How to completely reinstall Android on Xiaomi phone: from unlock to firmware

Introduction: When you need to reinstall Android on Xiaomi

Reinstallation of the operating system on Xiaomi smartphones is a procedure that can be required in a variety of situations, from trivial malfunctions to serious software errors, when the phone starts to “glut”, slow to work or refuses to turn on at all. But before you start taking radical measures, it is worthwhile to understand: do you really need a complete firmware reflash, or can the problem be solved with more gentle methods?

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to reinstall Android on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from simple resets to factory settings to manual firmware via Fastboot and custom TWRP recovery. You’ll learn how to properly prepare your phone, where to download official and informal firmware, and how to avoid the typical mistakes that can turn your smartphone into a “brick.”

Preparation for reinstallation: what to do before firmware

Before you start reinstalling Android, there are a few critical steps that need to be taken: neglecting it can lead to data loss, inability to restore the phone, or even a complete breakdown, starting with the obvious: backup.

Even if you plan to install the official firmware, there is always a risk of failure.

• 📱 Contacts (export to.vcf or sync with Google Account)
• 📸 Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud)
• 📝 Messages (use) SMS Backup & Restore or analogues)
• 🎮 Application data (game saves, settings)
• 🔑 Passwords and logins (if you store them in your browser or manager)

The next step is to check the phone model and the current firmware version, which will help you choose the right file to install. You can find out the model at Settings → About Phone → Model (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G or POCO X5 Pro). See the MIUI version in the same line - MIUI version (for example, MIUI 14.0.5 Global).

⚠️ Note: If your phone is blocked by an operator (such as MTS or Beeline), flashing may remove this lock, but also voids the warranty.

It is equally important to charge the phone to at least 60-70%, and the firmware process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, and battery drain at this point is fraught with serious consequences.

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (for Mac/Linux Additional drivers may be required)
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (poor cables may interrupt the connection)
• 🛠️ Programs: Mi Flash Tool, ADB & Fastboot, Qualcomm or Mediatek drivers (depending on the processor)

Method 1: Reset to factory settings (without loss of warranty)

If your goal is to get your phone back to a clean state without deleting system files, you start by resetting it through the recovery menu, which doesn't require unlocking the bootloader and retains the warranty, but it doesn't update the Android version, it just returns the current firmware to its original form.

To perform the discharge:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the buttons Power + Volume up at the same time (on some models POCO - Power + Volume down).
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English and Chinese)
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 2-5 minutes).
6. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

Once rebooted, the phone will be like new — with standard wallpaper, no apps installed (except pre-installed) and reset settings — a method that helps 80 percent of the time when the problem is caused by an application conflict or virus infection.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require re-assignment of the Mi Account after a reset. If you forget your password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

If the reset doesn’t solve the problem (for example, the phone still slows down or doesn’t turn on), move on to more radical methods – manual firmware.

Download the official firmware for your model|Install drivers ADB/Fastboot|Unlock the loader (if required)|Charge the phone before 70%+|Create a backup copy of the data-->

Method 2: Install the official firmware via Fastboot

If the reset didn’t help or you want to upgrade/downgrade the Android version, you’ll need a full Fastboot flash.

• 🔄 Updates to the new version MIUI (if OTA-update)
• 🔙 Reverse to the old version (for example, with the MIUI 14 on MIUI 13)
• 🛠️ Recovery after a crash (if the phone doesn't turn on or gets stuck on the logo)
• 🌍 Changes in the firmware region (from Chinese to global or vice versa)

For this method you will need:

1. Official firmware in.tgz or.zip format (download only from the official Xiaomi website).
2. Mi Flash Tool (the latest version can be found on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums).
3. Unlocked boot loader (more on this below).

Instructions for firmware through Fastboot:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder on your computer (for example, C:\miui_rom).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and run it on behalf of the administrator.
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down for 5-10 seconds.
4. Connect your phone to your computer. In the Mi Flash Tool, you have to decide. COM-port.
5. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
6. Select firmware mode: Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended in case of failures) Clean all and lock – cleaning + lock bootloader (only for experienced users!) Save user data – saving user data (not always stable)

Flash

Important: Fastboot firmware with the "Clean all and lock" option will block the bootloader, making it impossible to install custom firmware in the future without re-unlocking. Use this mode only if you are sure that you will not experiment with the software anymore.

💡

If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a “couldn’t find fastboot” error, try reinstalling drivers manually through Windows Device Manager. To do this, find the device with an exclamation mark in the Manager menu, click “Update driver” → “Search on this computer” → specify the folder with ADB drivers.

Method 3: Unlocking the bootloader is a must for deep firmware

If you plan to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) or modified versions of MIUI, you will need to unlock the bootloader. On new Xiaomi models (released after 2022), this procedure is complicated, but still possible.

The official way to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account on your phone and in the program on your PC (should be one account!).
3. On your phone, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the line to activate Developer Mode.
4. Return to Settings → More → For developers and enable: Debugging by USB Unlock OEM (an important item!)

Mi Unlock Tool

After successful unlocking, the phone will restart with all data cleared.

Newer models (such as the Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+) may require waiting 7-15 days after an account is linked to the device, a security measure from Xiaomi to reduce theft and fraud.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will permanently void the warranty on most Xiaomi models, and after this procedure, some features such as Mi Pay or Find Device may stop working.

If the official method does not work (for example, the program gives an error Couldn't unlock), you can try alternative methods through the system. EDL-However, this requires special equipment (Deep Flash Cable) and knowledge, so it is better to consult a specialist.

Method 4: Install custom firmware through TWRP

If you are not satisfied with the standard MIUI, You can install alternative firmware, like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS — TWRP.

Instructions for installing TWRP and custom firmware:

1. Download the latest version TWRP for your model from the site twrp.me (for example, for POCO F5 It'll be a file. twrp-3.7.0_12-redwood.img).
2. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down).
3. Connect to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-redwood.img
4. Without turning off the phone, go to TWRP via command: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_12-redwood.img
5. In TWRP, make a backup of the current firmware (Backup → Select Partitions → System, Data, Boot).
6. Download custom firmware (for example, from XDA Developers) and transfer it to your phone.
7. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
8. Press Install, select a firmware file and confirm the installation.
9. Once completed, install GApps (Google Services) if they are not included in the firmware.
10. Reboot your phone (Reboot → System)

⚠️ Attention: Castom firmware may contain bugs, especially on newer models. Check forum reviews before installing (e.g., forum reviews, 4PDA or XDA) for your particular model.

💡

Installing custom firmware requires an unlocked bootloader and TWRP. Without these two components, the process is impossible.

Solving problems after reinstalling Android

Even if you followed the instructions, there may be some problems after the firmware is installed, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the phone stopped seeing after the firmware SIM-The cards, most likely, you installed firmware for another region, for example, Chinese firmware (China Stable) does not support European or Russian operators:

1. Download the correct firmware (e.g. Global or EEA).
2. Repeat the firmware process through Fastboot.
3. If the problem persists, please go through modem and nvram files separately (you can find them on thematic forums).

For other errors, use logs. In TWRP, they are in /sdcard/TWRP/Logs, and in Android, they are in the MatLog app or the adb logcat command.

FAQ: Frequent questions about reinstalling Android on Xiaomi