How to Sweat Xiaomi through TWRP: The Complete Guide

The custom recavator installation procedure and subsequent firmware is perhaps the most powerful tool in the arsenal of advanced Xiaomi user. Unlike the standard air update, the method using TWRP allows not only to update the system, but also to completely clean the device from Chinese software, install global firmware versions on Chinese devices and even change the operating system to pure Android.

In 2026, the Miui and HyperOS ecosystem became even more complex, but the basic principles of working with the bootloader remained the same. You will need not only the firmware file itself, but also a properly configured computer, as well as an unlocked bootloader. If you want to gain full control of your smartphone, get rid of advertising in the system or install the latest version of Android before the official release, familiarization with the recovery is a necessary step. Below, we will discuss each step in detail to minimize the likelihood of errors.

It’s worth noting that firmware via TWRP is often the only way to “revive” a device after a failed experiment or system failure when standard recovery methods don’t work.This tool can work with memory partitions directly, ignoring signature checks that block the installation of unofficial software in normal mode.

Preparation of equipment and software

Before you start manipulating system files, you need to assemble a full set of tools. The basis for the work will be a personal computer or laptop with the Windows operating system, although Linux and macOS users can also perform these actions with appropriate adaptations of commands. USB-cable, preferably original, as cheap analogues often do not provide stable connection when transmitting large amounts of data or can cause short circuit ports.

You need to install the current ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer. Without these components, communication between the PC and the smartphone in boot mode is impossible. You should also download the image of the TWRP recavator itself, adapted specifically for your device model. There are no universal versions: trying to flash the image from the Redmi Note 10 to the Poco F3 is guaranteed to lead to the inoperability of the touchscreen or complete "bricking" of the gadget.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure your smartphone battery is at least 60% battery power.Stopting the process of writing data to memory due to battery discharge can damage the partition table, requiring complex hardware recovery.

To work with firmware files, you will need a file manager with access to hidden folders, if you plan to copy archives directly to your phone, or just a guide on your PC. ZIP-Firmware archives, Magisk root-right patches and the recovery images themselves, it is better to place in the root folder on the C disk in advance so that the path to them is short and does not contain Cyrillic characters, which sometimes cause errors in the command line.

Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader

The key step, without which custom recavator installation is impossible, is unlocking Bootloader. Xiaomi defaults to lock the bootloader for security reasons, preventing changes to the system partition. To officially unlock you will need a Mi Account account tied to the device, and a special application Mi Unlock Tool on the computer. The process is not instant: after submitting the application in the developer settings, you often have to wait from 7 to 168 hours.

After obtaining permission, the procedure is as follows: in the Settings menu → The phone. → Version. MIUI You have to press seven times to activate the developer mode. Then the advanced settings turn on the item. OEM-unlock and unlock the bootloader. The device is rebooted to Fastboot mode (clicking the volume button when connected USB), where Mi Unlock confirms the user's identity and removes the block, this action completely clears the internal memory of the phone.

There are nuances for new models released after 2026, where HyperOS security policy requires having a Trusted account status and having a SIM card on the device for 30 days. Ignoring these requirements will lead to an error when trying to unlock. It is also important to understand that after this procedure, some banking applications and Google Pay services will stop working unless you use additional methods of hiding root rights, although unlocking the bootloader does not give superuser rights.

Install TWRP image via Fastboot

When the bootloader is unlocked, it's time to install the modified backpack directly, and to do this, the phone is switched to Fastboot mode, and you have to open the command line or the terminal in the folder with the installed ones on the computer. ADB-The first thing we do is check the connection with the fastboot device command, and if the device serial number is displayed in response, the drivers are working correctly.

The command is then executed by the firmware command. The syntax of the command is critical: fastboot flash recovery name file.img. However, for Xiaomi devices with A/B architecture (sections A and B), the command may differ or require firmware in both slots. Often the command is used fastboot boot name file.img, which temporarily loads TWRP without writing to memory. This allows you to check the functionality of the flash cover, but for permanent installation you still need to write through the TWRP menu itself or command.

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-0-redmi_note_10.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_12-0-redmi_note_10.img

Once the command is successfully executed, the device must be immediately switched to recapable mode. On many Xiaomi models, this is done by pressing the volume button immediately after the screen is turned off. If you release the buttons too soon or too late, the phone will boot into a standard system that can automatically replace the modified TWRP with stock, and the procedure will have to be repeated. Successful login will be marked by the appearance of the TWRP menu with touch control.

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If after installing TWRP, the phone boots to a regular system, try immediately after the command fastboot flash recovery do not release the volume buttons, and also use the command fastboot boot for the initial start, and then set TWRP permanently through the Install Image menu inside the Recovery.

Firmware process and installation ZIP-archive

TWRP is intuitive, but it has its own features. The main menu contains buttons for partitioning, cleaning and installation. For firmware, we will need an Install section. Before starting any action, we strongly recommend you make a full backup of the current system through the Backup partition. This will save your data in case the new firmware is unstable or buggy.

The process of installing firmware looks like this: you select a file. ZIP shelled (e.g, MIUI, HyperOS or LineageOS, which has been pre-copyed to internal memory or SD-map. TWRP You can select multiple files for serial installation. Once you select a file, you need to slide it through to confirm it. The system will start unpacking and writing files to the appropriate memory partitions. The process log (bottom right) will display the progress of the operation.

The important thing is to clean up the data before installing a new system, especially if you change the firmware region (for example, from China to Global) or the Android version, this is done through the Wipe → Format Data menu, where you want to enter the word "yes." This action deletes all files, including photos and contacts, so the backup paragraph was not just a formality. After formatting and installing the firmware, you need to reboot the system.

⚠️ Note: When you switch from one version of Android to another (for example, from Android 13 to 14), cleaning the Data partition is mandatory. Ignoring this step will lead to a cyclic restart (bootloop) and the inability to boot the system.

Solving problems and errors in firmware

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, there can be errors, and one of the most common is Error 1 or the message that the image cannot be installed. Often this is because the TWRP version is not compatible with the current version of the bootloader or the file system type, and in such cases, it helps to update the backpack to a more recent version or use alternative assemblies, for example, from OrangeFox, which often have better support for new encryption codecs.

Another common problem is the lack of sensors in the TWRP. This happens if you set up an image that's not intended for your model, or if the touchscreen driver doesn't pull up. USB-mouse-wise OTG-a cable to navigate the menu to set the correct image, or reflash the recavers through the Fastboot again. It is also worth checking whether the bootloader is blocked again (although this is rare without user action).

If you run your phone into Bootloop after you run it, don't panic. Go back to TWRP, select Wipe, and make Advanced Wipe, ticking Dalvik, Cache, System, and Data (but not Internal Storage if your backups are there). Then re-install the firmware. In extreme cases, when TWRP stops opening, it helps to return to Fastboot mode and firmware through the stock recover or full firmware through MiFlash Tool in Clean All mode.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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The main conclusion: Installing TWRP opens up limitless customization options, but it requires responsibility: always backup before any action and use files designed strictly for your device model.