How to Reinstall the Operating System on Xiaomi Phone: The Complete Guide

Reinstallation of the operating system on Xiaomi smartphones is a procedure that can be necessary in a variety of situations, from banal malfunctions to complete loss of operation of the device. Unlike a conventional reset to factory settings, complete flashing allows not only to return the phone to a “clean” state, but also to update the Android version, install custom firmware or even restore the “brick” after unsuccessful experiments.

But it requires attention and understanding. Xiaomi uses its own MIUI shell, and locks the bootloader on most models, which adds complexity. In this article, we will look at all the steps from preparing and selecting the firmware to finalizing the system, taking into account the characteristics of different generations of smartphones (from Redmi Note 4X to Xiaomi 14 Ultra).

When you need to reinstall the OS on Xiaomi

Before we start taking radical measures, we need to assess whether they are really necessary, and flashing is not a panacea, and in some cases, the problem can be solved with more gentle methods.

Here are the situations where reinstalling the OS is justified:

• 🔄 System failures: the phone is constantly restarting, apps are crashing, the interface is "laying" even after resetting.
• 📱 Brick: The device does not turn on, hangs on the MI logo, or loads only in Fastboot mode.
• 🔒 Lockdown MI-Account: If you bought a used phone with someone else’s account tied and can’t unlock it.
• 🆙 Upgrade to a new version MIUI/Android: When OTA- updates are not available and manual installation via Recovery does not help.
• 🛠️ Install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience) for advanced features.

Here are the cases when the re-flashing is not necessary:

• ⚠️ The phone is just slow-moving — try clearing the cache first in Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
• ⚠️ Lack of space – check the amount of free memory and delete unnecessary files.
• ⚠️ Problems with a particular application - reinstall it or update it.

⚠️ Warning: Flashing will reset all data on your phone, including photos, contacts and messages. If the device is still on, be sure to back up via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or Mi Cloud.

Preparing for reinstallation: what to do before starting

Unprepared flashing is a sure way to get a brick. To avoid problems, follow the following steps:

1. Check the phone model. Go to Settings → About Phone → Model or look at the sticker under the lid (for models with removable batteries). This is critical, since the firmware for the Redmi Note 10 Pro is not suitable for the Redmi Note 10.
2. Find out the current version of MIUI. In the same About Phone section, see MIUI version, for example, MIUI Global 14.0.5.
3. Download the correct firmware. Use MIUI Downloads for official versions. Choose Stable or Developer depending on your goals.
4. Prepare the tools: 🖥️ Windows PC 10/11 (for Mi Flash Tool). 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged). 🔋 Charge at least 50% (better 100%). 🛠️ Programs: Mi Flash Tool, ADB & Fastboot, Xiaomi drivers.

For models with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 9/10/11, Xiaomi 12/13 and later), unlocking the bootloader will be required, a process that can take up to 720 hours (30 days) due to Xiaomi's security policy.

Unlock bootloader on Xiaomi

Since 2017, Xiaomi has been blocking the bootloader on all smartphones by default, meaning that you can’t install custom recovery or firmware until you unlock it in the official way.

1. Linking Mi Account to phone

To unlock, you need a Mi Account linked to the device.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Create a new account or sign in to an existing one.
3. Enable Data Synchronization and Device Search.

2. Request for permission to unlock

Go to Mi Unlock and download the Mi Unlock Tool, launch it on your PC and follow the steps:

1. Log in to the same Mi Account as on your phone.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
3. The utility will show the waiting time (usually 168-720 hours), after its expiration, unlocking will be possible.

3 Final unlocking

After the timer ends:

1. Connect your phone to Fastboot again.
2. Open the Mi Unlock Tool and press Unlock.
3. Wait until the phone is finished (the phone will reboot).

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the phone, including internal memory, and it can also be insecure (check the terms for your model).

Selection of firmware: official MIUI vs custom

The type of firmware that determines the capabilities of the phone, the stability of the work and even security, let's look at the main options:

For beginners, we recommend starting with the official Stable MIUI, which can be downloaded on the MIUI Downloads website.

• 🌍 Region: Choose Global (for international versions), China (only if you are in China) or EEA (for Europe).
• 📅 Android version: For example, MIUI 14.0.5 (Android 13).
• 📱 The exact name of the model: Redmi Note 10 Pro and Redmi Note 10 Pro Max are different devices!

If you decide to install custom firmware, check out the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums, and pay attention to user reviews and the “What’s working” list.

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Before downloading the firmware, check its hash (MD5). This will help avoid installation errors. Compare the hash of the downloaded file with the official one on the Xiaomi website using the MD5 Checker utility.

Ways to reinstall the OS on Xiaomi

Depending on the condition of the phone and the goals, you can choose from three basic firmware methods, each with its pros and cons:

1. via Recovery (for official firmware)

The easiest way to do this is to unlock the bootloader, which is if the phone is turning on and you want to upgrade or restore the official MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware in.zip format (for example, miui_BLOCKOTANameGlobal_V14.0.5.0.TKUMIXM_...).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root of internal memory.
3. Go to Recovery: Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Power before the MI logo appears.

Install update.zip

Reboot

2. via Fastboot (for official firmware)

A more reliable method that works even if the phone doesn't turn on requires an unlocked bootloader and a PC.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware for Fastboot (.tgz or.zip file with image folder).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on the disk C:\ (for example, C:\miui_fastboot).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
4. In the program, select the folder with firmware, press Refresh (should appear). COM-port, then flash.
5. Wait for the completion (green tick) and reboot.

3.Through Custom Recovery (TWRP)

To install custom firmware or modified versions of MIUI. Requires an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP installed.

Instructions:

1. Install TWRP via Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
2. Download firmware (.zip) and GApps (if you need Google services).
3. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, Data, System).
4. Install firmware, then GApps (if required).
5. Reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Installing custom firmware may cause IMEI (modem serial number) to be lost, causing mobile phone service to stop working. Always back up the EFS partition to TWRP before you run the firmware!

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For Xiaomi models running a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi 9/10A), Fastboot firmware may require authorization (SP Flash Tool + auth file), an additional layer of protection that complicates the process.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If the phone has turned into a brick (no buttons, no PC), try:

1. Hard reset: Press Volume up + Volume down + Power for 10-15 seconds.
2. EDL (Emergency Mode): Requires an authorized Xiaomi account and boxing (e.g. Deep Flash Cable).
3. Contact the service: If nothing helps, it is possible that the motherboard is damaged.

Tips for newer models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12): They use Anti-Rollback protection, which blocks rollbacks on older versions of MIUI. Always check the Anti-Rollback version in the firmware name (e.g., Anti-4). Installing an older version will result in an irreversible brick!

After Reinstallation: First Setup and Optimization

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will be like new, with all the pros and cons. Here's what to do first:

1. Initial setting: Select a language, connect to Wi-Fi. Skip sign-in to Mi Account if you don't want to tether your device. Set up your fingerprint/face (if you need to).
2. System Optimization: Disable unnecessary applications: Settings → Applications → Application Management. Set up Auto Start: Settings → Battery → Auto Start. Enable FHD+ Resolution (for models with AMOLED): Settings → Display → Screen Resolution.
3. Data recovery: If you have backups done through Mi Cloud, log in and recover data. Move files from your PC or other device.

Checking of operability

• Camera, speaker, microphone test.
• Checking the mobile network and Wi-Fi.
• Test sensors (gyroscope, compass) through the Sensor Test application.

For custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) additionally:

• 🔧 Install Magisk for root rights (if necessary).
• 🔊 Adjust the sound via ViPER4Android (for better quality).
• 🎯 Check the SafetyNet (for banking applications)

Battery tip: After you've run the firmware, calibrate the battery -- completely discharge the phone, then charge it to 100% without interruption -- and that helps the system determine the capacity correctly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about reinstalling the OS on Xiaomi