Reflashing Xiaomi phone through the Recovery: a complete guide with nuances

Reflashing a Xiaomi smartphone through a recavator is a radical way to upgrade the system, bring the device back to life after a crash, or install custom firmware. It requires care: one wrong step can turn the phone into a brick. 20-40 minute.

Many users are afraid of the word "firmware", associating it with the risk of losing data or breaking a device. TWRP (Custom software provides tools for secure software installation, if you follow proven schemes, the main thing is to understand the difference between firmware types (Fastboot, Recovery, OTA) Choose the right option for your model.

In this article, we will discuss the process from A to Z: from preparing and unlocking the bootloader to installing firmware and solving typical errors. The emphasis is on current Xiaomi models (2018-2026), but the principles apply to older devices as well.

Phone Preparation: What to Do Before Firmware

The first step is the most important one: neglecting preparation leads to 80% of firmware errors. Start by checking the current state of the device:

• 📱 Phone Model: Find out the exact modification in Settings → The phone. → For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro can have either sweet (global) or sweetin (in India) options).
• 🔒 bootloader status: If it is locked (by default on the new Xiaomi), firmware through the Recovery will not be possible without unlocking.
• 📡 Version. MIUI: Write down the current firmware (for example, MIUI 14.0.5 Global.This will help you choose the right file to update.
• 🔋 Battery charge: Minimum level - 60%. When discharged during firmware, the phone may turn off and not turn on.

Make sure to back up your data. Even if you're surfing on top of your existing system, a failure can erase user files.

• 🖥️ MIUI Backup (built-in application) – saves contacts, SMS, setting.
• ☁️ Google Drive or Mi Cloud for photos and documents.
• 💾 TWRP Backup (if custom recaveri is already installed) – full system shot.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A, Poco M3) unlocking the bootloader requires authorization through the Mi Account. Without it, the firmware through the Recovery will lead to an Anti-Rollback error.

Download the necessary files in advance:

• 📁 Firmware in.zip format (for Recovery) from the official website MIUI Downloads or Trusted Forums (for example, XDA Developers).
• 🔧 TWRP (if you plan a custom recavator – the version must correspond to the model and the architecture of the processor.
• 🔑 Unlock Tool (to unlock the bootloader) – the official utility from Xiaomi.

Unlock the bootloader: without it anywhere

The Xiaomi bootloader is locked by default to protect against unauthorized changes. To flash the phone through the receptacles, it needs to be unlocked. The process takes 3 to 7 days due to the Mi Account verification.

Instructions:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Enable Developer Options (7 times click on the MIUI version in About Phone).
3. Activate OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
4. Download Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your account and connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
5. If you see a message that says "Wait 168 hours", wait for the specified time.

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset (wipe), which is normal, as Xiaomi protects against illegal use.

⚠️ Note: On Qualcomm Snapdragon models (e.g. Poco) F3, Mi 11) may be released after unlocking a risk warning each time it is turned on, and can only be removed by re-locking the bootloader (which voids the warranty).

If the unlock fails:

• 🔄 Try another one. USB-cable (original from Xiaomi).
• 🖥️ Start Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator.
• 📡 Turn it off. VPN/Xiaomi servers can block suspicious IP.

💡

If you have Xiaomi on a MediaTek processor, you will need to log in through Mi Account with your phone number tied to unlock the bootloader, without which even the official firmware won’t get up through the recavator.

Recaveri's choice: stock vs TWRP

You have two options for the firmware:

Stock recaps are suitable if you:

• 🔄 Want to update the official MIUI data-free.
• 🛠️ Restore your phone after a crash with the original firmware.
• 📱 You have a model for which there is no stability. TWRP (for example, new flagships).

TWRP need:

• 🐉 Installation of custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
• 🔄 Full backup system before experiments.
• 🔧 Getting root rights through Magisk.

Installation TWRP requires individual steps:

1. Download the correct version for your model from twrp.me.
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in a folder with fastboot.
3. Start the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro with MediaTek Helio) G90T) installation TWRP This could cause an Orange State error, and it would require a patch to bypass the security.

Step-by-step: firmware through the Recovery

When you're done, you start to run the firmware. The algorithm varies depending on the type of recaveri.

Method 1: Through stock Recovery

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the Loud up. + Food to enter the river.
3. Choose a language (if available).
4. Go to Install. update.zip To System (the name may be different).
5. Select the downloaded firmware file and confirm the installation.
6. Wait for completion (5-15 minutes) and restart.

On models with Dynamic Partition (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) The stock recavator may not see the firmware file, in which case you need to pre-format the userdata partition via fastboot.

Method 2: Through TWRP

There are more opportunities, but also risks:

1. Enter TWRP (Put Volume Up + Nutrition).
2. Backup (optional, but recommended): Select Backup and select Boot, System, Data sections.
3. Press Install and select the firmware file.
4. If you're a customist. ROM, pre-execute the Wipe → Advanced Wipe and tag Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
5. After installing the firmware (if necessary), run Magisk for root or GApps (for firmware without Google services).
6. Reboot to the system.

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

• 🔄 Wait 10-15 minutes (the first launch can be a long one).
• 🛠️ If it doesn't help, go back to TWRP And do the Wipe. → Format Data (Erase all data!).
• 🔧 Reflash again, making sure that the firmware version is compatible with the model.

💡

Always check the hash amount (MD5) If you don't even have a single character, it means that the file is corrupted and that you're going to make an error.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be problems.

If the error is not shown in the table:

• 🔍 Look for the error log in TWRP: Advanced → Copy Log.
• 📡 Check the topics on XDA Developers or 4PDA model of your phone.
• 🔧 Try flashing a different firmware version (for example, instead of Stable take Weekly).

⚠️ Note: On Dynamic Partition devices (all Android 10 models)+) try to flash the old version MIUI It's going to be hard brick through the recavers, and then only a service center with a programmer will help.

Firmware specific models: nuances

Some Xiaomi phones have unique features when it comes to firmware.

Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet)

• 🔧 It requires a tagged firmware sweet_global or sweet_eea.
• 🛠️ Installation TWRP You must disable forced encryption (otherwise you will not have access to internal memory).
• 📡 Custom firmware may not support 108MP camera – a separate GCam patch is required.

Poco F3 / Redmi K40 (alioth)

• 🔒 The bootloader is unlocked only through the official Mi Unlock Tool.
• 🐉 For custom firmware, you need to sew fw_alioth_miui before installation ROM.
• 🔋 After firmware, battery calibration may be required (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruption).

Xiaomi Mi 11 (venus)

• ⚠️ Not supportive. TWRP Because of the encryption of the userdata. Use OrangeFox Recovery.
• 📦 Fastboot and Recovery firmware are interchangeable – you can convert via Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔊 After firmware check the work of speakers: on some versions MIUI they can shut down.

For other models:

• 📱 Redmi 9/9A/9C: Mi Account authorization is required to unlock the bootloader.
• 📱 Poco X3 Pro: when you are running a custom ROM Make sure to update firmware to the latest version.
• 📱 Xiaomi 12/13 Series: Use only firmware with Dynamic Partition support.

What to do after the firmware

Successful firmware is only half the battle, so that the phone is stable.

• 🔄 First setup: Go through the initial configuration as when you first turn on. Skip recovery from the backup (do it later).
• 📡 Communication check: Make sure that the mobile network, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are working. If there is no network, check your settings APN Or, you can use the modem (firmware).
• 🔋 Battery calibration: After firmware discharge the phone before switching off and charge up to 100% without interruptions.
• 🛡️ Security: Update Google Play Services and install antivirus (e.g. Malwarebytes).

If you've been through custom ROM:

• 🔧 Install Magisk for root rights (if necessary).
• 📱 Check the operation of sensors (gyroscope, NFC, printer).
• 🎮 For gamers: install the Game Turbo from MIUI (if it's not in the custom firmware).

If something's not working:

• 🔍 Check the error log with adb logcat.
• 📡 Search for solutions on forums on the exact model and firmware version.
• 🔄 Return to the stock firmware via fastboot.

⚠️ Attention: Custom firmware may not work on Mi Account and related services (such as Mi Cloud.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions