear in the list. If the number appears empty or an error, check the drivers in Device Manager.
☑️ Checklist before running firmware
At the bottom of the program window, select firmware mode. To clean the data completely, select clean all. If you want to save data (which is not recommended when changing the region), select save user data, but note that this may lead to errors in the system. Press flash and watch the progress bar.
The process takes 300 before 600 You can't shut down the cable or shut down the program at this time, and when it's done, the phone automatically restarts. The first boot can last until you're done. 10-15 minutes as the system performs initial configuration of components.
Solving mistakes and problems
Even with careful preparation, errors can occur. One of the most common is Miss matching image and device. It means you are trying to install firmware designed for a different device model. Always check the code name of the model (for example, cepheus for Mi 9 or davinci for Redmi K20) in the firmware file name.
Flash Error or freezing at 3% is often a sign of trouble with the system. USB-You can use a port or a cable. USB 2.0 (black connector) on the motherboard behind the system unit, avoiding the use of USB-hubs and front panels of the case.
⚠️ Note: If the program issues a “Unlock failed” error or requires re-authorization, make sure that the Mi Account from which the unlock was made is active and linked to the device.
Sometimes antivirus software or Windows firewall can block the Mi Flash Tool, considering its actions suspicious. During the firmware, it is recommended to temporarily disable the antivirus and firewall to prevent their interference with the data recording process.
- 🔌 Use it. USB-ports directly on the motherboard, not on the front panel.
- 🛑 Disable the antivirus and firewall during the firmware procedure.
- 📂 Make sure that the path to the firmware files does not contain Russian letters.
- 🔄 Try using another one. USB-cable if the process is disrupted in the initial stages.
💡
If the Mi Flash Tool doesn’t see the phone, try pressing the volume button immediately after connecting the cable so that the device is guaranteed to go into Fastboot mode.
Actions after successful firmware
After successfully installing the new version of Android and MIUI (or HyperOS), the system will offer to go through the initial setup. Don't rush to restore all applications from the backup at once. Give the system to "sit" on charging in the off or on state for about an hour to the background indexing processes to complete their work.
Check the core modules: cameras, speakers, microphone and sensor. Make sure mobile data and Wi-Fi work. If you've been changing from China to Global, check for Google services -- they're built into global firmware, you'll have to install them manually in Chinese.
To optimize battery life, it is recommended that you do not load your phone with heavy games in the first couple of days, the system will be trained in the use algorithms, and the charge consumption can be higher than usual, and over time the statistics will level off, and the device will work normally.
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The first download after firmware always lasts longer than usual – it is a normal process of optimization of applications and systems, which does not require user intervention.