How to flash Xiaomi through Mi Flash Tool: a complete guide to unlock the bootloader

While firmware on Xiaomi’s Mi Flash Tool is one of the most reliable ways to bring your device back to life after crashes, update to the latest version, or install custom firmware, it requires care: a mistake at any stage can turn your phone into a brick. In this article, we’ll look at all the steps from unlocking the bootloader to choosing the right firmware version to solving typical problems.

It is important to understand that FlashTool firmware is not suitable for all Xiaomi models. For example, devices on the MediaTek platform (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro or POCO M4 Pro) require another tool - the SP Flash Tool. While for most devices on Qualcomm Snapdragon (including Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50 or POCO F4) Mi Flash Tool will be the main solution. If you are not sure about the processor model, check it through the CPU-Z application or on the official Xiaomi website.

The firmware process can be divided into 4 key stages:

1. Unlocking the bootloader (bootloader).
2. Preparation of PC and installation of drivers.
3. Select and download the right firmware.
4. Directly run the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

Each of them has its own nuances, which we will discuss in detail below, we will also tell you how to avoid common errors (for example, Invalid image or Flash is not done) and what to do if the phone does not turn on after firmware.

1. Unlock bootloader on Xiaomi

The first and most important step is unlocking the bootloader. Without it, the Mi Flash Tool simply won’t be able to interact with the device. Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all its smartphones by default, so you can only circumvent this restriction through the official Mi Unlock service.

The unlocking process takes 3 to 15 days (depending on Xiaomi’s policy) and requires:

• 📱 Linked Mi Account to the device (required with a confirmed phone number!).
• 🔗 Stable Internet connection on PC and smartphone.
• 🔧 Switched on. OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging in the Developer Settings.
• 📅 Waiting for confirmation from Xiaomi servers (usually 72–168 hours).

To start unlocking:

1. Download the official Mi Unlock app from Xiaomi’s website.
2. Sign in under the same account as on your phone.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
4. If you see a message called Couldn't unlock, you have to wait for the specified time.

⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, Xiaomi resets all data on the phone! backup important files in advance. Also note that unlocking will void the warranty (if it is still valid).

2.Pc Preparation: Drivers and Mi Flash Tool

You need to set up your computer before you run the firmware, and the key is to install the right drivers and the Mi Flash Tool, and without that, your PC won't see your phone in Fastboot or EDL mode.

Download the latest version of the Mi Flash Tool from the official website:

• Download page Mi Flash (select MiFlash20231220 or later).
• Older models (such as the Redmi 4X or Mi 5) may need the 2018 Mi Flash.

Install the program by following the instructions. During installation, tick the Install Qualcomm Drivers item, which will save time.

If the drivers are not installed automatically, download them manually:

• 🔌 Qualcomm drivers (for Fastboot mode and EDL).
• 🖥️ ADB and Fastboot (to check the connection).

To check if the drivers are installed correctly:

1. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
2. Open Device Manager on PC.
3. In the Ports (COM and LPT) section, a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 or Android Bootloader Interface device should appear.

⚠️ Warning: If Device Manager displays an Unknown Yellow Triangle Device, the drivers are not installed correctly. Remove the device, turn off the phone, reinstall the drivers, and reconnect.

3. Selection of firmware: official vs custom

The firmware choice is the key to the stability of the phone after flashing, and there are two main options:

1. The official firmware (from Xiaomi) is the most reliable, but with limitations (for example, region binding).
2. Custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience) – more features, but the risk of unstable operation.

For beginners, we recommend starting with the official firmware.

• 🌍 Xiaomi official website (select Fastboot version, not Recovery!).
• 🔍 Through services like Xiaomi Firmware Updater (there are archival versions there).

When choosing a firmware, pay attention to:

Critically, the firmware should be for your model, for example, the firmware for the Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet) will not work for the Redmi Note 10 (mojito).

• In phone settings: Settings → About phone → MIUI version → Codename.
• Through the team in ADB: adb shell getprop ro.product.device

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If you are flashing Xiaomi from Chinese firmware (China ROM) to global, after the procedure, you may need to reset through Factory Reset in Recovery, otherwise there will be glitch with the language and services of Google.

4. Step-by-step instructions for firmware through the Mi Flash Tool

Now, let's get to the firmware process itself.

• 🔋 The phone is charged at least 50% (better 100%).
• 💻 PCs disabled antiviruses and programs like iTunes, which can conflict with drivers.
• 📂 The firmware is unpacked into a folder without Cyrillic (for example, C:\Xiaomi\ROM).

Instructions:

1. Turn off your phone and put it into Fastboot mode: press Volume down + Power for 10 seconds. The screen will appear a hare in a hat-outer (Fastboot logo).
2. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (use original or quality cable with data support).
3. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator (right click → Run on behalf of the administrator).

Flash

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can take up to 10 minutes - don't interrupt the process!

⚠️ Warning: If Flash is not done during the firmware process, check: Is the firmware selected correctly (for your model and region), is there any Cyrillic characters or spaces on the way to the firmware folder? USB-port (on some PCs, front ports are unstable).

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If the firmware ended up with an Invalid image error, chances are you downloaded the firmware for another model or unpacked it incorrectly. Recheck the code name of the device and try again.

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the correct following of the instructions, errors can occur, and let's consider the most common and ways to eliminate them:

If the phone hangs on the MI logo after firmware, try:

1. Clip Volume up + Power to enter Recovery.
2. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (reset to factory settings).
3. I'll reflash the phone.

If nothing works, you may need to run a firmware in EDL mode, a more complex process that requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a dedicated cable, and you can read more about it in the next section.

6. Firmware in EDL mode (emergency mode)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is the last chance to bring a phone back to life if it doesn't respond to normal firmware, and in this mode, the device connects directly to a Qualcomm processor, bypassing the bootloader.

However, the EDL has significant limitations:

• 🔐 Requires an authorized Xiaomi account (for new models).

Instructions for EDL:

1. Download the firmware for EDL (usually a file with the.mbn or.elf extension).
2. Put the phone in mode. EDL: For older models: press the volume up + Loudness down + For new ones: use it. EDL-cable or close test points on the motherboard.

Mi Flash Tool

Flash

Wait until the end (the process can take up to 30 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware in EDL Unauthorized can lead to blocking IMEI new Xiaomi models (starting in 2021) If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact the service center.

7. What to do after the firmware?

Once the firmware is successful, the phone may behave unusually, like loading, overheating, or making errors. That's okay, the system needs time to optimize.

• ⏳ Wait 10-15 minutes after the first turn on – do not interrupt the settings.
• 🔄 Factory Reset via Recovery if your phone is bugging (data is already erased anyway).
• 📶 Set up the network manually if mobile Internet does not catch (sometimes get lost) APN).
• 🔒 Update all apps via Google Play (especially Mi Account and Security).

If it's gone after the firmware. IMEI or serial number, which means that the firmware in EDL It was incorrect. IMEI possible:

1. Use the engineering menu (type ##4636## and select Information).
2. SN Write Tool (requires authorization)
3. Contact the service center (if you have no experience).

If the phone does not turn on after firmware at all (black screen, no reaction to buttons), check:

• Whether the battery is charged (plug it into charging for 30 minutes).
• Does the battery drain (relevant after disassembly)
• Did the processor burn down (if the firmware was interrupted at the modem recording stage).

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If after firmware the phone is constantly restarted (bootloop), try to flash again in Clean all mode. If it does not help - the problem is incompatibility of the firmware with iron (for example, stitched Global on the Chinese model).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi firmware