Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face the need to reinstall the operating system, which may be due to the desire to move from the Chinese version of MIUI to the global, upgrade to a new version of Android before the official release, or restore the device to work after a failure. Unlike an update “over the air”, the method using a personal computer gives full control over the process and allows you to fix errors that cannot be fixed by regular means.
The flashing procedure requires care and preparation, but it is quite feasible at home. You don't need to be a professional engineer to perform these actions, but strictly following the algorithm is critical. Any deviation from the instruction or power interruption can cause the gadget to malfunction, so make sure you understand each step in advance.
In this guide, we will discuss all the steps in detail: from finding the correct system image file to transferring the smartphone to a special Fastboot mode. We will look at the necessary tools, methods for installing drivers and ways to solve the most common problems that arise in the process of writing data to the device’s flash memory.
Preparation of equipment and choice of software version
The first step is to find the right firmware file. For Xiaomi smartphones, there are two main types of images: Recovery and Fastboot. To flash through your computer, you will need a Fastboot version, which has a.tgz extension and usually weighs about 3-4 GB. You can download current files on the official MIUI bootloader portal or trusted third-party resources, such as XiaomiFirmwareUpdater.
It is important to correctly identify the code name of your device, as firmware from one model installed on another will turn the phone into a “brick.” For example, for Redmi Note 10, the code name is sunny, and for Xiaomi Mi 11, venus. You can find this information in the phone settings in the “About phone” section or on the box from the device.
You will also need quality. USB-Using cheap charging-only cables often causes a connection to break at a critical point in the recording of memory sectors. The computer must run Windows, as the main utilities for Xiaomi firmware are optimized for this OS.
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Custom firmware
Make sure that there is enough free space on the computer hard drive. After unpacking the archive with the firmware, the folder can take up to 10-15 GB. It is desirable that the path to the firmware folder is short and does not contain Cyrillic characters to avoid errors in the work of console utilities.
To successfully record a system image on a device, you need specialized software, the main tool is the Mi Flash Tool, which is the official software from the manufacturer, which knows how to work with the Bootloader in Fastboot mode.
The critical step is to install drivers. The computer must correctly recognize the smartphone in boot mode. Most often, you need a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (for EDL mode) or standard Android Bootloader Interface drivers. If the drivers are not installed, the program simply will not see the connected device.
- 📱 Download and install. ADB and Fastboot drivers from the official Android site or through the installer SDK Platform Tools.
- 💻 Install. USB Drivers for mobile devices, often bundled with Mi PC Suite or Mi Flash Tool.
- 🔧 Check in Device Manager for an unknown device or device called Android when connecting your phone.
After installing all the components, it is recommended to restart the computer, which ensures that all system services responsible for interacting with the computer. USB-Ports will be activated correctly and new drivers will be activated.
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Use it. USB-port soldered directly on the motherboard (back of the system unit), and not on the front panel of the case – this will provide stable voltage and data transfer.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Before you start writing data, you need to unlock the bootloader. This is a security mechanism that prevents the installation of unofficial software. Without the unlocked Bootloader, the Mi Flash Tool program will give an error when you try to firmware. The unlocking process requires linking the Mi Account to the device and waiting for 7 to 30 days (depending on the region and company policy).
To unlock, you use the Mi Unlock Tool utility. You need to log in to the same account as in the phone, transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode (clamping the volume buttons down and power) and connect it to the PC. The program will check the status and, if (wait time) is out, will allow unlocking.
⚠️ Warning: The bootloader unlock process automatically performs a full Wipe Data reset. All photos, contacts and applications will be deleted. Back up important information in the cloud or on your computer in advance.
After successfully unlocking the smartphone boot screen, an open padlock icon will appear. From now on, you can install any firmware versions, including a rollback to older versions of Android, which is usually prohibited by locked devices.
What to do if Mi Unlock says "Couldn't verify device"?If the program can't check the device, make sure the developer settings have an option enabled"OEM "opening" and"USB Also check that you are logged into the Mi Unlock Tool under the same account that is tied in the phone settings.--> Instructions
When all the (preparatory) work is done, you can go to the main process. Unpack the downloaded firmware archive into the root of the disk, for example, in a folder. C:\MIUI_ROM. The path should be free of spaces and Russian letters. Run MiFlash on behalf of the administrator. Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode. To do this, turn off the device completely, and then press the volume button and hold it, connect it. USB-And you'll see a picture of a hare fixing an android on the phone, or a sign that says, FASTBOOT orange-blue. ☑️ Checklist before the firmware Battery is charged more than 60%Download the Fastboot archive ROMDrivers installed ADB and Qualcomm Unlocked BootloaderData backupDataBackupDone: 0 / 5 In the Mi Flash Tool interface, press the Refresh button. Your device with alphanumeric code should appear in the list. If the device doesn't show up, check the drivers in Device Manager. Then press Select and point the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware. At the bottom of the window, select the firmware method. There are usually three options available: 🔄 Update – saves user data (only works when changing the region or version to a compatible one). 🧹 Clean All – Cleans the memory completely and installs a clean system (recommended). 🔒 Clean All and Lock will clear the data and re-block the bootloader (only when running the stock version of the same region). Press Flash to start the process. Progress bar will show the execution status. The entire process takes 300 to 600 seconds. Do not interrupt the connection or touch the cable until the Success message appears in the transaction status. Firmware modes: Fastboot, Recovery and EDL Understanding the difference between the modes of operation of the smartphone is necessary to choose the right method of recovery. Fastboot mode, which we discussed above, allows you to write partitions of the system directly, bypassing the installed OS. This is the most reliable way to completely reflash. Recovery mode is used to install updates through the recovery menu, but only the.zip update file can be transmitted via the computer using the command. ADB. You can't install the full firmware in.tgz in this way, and it's a method that's good for updating without losing data if the current system is stable. EDL (Emergency Download Loader: It is built into the device’s chipset and works even when the system is completely broken or the boot loader is damaged. Entering this mode often requires disassembling the phone and closing contacts on the board (Test Point) or using an authorized Mi Account for paid firmware through service centers. Fastboot Recovery EDL (9008) File type.tgz (unpacked).zip.mbn /.elf Data saving Only optionally No (full reset) Complexity Average Low Access Free (need unlocked BL) Free Limited (need account or required account or Mirror All-Shooking) file type (retched).complicated from the current Errorororororororororororm, try this method from the current version of the process, for example, or use of the error in the same file file file file format. If the program is stuck in the Waiting for Phone or Flash Programming phase, check the cable and port. USB-connector, preferably USB 2.0, as some of Qualcomm's older drivers are unstable with ports USB Also, antivirus or Windows firewall can block the driver – try temporarily disabling the protection. ⚠️ Warning: If the phone went into Bootloop after firmware, don't panic. Try to redo the firmware procedure by choosing Clean All. If that doesn't work, you may need to run through the firmware. EDL-Another common problem is Signature check failed, which happens if you try to install global firmware on a device with a Chinese bootloader without first unlocking it, or vice versa. Make sure the status of the bootloader matches the type of firmware being installed. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Is it possible to flash Xiaomi without unlocking the bootloader through the computer? Officially not. The Mi Flash Tool requires an unlocked Bootloader to write system partitions. The only way around this is to use mode. EDL And Xiaomi's authorized account, which is provided to service centers, or paid unlock through third-party services. What if your computer doesn't see your phone in Fastboot mode? Check Device Manager. If there is a device with a yellow exclamation point, update the driver manually, indicating the path to the folder with drivers ADB/Fastboot. Try replacing them. USB-cable or connect the phone to the port USB 2.0 Is it safe to roll back the Android version (for example, with the back of the motherboard) MIUI 14 on MIUI 12)? Technically, this is possible through Fastboot with a data clearing command, but Android does not support a direct downgrade version of security. If the new firmware has a higher level of security patch, the bootloader can block the installation of the old system. In such cases, you need to use specialized scripts or firmware through EDL. Will my data disappear after firmware? When choosing Clean All or Clean All and Lock, all data will be irrevocably deleted. Update saves data, but it can only be used when you switch between compatible versions (for example, within the same region). Always back up before you start.