Reflashing Xiaomi’s smartphone is often the only way to bring the device back to life after a failed update or try to install a custom Android build.This process may seem difficult to a beginner, but if you follow the sequence of actions, it is quite doable at home. The global version of MIUI or Chinese firmware with Google Play installed is your choice, but the technical part requires careful attention.
Before you enter the active phase, you need to be clear that any manipulation of system software carries risks. Unlocking the bootloader is a must for most advanced methods, and it automatically voids the manufacturer's warranty. However, for many enthusiasts, the possibility of getting a pure Android or the latest version of MIUI outweighs this risk.
In this article, we will discuss all the steps from tool preparation to the final installation of the system image. You will learn how Fastboot mode differs from Recovery, what drivers are necessary for the PC and how to avoid “bricking” the gadget. Careful reading of the instructions minimizes the likelihood of errors that can lead to the failure of the device.
Start with a thorough preparation of the workplace and software. You will need a computer running Windows (macOS and Linux process can be different and more complicated), USB-cable, preferably original or high-quality analogue, capable of transmitting data, not only charging the device. Also make sure that the charge of the smartphone is at least 60%, so that it does not turn off at a critical moment.
The next step is to select and download the firmware itself. The official archive can be found on miui.com or trusted resources like xiaomiui.net. It is important to download the version that corresponds to your region and model. To install it through your computer, you will need an archive in.zip (for Recovery) or.tgz (for Fastboot) format, which you will need to unpack.
An equally important component is the ADB and Fastboot drivers, which are not the right mode for the computer to see the phone, which is usually part of Google's SDK Platform Tools, and once the drivers are installed, the system must correctly identify the connected device in the Device Manager.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting any action, make sure to make a full backup of all data.In the process of flashing the internal memory will be completely cleared, and it will be impossible to restore photos or contacts without a backup.
For ease of checking compatibility and availability of current versions of the software, you can use the following table:
| Type of firmware | File extension | Method of installation | I need to unlock. |
|---|
| Recovery ROM | .zip | Through the update menu | No (usually) |
| Fastboot ROM | .tgz | Through the Mi Flash Tool | Yes. |
| Custom ROM | .zip / .img | Through TWRP | Yes. |
| Recovery OTA | .zip (auto) | By air. | No. |
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
The official bootloader unlocking procedure is the first and most important barrier Xiaomi owners have to overcome, and the company has implemented this security measure to protect users from malware, but for enthusiasts it has become a must-do.The process requires linking the device to a Mi Account and waiting for a certain time, which can be from 3 to 7 days, and sometimes longer.
To start, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI seven times. Once you have become a developer, go to Advanced Settings → Developer. You need to turn on “Debugging USB” and “OEM Unlocking.” Importantly, you need to enter Mi Account details in the unlock menu.
Then download the official Mi Unlock Tool to your computer. Launch it, log in to your account, and put your phone into Fastboot mode, pressing both the power and volume buttons. Connect the cable to your PC and press the Unlock button in the program. If status does not allow you to unlock the device right away, the system will tell you how many hours or days you have to wait.
What if Mi Unlock can’t see the phone?
Make sure the drivers are installed. Try another one. USB-cable USB 2.0. Also sometimes helps to re-enable the developer mode and re-bind the account in the phone settings (requires logging out and re-entry).> Recovery Update method is suitable for those who want to change the firmware region (for example, from Chinese to Global) or update manually without using the OTA. This method is less risky, as it does not require deep intervention in system partitions, but has limitations: you can not downgrade the Android version or switch from Global to China without unlocking. update.zip For convenience, and put it in the root of the phone's internal memory. Then go to the update menu: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Click on three dots in the top right corner and select "Select firmware file." Once the file is selected, the phone will check the integrity of the data and suggest a reboot for installation. The process takes 5 to 15 minutes. During this time, the screen will display the Xiaomi logo and progress bar. Do not interrupt the process in any case, even if the phone seems to be frozen. There is also a "clean" installation mode via Recovery, which requires an unlocked bootloader. To do this, you need to rename the file to update.zip, press the volume button when the phone is turned off, and connect to the folder via the WiClocker, then select the Wireplate the Wirequest. Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool is the most powerful and versatile method to restore the brick, change the region without restrictions and install the system completely. To work, you will need a firmware archive in.tgz format, which you need to unpack into the root of the C disk (the path should not contain Cyrillic or spaces). Also, you need the Mi Flash Tool utility. Translate the smartphone to Fastboot mode (clamp Power + Vol-). Connect the device to the PC. Launch Mi Flash Tool, click the Refresh button - in the list should be removed from the serial version and the installation. The clean all and lock option will also close the bootloader back, which will return the warranty, but can cause problems if you changed the firmware region (for example, put Globalka on the Chinese apparatus). ⚠️ Warning: Choosing a clean all and lock mode when running custom recavator or a non-original version of the software can result in a full lock of the device (Hard Brick), which is difficult to fix without paid tools. Once you select the mode, click Flash. At the end, the phone will reboot itself. The first boot after this procedure can last up to 10 minutes, which is normal, the system optimizes files. TWRP For those who do not have the standard MIUI, exists TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project is a third-party recovery menu that allows you to install modified firmware, make full system backups and obtain root rights. Installation TWRP It's only available on devices with an unlocked bootloader. You first need to download the.img image for your model. Then, when you're in Fastboot mode and you connect your phone to your PC, open the command line in the folder with the boot boot boot. ADB-Type the command to check the connection: fastboot devices. If the serial number is displayed, you can proceed. fastboot flash recovery twrp_image_name.img After a successful recording, it is important to immediately switch to Recovery mode so that the standard system does not overwrite. TWRP This is usually done by a button combination or by a fastboot reboot recovery command. TWRP You can already install zip archives with custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. You can get problems even with the instructions. One of the common mistakes is "error." 7» when installed through Recovery. It means that the firmware version is incompatible with the current version of Android or the type of bootloader, so you can either download the full version of the firmware instead of the incremental version, or use the Fastboot method. If the Mi Flash Tool is running a Miss matching image and phone error, you are trying to install firmware for another model or region without unlocking it properly «QUSB_BULK» Or "Unknown Device." In this case, you need to manually update the driver by specifying the path to the folder. x86 or x64 In case the phone is stuck on the logo (Bootloop), try to press the power button on the phone. 10-15 If that doesn't work, you'll have to go back to Fastboot and reflash the device, and you'll have to go clean all. 🔍 Mistake. 7: Check the compliance of the Android version and the type of bootloader. 🔌 Driver error: Update them manually through Windows Device Manager. 🔄 Bootloop: Complete Wipe Data reset via Recovery. ⚡ Quick discharge after firmware: Give the phone 2-3 Charge-discharge cycle for calibration. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Will the warranty fly off after flashing? Officially, yes, unlocking the bootloader will void the warranty. However, if you stitch through the official global firmware and close the bootloader with the fastboot oem lock command, visually detecting the interference in the service will be difficult, but traces in the logs may remain. Can I go from Chinese firmware to Global? Yes, but only through Fastboot mode with the unlocked bootloader. CN Global can't be accessed because of region checks, what to do if the phone doesn't turn on after firmware is installed? Try to enter Recovery mode and make Wipe Data/Factory If it doesn't work, reflash the Fastboot using "Clean all" mode, and at worst, it'll require repairs to the service (EDL Do I need to unlock the bootloader to install Google Play on the Chinese version? No, on modern versions? MIUI Google Play Store can be installed by downloading APK-The file is run and then you've allowed it to be installed from unknown sources, and you only need to unlock it to change the firmware itself.