Xiaomi Redmi 3, released back in 2016, is still a legend in the budget segment due to its metal body and capacious battery. However, official support for the device has long been discontinued, and the latest version of MIUI often works unstable or does not meet modern application requirements, at which point many owners are thinking about how to refashion Xiaomi Redmi 3 on a fresher Android build or a cleaner system.
The software replacement process not only gives the phone a second life, but also significantly improves its performance. In this article, we will examine all the steps from tool preparation to the final installation of custom firmware, you will learn about the risks, necessary files and nuances of working with a bootloader.
It is worth noting that any manipulation of system software carries certain risks. If you first encounter the concept of Fastboot or Recovery, carefully follow each step of the instructions. Incorrect actions can lead to the failure of the device, so be patient and durable. USB-cable.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary software
Before you connect the cable to your phone, you need to prepare your computer. Windows is preferable, since most drivers and utilities are sharpened for this, you will need to install ADB Drivers and specialized software to work with Xiaomi devices.
Download the archive with platform tools Platform-tools from the official website of Android developers. Unpack it in the root of the disk C, so that the path to the folder was as short as possible, for example, C:\platform-tools. This will simplify the input of commands in the future and eliminate path errors.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your smartphone battery is at least 60% powered: Interrupting the firmware process due to battery discharge can turn the phone into a “brick” that will require programmer soldering to restore.
You will also need quality USB-Cheap cables often do not withstand long data transmission and can cause a connection to break at a critical time of writing system partitions.
- 📱 Xiaomi Redmi 3 with unlocked bootloader (or readiness to unlock it).
- 💻 PC with Windows and installed drivers Qualcomm or Xiaomi USB Driver.
- 🔌 Original. USB-stable-connection.
- 📂 Firmware files (Fastboot or Recovery) for your specific model.
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Use it. USB-A port located directly on the motherboard (back of the system unit) rather than on the front of the case, which ensures stable voltage and no interference with data transmission.
Unlocking the loader: a mandatory stage
The standard Xiaomi Redmi 3 flashing procedure is impossible without an unlocked bootloader (Bootloader), which is blocked by the manufacturer by default to protect user data. To remove the lock, you will need a Mi Account and link the device to it.
Go to your phone settings, select About Phone, and click on the MIUI version several times to activate the developer menu. Then, in the advanced settings, look for Mi Unlock Status and connect your account to the device.
At the end of the timer, connect your phone in Fastboot mode to your PC. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in and press the unlock button. The process takes a few minutes, after which the phone will be reset to factory settings.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader automatically performs a full data reset (Wipe Data). Create backup copies of contacts, photos and messages in advance, as it will be impossible to restore them after the procedure.
Selection of firmware type: Global, China or Custom
Redmi 3 owners often face a dilemma: which system to install, with official firmware divided into Chinese (CN) and global (Global), Chinese versions often come out earlier, but contain a lot of extra software and do not have Russian out of the box, although it can be activated through settings.
Custom ROMs like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS offer pure Android without a MIUI shell.This is ideal for older devices, as they consume less RAM and CPU resources, running noticeably faster than stock versions.
What is the difference between Recovery and Fastboot firmware?
When choosing a version, look for the code name of the device. For Redmi 3, it may differ depending on the modification of the processor: ido (Snapdragon 430) or hennessy (MediaTek), Installing firmware from another modification is guaranteed to bring the phone down.
| Type of firmware | Stability | Requirements | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Global | Tall. | Unlocked BL | Ordinary users |
| Official China | Tall. | Unlocked BL | enthusiastic |
| Custom ROM | Medium/High | TWRP + Unblocked BL | Geeks and gamers |
| Developer Beta | Low. | Unlocked BL | Testers |
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For Redmi 3 with 2 GB of RAM, light custom builds based on Android 7-8 will be the best choice, since the heavy shells of the MIUI 9-10 will slow down even after flashing.
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
For custom firmware installation, the standard recovery menu is replaced by TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project is a powerful tool that allows you to make full backups of the system, clean partitions and install. ZIP-Download the actual image. twrp-ido.img (Or for your model) and put it in a folder with ADB.
Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode and connect to your PC. Open the command line in the tool folder and type in a command to check the connection:
fastboot devicesIf you saw the serial number of the device in response, then the drivers are installed correctly and the phone is ready to work.
Now you need to flash the image of the Recovery.
fastboot flash recovery twrp-ido.imgIt is important not to reboot the phone in the usual way immediately after firmware. You need to press the combination of power and volume buttons to immediately get into the TWRP menu, otherwise the standard Xiaomi system will overwrite the restored menu back to the stock.
☑️ Pre-installing check TWRP
Firmware process via Fastboot and TWRP
There are two main methods of installing a new system: the first is through Fastboot, which requires unpacking the firmware archive and using a firmware script, which is the most reliable method, since it completely erases old data and writes the new partition structure.
The second method is through TWRP. Downloaded ZIP-You need to copy the firmware file and, if necessary, the GApps file (Google Apps) to the phone memory. From the recovery menu, select Wipe, then Advanced Wipe and mark the Dalvik, Cache, System and Data sections. Do not touch the Internal Storage section, otherwise you will lose the firmware files.
Once cleaned, click Install, select the firmware archive, and confirm the swipe. It takes 5 to 15 minutes. If you install custom firmware, install the Google service package immediately after, without restarting it, if it's not built into the system.
⚠️ Note: When you switch from one version of Android to another (e.g. 5.1 to 7.0), be sure to format the Data partition (Format Data) rather than just Wipe.This will remove encryption and prevent cyclical reboot.
Once installed successfully, press Reboot System. The first run can last up to 10 minutes as the system optimizes applications. If the phone has been stuck on the logo for more than 15 minutes, the Wipe Data procedure must be repeated.
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
When you flash the Xiaomi Redmi 3, you can have unexpected situations, and a common problem is the “Waiting for device” error in Fastboot, which is solved by reinstalling the drivers or replacing the drivers. USB-It also helps to use the fastboot continue command to exit the bootloader mode.
If the sensor or camera is not working after the firmware, chances are you used firmware for another modification of the processor, in which case you need to find a stock firmware dump for your particular board revision and restore the phone through EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, which requires disassembling the device and closing contacts on the board.
- 🔄 Bootloop (cyclic reboot) – solved by a full data wipe TWRP.
- 📶 No network./IMEI — critical error, often requiring the recovery of the Persist partition from the backup.
- 🔋 Charging is not working – it may be a damaged controller or a calibration file.