Owning a Xiaomi smartphone opens up a lot of customization options, but sometimes the standard operating system is no longer meeting the requirements or is unstable. It is in these situations that you need to reflash the device through the computer, which allows you not only to bring the gadget back to life after a crash, but also to change the firmware region or Android version. This process requires care and preparation, but it is the only reliable way to deep restore the system when wireless methods do not work.
There are two main ways to install software: through Recovery mode and through Fastboot mode. The first option is simpler and safer, but it is often limited to checking the file signature and does not allow you to downgrade the Android version. The second method, which will be discussed, gives you full control over the device, allowing you to install any official images, regardless of their region or version. It is important to understand that interfering with the system partition carries certain risks, so following the instructions is critical.
Before you start any manipulation, you need to be aware that the Fastboot firmware process completely removes all user data from the device, which means that photos, contacts, messages and application settings will be irretrievably lost unless you back up in advance. So the first step should always be to back up important information to the cloud or to an external medium, since it will be impossible to recover data after formatting the userdata partition with standard means.
Preparation of the workplace and choice of firmware
The success of the operation depends on the correctness of the selected firmware file. To flash through the computer, you will need a so-called Fastboot ROM, which has the extension.tgz, unlike Recovery versions with the extension.zip. You can find current versions on official resources or verified archives, such as XiaomiFirmwareUpdater. It is extremely important to choose a file that matches your device model, since trying to flash the firmware from another smartphone can lead to irreversible damage to the hardware.
When choosing a version, look for the region indicated in the file code: Global (MI) is suitable for most countries, CN (China) is suitable for the Chinese market, and RU is for Russia. Global versions usually contain a full set of Google languages and services, while Chinese versions may require additional Russification and installation of Google services manually.
⚠️ Warning: Never use firmware marked "Beta" or "Developer" for the main device unless you are sure of their stability. Official stable versions (Stable) are the only safe choice for everyday use.
After downloading the archive, it must be properly unpacked. The.tgz file is a compressed archive, and you will need an archive program, for example, 7-Zip or WinRAR. Unpack it into the root of the disk or into a folder with a short path without Cyrillic characters, so that the launch script does not encounter encoding errors when executing commands.
How to distinguish Fastboot firmware from Recovery?
Necessary tools and driver installation
To perform the procedure, you will need not only the smartphone and computer itself, but also a high-quality one. USB-Cheap cables bundled with Power Bank or cheap electronics often only support charging and have no data lines. Using such a cable will cause the computer to simply not see the device in Fastboot mode, and the process will stop at a dead point.
The next critical step is installing drivers. Windows may not automatically find the right components for bootloader mode. You will need to install ADB and Fastboot Drivers, as well as Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers, depending on your smartphone's processor. Without these drivers, the Device Manager will display unknown hardware, and console commands will not be executed.
- 🔌 Download and install Platform Tools from the official Android Developers website to work with ADB and Fastboot.
- 💻 Install Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader or MediaTek Preloader depending on your Xiaomi chipset.
- 📂 Unpack the downloaded firmware in a separate folder, the path to which does not contain Russian letters.
- 🔋 Charge your smartphone to at least 60% to avoid turning off at a critical time of data recording.
You can check the installation of drivers through Windows Device Manager. After connecting your smartphone in Fastboot mode (clamping the volume button and connecting the cable), the Android Bootloader Interface device should appear in the list. If instead it displays Unknown Device or QDLoader 9008 without the ability to manage, then the drivers are installed incorrectly and the procedure cannot continue.
☑️ Firmware readiness
Enter Fastboot Mode and Connect
Fastboot mode is a low-level debugging protocol that allows you to send commands directly to the device loader, bypassing the operating system. To enter this mode, you need to turn off the smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and, holding it, connect it. USB-The Mi Bunny logo is supposed to appear on the screen, fixing the Android robot, which indicates a successful transition to the desired mode.
If your smartphone doesn’t respond and just starts charging, try another one. USB-port, preferably located directly on the computer motherboard (back of the system unit). USB-Hubs may not be giving enough voltage or have poor contact, which is critical for firmware connection stability. Also make sure that the developer settings include the "Debugging by Debugging" option. USB", Although this is not always necessary for the Fastboot mode itself, it is useful for preliminary diagnosis.
⚠️ Warning: If you see the Locked logo on the screen, it means that your device’s boot loader is locked. To install a global version on a Chinese device or change the region, you will need to pre-unlock through the Mi Unlock service, which takes from 7 to 168 hours of waiting.
Once you've successfully connected to Windows Device Manager, you'll see a record in the Android Devices or Ports section, and the absence of yellow exclamation points indicates that the drivers are working correctly, and you can now go directly to the software part of the process and start the firmware script.
The process of firmware through the command line
The Windows firmware process itself is done using a special script that is already contained in the unpacked firmware folder. You don't have to manually type long commands. ADB, If you use the standard method, open the folder with the unpacked firmware files and find the file. flash_all.bat. Running this file on behalf of the administrator automatically initiates the process of writing all memory partitions.
An alternative method involves using the command line. To do this, open the console in the Fastboot tool folder (usually via Shift + Right Mouse button -> "Open PowerShell window here" or "Open terminal") and enter the connection verification command:
fastboot devicesIf you see your device's serial number, you've got the connection, and then you can run the main firmware script, which will clear the data and install the new system, and the command is as follows (the path depends on where the files are):
flash_all.batThe console will begin the process of logging, which will display the steps of erasing and downloading. The entire process takes from 300 to 600 seconds depending on the speed. USB-This process cannot be interrupted categorically: any cable disconnection or closing the console window will lead to the "bricking" of the device, after which complex repairs will be required through the test mode. EDL.
| Team team. | Description of action | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| flash_all.bat | Complete Firmware with Cleaning of All Partitions | High (100% removal) |
| flash_all_except_data_storage.bat | System firmware without deleting user files | Low (data retained) |
| flash_all_lock.bat | Firmware and re-blocking of the loader | High (requires regional compatibility) |
| reboot | Rebooting the device in normal mode | No. |
Once the script is complete, the console will have a message, "Finished. Total time: X.XXXs," and the smartphone will automatically reboot. The first download after the firmware can last up to 10-15 minutes, as the system performs application optimization and partition configuration. Don't be afraid of the long Mi or Android logo at this point - this is standard behavior.
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If the firmware process is interrupted by 99% or there is an error, do not immediately try to restart the phone. Check the error log in the console: often the problem is solved by restarting the script without turning off the cable.
Typical errors and methods of their elimination
During the flashing process, users often encounter various errors that can be caused by both software and hardware factors. One of the most common problems is the “Missmatching image and device” error, which occurs when trying to flash firmware that does not match the device model. The bootloader protection system blocks the recording, seeing the discrepancy of the identifiers, which is an important security mechanism.
Another common problem is a certain percentage getting stuck or a “Waiting for device” error, which almost always indicates driver problems, USB-In such cases, it is recommended to reconnect the cable without leaving Fastboot mode, or try another computer. Sometimes it helps to reinstall Qualcomm drivers with the mandatory cleaning of previous versions through Device Manager.
- 🚫 Anti-rollback error: When you try to install an older version of Android than the one you installed earlier, protection prevents downgrade and you can’t get around it with standard methods.
- 🔒 Locked bootloader error: attempt to run a global firmware version on a Chinese machine with a locked bootloader.
- 💾 Memory error: if the phone does not have enough free space (rarely, but it happens when updating without cleaning), the script can end in an error.
⚠️ Warning: If your phone goes into an endless bootloop after you have firmware, try fastboot erase userdata or fastboot format userdata. This is guaranteed to delete all data, but often resolves the problem of conflicts between old settings and the new system.
First start and set up system
Once you have successfully installed your firmware and completed your first download, you will see a welcome screen. Since all data has been deleted, you need to reconfigure the system. Choose a language, connect to your Wi-Fi network, and log in to your Mi Account. If you have changed your firmware region, make sure that the settings select the right region to allow some services and themes to work.
It is important to check the MIUI or HyperOS version in the About Phone section to make sure the procedure is successful, and it is also recommended to check the main modules: the camera, speakers, microphone and fingerprint sensor. Sometimes after deep firmware requires recalibration of the sensors, which occurs automatically in the background in the first minutes of use.
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Successful firmware is not just about installing a file, it's also about checking the health of all the modules in the device. Don't rush to install applications, make sure the system is stable first.
Now your Xiaomi smartphone runs on a clean, fresh version of the operating system. Regular software updates through your computer avoid many software errors that accumulate over time when using wireless updates, and ensures maximum device performance.