Reflashing Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro: official and custom firmware

Why is Redmi 3 Pro Reflashables Needed?

Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro (codenamed ido) was released in 2016, but it remains popular with users who value reliability and maintainability. Over time, the original firmware becomes obsolete, with lags, security bugs, and new applications requiring current versions of Android.

✅ Return the “factory” speed of work, if the smartphone began to “brake” after updates.

✅ Install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) for the current version of Android.

✅ Remove pre-installed applications MIUI, which cannot be disabled by standard methods.

✅ Restore performance after a failed update or virus attack.

However, the process has risks: if errors, the device can turn into a "brick." Redmi 3 Pro requires you to unlock the bootloader before you run through the Fastboot firmware without this, the official and custom firmware will not be installed.

Which firmware to choose for Redmi 3 Pro?

The choice of firmware depends on your goals. All options are divided into three types:

• 📦 Official firmware MIUI — stable versions from Xiaomi (Global, China, EEA). Suitable for restoring the factory state or upgrading to the latest supported version (Android 6.0 for ido).
• 🔧 Custom firmware - unofficial builds based on Android 7-11 (For example, Havoc-OS, Resurrection Remix. Give advanced settings, but may contain bugs.
• 🛠️ Firmware for repairs – special versions (for example, Fastboot) ROM or EDL-files) for the recovery of “bricks".

For beginners, we recommend starting with the official Global Stable, which is as stable and easy to install as possible. Enthusiasts can try custom firmware, but they require additional manipulations (install TWRP, Magisk patches for root rights).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware for Redmi 3 (ido code and Redmi 3S/Prime (Land code) incompatible! Installing the wrong version will cause the device to fail. → The phone. → Model.

Preparation for flashing: unlocking the loader

The bootloader on all Xiaomi smartphones is locked by default. Without it unlocking, it is impossible to install firmware via Fastboot or TWRP. The procedure takes up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi's policy.

Steps to unlock:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device 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 the developer options.
4. Download the Mi Unlock Tool (Windows only).
5. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power) and follow the program instructions.

After sending the request, you will have to wait. SMS- confirmation (usually) 3-5 You can't speed up the process, it's a Xiaomi restriction. Don't try to unlock the bootloader through informal tools, it can lead to account locking.

Mi Account linked to phone

USB debugging enabled

ADB/Fastboot drivers installed

Battery Charge > 60%

Download the official Mi Unlock Tool-->

How to Flash Redmi 3 Pro

There are three main methods of installing firmware, and the choice depends on your goals and the current state of the device:

1. via MIUI Updater (without unlocking)

The safest way is to upgrade to a new version of MIUI if the phone is stable.

1. Download the firmware file (.zip) from the official website.
2. Put the archive at the root of your internal memory (don’t unpack!).
3. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Select a firmware file.
5. Confirm the installation and wait for the reboot.

2. via Fastboot (unlocked bootloader required)

A method for completely reinstalling the system, including crash recovery.Using the official Fastboot ROM from Xiaomi.

Instructions:

1. Download Fastboot ROM for ido from Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your PC.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
4. Launch the file. flash_all.bat (Windows or flash_all.sh (Linux/Mac).

3. via TWRP (for custom firmware)

It allows you to install unofficial firmware and modifications. It requires the pre-installing of TWRP Recovery.

Instructions:

1. Install TWRP via Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0-ido.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0-ido.img
2. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
3. Install the firmware through Install, then Magisk (if root is needed).

⚠️ Note: When installing custom firmware on Redmi 3 Pro often has a problem with non-working Wi-Fi/Bluetooth. This is due to the lack of proprietary drivers in informal builds, the solution is to look for firmware with built-in drivers or install them separately.

💡

If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after Fastboot, try to pinch Volume Up + Power for 10 seconds to force reboot. If it doesn't work, repeat the procedure with a full vape (fastboot erase userdata).

Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the exact instructions, there can be problems.

• 🚫 "Mi Flash says 'cannot receive hello packet' - error is driver or cable related. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0) and disable the antivirus.
• 🔄 "Stuck on Mi logo after flashing" - usually helps the firmware with a full vape (fastboot erase userdata) + fastboot erase cache).
• 📵 "No signal after custom ROM install" - check if the firmware supports your modem model. ido requires a marked firmware ido_global.
• 🔋 "Battery drain after update – reset your settings via Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge.

If the phone doesn’t turn on at all (black screen, no button response), try EDL mode:

1. Turn off the phone from charging.
2. Hold the Loud up. + Loud down and plug in. USB-plug-in.
3. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver.
4. Sweat through Mi Flash in EDL mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

How to return the official firmware after custom?

If the custom firmware experiments failed, you can go back to the original MIUI.

1. Download Fastboot ROM for your model from the official website.
2. Unpack the archive and launch it. flash_all.bat (Windows or flash_all.sh (Linux/Mac).
3. If the phone is not loading, use EDL mode (see previous section).

After returning to the official firmware:

• 🔒 The boot loader is automatically blocked.
• 📱 All data will be erased (including internal memory).
• 🔄 Oh.TA-Updates will be available again.

If you want to save root rights, after you have firmware through Fastboot, install Magisk manually:

1. Download the latest version of Magisk (.zip).
2. Sweat through TWRP (if installed) or patch boot.img via PC.

💡

You can only return to the official firmware via Fastboot or EDL. Installation via Recovery (for example, from TWRP) will not work due to the MIUI signature.

Backup before firmware

Flashing erases all data from the device, so you don't lose important information.

• 📱 Contacts and Messages – sync with your Google account or export via Mi Mover.
• 📷 Photos and videos – copy to PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 🎮 Apps and games – use Titanium Backup (requires root) or adb backup.
• 📞 Call log - export through Call Logs Backup.

For a full system backup (including settings and applications), TWRP Backup is suitable:

1. Install TWRP Recovery.
2. Go to Backup and check the System, Data, Boot sections.
3. Save the backup on SD-card.

If you do not have root rights, use adb backup via the command line:

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

Backup.ab file can be restored after the firmware command:

adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Note: Backup via Mi Cloud does not save data from some applications (such as WhatsApp or games.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi firmware 3 Pro