Reflashing Xiaomi Redmi: official and custom methods with unlocking the bootloader

Why do you need to re-watch Redmi and when do you need to?

Xiaomi Redmi’s firmware is a procedure that can both save a device from software failures and ultimately kill it if it’s not done correctly. Most users resort to flashing it on three occasions: after critical system errors, to install a fresh version of MIUI with new features, or to switch to custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. But it’s important to understand that Fastboot erases all data on the device, including photos in internal memory, if a backup is not made.

Official Updates via Settings → About Phone → System upgrades are usually smooth, but what if the phone is stuck on the Mi logo, doesn’t turn on or gives an error “This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device”? In such cases, manual firmware is required. However, before you start, check if the reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset). If so, you will save time and nerves.

Another popular scenario is unlocking the bootloader to install custom firmware. Xiaomi officially allows this, but the process requires binding the Mi Account account and waiting for permission (sometimes up to 72 hours). Without unlocking the bootloader, you can not flash the device through fastboot, the system simply refuses to accept commands.

Preparation for firmware: backup, drivers and tools

The first step is to save all the important data, and even if you're surfing on top of the existing system, the risk of losing information remains. Use Mi Mover (a built-in Xiaomi app) or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root).

• 📸 Photo and video in the folder DCIM — They are not always rebuilt by cloud services.
• 📱 Contact and SMS — Export through Settings → Google → Backup.
• 🔑 Wi-Fi Passwords – Write them down manually or use the WiFi Password Viewer app.
• 🎮 Game saves – many games (such as Genshin Impact) are linked to an account, but some (such as Minecraft) store data locally.

Next, install the necessary drivers. For Windows, download the Mi Flash Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi) and Qualcomm or Mediatek drivers depending on your Redmi processor. You can find out the chipset model in the CPU-Z application or in Settings → About Phone → Full Specification. Mac/Linux will require adb and fastboot from the Android SDK Platform Tools package.

Remember to charge the battery, it should be at least 60%. If the phone runs out during firmware, it can lead to a breeze. USB-Original cable: cheap Chinese cords often don’t transmit data in fastboot mode.

Firmware selection: official MIUI vs custom builds

Official firmware from Xiaomi is divided into three types:

• 📱 Stable – Verified version with minimal bugs, updated every 1-2 months.
• 🧪 Beta – Test firmware for enthusiasts, updated weekly, but may contain critical errors.
• 🌍 Global/China/EU — regional versions. For example, China ROM Google does not have Google services, but it is updated more often.

Custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience, HavocOS) offer pure Android without a MIUI shell, but require an unlocked bootloader and are often devoid of Xiaomi's proprietary features (e.g. Second Space or Game Turbo).

• ⚡ Higher productivity due to lack of “garbage» MIUI.
• 🔄 Regular security updates from Google (unlike Xiaomi, which sometimes forgets to update older models).
• 🎨 Ability to fine-tune the interface (for example, changing fonts, animations, statusbar).

Where do I download firmware?

• 🔗 Officially MIUI: https://new.c.mi.com/global/miui/rom/ (Choose a version for your model!).
• 🔗 Castomy: XDA Developers or Telegram-channels of developers.

💡

Before downloading custom firmware, check the reviews on the forum. If the latest comments are older than 6 months, the firmware is likely to have been abandoned by the developer and may contain uncorrected bugs.

Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi: step-by-step instructions

Without unlocking the bootloader, you won’t be able to flash the device through fastboot or install custom Recovery (like TWRP).The process is officially supported by Xiaomi, but has nuances:

1. Link Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Activate USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI to turn on Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlock.

Connect your phone to your PC

Mi Unlock Tool

official website

Launch the utility.

Xiaomi

).

Linked to Mi Account | USB|Onset debugging |OEM|OnOnOEBlock |Installed Qualcomm/Mediatek Drivers | Downloaded Mi Unlock Tool-->

Important observations:

⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data (including files in internal memory) will be deleted from the phone, and some features (such as Find Device or Mi Pay) may stop working.

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a "Couldn't unlock" error, try: Use another one. USB-Disable the antivirus on your PC. Try another computer (sometimes helps).

Firmware through Fastboot: a method for experienced users

This method is suitable for installing an official MIUI or custom firmware if you already have a bootloader unlocked.

• 🖥️ Windows computer (for Mi Flash Tool).
• 📱 Charged phone ≥60%.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (unpacked!).

Step-by-step:

1. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
2. Select firmware mode: Clean all - complete cleaning (recommended in case of failures); Clean all and lock - cleaning + lock bootloader (only for official firmware!); Save user data - data storage (not always working correctly).

Flash

If the process is stuck on “waiting for device”, check:

• Does the antivirus block the Mi Flash Tool?

Firmware through Recovery: a method for beginners

If you don’t want to unlock the bootloader or are afraid to work with fastboot, you can flash your phone through standard or custom Recovery (such as TWRP), a method that is suitable for installing official MIUI updates in.zip or custom firmware.

Instructions for standard recovery:

1. Download the firmware in.zip format and rename it to update.zip.
2. Move the file to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Select the language (if there is such a clause).
5. Go to Install update.zip to System.
6. Confirm the installation and wait for completion.

For TWRP (Castom Recovery):

1. Download TWRP for your Redmi model from the official website.
2. In TWRP, select Install and specify the path to the firmware.
3. Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache.

💡

Firmware via TWRP allows custom cores, mods (like Magisk for root) and firmware from third-party developers to be installed, but not all MIUI features can work properly after such installation.

Solving common errors in firmware

Even with strict adherence to instructions, errors can occur, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo after firmware:

1. Press Volume Up + Power for 10-15 seconds for forced reboot.
2. If it doesn’t work, log in to Recovery and do Wipe data.
3. If that doesn’t work, then run your phone again through fastboot.

⚠️ Note: If sensors (such as a fingerprint or gyroscope) have stopped working after firmware, you may have installed firmware from another model or incompatible modification, and only re-routing the correct version will help.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about Redmi firmware