Reflashing Xiaomi Redmi 3: official and custom methods

Xiaomi Redmi 3 is the legendary budget smartphone of 2016, which is still used by thousands of users. However, over time, official support for the device has ceased, and current versions of Android on it no longer come out, flashing becomes the only way to get new features, fix bugs or bring the device back to life after software failures.

In this article, you will find three proven firmware methods: through MIUI Updater (for official updates), Fastboot (for full system reinstallation), and TWRP Recovery (for custom firmware), we will examine each step in detail, from unlocking the bootloader to solving typical errors like Error: partition flashing is allowed not or hanging on the Mi logo.

Important: Redmi 3 came in several versions - ido (global version) and ido_xhdpi (China). Make sure you download the firmware for your model, otherwise you risk getting a brick. Check the version through Settings → About Phone → MIUI version or the command fastboot getvar product.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Flashing is not just a menu update, it's a complete rewriting of system files that can cause data loss or device failure if you do something wrong.

• 📱 Save all the data: contacts, photos, messages. The firmware erases internal memory (except SD- cards). Use Mi Cloud, Google Photos or physical backup on your PC.
• 🔋 The battery must be at least 60 percent charged, and when discharged during firmware, the phone can turn into a brick.
• 🖥️ Install drivers: Redmi 3 needs Mi USB Driver and ADB/Fastboot. Download them from the official Xiaomi website or through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (unless unlocked). Without that, you can't install custom firmware or TWRP. More in the next section.

Also prepare:

• 🔌 Cable USB: Original or high quality (cheap cables can interrupt the connection).
• 💻 Computer on Windows 7/10/11 (for Fastboot) or with ADB (for TWRP).
• ⏳ Time: The process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours depending on the method.

⚠️ Warning: If your Redmi 3 is purchased in China, it may have a locked bootloader linked to your Mi Account, in which case you will need the original account of the previous owner or official permission from Xiaomi (which is almost impossible for older models).

2. Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi 3

The bootloader on all Xiaomi smartphones is locked by default, which is a security measure, but it also complicates the firmware.

1. Link your Mi Account to your device: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Sign in. Log in (if you don’t have an account, create). Enable Settings → Additional → Developers → Unlock OEM.

Apply for unblocking:

• Launch it on behalf of the administrator and log in to your Mi Account.
• For older models like Redmi 3, unlocking can be done immediately, but sometimes Xiaomi requires waiting 3 to 30 days (especially if the account is new).

If the utility is running a "Couldn't unlock" or "Device not supported" error:

• 🔄 Try using the 2018 Mi Flash Tool, which works better with older devices.
• 📡 Check your internet connection (checks with Xiaomi servers).
• 🔧 Disable the antivirus – it can block the utility.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data, including files on internal memory, will be deleted from the phone. It's an irreversible process -- you can't get the lock back without flashing it back.

3 Method 1: Firmware via MIUI Updater (official update)

The easiest and safest way to update is through the built-in Updater app, which is suitable if:

• 📲 You want to upgrade to the latest official version MIUI for Redmi 3.
• 🔒 The bootloader is locked and you don't plan to install custom firmware.
• 🔄 The phone is turned on and running stable (no logo hanging).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Update app on your phone.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
3. Download the official firmware for Redmi 3 from MIUI Downloads. Choose the Stable version or Developer version.
4. Move the firmware file (.zip format) to the root folder of internal memory.
5. In the Update app, select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
6. Wait until the phone is finished (it will reboot several times).

If the update is suspended during the verification phase:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone manually (press the Power for 10 seconds).
• 📁 Delete the firmware file and download it again (it may have been downloaded with errors).
• 🔌 Try connecting your phone to charge during the upgrade.

⚠️ Warning: Installing Chinese firmware (CN) on a global model (Global) will result in a loss of support for Google services (GMS). To return them, you will need additional firmware GApps via TWRP.

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Official updates via MIUI Updater are the only method that does not require unlocking the bootloader and does not reset data (unless otherwise stated in the firmware description).

Method 2: Fastboot Firmware (complete reinstallation)

The Fastboot method is used to completely rewrite all parts of the phone, which is true if:

• 📵 The device does not turn on or hangs on the Mi logo.
• 🔄 We need to revert to an older version. MIUI.
• 🔓 The bootloader is already unlocked.

Tools required:

• 💻 Mi Flash Tool (2018 version is more stable)
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (download the Fastboot version from Xiaomi website).
• 🔌 Cable USB 2.0 (USB 3.0 may cause errors).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\redmi3_fastboot).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and run on behalf of the administrator.
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
4. Connect your phone to your PC. The utility should have COM-port.
5. Press Select and indicate the path to the unpacked firmware.
6. Select firmware mode: Clean all - complete cleaning (recommended); Clean all and lock - cleaning + lock bootloader (official firmware only); Save user data - data storage (not always working correctly).

Flash

If the process is 99% frozen or there is a “Flash is not done” error:

• 🔄 Reconnect the phone to another USB- port.
• 🔧 Try another version of the Mi Flash Tool (e.g. 20170425).
• 📁 Check the integrity of the firmware files (unpack the archive again).
• 🖥️ Run the utility in Windows 7 compatibility mode.

Critical error: If the phone does not turn on and respond to charging after firmware is flashed through Fastboot, it can mean damage to the EFS partition (IMEI), which can only be restored through a service center or specialized tools like the QCN Rebuilder.

5. Method 3: Firmware through TWRP Recovery (Castom firmware)

If you want to install informal firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS), you will need custom TWRP recavators. This method provides maximum freedom, but also maximum risks.

What needs to be done:

1. Install TWRP: Download the latest version of TWRP for Redmi 3 from twrp.me. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in a folder with ADB. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
2. Download to TWRP: Turn off your phone. Press Volume up + Power to enter the Recovery. If you have a request for permission to change, confirm.

Install firmware

• Download firmware (e.g. LineageOS 18.1) and GApps (if you need Google services).
• Transfer the files to your phone or SD-map.
• In TWRP, click Wipe → Advanced Wipe and tick Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
• Return to the main menu and select Install, then specify the firmware file.
• After installing the firmware, repeat the step for GApps.
• Reboot your phone (Reboot → System)

Popular custom firmware for Redmi 3:

• 📱 LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11) is stable, but without some camera features.
• 📱 Pixel Experience (Android 10) is a Google Pixel-like interface.
• 📱 HavocOS (Android 10) is the maximum customization.
• 📱 MIUI Pro is a modified official firmware with additional features.

⚠️ Warning: Castom firmware may not support VoLTE (calls via 4G) and Wi-Fi Calling on Redmi 3. There may also be problems with the fingerprint sensor and dual SIM- card.

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If the phone doesn’t see the SIM- card after installing custom firmware, try manually prescribing IMEI through the MTK Engineering Mode app (login code: ##3646633##).

Typical errors and their solutions

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

If none of the methods worked and the phone doesn't respond to the buttons:

• 🔌 Connect it to charging for 1-2 hours — sometimes the “firmware” through EDL- mode helps (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).
• 🔧 Use tools to bypass EDL-authentication (risky, can lock the device permanently).

7.How to return the official firmware after custom

If you're disappointed with custom firmware, you can bring back stock MIUI.

1. Download the official Fastboot firmware for your model (ido or ido_xhdpi).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
3. Select Clean all and lock mode – this will return the bootloader lock.
4. Press Flash and wait until it is completed.

After that:

• 🔒 The bootloader will be locked again.
• 📱 All data will be erased.
• 🔄 The phone will return to factory settings.

⚠️ Warning: If you have installed a custom Recovery (TWRP), it will remain after returning to the official firmware. To remove it, run the stock Recovery through the command: fastboot flash recovery stock_recovery.img (the file stock_recovery.img can be extracted from the official firmware).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)