How to reflash Xiaomi smartphone on global firmware: the full guide 2026

The transition from Chinese or European firmware to a global version of MIUI is a challenge faced by many owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones. The reasons range from the lack of Google services in Chinese builds to the desire to get support for the Russian language or stable updates.

In this article, we will discuss all the steps of flashing, from checking the current version of MIUI to installing global software via Fastboot or Recovery. Particular attention will be paid to unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool, without this step, installing alternative firmware is impossible, and you will learn how to avoid common mistakes, such as blocking the Mi Account or losing the IMEI.

Importantly, the procedure is different for devices with Qualcomm and Mediatek processors, as well as for models released after 2021 (they have changed the unlock mechanism).If your Xiaomi is bought in China, be prepared for the additional difficulties - some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G) require pre-binding to the Mi Account for 7 days.

1.Why should Xiaomi be reflashed to the global version?

Chinese MIUI firmware is optimized for the domestic market, which is a inconvenience for international users, and here are the key reasons to change the region:

• 📱 Lack of Google services: Chinese builds don’t have Play Market, Gmail, YouTube or other apps, and they have to be installed manually, which is inconvenient and unsafe.
• 🌍 Language restrictions: Even if the settings have English, Russian is often not available. Global firmware supports up to 60 languages, including Ukrainian, Kazakh and others.
• 🔄 Updates and stability: Global versions get updates more often than Chinese ones. e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Android 13 received on global firmware 3 months earlier than on Chinese.
• 📶 Network problems: Some regional firmwares lack support LTE-This results in a poor signal or absence. 4G.

However, there are downsides: global firmware sometimes contains more advertising in system applications, and some features (for example, IR Blaster for managing equipment) can work worse than in Chinese builds.

2. Preparation for flashing: checking the model and unlocking the bootloader

Before you start installing global firmware, you need to take two critical steps: refine the device model and unlock the bootloader. Without this, the firmware will not install.

2.1 How to find out the exact model and version of MIUI

Many users confuse a marketing name (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro) with a code name (e.g. rubens).

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the Model line (e.g., 22101316C).
3. Go to MIUI Downloads and enter the code in the search – the system will show the exact code name (for example, rubens for Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G).

Also check the current version of MIUI in the About Phone → MIUI section. If it says CN (China), IN (India) or RU (Russia), then the global version is designated as Global or EEA (Europe).

Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock

The Xiaomi bootloader is locked by default. To unlock it, follow the following steps:

Attach Mi Account to your device (in account settings)

Enable USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times Press → Developer → USB debugging)

Turn it on. OEM-Unlocking (in the Developer Menu)

Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website-->

Next:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on PC.
2. Start the program, log in to your Mi Account (should match your phone account!).
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power).
4. Press Unlock in the program. It takes 3-10 minutes.

⚠️ Note: Since 2022, Xiaomi has tightened the rules for unlocking. If the device is new (bought less than 7 days ago), the system will require a wait!

Once successfully unlocked, you can start choosing firmware, but first make sure your model supports the global version - some devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra for the Chinese market) do not officially receive the Global ROM.

3. Selection of firmware: official vs custom

There are two types of firmware for Xiaomi: official (from the manufacturer) and custom (from the community, for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience). For most users, the first option is optimal - it is more stable and does not require additional manipulation.

Official global firmware

You only need to download firmware from the official Xiaomi website.

• 📌 Firmware type: Recovery ROM — installs via stock recovery (easier, but not suitable for region change). ROM — installed via MiFlash (needed to completely change firmware from the CN Globally).
• 🔢 Android Version: Make sure you choose firmware with the same version of Android as the current one (for example, don’t switch from Android 13 to Android 12 – this will cause errors).
• 🌐 Region: Global is suitable for Russia and CIS, for Europe — EEA (Google Assistant is disabled by default because of GDPR).

Example: POCO X5 Pro 5G (The code name redwood, the global firmware will be called: redwood_global_images_V14.0.4.0.TMWMIXM_13.0.zip.

3.2. Castom firmware: when are they needed?

Castom firmware (such as LineageOS or ArrowOS) is relevant if:

• 🔧 You want a clean Android without shell MIUI.
• 📱 Your device doesn’t receive updates from Xiaomi (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro with a Mediatek Helio processor). G90T).
• 🔒 You need advanced settings (such as kernel management or disabling all restrictions) MIUI).

However, custom firmware has disadvantages:

• ⚠️ No official support – solve the problems yourself.
• 📵 The camera may not work, NFC print-sensor.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge due to unoptimized core.

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If you're a beginner, start with the official global firmware.Castom ROMs require experience with TWRP and ADB.

4. Step-by-step instruction: installing global firmware through Fastboot

This is the most reliable way to change the firmware region. You'll need a Windows PC, USB-cable and MiFlash program.

4.1 Necessary tools

• 💻 Windows PC 7/10/11 (MiFlash is not stable on macOS or Linux).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap cables can cause firmware errors).
• 📂 Fastboot firmware ROM (file with the extension.tgz or.zip).
• 🛠️ MiFlash (version 2020.3.14.0 or later).
• 🔑 Qualcomm or Mediatek drivers (depending on your device’s processor).

4.2 Installation process

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\redwood_global).
2. Install drivers: For Qualcomm: download QDLoader HS-USB Driver. For Mediatek: use MTK Driver Auto Installer.

Launch MiFlash, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.

Connect the phone in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume down + Power until the hare appears in the eardress cap).

In MiFlash, select Clean all (full cleaning) or Clean all and lock (clean + lock the bootloader after firmware).

Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If an anti-rollback error appears in the process, it means you are trying to install an older version. MIUI, In this case, you need to download a new firmware with a higher build number.

Once the firmware is successful, the device will boot with factory settings. The first turn on can take up to 10 minutes - do not interrupt the process!

5. Alternative method: installation via Recovery

If you already have global firmware installed, but want to upgrade to a new version, you can use Recovery, which is easier, but not suitable for changing the region (for example, from CN to Global).

Preparation of the firmware file

Download Recovery ROM from the official website and rename the file to update.zip. Move it to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).

Installation through stock Recovery

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Choose a language (if possible).
4. Go to Install update.zip to System (or similar).
5. Confirm the installation and wait for completion.

This method saves user data, but if you’re switching from one regional firmware to another (like IN to Global), it’s best to do a full Wipe Data reset to Recovery to avoid conflicts.

Installation via TWRP (for custom firmware)

If you install custom firmware (like LineageOS), you'll need TWRP, an alternative recovery.

1. Install TWRP via Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
2. In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (this will delete everything, including internal memory!).
3. Transfer the firmware to the phone via MTP (TWRP has this mode).
4. Install the firmware through Install.
5. After installation, swipe GApps (if you need Google services) and Magisk (for root rights).

⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic Partition (all models after 2020) standard TWRP It doesn't work. It needs a special version, like, TWRP OrangeFox or Sky Hawk Recovery.

6. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with strict adherence to the instructions, there can be problems.

If the IMEI is missing after the firmware, you can restore it through the engineering menu:

1. Please dial the phone application ##4636##.
2. Go to Phone Information → Settings.
3. Choose. DSDS Information → IMEI (SV).
4. Enter the original IMEIs (they are listed on the box or under the battery).

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The main rule of Xiaomi firmware reflashing is to always check the model codename and MIUI version before installing. A mistake in choosing a firmware can make the phone inoperable!