How to Switch Xiaomi Through Your Computer: A Complete Guide with Mi Flash Tool

Reflashing a Xiaomi smartphone through a computer is a process that can solve performance problems, install a fresh version of MIUI, or even bring the device back to life after a software failure. Unlike an Air Update (OTA), PC firmware gives you complete control over the process: you can choose any version of the software, including global, Chinese or custom builds. However, this method requires accuracy β€” a mistake at any stage can turn the phone into a brick.

In this article, we will discuss the official way to run the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (for devices with unlocked bootloader), and also discuss alternative methods for locked devices. We will focus on preparation: from choosing the right firmware to installing drivers. If you have never flashed Xiaomi before, start by learning the theory - this will save you hours to correct errors.

Warn immediately: the procedure cancels the warranty (if the bootloader has been unlocked), erases all data on the device and may lead to loss of the service. IMEI If you're just trying to update the system, check first. OTA-Updates to Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Updating the system.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

The first step is to check that your device is compatible with the firmware you have chosen. Xiaomi has several types of software:

  • 🌍 Global (MIUI Global – official firmware for the international market, with support for Google services and several languages, including Russian.
  • πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ China (MIUI China – Chinese version without Google services, but with earlier access to new features.
  • πŸ”§ Fastboot – full images for firmware via Mi Flash Tool (extension.tgz or.zip).
  • πŸ“¦ Recovery – firmware for installation through stock or custom recovery (extension.zip).

To run through the computer, we'll need a Fastboot firmware, which you can download from official sources:

  • πŸ”— Official website MIUI β€” Select the device model and version (Global/China/EEA).
  • πŸ”— Xiaomi Firmware Updater – Firmware archive with version history.

πŸ’‘

If your device supports the Xiaomi.eu project, you can install their custom firmware with advanced features, but this will require an unlocked bootloader and TWRP.

Before downloading the firmware, make sure that:

  • πŸ“± The model of the device coincides with the firmware name (for example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is sweet, not sweetin for the Indian version).
  • πŸ”’ Version. MIUI not lower than the current (downgrade is possible, but is fraught with errors).
  • πŸ“ The firmware is designed for your region (Global/China/EEA). Installing Chinese firmware on a global device will lead to network problems.

Also prepare:

  • πŸ’» Computer running Windows 7/10/11 (Mi Flash Tool is required for.NET Framework 4.5+).
  • πŸ”Œ Original. USB-cable (poor cables may interrupt the connection).
  • πŸ”‹ Battery charge of the phone at least 50% (firmware can take up to 30 minutes).
  • βš™οΈ Unlocked bootloader (if you are flashing unofficial software or installing Fastboot firmware for the first time).
πŸ“Š What type of firmware do you plan to install?
Official Global
Official China
Custom (Xiaomi.eu, LineageOS)
I don't know, I need help.

2. Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi: a mandatory step for firmware

Most Xiaomi devices come with a locked bootloader, a security measure that prevents unofficial software from being installed. To flash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool, the bootloader must be unlocked.

The official unlocking process includes:

  1. Linking the Mi Account to the device (required) SIM-map).
  2. Apply for the Unlock Tool via Mi Unlock Tool.
  3. Waiting for confirmation (from a few hours to 720 hours – 30 days – for new accounts)

Detailed instructions for unlocking:

  1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on PC.
  2. Turn on the developer mode on the phone (go to Settings β†’ About phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version).
  3. B Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ For developers, activate: πŸ”“ Unlocking OEM (OEM Unlocking). πŸ”Œ Debugging by USB (USB Debugging).

Mi Unlock Tool

Mi

Follow the instructions of the program. If you receive a message about the need to wait, turn off the phone and try again after a specified time.

What if the Mi Unlock Tool can’t see the device?
1.Make sure drivers are installed ADB (Download them from Xiaomi or via Mi. PC Suite). 2. Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of a PC). 3. Disable the antivirus - it can block the connection. 4. Restart the phone and PC. 5. If you use a virtual machine, try on a physical computer.β€”> Important: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the phone will be erased! Back up important files via Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ Backup and reset or manually copy data to PC. 3. Install drivers and Mi Flash Tool For successful firmware, the computer must correctly recognize your device in Fastboot mode. This requires special drivers: πŸ“₯ Automatically via Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi, download here). πŸ› οΈ Manually via Device Manager: Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down) + Power when the device is off. Open Device Manager on your PC, find the device with an exclamation mark (usually in the Other Devices section). Update the driver by pointing the path to the driver folder (you can download them here). After installing the drivers, download and install the Mi Flash Tool: Download the latest version of the utility from the official website (Tools section). Unpack the archive and launch XiaoMiFlash.exe on behalf of the administrator. In the program settings (Settings), select the firmware mode: clean all - complete clean (recommended for changing the version). MIUI). Clean all and lock - cleaning + bootloader lock (only for official firmware). save user data - saving user data (not always working correctly). If the Mi Flash Tool is not running, check it out: πŸ–₯️ Presence.NET Framework 4.5+ (download from Microsoft). πŸ›‘οΈ Disabling the antivirus (it can block the program as potentially dangerous). πŸ“‚ Administrator rights (right-click on XiaoMiFlash.exe and select Run on behalf of the Administrator). 4. Step-by-step: Xiaomi firmware via Fastboot Now let’s get to the firmware process itself. Follow the instructions carefully – any missed step can lead to errors. β˜‘οΈ Firmware Preparation Download the correct firmware (Fastboot) Unlock the bootloaderInstall drivers and Mi Flash Tool Charge the phone >50%Make a backup copy of the data Completed: 0 / 5 Step. 1. Fastboot phone switch switch off the device. Press the Volume buttons down. + Eating and holding on 5–10 Just a few seconds before the hare in the hat comes up, and you plug it into your PC through the Fastboot logo. USB-cable. Step 2. Launch Mi Flash Tool and select firmware Open Mi Flash Tool (on behalf of the administrator). Press Select and specify the path to the unpacked firmware folder (it should contain files with the.img extension). At the bottom of the program, select the firmware mode (clean all - recommended). Press Refresh – your phone should appear in the list of devices (if not, check the drivers). Step 3. Start the firmware Press Flash and confirm the action. Wait for the process to finish (usually takes 5-15 minutes). When it's done, it automatically restarts. It can take up to 10 minutes to turn on -- don't interrupt. If the firmware is successful, you'll see a welcome screen. MIUI. If not, read the error section. What to do if the Mi Flash Tool is 99% freeze-free?This is a common problem, usually associated with drivers or other devices. USB-Try: 1. Connect the phone to another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2. Disconnect and reconnect the cable. 3. Restart the Mi Flash Tool and repeat the firmware. 4. Use another computer. If it doesn't work, go through the mode EDL (Requires an authorized Xiaomi account). 5. Common errors and solutions Even with accurate follow-up to the instructions, errors can occur. Below is a table of the most common problems and ways to fix them. Error Reason Couldn't find fastboot devices Phone is not recognized in Fastboot mode USB-cable and port. Install the drivers manually. Reboot the phone to Fastboot. + Nutrition). Flash is not done or Invalid image format Damaged firmware file or incorrect version Download firmware again (check checksum) MD5). Make sure the firmware is suitable for your model.This device is locked bootloader is not unlocked Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool. If the wait is not over, wait for the specified time. Phone doesn't turn on after firmware is incorrect or interrupted process Try to sew again with the choice of clean all. If it doesn't work, go through EDL-mode (authentication required). Anti-rollback check fail Downgrade attempt on the version below Antirollback Install a newer version MIUI. If you need to roll back, look for the firmware with antirollback bypass (risky!).If your error is not listed in the table, check the Mi Flash Tool log (log.txt file in the program folder) and look for a solution on the XDA-Developers forums or 4PDA. πŸ’‘If it's gone after the firmware. IMEI, Restore it with the help of an engineering menu (##4636##) utility SN Write Tool (requires backup) NVRAM). 6. Alternative firmware methods If the Mi Flash Tool is not suitable (for example, due to a blocked bootloader), consider alternative methods: 1. Firmware through Recovery Suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP (Instructions: Download the firmware in.zip format (e.g. xiaomi.eu).Reset the phone to Recovery mode (clutch Volume up). + Food. TWRP Choose the Wipe β†’ Advanced Wipe, and mark Dalvik, Cache, Data, System. Go back to the main menu, select Install, and specify the firmware file. Cache/Dalvik and reboot. 2. Firmware through EDL (Emergency Download Mode: This method is used for β€œbrick” devices that don’t turn on. Demands: πŸ”§ Authorized Xiaomi Account (for new devices). πŸ’» Mi Flash Pro or QFil (for Qualcomm devices). πŸ“‚ Firmware in.mbn or.elf. The process is more complex and risky, so we recommend you to refer to the instructions on the software. 4PDA. 3. Firmware through ADB Sideload If the phone is turned on but cannot be upgraded via OTA, Try: Download the firmware in.zip for Recovery. Connect your phone to your PC and activate Debugging. USB. Enter the name file.zip 7 at the command line: adb reboot recovery adb sideload.What to do after firmware Successful firmware is only half the battle. After first activation: 1. System setup 🌐 Select a language, region and connect to Wi-Fi. πŸ”‘ Sign in to your Mi Account (if required). πŸ”„ Restore data from a backup (if you did a backup via Mi Cloud or Google). 2. Checking of operability πŸ“Ά Make sure there is a network (check it out). IMEI In Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ General information). πŸ”Š Check the sound, the camera, the sensors. πŸ”‹ Charge your phone to 100% and watch for battery consumption (there will be increased consumption in the first days). 3. Optimize performance πŸš€ Turn off animation in Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ For developers (install Windows Animation, Transition Animation and Duration of Animation on the 0.5x or off.). πŸ—‘οΈ Clear the cache in Settings β†’ Warehouse β†’ Clear the cache. πŸ”„ Update all apps through Google Play. πŸ’‘After firmware, avoid installing applications from unknown sources for the first 24 hours - let the system stabilize. If you notice bugs (such as spontaneous reboots or overheating), try it: πŸ”„ Refuse the device with the choice of clean all. πŸ“₯ Install a different firmware version (for example, try Global instead of Global). EEA). πŸ“§ Contact Xiaomi (if the firmware was official). 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ❓ Can I flash Xiaomi without unlocking the bootloader? No, for firmware through the Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot, unlocking is mandatory. Except for the update via Recovery (if the firmware is signed for your model) or OTA. Some devices can also be used through EDL, But it requires authorization and is risky. ❓ How to find out the code name of your Xiaomi model? code name (for example, surya for the first time) POCO X3 NFC) You can read: In settings: Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Version. MIUI (Click on the kernel version several times. ADB: Connect your phone to your PC and type in the adb shell getprop ro.product.device. On sites like Kimovil (enter a device model). ❓ Why are there no Google services after firmware? That means you installed Chinese firmware (China Stable). To get back Google services: Scroll through the Global Version MIUI You can use the Mi Flash Tool. Or you can manually install Google services through the TWRP (Download the Open package GAPPS or NikGApps). ⚠️ Please note that some models (e.g. Redmi) K40) Chinese firmware blocks installation of Google services. ❓ How to return the stock firmware if the phone is stuck on the logo? If the device does not boot (bootloop), try: Load to Fastboot (Loudness down). + Power) and flash the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. EDL (Authorization is required. For devices on MediaTek, use SP Flash Tool. If nothing works, contact the service center - memory may be damaged (eMMC). ❓ Can Xiaomi be flashed on Mac or Linux? Officially, the Mi Flash Tool is only available for Windows. However, there are alternatives: 🍎 Fastboot commands can be used on Mac via Terminal (requires Android installation) SDK). 🐧 On Linux, fastboot from the Android-tools package will fit (install android-tools-adb android-tools-fastboot via sudo apt install). boot.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash recovery recovery.img fastboot erase userdata fastboot reboot ⚠️ This method requires experience - error in commands can lead to data loss. Important: Firmware through your computer will void the Xiaomi warranty if the bootloader has been unlocked. If your device is warranty, first contact the service center.