Xiaomi device owners often face the need to reinstall the operating system when standard upgrade methods stop working or the device starts to function incorrectly. Smartphone firmware is a software replacement process that can fix software errors, speed up the gadget, or even bring back a device that has fallen into a βcyclical reboot.β However, many users are afraid to start this business for fear of turning the phone into a useless piece of plastic.
In fact, modern tools from the manufacturer have made the procedure as transparent and safe as possible, even for beginners. There are two main methods: updating through Recovery (recovery menu) and more deep flashing through Fastboot mode using the computer. The choice of the specific method depends on the current state of your device and the goals you set for yourself.
Before you start taking action, it is important to understand that any interference with system files carries certain risks. Interrupting the process of writing data to flash memory can lead to irreversible damage to the bootloader. However, if you follow the instructions and prepare all the necessary files in advance, the probability of success is close to one hundred percent. Below we will discuss in detail all the stages of preparation and implementation.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
The success of the operation depends on the quality of preparation. You can't just download a file and click the "Update" button without first diagnosing. The first step is to create a full backup of all the important data, because the internal memory will be completely cleared during the firmware process. Use Google's cloud services or the built-in "Mi Cloud" app to save contacts, photos and settings.
The second critical point is battery power: the device must be charged at least 60%, preferably up to 100%. In the process of writing system files, power surges or battery discharge can become fatal. USB-cable capable of transmitting data, not just the current for charging.
You'll need a Windows computer to work, because the firmware utilities work best in this environment. You'll need ADB and Fastboot drivers, which are often installed automatically along with the official Mi Flash Tool. Without properly installed drivers, the computer simply won't see the smartphone in bootloader mode.
βοΈ Firmware readiness
Selection of firmware type: Global, China or Developer
One of the most common problems when searching for software is confusion in regional versions: Xiaomi devices officially come with different types of MIUI shells or the new HyperOS. The Chinese version (CN) has built-in restrictions on working with some Google services and the Chinese frequency set, which can be inconvenient for users from other regions.
The global version (Global) is adapted for the international market, contains a full package of Google services and support for all necessary languages, including Russian. There is also a version of Developer (Dev), which is updated weekly and contains the latest features, but may be less stable. Ψ§ For most users, stable global firmware is the best choice.
It is important to understand that the transition between regions (e.g. China to Global) often requires unlocking the bootloader, while the update within the same region (Global to Global) usually takes place without additional difficulties: MIUI_Global It means the worldwide version and MIUI_CN β Chinese.
Method One: Update via Recovery Menu
The easiest and safest way to reinstall is to use a built-in recovery menu, which doesn't require a computer and works even if Android is running but it's running with errors, so you need to download a firmware file with the.zip extension (recovery, not Fastboot) and put it in the root of your internal memory.
Once you download the file, open the Explorer app, search for the archive and click on it. From the menu that appears, select Update. If you don't automatically update, you can go the other way: go to Settings β About Phone β MIUI version, click three dots in the corner and select Select firmware file.
The phone will reboot to Recovery mode and start the installation process. The screen can go out and turn on multiple times β that's normal behavior. Don't touch the device until the desktop appears. This method is ideal for fixing minor bugs and switching between versions of the same regional branch.
β οΈ Note: If you try to install firmware from another region (e.g. Global over China) through Recovery without unlocking the bootloader, the process will be interrupted by an error and the system will return to its original state.
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader Unlock)
For deep flashing, region change or custom recavator installation, you need to unlock the bootloader. This is an official procedure from Xiaomi that requires you to link your Mi Account to your device. Go to Settings β About phone and seven times click on the build number to activate the developer mode.
Next, go to Advanced Settings β For developers, and turn on Factory Unlock and USB Debugging. After that, start the Mi Unlock app on your computer, log in to the same Mi Account as your phone, and follow the instructions. Note that after you link, you may need to wait from 7 to 168 hours.
Unlocking the bootloader results in a complete Wipe Data reset, so re-backup is critical here.In addition, some banking applications may stop working or require additional security settings after this procedure, as the status of the device will change.
Why is Xiaomi introducing a wait for unlocking?
Method Two: Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool
Fastboot mode allows you to interact with the device at a low level, bypassing the operating system. For this method, you will need a firmware file with the.tgz extension (archive), which you must pre-extract to the root folder on the C disk so that the path is short and does not contain Cyrillic. The path should look something like this: C:\xiaomi_rom\.
Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Turn off your smartphone and enter Fastboot mode, holding both the power and volume buttons. Connect your phone to your PC. In the program, press the Refresh button, and the device must be determined. Choose the path to the unpacked firmware folder.
At the bottom of the utility window, you'll see three firmware modes. Clean all clears the memory completely and puts the clean system in. Save user data tries to save user files, but it's not recommended when you change regions. Clean all and lock mode does the same thing as the first one, but locks the bootloader again, which is useful when you return the device to its original state.
| Firmware mode | Data retention | Recommended application | |
|---|---|---|---|
| clean all | No (full reset) | No (remains open) | Changing the region, treating errors |
| save user data | Yeah (attempted preservation) | No. | Update without losing files |
| clean all and lock | No (full reset) | Yes (blocked) | Return to stock condition |
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Use it. USB-port 2.0 It's on the computer motherboard, not the front panel of the case. USB 3.0/3.1 Sometimes cause problems with Qualcomm drivers when firmware old Xiaomi models.
Error Resolving and (FAQ)
Mi Flash can cause various bugs in the firmware process, such as the Mi Flash bug βMiss matching image and deviceβ which means youβre trying to flash the firmware from another model. The Flash Error error often indicates a cable or port problem, and in such cases you should reconnect the cable, try a different port, or reinstall drivers.
If your phone goes into an endless bootloop after you have firmware, try a full Wipe All Data reset via the Recovery menu. To do this, press the power and volume buttons up, select the language and press "Wipe Data." If that doesn't help, it's possible that the firmware file was corrupted during the download and the procedure needs to be repeated from a verified source.
Remember that after the first system installation, the application optimization process may take a lot of time. 5 before 15 Don't panic if the phone hangs on the logo for a long time. MI Xiaomi at the first start is a normal operation of the system for reassembling cache Dalvik/ART.
β οΈ Warning: Never turn off the cable USB and do not remove the battery (if it is not removable) at the moment when the progress bar in the Mi Flash Tool shows an active recording.
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Using the original cable and USB 2.0 port directly on the motherboard reduces the risk of errors when running through Fastboot by 80%.