How to Switch Xiaomi Essential Electric Scooter: A Complete Guide to Photos and Videos

Contents

• Preparation for firmware: what you need to know
• What are the firmware versions for Xiaomi Essential?
• Firmware through Mi Home: a step-by-step process
• DownG Handheld Firmware: When It Is Needed
• Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• What to do after firmware: calibration and testing
• FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

The firmware of the Xiaomi Electric Scooter Essential is a procedure that can significantly improve its performance: eliminate bugs, increase stability or even unlock hidden functions. However, the wrong actions can lead to complete loss of performance of the device. In this article, we will discuss all the steps from choosing a version of the software to testing after installation.

It’s important to understand that the Essential (M365 Essential) has limited support for custom firmware compared to the flagship models. You can’t just take any version here, you need to take into account hardware revision (it is indicated on the sticker under the lid) and the current version of the software. If you’ve never flashed the hardware before, start with official updates through the Mi Home.

Preparation for firmware: what you need to know

Before you start, check out three key points:

• 🔋 Battery charge is at least 50%. Firmware at low charge can be interrupted and the controller "bricks.
• 📱 Smartphone compatibility: Mi Home only works on Android 8.0+ or iOS 12+. On older versions, there may be failures when transferring files.
• 🌍 Scooter region: firmware for Europe (EEC) China (CN) You can find out the region in the application settings.

Also prepare:

• 🔧 Screwdriver. T20 Removal of the lid (if you need a manual firmware).
• 💻 Laptop with Windows 10/11 (for manual method through DownG).
• 📡 A stable Internet connection (preferably via cable rather than mobile network).

⚠️ Note: If your scooter was purchased before 2022, it may have a controller in it. ST L6.1, Attempt to install newer firmware will result in permanent damage to the ESC (Electronic Speed Controller).

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Before you run the firmware, take a picture of the scooter settings in the Mi Home app — especially KERS settings and Ride Mode — and they'll be reset to factory settings after the update.

What are the firmware versions for Xiaomi Essential?

Official firmware for Essential is divided into three types:

For beginners, we recommend starting with stock firmware. Custom versions require an understanding of the risks:

• 🚨 Possible loss of warranty (if the scooter on the warranty).
• 🔥 Increased battery wear when removing current restrictions.
• 🛑 The risk of blocking through OTA-Update (if Xiaomi releases an anti-castom patch).

Check the current version of the scooter:

1. Open Mi Home → Choose a scooter.
2. Go to Settings → About the device → The firmware version.
3. Compare it with the latest versions on the official website.

Firmware through Mi Home: a step-by-step process

The safest way is to update through an official app, suitable for stock firmware.

1. Connect the scooter to the app: Mi Home → Add the device → Scooter → Select your model. Make sure the scooter is on and is next to the smartphone (distance not more than 2 meters).
2. Check for available updates: Go to Device Settings → Firmware Update. If there is an update, the Update button will appear.
3. Start the process: 📱 Click Update and Confirm Action. 🔄 The scooter will restart and start installation (the indicator will flash blue). ⏳ Don't turn off Bluetooth or leave the app! process takes 5-10 minutes.

Once completed, the scooter will automatically restart. Check the software version in the settings - it should update.

⚠️ Note: If you receive an error 1002 message during the update via Mi Home, this means that the region of the firmware and the scooter is not the same. Solution: change the region of the account in the application to the one indicated on the sticker under the cover (for example, from Russia to Poland).

DownG Handheld Firmware: When It Is Needed

Hand-held firmware is required in three cases:

1. Official updates via Mi Home are not available (e.g. for older controller revisions).
2. You need to install custom firmware (for example, to remove the speed limit).
3. The scooter "burst" after an unsuccessful update and does not turn on.

For manual firmware you will need:

• 💻 DownG program (version not lower than 1.4.0).
• 🔌 ST-Link adapter (e.g. ST-Link) V2) plug-in.
• 📁 Firmware file in.bin format (only tagged files are suitable for Essential) M365_Essential).

Step-by-step:

1. Remove the scooter cover: Unscrew the 4 T20 screws on the bottom panel and carefully remove the plastic protection. The controller is under the battery (black board labeled STM32).
2. Connect ST-Link: ST-Link → Controller: GND → GND 3.3V → 3.3V SWDIO → SWDIO SWCLK → SWCLK Don’t confuse polarity! A connection error can burn the controller.
3. Start DownG: Select the ST-Link port in the program settings. Download the firmware file (.bin) through File → Open. Press Connect, then Write, and wait until it is completed (the progress bar must reach 100%).

After you've done a successful firmware, turn off the ST-Link, assemble the scooter, and turn it on. If the light flashes green, it's a success. If it's red, see the error section.

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Hand-held firmware through DownG is the only way to restore the scooter after "bricking." However, it requires soldering and risks canceling the warranty. If you are not sure about your skills, contact the service.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even if you follow the instructions, you can fail. Let's look at the typical problems and solutions.

A few more nuances:

• 🔌 If the scooter is not determined in the Mi Home, try resetting it to factory settings: hold the power button for 10 seconds until the white indicator flashes.
• 📵 If Bluetooth is missing after the firmware, check if the region settings in the app are lost.
• 🔋 If the battery drains too quickly after the upgrade, calibrate: completely discharge the scooter, then charge to 100% without interruption.

⚠️ Note: Once custom firmware is installed, the scooter can automatically roll back to the stock version when connecting to the Mi Home. To avoid this, turn off automatic updates in the application settings or use patched firmware versions (for example, ScooterHacking). UT).

What to do after firmware: calibration and testing

Successful firmware is only half the battle, so to make the scooter work properly, follow these steps:

1. Calibration of the accelerometer (important for custom firmware): Turn on the scooter → Put it on a flat surface → Hold the power button for 5 seconds until you hear a double signal.
2. Brake check: Test both brakes (front and rear) at low speed. If braking distance has increased, calibrate the brakes via Mi Home (Settings) → Brake system).
3. Speed and acceleration test: Drive 100 meters on a flat surface. If the scooter twitches when accelerating or does not gain the stated speed, check the PWM settings in the firmware (for custom versions).

Also note:

• 🔊 Sound signals: After firmware is installed, the scooter can make new sounds (e.g., double-signal when switched on.
• 📊 Battery scores: Some firmware changes the charge calculation algorithm. If the indicator shows incorrect values, perform 2-3 full charge/discharge cycles.

If you have installed custom firmware, we recommend you to configure the following settings (via Mi Home or ScooterHacking Utility):

• 🛡️ KERS (Recovery: optimal value for the city - Medium (balance between braking and charge).
• 🚀 Driving mode: Sport for maximum speed or Eco for battery saving.
• 🔄 Softness: For a smooth acceleration, set up a soft one.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions