How to completely reinstall firmware on Xiaomi Redmi: 3 working ways

Reinstallation of firmware on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones can be required in a variety of situations, from bugs after an update to a complete “brick” of the device. Unlike a normal reset through settings, full flashing allows you to return the phone to a “clean” state of MIUI, fix software failures or even install custom firmware. But the process requires accuracy – a mistake at any stage can turn the gadget into a “brick”.

In this article, we will discuss three official reinstallation methods: through Recovery, Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool, and how to prepare the device, unlock the bootloader and avoid typical errors. Particular attention will be paid to the Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and other popular lines - their firmware has nuances due to different versions of the bootloaders.

If your Redmi doesn't turn on, if it's stuck on the logo, if it's running with a lot of lags, don't rush it into service. 80 percent of the time, it's software-based, you follow the instructions and you don't miss the steps, and we start with preparation.

1.Reinstallation Preparation: What to Do Before Firmware

Before you start flashing, you need to follow a few critical steps, and skipping any of them can lead to data loss, device locking, or even physical damage (for example, when a process is interrupted).

First, save all the important data. Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool wipes the device's internal memory. Use Mi Mover, cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud), or physical porting to your PC.

• 📱 Contacts (export to.vcf)
• 📸 Photos and videos (check folders) DCIM and Pictures)
• 🔑 App passwords (use Google Smart Lock or password managers)
• 🎮 Save games (synchronize through Google Play or Mi Account)

Second, check the firmware model and version. This is critical, because the firmware from the Redmi Note 11 Pro is not suitable for the Redmi 10, even if they look similar.

• On the device box (on the sticker with the serial number).
• In settings: Settings → About the phone → Model.
• Through ADB: Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command: adb shell getprop ro.product.model

Finally, charge the battery to at least 60%. If the firmware is interrupted due to a discharge, the device may stop responding to charging. If the phone does not turn on, use emergency charging: connect to the power source for 10-15 minutes before the procedure.

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If you're running a Redmi with a USB-C connector, use the original cable. Cheap ones can cause data errors, especially when you're using the Mi Flash Tool.

2. Unlocking the bootloader: a must-do step for Fastboot

If you plan to flash your device through a Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool, unlocking the bootloader is an inevitable step. Xiaomi locks the bootloader on all devices to protect against unauthorized changes. Without unlocking, you will not be able to install custom software or even official firmware through Fastboot.

The unlocking process involves several steps:

1. Attach Mi Account to your device in settings: Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Activate OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the version to activate developer mode).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: fastboot oem unlock A confirmation request will appear on the device screen.
4. Wait 72–168 hours (3–7 days) Xiaomi requires mandatory waiting times for new accounts.

Once unlocked, the bootloader will remain open, but the account binding will remain, which means that you won’t have to wait another 7 days to re-plug the firmware, but resetting the phone via Fastboot without an associated account will lock the device.

Method 1: Reinstallation via Recovery (without PC)

The easiest method is to use the built-in Recovery Mode, which is suitable if the phone is turned on but is unstable, or if you want to return factory settings without connecting to a PC, but this method is not suitable for installing a new version of MIUI - it only resets the current firmware to its original state.

Step instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the button combination: For most Redmi: Volume up + Power. For Redmi Note 10/11/12: Volume up + Power (hold 10-15 seconds).

Recovery

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Confirm the action and wait for the completion (5-10 minutes).

Reboot → Reboot to System

If the phone is stuck on the Redmi logo after the reset, make a forced reboot: hold the power for 20-30 seconds. If this does not help, you will need firmware through Fastboot.

1. made a backup copy of the data

2. Charged the phone at least 60%

3.Made sure I knew the button combination to log into Recovery

4. Prepared the charger in case of a long process

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Method 2: Fastboot Firmware (from PC)

Fastboot is suitable for installing official MIUI firmware if the phone is not turning on or requires a clean installation. Unlike Recovery, this method allows you to choose a specific firmware version (including an older one if the new one is unstable).

The firmware will require:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11 (on macOS/Linux Possible problems with drivers).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
• 📥 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi_Flash\).
2. Install Xiaomi drivers (if the Mi Flash Tool doesn’t recognize the device, use the Mi PC Suite to install it automatically).
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Volume down + Power The screen will appear a hare in a hat-eared (Fastboot logo).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the utility, click Select and specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
6. Select firmware mode: Clean all (recommended when crashes occur); Clean all and lock (clean + lock the bootloader (only if you sell a phone); Save user data (not always stable).

Flash

If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a can't receive hello packet error, try reconnecting the cable, change the cable. USB-port or use another PC. This error is often associated with driver conflict.

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Fastboot erases all data, including files in internal memory. If you need to save photos or documents, retrieve them before starting the procedure.

5. Method 3: Install firmware through ADB Sideload

ADB Sideload is an alternative to Fastboot if the bootloader is locked but the phone is turned on and can boot into Recovery.It allows you to install the official firmware without unlocking the bootloader, but requires a working USB Debugging.

What you need:

• 📱 Phone with debugging enabled USB.
• 🖥️ PC with installation ADB and Fastboot Tools.
• 📦 Firmware in.zip format (do not unpack!).

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware for your model with Xiaomi Firmware Updater (select the Recovery ROM version).
2. Move the.zip file to the folder with ADB (for example, C:\platform-tools\).
3. Download your phone to Recovery (volume up + power combination).
4. From the Recovery menu, select Connect with MiAssistant (or ADB Sideload on newer versions).
5. On PC, open the command line in the ADB folder and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
6. Run the firmware command: adb sideload name file.zip The process will take 5-15 minutes.

If the installation is interrupted with the E:footer is wrong error, download the firmware again - the file may have been downloaded with damage, and also check that the correct firmware region is selected (for example, Global for the international version or Russia for the Russian version).

Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors, and we've collected some of the most common problems and ways to fix them.

If none of the methods worked and the phone still doesn't turn on, there may be a hardware problem (e.g. damaged eMMC memory).In this case, contact a service center. Self-repair without experience can make the situation worse.

1. Dial ##4636##.

2. Go to Phone Information.

3. Select Network and wait for automatic IMEI recovery.

If this does not help, use the utility. SN Write Tool (requires a Xiaomi account with developer rights).-->

7. How to check the success of the firmware

After you reinstall the firmware, you need to make sure everything goes right.

1. Check out the MIUI version:

Go to Settings → About Phone → The MIUI version. It should match the one you installed.

Test of essential functions:

• 📞 Calls and mobile network (check out) IMEI in *#06#).
• 📶 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• 🔋 Charging (connect the charger).
• 🎵 Speakers and microphone (record voice notes).

3. Check the status of the loader:

Turn off your phone and boot to Fastboot (Loudness Down) + Power. If it says Unlocked at the bottom of the screen, the bootloader is unlocked. If Locked is locked (that's fine unless you plan on further firmware manipulation).

4. Evaluate the performance:

Run a few apps and check if there are lags or overheating. If the phone is running slower than before the firmware, a non-optimized version of MIUI (like Chinese firmware on a global device) may have been installed.

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If there are bugs after firmware (for example, spontaneous reboots or application crashes), try resetting again through Recovery or install a different version of firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi reinstalling