Reflashing Xiaomi Redmi: official and custom methods [2026]

Reinstallation of firmware on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a procedure that can solve performance problems, fix software failures or open up access to new features. However, the wrong actions can lead to the “bricking” of the device when the phone turns into a useless “brick.” This article will help avoid mistakes, from preparing tools to choosing between official MIUI and custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

We will look at three main ways of refashioning: MIUI Updater (the safest), Recovery Mode (for power users) and Fastboot (forcible installation). Particular attention will be paid to unlocking the bootloader - a mandatory step for most methods, except for the use of the new system. OTA-If you have a Redmi Note 12 or Redmi 10C hung on the logo, slows down or does not update - here you will find a solution.

Preparation for Flashing: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start reinstalling your firmware, make sure that critical conditions are met, and neglecting them can cause data loss or the device to fail.

First, check your Redmi model and its code name (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is veux) to download the correct firmware, you can find the code in settings (Settings → Phone → MIUI version) or through the command adb shell getprop ro.product.device.

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 60%. When discharged during firmware, the device may turn off and not turn on.
• 📱 Backup all data (photos, contacts, messages) and use Mi Cloud or third-party tools like Titanium Backup.
• 🔗 Cable USB — Original or high-quality. Cheap cables can interrupt data transmission.
• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 Linux (for Fastboot method) on macOS, there may be problems with drivers.

If you plan to install custom firmware, you will additionally need to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, a process that takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting for new Mi accounts.

Unlocking the bootloader: a must-do step for Fastboot and custom firmware

Xiaomi’s factory firmware blocks the bootloader to protect against unauthorized changes. To install the firmware through Fastboot or custom software, it must be unlocked. Except for the upgrade via MIUI Updater or Recovery without changing the MIUI version (for example, from MIUI 14 to MIUI 14.0.5).

The unlocking process consists of three stages:

1. Linking your Mi Account to your device: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and log in. Then go to Settings → Additional → Developer → Mi Unlock Status and link the account.
2. Waiting: For new accounts, Xiaomi sets a limit of 720 hours (30 days) and older accounts (registered before 2022) can unlock the bootloader immediately.
3. Use Mi Unlock Tool: download the utility from the official website, connect the phone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power) and follow the instructions of the program.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings. All data will be deleted, including photos in internal memory. Also some features (for example, Mi Pay or Widevine) L1 for Netflix HD) They may stop working.

Method 1: Update via MIUI Updater (without loss of data)

The easiest and most secure method is to upgrade through the built-in MIUI Updater app, which is suitable for installing official firmware without resetting and does not require unlocking the bootloader, but only works for stable or beta versions of MIUI available for your model.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the icon with three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Select the Service Package.
3. Specify the path to the downloaded firmware file (.zip format). For Redmi, these are usually files with the name of the view. miui_BLOCKNAME_versione.zip (for example, miui_VEUX_V14.0.3.0.TLCCNXM_32bit.zip).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the restart (it will take 5-15 minutes).

Where to download the official firmware? Use the resources:

• 🌍 Official website MIUI (Choose a Global Region, EEA Russia).
• 📦 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (unofficial but reliable source with archived versions).

⚠️ Note: If after the update the phone is stuck on the logo MI For more than 20 minutes, perform a hard reset: press the Volume up + Power for 10 seconds. It won't delete the data, but it will restart the system.

Method 2: Install firmware through Recovery Mode

Recovery is suitable for installing official firmware with a full reset (for example, if the phone does not turn on or a clean system is required). This uses standard or custom recovery (TWRP). Official recovery Xiaomi does not support the installation of custom firmware - only original.zip-files MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware in.zip and rename it to update.zip (required!). Place the file in the root of internal memory (not in the folder!).
2. Boot in Recovery: Turn off your phone. Press Volume up + Power before the MI logo appears. Select the language (if the menu appears).

Install update.zip to System

Confirm the installation and wait until the completion (the process will take 3-10 minutes).

Reboot to System

If the phone is stuck on the logo after the reboot, run Wipe Data in recovery:

1. Go back to Recovery.
2. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
3. Confirm the reset and restart the device.

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder with fastboot (for example, C:\platform-tools\). There's gotta be a file inside. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
2. Upload the phone to Fastboot mode: (a) Turn off the device. (b) Press Volume down + Power until the bunny says Fastboot appears.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and check for device detection by command: fastboot devices should show a serial number of the phone.
4. Start the firmware: For Windows: double-click on flash_all.bat. For Linux/Mac: At the terminal, perform: chmod +x flash_all.sh./flash_all.sh

Wait until it's finished (the process will take 5-20 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Attention: If the script flash_all.bat Remote: partition table doesn’t exist, your device uses dynamic partitions (starting with Android) 10). In this case, download the firmware marked Dynamic or use the command: fastboot update name file.zip

💡

The Fastboot method is the only way to restore the phone if it doesn't boot into the system or recover.However, it completely erases data, including internal memory (SD-card unaffected).

Install custom firmware: LineageOS, Pixel Experience and others

Custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience, Havoc-OS) offers “clean” Android without preinstalled Xiaomi apps, more frequent updates and additional features. However, their installation requires an unlocked bootloader and custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).

Preparation:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see section above).
2. Install. TWRP Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.7.0_veux.img fastboot reboot recovery (replace veux with your model code).
3. Download firmware (for example, from lineageos.org) and GApps (Google services if necessary).

Installation:

1. Load to TWRP (Loudness Up + Nutrition).
2. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark: Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

Don't touch it.

Internal Storage

MicroSD

Install → Select a.zip file

Install GApps (if necessary).

Reboot System

Important: Castom firmware may not support some Xiaomi features, such as: IR-blaster, camera modes or gestures. Before installing, check the compatibility list on the XDA-Developers forum.

Solving Firmware Errors

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the phone does not respond to buttons after a failed firmware, try Emergency Download Mode (EDL).

1. Turn the phone off the PC.
2. Press Volume up + Volume down and connect the USB cable.
3. Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the PC identifies the device as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Use the Mi Flash Tool to Firmware in EDL-Regime (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi firmware