How to Switch Xiaomi through a Computer: Full Guide from A to Z

Introduction: Why would you want to run Xiaomi through a PC?

Firmware Xiaomi smartphone through the computer – a process that opens up new opportunities for the user: from installing the latest version MIUI before unlocking hidden functions through custom firmware. OTA-updates, firmware through the PC gives full control over the process, allows you to restore the "brick" after an unsuccessful update or return the device to the factory state.

But why is it through a computer? Because some things -- like unlocking a bootloader or installing a TWRP -- are just impossible without a PC connection. And also, running a firmware through MiFlash or Fastboot often saves you when your smartphone doesn't turn on, or when you're stuck on your logo or not responding to your touch, and in this article, we'll go through all the steps from tool preparation to the final setup.

It’s important to understand that the firmware process varies from model to model, for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 10 may require different versions of MiFlash and drivers, and we’ll take these nuances into account and provide universal solutions that work for most of the brand’s devices.

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start

Before you start firmware, there are a few critical steps that need to be taken: neglecting it can lead to data loss, a smartphone becoming a brick, or even warranty cancellation, starting with the most important thing: backup.

Create a complete copy of all your data: contacts, photos, messages and applications.

• 📱 Mi Cloud – Cloud Storage from Xiaomi (available in Settings) → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud).
• 💻 ADB Backup - Adb backup team -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab will create a full backup on PC.
• 🔄 Titanium Backup (requires root) – to save data applications.

Also check the battery power: it should be at least 50%. If the smartphone runs out during firmware, this can lead to fatal errors. Equally important is to make sure that the PC has all the necessary drivers installed. For Xiaomi devices, this is:

• 🖥️ Qualcomm Drivers – for smartphones on Snapdragon processors.
• 🔧 MediaTek Drivers – for chip-based devices Helio/Dimensity.
• 🔌 Mi USB Drivers – universal drivers from Xiaomi.

Don’t forget to check your device model. Go to Settings → About Phone → Model or type ##4636## in your dialer. Write down the exact name you’ll need to select the right firmware.

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If your device is not determined by the PC, try connecting it in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power When the phone is off) and install the drivers manually through Device Manager.

Unlocking the bootloader: a mandatory step for firmware

Most Xiaomi devices have a bootloader by default, a security measure that prevents unofficial software from being installed. To flash a smartphone through a PC, the bootloader needs to be unlocked. The process takes 3 to 15 days, depending on Xiaomi policy.

To unlock, follow the following steps:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Additional → Developer → Mi Unlock status.
2. Download the Mi Unlock Tool utility from the official Xiaomi website (check the version - the latest version may be required for new models).
3. Launch the utility on behalf of the administrator and log in to your Mi Account.
4. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume down + Power).
5. Press Unlock and wait for the process to be completed.

Important: once unlocked, all data on the device will be erased! Also note that Xiaomi can limit the number of unlocks for one account. If you see the message "Couldn't unlock. Try again after XX hours", you will have to wait the specified time.

For some models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) Additional confirmation may be required through SMS ortress SIM-If the process is delayed, check the unlock status in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Click a few times on the line until the developer menu appears).

Selection of firmware: official MIUI vs custom

Before you start firmware, you need to decide on the type of firmware, and each option has its pros and cons:

Official firmware downloaded from the site MIUI Downloads. Choose a version that matches your model and region. For example, for the Redmi Note. 12 Pro+ The global firmware will have a marker veeux_global.

For custom firmware, we recommend you to contact verified sources:

• 📱 XDA Developers – a forum with firmware and instructions.
• 🔄 Telegram Developer Channels (e.g. PixelExperience or LineageOS).
• 🌐 4PDA — Russian-speaking community with localized firmware.

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Never install firmware from unknown sources! this can lead to malware installation or permanent damage to the device.

Before downloading, check the hash amount of the file (usually indicated on the download page) to avoid installing corrupted firmware. You can use the MD5 & SHA Checksum Utility utility to check.

Install firmware through MiFlash: step-by-step instructions

MiFlash is Xiaomi's official Fastboot firmware utility, suitable for installing official firmware and recovering from crashes. Here's how to use it:

1 Download and install MiFlash (the latest version can be found at xiaomiflashtool.com).

2 Unpack the downloaded firmware (file with extension.tgz or.zip) in a folder without Cyrillic characters on the way.

3. Launch MiFlash on behalf of the administrator.

4. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).

5. In the utility, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.

6. Select firmware mode:

• Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended when changing the MIUI version).
• Clean all and lock – cleaning + locking the boot loader (for sale of the device).
• Save user data – saving user data (risky!).

7.Tap Flash and wait until it is completed (usually takes 5-10 minutes).

If the process is stuck in the waiting for device phase, check the cable connection or try another one. USB-Sometimes it helps to reboot your PC or smartphone.

After successful firmware, the smartphone will automatically restart. The first run can take up to 10 minutes - don't interrupt the process! If the device has been stuck on the logo for longer than 15 minutes, try flashing it back in Clean all mode.

Firmware through TWRP: for custom firmware and backups

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom recovery that allows you to install informal firmware, create backups and restore the system. Its installation requires an unlocked bootloader and a little more effort than firmware through MiFlash.

To start, download the current version of TWRP for your model from twrp.me. Please note that some devices (such as Xiaomi 12T) may require a special version with support for dynamic partitions.

Install TWRP via Fastboot:

1. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode.
2. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and TWRP (.img file).
3. Enter the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-veeux.img (Replace the veeux with the code name of your model).
4. After successful installation, restart to recovery: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_12-veeux.img

Now you can use the customized firmware:

1. Copy the firmware file (.zip) on a smartphone or flash drive.
2. In TWRP, select Install → specify the firmware file.
3. Wipe the Dalvik/ART Cache and Cache sections.
4. Confirm the installation with a swipe and wait for completion.

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If your mobile or Wi-Fi connection is not working after installing custom firmware, check if your model supports this build. Sometimes you need to install patches (for example, Vendor or Firmware) from the official firmware.

Important: once custom firmware is installed, Widevine L1 support may be lost (no HD in Netflix, Disney+), sometimes by using the original vendor’s firmware or installing a Magisk patch to get it back.

Problem Solving: What to do if the firmware went wrong

Even with strict adherence to the instructions, sometimes errors occur, and let's look at the most common problems and ways to solve them:

If your smartphone has turned into a brick (no buttons, no PC), try the following:

1. Press Volume Up + Power for 20-30 seconds – sometimes this helps to get out of the getting stuck state.
2. Connect to charging for 1-2 hours - it is possible that the battery is completely discharged.
3. Use Test Point (for power users) – closing contacts on the board for forced login to the EDL.

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If none of these methods worked, contact a service center, and in some cases (e.g., if an eMMC is damaged), recovery is possible only through a soldering station.

Logs can also be used for diagnosis, and in MiFlash they are saved in the folder with the utility (log.txt file), and in TWRP they are saved in /sdcard/recovery.log, which will help determine at which stage the failure occurred.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about Xiaomi firmware