Xiaomi smartphones are known for their functionality and affordable price, but even the most reliable devices require a clean slate from time to time. The reasons for this can be different: from accumulated software bugs and viruses to the desire to update Android to a more recent version, which the manufacturer has stopped releasing officially. Owners often look for a way to reinstall the system on the shaomi to return the gadget to factory speed or get rid of intrusive advertising software built into the shell.
Software recovery ranges from simply pressing a button on a menu to complex manipulations using a computer and special utilities. The choice of method depends on whether your phone is turned on at all, whether the bootloader is locked and what kind of result you want to get. It is important to understand that a complete reinstallation (reflashing) always carries risks, so you need to carefully prepare and study the theoretical part before starting any actions.
In this article, we will look at all the available ways to recover software, from standard reset to advanced firmware via Fastboot. We will look at the nuances of working with the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, and pay attention to data security. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, you will find here the latest information to solve problems with your device’s software.
Device preparation and data backup
Before you start any manipulation of the system partition, it is critical to save your personal data. The process of reinstallation of the system, especially a complete reset or flashing, permanently deletes all user information: contacts, photos, correspondence in messengers and installed applications. Ignoring this stage can lead to the loss of valuable memories and work files.
The easiest way to save data is to use the Xiaomi Cloud service or Google account. Make sure that sync is enabled and completed. To do this, go to your account settings and press the Force Sync button. An alternative and more reliable option is to copy files to a computer or external drive through the USB-cable.
You also need to check the battery power. The process of firmware or reset should not be interrupted due to battery discharge. If the phone turns on, charge it to a minimum of 60-70%. If the device does not turn on, put it on charge for at least 30 minutes before starting recovery procedures.
☑️ Checklist before firmware
Remember to write or remember the password for your Mi Account and Google account. Once you reinstall the system, the smartphone will request this information to confirm ownership (FRP theft protection). Without these passwords, you will not be able to activate the device, and it will turn into a “brick” from the point of view of the average user.
Method 1: Complete reset via the Settings Menu (Soft Reset)
If your Xiaomi smartphone is stable, turns on and you can get on the menu, the safest way to “reinstall” the system is factory reset. This method does not change the firmware version, but completely cleans the data partition, returning the settings to the original state, which is ideal for selling the phone or eliminating software glitches.
To perform the reset, go to the Settings menu. Find the About Phone section (or Advanced Settings in older versions of MIUI). At the bottom of the screen, there will be a button to Reset or Erase all data. The system will warn you of the consequences and ask you to enter a graphical key or password to unlock the screen.
What happens when you reset your settings?
Once confirmed, the phone will restart and begin the cleaning process, which can take 5 to 15 minutes. Don't interrupt this process. Upon completion, the smartphone will turn on as new, requiring initial language setup and network connection.
Method 2: Recovery Mode Reset (if the system is not loading)
When the phone is stuck on the logo or goes into an endless reboot, it requires Recovery Recovery, a special diagnostic mode built into the device's memory that allows you to control the system bypassing the main interface, accessed by a combination of physical buttons.
To enter Recovery mode on most Xiaomi smartphones, you need to turn the device off completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while continuing to keep the volume. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will appear.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen may not work. Navigation on the menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and choice of item with a power button.
From the menu that opens, select a language (usually only English and Chinese) and then search for Wipe Data, which will have Wipe All Data, which will have a validated action by selecting Confirm, which will start formatting, and when you complete it, Data wiped successfully, Back to Main Menu, then Reboot -> Reboot to System.
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If the phone goes into reboot again after reset, it may be the hardware part (the volume button stuck) or the system files are damaged, which requires flashing through the computer.
Method 3: Install firmware via Recovery (Update Package)
If a standard reset doesn’t help or you need to upgrade/roll back to a specific version of MIUI, you can use the local update method. To do this, you will need a firmware file in.zip format downloaded from the official website or trusted resources (for example, miui.com or xiaomirom.com).
Copy the downloaded archive to the root of the phone's internal memory (not the folder, but directly to the main space). Go to Settings -> About Phone -> Click on the MIUI version. Click three dots in the corner and select Select firmware file. Specify the path to the downloaded archive. The phone will check integrity and suggest rebooting for installation.
If the phone is not turned on, you can install the same zip file via Recovery. From the Recovery menu (login method described above), select Connect with MIAssistant (if available) or simply Install (depending on the version of Recovery). However, most often, to install a zip archive in Recovery, it is required that the firmware file be renamed to the Recovery file. update.zip and placed in the root of memory.
| Type of firmware | Expansion | Method of installation | Data retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery ROM | .zip | Through the Update Menu or Recovery | Possibly (on update) |
| Fastboot ROM | .tgz | Through the computer (Mi Flash) | No (complete removal) |
| OTA Update | Automatically. | On the menu, on the Internet | Yes. |
Method 4: Complete Fastboot and Mi Flash flash flash flash
This is the most radical and effective method of completely reinstalling the shaomi system from scratch, and is used in cases of major disruptions, region change (e.g., from the Chinese version to the global version), or, if necessary, completely remove all traces of previous operation. This method requires a computer with Windows and USB-cable.
The first step is to unlock the bootloader. Without official Mi Unlock, you can't install global firmware on a Chinese phone (or vice versa.) The unlocking process takes 7 to 168 hours after you submit your application. If the bootloader is already unlocked or you're installing the same firmware version, you can skip this step.
Next, download the Fastboot ROM archive for your model and unpack it on your computer. You will also need the Mi Flash Tool. Launch the program, press the flash button (or refresh) to let your computer see the phone. Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode: turn off the phone, press down the volume and power until the android repair hare appears.
⚠️ Note: When you run through Fastboot in Clear All mode, all data will be destroyed. Make sure you choose the correct firmware file, as installing an inappropriate version can irreversibly damage the device.
In Mi Flash, select the path to the unpacked firmware folder. At the bottom, select Clean all or Clean all and lock. Press Flash. The process will take 200 to 600 seconds. Once completed, the phone will reboot with the new system.
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Using Clean all and lock mode returns the phone to a “shop-like” state, closing the bootloader, which is necessary for banking applications and Google Pay (where it is supported).
Typical errors and methods of their elimination
Users often encounter a variety of bugs during the reinstallation process, one of the most common being Error 7 or a version mismatch message, which happens when you try to roll back to an older version of Android (Anti-rollback protection), and the protection does not allow you to return the old version of the firmware if the bootloader version was updated.
Another common problem is hanging on the Mi logo after the firmware is done. If waiting more than 15 minutes is not working, try forcefully restarting the device (clamp the power for 10-15 seconds). If the cyclic reboot continues, it may be that the firmware was damaged during download or written with errors, in which case it is worth rechecking the checksum of the file and repeating the procedure.
Users may also encounter a “Can’t verify update” error when trying to install firmware through menus, which often happens if the firmware file doesn’t match the current region of the device, or if the bootloader is locked and you’re trying to install firmware in another region, the solution being one of unlocking the bootloader or finding firmware strictly for your region (Global, EEA, Russia, China).