Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones have powerful hardware, but even reliable software sometimes fails. Situations where a device stops booting, freezes on the logo or requires a complete data reset are familiar to many users. In such cases, standard methods of recovery through the settings menu are not available, and the specialized MiFlash Tool comes to the rescue. This utility allows you to interact with the phone at a low level, forcibly loading system images directly into the device’s memory.
Using MiFlash requires the user to be more attentive and follow the algorithm of actions. OTA-But when you have updates that are done through the air, you take control of the process into your own hands. A mistake at any stage can cause the smartphone to turn into a brick, so you can use the original device. USB-cable and port USB 2.0 is a critical condition for success. Below we will discuss in detail all stages of preparation and implementation of the procedure.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary files
Before you start manipulating system files, you need to organize the right software environment. You need a computer running the Windows operating system, since the official version of the utility does not support macOS or Linux without complex emulators. The first step is to find and download the current version of the MiFlash Pro program or the classic MiFlash from trusted sources to avoid the introduction of malicious code.
The most common way to restore the system is to use a Fastboot ROM, which has a.tgz extension, as opposed to a Recovery ROM (.zip) designed to be updated via the recovery menu. The downloaded archive must be unpacked into the root of the C disk so that the path to the folder is as short as possible and does not contain Cyrillic characters, which often causes errors when writing data.
Remember to back up all the important data if the device is even partially functional. clean_all It will completely destroy the information on the internal drive. Also make sure that the battery charge of the smartphone is at least 50-60%, so that the device does not discharge at a critical time of recording system partitions.
- 📥 Downloaded and installed MiFlash utility of the latest version.
- 💾 Fastboot firmware archive corresponding to your device model.
- 🔌 Original. USB-cable USB-port.
- 🔋 Charge of the device at least 60%.
⚠️ Note: Using firmware from other device models is strictly prohibited.Attempting to flash Redmi Note 9 firmware from Redmi Note 10 will lead to irreversible damage to the hardware.
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Use it. USB-port located directly on the motherboard (back of the system unit), avoiding front panels and USB-Hubs, as they often give unstable voltage.
Installation of drivers and preparation of ADB drivers
The computer will not be able to properly interact with the smartphone in service mode without drivers installed. Standard Windows drivers often do not recognize Xiaomi devices in Fastboot or EDL (Emergency Download Mode). To solve this problem, you need to install the Xiaomi USB Drivers package, which comes with the MiFlash installer or is downloaded separately.
When installing drivers, Windows security can block the installation of unsigned digital certificates, in which case you will need to temporarily disable the driver signature verification through the download menu or use the command line. After successful installation in the Device Manager, when connecting your phone in Fastboot mode, the “Xiaomi Android” or “QDLoader 9008” section should appear.
If the automatic installation fails, you can use the manual method through Device Manager. Select a device with a yellow exclamation mark, click "Update driver" and specify the path to the driver folder. Make sure that the correct name appears on the list of devices, such as Android Bootloader Interface, which indicates the readiness of the system to exchange data.
☑️ Driver verification
Translation of the smartphone to Fastboot mode
To start the firmware procedure, you need to put the phone into a special boot mode. Turn the device off completely and press the volume button. Without releasing the button, connect the smartphone to the computer through the computer. USB-The screen should show a picture of a hare repairing an android, with the inscription FASTBOOT.
If the device does not respond to buttons or the screen remains black, it is possible that the battery is completely discharged or the display plume is damaged. In some cases, when the system has fallen critically, it may be necessary to switch to EDL (9008 port) mode by closing test points on the board or a combination of buttons, but Fastboot mode is sufficient for standard firmware through MiFlash.
When the hare appears, run MiFlash on behalf of the administrator. In the main utility window, click Refresh. If the drivers are installed correctly, your device's serial number will appear in the list. If the device is not listed, you may have problems with drivers, cable or port.
- 🐇 The screen shows a hare in an orange cap.
- 💻 The device manager is called Android Bootloader Interface».
- ✅ MiFlash sees the serial number of the device after pressing Refresh.
⚠️ Attention: Do not turn off the cable USB When searching for a device or immediately after switching to Fastboot mode, this may reset the connection and require a repeat of the procedure.
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Selecting a firmware method and starting the process
In the MiFlash interface, after selecting the folder with the unpacked firmware, three radio buttons at the bottom of the window become active, which determine how the data will be recorded. clean_all Completely cleans internal memory and establishes a clean system, which is recommended when switching between regions or recovering from viruses.
Option save_user_data It allows you to save user files, but this method often leads to errors and cyclical reboots if the firmware versions are very different, clean_all_and_lock, Not only does it clean up the data, but it also blocks the bootloader, returning the device to the “out of the box” state that is necessary before selling or returning to the service.
After choosing the right method, press the "Flash" button. The process will take 200 to 600 seconds, depending on the speed. USB-The log will be accompanied by a report of progress in writing partitions.
| Firmware method | Data retention | Locking the loader | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| clean_all | No (deletion) | No. | Recommended |
| save_user_data | Yes. | No. | Not recommended |
| clean_all_and_lock | No (deletion) | Yes. | For sale |
What does the Flash Error Error mean?
Common Errors and How to Resolve Them
When you work with MiFlash, you often encounter error codes that are confusing, and one of the most common is the “Miss matching image and device” error, which indicates you are trying to write firmware from another model, and there is also a “Not enough storage” error, which means that there is not enough free space on the system disk for temporary files.
The “Device busy” or timeout problem is often solved by a replacement. USB-Cheap cables designed only for charging do not provide the necessary data transfer speeds, and antivirus software or Windows firewall can block the utility, so it is better to turn them off during the firmware period.
If the process is stuck at a certain percentage (e.g., 45% or 89%) and does not move for more than 5-10 minutes, most likely there was a failure of the memory sector recording, in which case reconnect the device to another port or use a computer with a different operating system, sometimes cleaning the program cache through the Command -> Clean menu helps.
- ❌ Miss matching image – a mismatch between the firmware model and the phone.
- 💾 Not enough storage – little space