How to Switch Xiaomi Redmi Phone: All the Ways and Instructions

The firmware of Xiaomi Redmi is a challenge that scares many users, with fears of turning the device into a brick, losing data, or cancelling warranty, but with the right approach, the process of updating or flashing becomes safe and even useful: you get a fresh version of MIUI, bug fixes, new features, or the ability to install custom firmware like LineageOS.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to update Redmi firmware, from official updates via MIUI Updater to manual installation via Fastboot or Recovery. We will focus on preparation: unlocking the bootloader, choosing the right firmware version and creating a backup. And for those who are afraid of making mistakes, we will give checklists and warnings about typical errors.

Important: the firmware procedure is different for different Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi 9A) and MIUI versions (global, Chinese, EEA). All instructions in this article are relevant for Android 12/13/14 devices with the latest bootloader versions (2023-2026).

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

The first step is to check the current firmware and device model. Go to Settings → About the phone and write down:

• 📱 Device model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro) 5G or POCO X3 NFC). Redmi 10 firmware is not suitable for Redmi 10 Prime!
• 🔢 Version. MIUI (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.5) If the version is older than 2 years, a pre-update may be required.
• 🔒 bootloader status: If it is locked (by default on new devices), it must be unlocked.

Next, prepare the tools:

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 (for Fastboot firmware) or ADB-driver.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged) cheap cables can interrupt data transmission.
• 🔋 Battery charge at least 60%. When discharged during firmware, the device may turn off.
• ☁️ Backup of data (photos, contacts, messages) The firmware erases user data in the section /data!

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi is purchased in China (C-suffix version in a model, such as the Redmi) K50i C), for firmware of the global version MIUI It will require unlocking the bootloader and waiting 7-15 days (Xiaomi policy), without which the device will lock after trying to install the unofficial firmware.

For backup, use:

• Mi Cloud (for contacts, notes, photos)
• Google Account (for synchronizing applications and settings).
• Local copy via ADB backup or Swift Backup applications (requires root).

Method 2: Official update via MIUI Updater (without PC)

The easiest and safest method is to upgrade through the built-in MIUI Updater app, which is suitable for installing the latest versions of MIUI without losing data, but does not allow you to switch to custom firmware or roll back to the old version.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the icon. ⋮ (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Select Service Package.
3. Specify the path to the downloaded firmware file (.zip format, the name should contain the model of the device, for example, toco_global_images_V14.0.4.0.TKUMIXM_20230612.0000.00_12.0_global.zip).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the restart (it will take 5-15 minutes).

Where to download the official firmware:

• 🌍 Official website MIUI (Choose the Global Stable section or EEA Stable).
• 🔗 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (alternative source with archived versions).

⚠️ Note: If, after updating, through MIUI Updater phone is stuck on startup logo MI longer than 10 minutes, don't panic. Force it to restart by clamping the power. + Volume up for 15 seconds. If the problem recurs, run the device through Recovery (see next section).

Download firmware for your model | Check battery power (>60%) | Backup |Disable antivirus (can block.zip file) | Connect to Wi-Fi (file weighs 2-3 GB)

-->

Method 2: Firmware through Recovery (with data storage)

The method through Recovery is suitable for installing official firmware if:

• The phone is not turned on (hangs on the logo).
• We need to restore the system after the failure.
• You need to upgrade without a computer, but MIUI Updater refuses to see the file.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware in.zip format and rename it to update.zip (required!).
2. Move the file to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off the device. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
4. In the Recovery menu, select the language (English / Chinese), then:

Reboot → System

Features of the method:

• ✅ Does not require unlocking the loader.
• ❌ It does not work for custom firmware (only official.zip from Xiaomi).
• ⚠️ If the firmware is not suitable for your model, Recovery will give an error E: Footer is wrong.

💡

If there is no option in the Recovery menu to install update.zip, your device uses the new MIUI Recovery (starting with MIUI 12).

4. Method 3: Firmware via Fastboot (complete reinstallation)

Fastboot is the most reliable method for installing official firmware, but it requires a computer and an unlocked bootloader.

• 🔄 Transition from Chinese firmware to global (and vice versa).
• 🛠️ Recovery of the phone after a major failure.
• 📉 Backtracking to the old version MIUI.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Fastboot (Download Platform Tools).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original!).
• 📄 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (unpacked into a folder with.img files).
• 🔓 Unlocked boot loader (instruction below).

Firmware instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder (for example, C:\redmi_fastboot). Inside must be files of the type boot.img, system.img etc.
2. Turn off the phone. Press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. In the command line (cmd), go to the firmware folder and do:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot flash recovery recovery.img




fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img




fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img




fastboot erase userdata




fastboot reboot

After the team `fastboot flash` bug `FAILED (remote: 'Flashing is not allowed in Lock State')`, So the bootloader is locked. It needs to be unlocked (see next section).

5. Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi

Without unlocking the bootloader, you won’t be able to flash your phone through Fastboot or install custom firmware. Xiaomi locks the bootloader on all new devices (starting in 2018) to protect against unauthorized changes.

The unlocking process consists of two stages:

1. Linking the Mi Account to the device (required) SIM-map).
2. Waiting for confirmation (from 7 to 15 days, depending on the model).

Step-by-step:

1. Enable Developer Options: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate:

Mi Unlock Tool

Mi

Fastboot

Food + Volume Down

Mi Unlock Tool

Unlock

⚠️ Attention: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the phone will be erased! Xiaomi can also cancel the warranty if the device was purchased from official stores (for example, Mi Store or authorized dealers.

A list of Redmi models that require waiting to unlock:

• 📱 Redmi Note 11/12/13 (modifications).
• 📱 Redmi K50/K60.
• 📱 POCO F4/F5.
• ❌ Exception: Redmi 9A/9C and old models (up to) 2020 year) unlocked without waiting.

💡

Unlocking the bootloader is a one-time procedure, and after that, you can flash your phone through the Fastboot as many times as you want, but the warranty is lost.

6. Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

Custom firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS allows you to get a clean Android without a MIUI shell, as well as more recent versions of Android for older devices. However, this process is risky: there may be bugs with a camera, sensors or modem.

Installation requirements:

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 📲 Installed custom Recovery (e.g, TWRP).
• 📄 Firmware compatible with your model (check on forums) XDA or Telegram channels).

Instructions:

1. Download firmware (.zip format) and TWRP for your model.
2. Install TWRP via Fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-1-toco.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_12-1-toco.img

1. In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (enter yes for confirmation).
2. Transfer the firmware to your phone via MTP (TWRP has the option Mount → Enable MTP).
3. Install the firmware via Install → Select the.zip → Swipe to Confirm Flash file.
4. After installation, run GApps (if you need Google services) and Magisk (for root).
5. Reboot to the system.

Popular custom firmware for Redmi:

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) Custom firmware may not support 5G-modem or wide-angle camera due to closed Qualcomm drivers. check the bug list on the firmware page before installing.

7.Typical errors and their solution

Even when you follow the instructions, you can make mistakes.

This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device in MIUI Updater

• 🔹 Reason: Trying to install firmware for another model or region.
• 🔹 Solution: Download the firmware with the correct model code (for example, for the Redmi Note 11 Pro). 5G It's veux).

2.The phone is stuck on the MI logo after firmware

• 🔹 Reason: Incompatible firmware or interrupted process.
• 🔹 Solution: Log in to Recovery and run Wipe Data, then repeat the firmware.

3. FAILED error (remote: 'Anti-rollback check fail') in Fastboot

• 🔹 Reason: Attempt to roll back on the old version MIUI more recent.
• 🔹 Solution: Sweat only the new version or wait for the official update.

4. After the firmware does not work the network (no signal)

• 🔹 Reason: firmware mismatch with region (for example, Chinese firmware on a global device).
• 🔹 Solution: run the correct version (Global or EEA) Or manually install the modem via Fastboot:

fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin


fastboot flash fsg fsg.mbn

5.Touch doesn't work after installing custom firmware

• 🔹 Reason: Incompatible kernel or display drivers.
• 🔹 Solution: Go back to TWRP And run through the original core (boot.img) stock-stack.

💡

If Google services (Play Market, Gmail) have stopped working after firmware, install the GApps package via TWRP. Download the appropriate version on the Open GApps website (choose arm64 for most Redmi and Android 12/13).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)