How to Reflash Xiaomi Mi Max 2: All the Ways and Nuances in 2026

The Xiaomi Mi Max 2, released in 2017, is still popular with users thanks to its large screen, powerful battery and the ability to install modern firmware. However, over time, the regular MIUI begins to slow down and updates stop coming out, flashing the device can return to its former performance or even add new features.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to flash the Mi Max 2 (codename oxygen): through Fastboot, TWRP and standard recovery MIUI Recovery. You will learn how to prepare a smartphone, where to download official and custom firmware, as well as how to avoid common mistakes such as Error 7 or hanging on the Mi logo.

Preparation for Flashing: What to Do Before Starting

Flashing is not just an update through the settings menu; it is a complete replacement of software that can lead to data loss, locking the device or even bricking it up, so preparation is the most important step.

First, check your device model. There are two versions of the Mi Max 2:

• 📱 Global (firmware with global suffix) – for the international market, with Google services;
• 📱 China ( cn firmware) – for China, without Google, but with local services.

Install firmware from another version is impossible – this will lead to an Anti-Rollback error and lock the bootloader.

Second, make sure you back up all the important data.

• 📸 Photos and videos (including hidden folders, for example, DCIM/.thumbnails);
• 📱 Contacts, SMS Call logs (unless synced with Google or Mi Account);
• 🎮 Application data (save in games, settings of messengers).

For backup, you can use Mi Mover, Titanium Backup (requires root), or simply copy files to your PC.

⚠️ Note: If your Mi Max 2 was purchased by hand, check the bootloader status with the command fastboot oem device-info. If the answer is Device unlocked: false, then before the firmware via Fastboot or TWRP Unlocking will be required (more on this below).

Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Mi Max 2

By default, all Xiaomi smartphones have a locked bootloader, a security measure that prevents unofficial firmware from being installed, and to unlock it, you need to get permission from Xiaomi through the official Mi Unlock Tool.

The unlocking process consists of several steps:

1. Link Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud;
2. Activate USB debugging and OEM unlocking in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers);
3. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to it.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power) and follow the program instructions.

Usually, it takes 72 to 168 hours (3 to 7 days) to unlock, and then you can start the firmware.

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If the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a “Couldn’t unlock” error even after you wait, try using a different version of the program (e.g. 3.5.501.24) or connect to the Internet via a mobile hotspot rather than Wi-Fi.

Important: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the smartphone will automatically reset to factory settings, and some firmware may also display an unblock warning each time it is turned on, which is normal and does not affect the operation.

Re-flashing methods: which one to choose?

There are three main methods of flashing the Mi Max 2, each of which is suitable for different tasks:

If you want to just upgrade MIUI to the latest version, MIUI Recovery is enough. If you want to bring your smartphone back to life after a failed firmware or install Global ROM on the Chinese version, use Fastboot. For enthusiasts who want Android 12/13 on an old device, TWRP + custom firmware will do.

Fastboot Flashing: Step-by-step instructions

This method is suitable for installing official firmware from Xiaomi (for example, switching from China ROM to Global ROM).

• 🖥️ Windows computer (or Linux/macOS with adb and fastboot drivers installed);
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original);
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (you can download it on the official website);
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool (download here).

Steps:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\miui_oxygen_global);
2. Install Xiaomi drivers (if Windows doesn’t recognize them automatically, use MiPhoneManager).
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh – the device must be determined;
4. At the bottom, select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Locking bootloader) mode.
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If there is an error in the Mi Flash Tool flash_all_lock.bat Failed, so the bootloader is locked. Unlock it (see section above) and try again. Also check that you downloaded the firmware for the Mi Max. 2 (oxygen, not for another model.

Installation of custom firmware through TWRP

If you want to install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom firmware, you'll need TWRP Recovery, an alternative recovery menu. The official version for the Mi Max 2 can be downloaded from twrp.me.

Installation process:

1. Download TWRP.img and firmware (e.g. LineageOS 18.1 for oxygen)
2. Reboot your phone in Fastboot and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-oxygen.img
3. Immediately after that, go to TWRP, holding Volume up + Power (otherwise, stock recovery will overload TWRP);
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (this will remove encryption).
5. Install the firmware through Install → Select ZIP.

After the first custom firmware download, it can take 10-15 minutes - don't interrupt the process! If the device has been hanging on the logo for longer than 20 minutes, try rebooting to TWRP and re-installing.

Solving common errors in firmware

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

Critical information: The Xiaomi Mi Max 2 has an Anti-Rollback mechanism that locks the device when you try to install firmware older than the one that was originally installed. For example, if your smartphone was running a MIUI 9, you will not be able to install MIUI 8. Check the current version in the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version.

If the IMEI is missing after the firmware or the mobile network is not working, restore it using the engineering menu:

1. Dial ##4636##;
2. Go to the phone information;
3. If the IMEI is displayed as Null, use the QCN Restore Tool (requires a backup nvdata).

How to return the official MIUI after custom firmware

If you’ve experimented with custom firmware but want to return to stock MIUI, do the following:

1. Download the official firmware for your model (oxygen_global or oxygen_cn);
2. Unpack it and find the file. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/macOS);
3. Restart your phone to Fastboot;
4. Launch it. flash_all.bat — This will automatically stitch all sections, including recovery. TWRP).

After that, the bootloader will remain unlocked, but you can block it again through the Mi Unlock Tool (the Clean all and lock option in the Mi Flash Tool).

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To avoid problems when returning to MIUI, never install custom firmware over the official one without fully formatting the Data partition.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the reflashing Xiaomi Mi Max 2