How to flash Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro: 3 proven ways + error solving

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro is still one of the most popular smartphones among customization enthusiasts — despite its release in 2016. Its hardware (Snapdragon 650, 3/32 GB or 2/16 GB) still pulls up modern firmware, and the active community supports the device with current builds. But the firmware of this device has nuances, from unlocking the bootloader to choosing the right version of MIUI for your modification (kenzo or kate).

This article contains three working firmware methods (via Fastboot, Recovery and the regular MIUI Updater), details about unlocking the bootloader, and a firmware compatibility table with different versions of Redmi Note 3 Pro. If you are first taking up firmware, start with the Preparation section, where we will analyze a critical error with the “blinked” eMMC that can occur when using inappropriate tools.

1. Firmware Preparation: What You Need to Know Before You Start

The Redmi Note 3 Pro firmware differs from the newer Xiaomi models due to the closed default bootloader and features of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 chipset.

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 60%, and when discharged during firmware through Fastboot, the phone can turn into a brick».
• 💻 Windows PC 7/10/11 (for the Fastboot method. Mac/Linux Possible problems with Qualcomm drivers.
• 📥 Original. USB-Cheap cables often don't transmit data in Fastboot mode.
• 🔐 Backup data. Firmware erases /data and /cache — Photos, messages and applications will be lost.

The most common mistake of beginners is trying to flash Redmi Note 3 Pro firmware from Redmi Note 3 (model on MediaTek). These devices are incompatible: the Note 3 Pro codename is kenzo (or kate for the version with 2/16 GB), and the regular Note 3 — hennessy. Using the wrong firmware leads to a constant blink (not restored even through EDL).

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 3 Pro is purchased in China (the domestic version), the firmware is global. MIUI It can block the network. Check the model in Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI: if there are letters at the end CN, Use only Chinese firmware.

2 Unlocking the bootloader: without this firmware is impossible

Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all its devices, and the Redmi Note 3 Pro is no exception. Without unlocking, you can't flash your phone through Fastboot or install custom Recovery (like TWRP), a process that takes up to 72 hours due to checking your Mi Account.

Step-by-step:

1. Link your phone to your Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Activate USB debugging: go to Settings → About Phone, tap 7 times on the MIUI Version, then in Settings → Additional → For developers, turn on USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the PC, confirm the debugging permission.
4. Download Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your Mi Account and follow the program instructions.

You'll have to wait until you send the unlock request, and you can check the status in the Mi Unlock Tool, and if you have a "Couldn't unlock" error, try:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and PC.
• 🔌 Use the other USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 📡 Connect to another network (sometimes the lock is linked to the IP).

⚠️ Note: After unlocking the bootloader from the phone flyes Widevine L1 (descend L3), Why Netflix, Disney?+ Other services will only show videos in 480p. Restore L1 You can only re-flash through EDL (You need an authorized Xiaomi account).

3. firmware selection: official MIUI vs custom builds

There are three types of firmware available for the Redmi Note 3 Pro:

1. Official MIUI (Stable/Developer) - suitable for most users. Downloaded from the official website.
2. Custom MIUIs (e.g. MIUI EU or MIUI Pro) – with a remote ad unit and advanced settings.
3. Android firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, HavocOS) is a pure Android without a MIUI shell.

For beginners, we recommend starting with an official stable MIUI. Castom firmware requires TWRP installation and may contain bugs (e.g., a broken VoLTE or camera).

For the kate (2/16 GB) firmware choice is limited - many custom builds support only kenzo (3/32 GB). Check your modification in Settings → About Phone → Model:

• 📱 Redmi Note 3 Pro 3/32 GB is kenzo.
• 📱 Redmi Note 3 Pro 2/16 GB is kate.

💡

If you are not sure about your firmware choice, download the latest stable MIUI from the official website. It is guaranteed to support all the features of the phone, including NFC (if you have one in your modification).

4. Method 1: Fastboot firmware (recommended for official MIUI)

Fastboot is the most reliable method for installing official firmware, and it is suitable if:

• 🔄 You want to return your phone to the factory state.
• 🐌 The phone is slowing down or not turning on (but the boot loader is working).
• 🔓 You already have the boot loader unlocked.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for Fastboot. Unpack it in the C:\MIUI folder.
2. Install ADB and Fastboot drivers (or use Minimal ADB).
3. Turn off the phone, press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (screen with a hare).
4. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line in the firmware folder and do:

fastboot devices

(Serial phone number should be displayed. If not, check the drivers.)

fastboot flash all

Wait for the end (about 5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

The correct firmware file (.tgz for Fastboot) is downloaded |

Phone charged at least 60% |

Installed drivers ADB/Fastboot|

Unlocked loader (checked by the team) `fastboot oem device-info`)|

Backup of important data is made-->

⚠️ Note: If after firmware through Fastboot phone is stuck on the logo MI longer than 15 minutes, don't panic. Try to pin the volume up. + Power for 20 seconds to force reboot. If that doesn't work, swipe again, but before that, fastboot erase userdata.

5. Method 2: Firmware via TWRP (for custom firmware)

If you want to install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or MIUI EU, you will need custom TWRP recavers. This method is more flexible, but also more risky - errors can lead to loss of IMEI or problems with the NFC module.

Instructions:

1. Download TWRP for Redmi Note 3 Pro (select the version for kenzo or kate).
2. Fastboot the recavers:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_kenzo.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.6.2_kenzo.img

(The second command temporarily downloads TWRP without writing to memory.)

1. V TWRP backup the section. NVRAM (stored IMEI and MAC-address).
2. Transfer the firmware (.zip file) to your phone via MTP or ADB Sideload.
3. Press Install, select a firmware file and confirm the installation.
4. Once completed, run Wipe → Format Data (required!), then restart.

If the mobile network is not working after installing custom firmware, check IMEI in Settings → About Phone → SIM Status. If zeros are displayed instead of the number, restore the NVRAM backup via TWRP.

💡

Always back up the NVRAM partition before you run through TWRP. IMEI loss on the Redmi Note 3 Pro is only recovered through the engineering menu or service center.

6. Method 3: Update via MIUI Updater (without unlocking)

If you don’t need custom firmware, but only an update to the current version of MIUI, use the regular MIUI Updater. This method does not require unlocking the bootloader and is suitable for:

• 📲 Updates to the new version MIUI (for example, MIUI 12 on MIUI 12.5).
• 🔄 Recovery after a failure (if the phone is turned on).
• 🛡️ Fixing bugs without losing data.

How to update:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
3. Specify the path to the downloaded.zip file (for example, miui_HMNote3ProGlobal_V12.5.1.0.QHOMIXM_....zip).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the reboot.

If the update is suspended during the verification phase, try:

• 🔄 Rename the firmware file to update.zip and put in the root of memory.
• 📁 Use Recovery: Turn off your phone, press Volume Up + Meals, select Install update.zip to System.

⚠️ Note: If you update through MIUI Updater appears error "Can't verify update" - download the firmware again (possibly the file has downloaded with errors). Also check that the firmware version is not lower than the current one (downgrade via Updater is impossible).

7. Solving errors after firmware

Even with the right firmware, the Redmi Note 3 Pro can cause problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the phone is not detected by the PC in Fastboot mode after firmware, try:

• 🔌 Connect to another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
• 🖥️ Reinstall Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (download here).
• 🔄 Use a different cable (original from Xiaomi).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)