How to flash Xiaomi Redmi Note 10: all the ways from official updates to custom firmware

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 (codename mojito/sunny) remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even years after its release. But as time goes on, standard MIUI firmware begins to slow down, and official updates come less and less, and the device’s firmware can solve performance problems, add new features, or even bring back a locked device.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at all the current ways to upgrade Redmi Note 10 firmware, from the official MIUI Updater update to custom firmware installations like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. You’ll learn how to unlock the bootloader, avoid the blink (full “brick”) of the device, and what to do if the phone doesn’t turn on after the firmware is installed. Instructions adapted for 2026 with the latest tools and firmware.

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start

Smartphone firmware is a process that can both improve your smartphone and turn it into a brick if you approach it unprepared.

• 📱 Check out the device model: Redmi Note 10 It was produced in several modifications - mojito (4G/64GB), mojito_pro (Note 10 Pro and sunny (Indian version) firmware from one model won't work for another. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Click several times on the "Core Version»).
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%.When running through Fastboot or Recovery, discharging during the process can cause a failure.
• 💾 Backup: Use Mi Cloud, Google Account, or third-party utilities like Swift Backup.
• 🖥️ Install drivers: to work with Fastboot and ADB You need Xiaomi drivers on your PC. Download them from the official website or through the Mi Flash Tool.

If you plan to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), you will additionally need:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool (more on this in the next section).
• 🛠️ Install custom Recovery (TWRP Or OrangeFox).
• ⚠️ Check firmware compatibility with your Redmi Note 10 modification (for example, the mojito firmware is not suitable for sunny).

⚠️ Note: Firmware through unofficial sources voids the Xiaomi warranty.If the device is warranty, use only official upgrade methods through the Xiaomi warranty. MIUI Updater.

Unlock bootloader on Redmi Note 10

The bootloader on all Xiaomi smartphones is locked by default, a security measure that protects the device from unauthorized changes, but it must be unlocked to install custom firmware or Recovery.

The unlocking process consists of several stages:

1. Mi Account Link: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and log in. Make sure your account syncs are enabled.
2. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times. Then go back to the basic settings, find the Developer section, and enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlock.
3. Unlock request: download the Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi’s official website (the version should match your MIUI). Launch it on your PC, log in to the same Mi Account as your phone, and connect your smartphone to Fastboot mode (click Power + Volume down when your phone is off).

After sending a request, you will have to wait from 72 hours to 1 week - Xiaomi checks the account for suspicious activity. After this period, repeat the procedure in the Mi Unlock Tool, and the bootloader will be unlocked.

⚠️ Note: If you previously unlocked the bootloader on another Xiaomi device, the new request may be rejected.

After successful unlocking, a warning will appear on the phone screen when booting, This device is unlocked.This is normal and does not affect the operation of the device.

💡

If the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a “Couldn’t unlock” error, try using an older version of the utility (e.g. 3.5.1118.51) or running it in Windows 7 compatibility mode.

Redmi Note 10 firmware: which one to choose?

There are three main methods of firmware Redmi Note 10, each of which is suitable for different purposes.

If your goal is simply to upgrade your smartphone to the latest version of MIUI, use the first method. Fastboot is suitable for recovery from a failed update or change of regional firmware. Cast firmware should only be considered by advanced users who want to get rid of the Xiaomi branded interface or get the latest security updates.

💡

Fastboot firmware is the only officially supported way Xiaomi can “reanimate” the device after a major failure.

Firmware via MIUI Updater (without PC)

The easiest and safest way to upgrade the Redmi Note 10 is to use the built-in MIUI Updater, a method that does not require unlocking the bootloader and is suitable for installing official updates.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app and go to the About Phone section.
2. Click on System Update (MIUI Updater).
3. If you have an update, click Download. Wait for the download to be completed.
4. After downloading, click Reboot and Update.

If the update does not come automatically, you can try:

• 🔄 Manual Update: Download the full service pack (.zip) from the site MIUI Downloads, place it in the root directory of internal memory and select in the MIUI Updater option Select the update file.
• 🌍 Change region: If your smartphone is on Chinese firmware and you want a global one, download the corresponding package and swipe through Recovery (see next section).

⚠️ Note: When manually running through MIUI Updater select only those files that are designed for your model (mojito/sunny) current version MIUI. Installing firmware from another model or older version can result in a bootloop cycle).

Charge your phone to at least 50% | Connect to stable Wi-Fi | Download official firmware from Xiaomi website (if you update manually) | Create a backup of important data-->

Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

The Fastboot method is used to completely flash the device when other methods do not work.

• 🔄 Transition from Chinese to global (or vice versa).
• 🛠️ Recovery after a failed update or failure.
• 🔒 Unlock the bootloader (if other methods have not worked).

To run through Fastboot, you will need:

• 💻 Computer with Xiaomi and Mi Flash Tool drivers installed.
• 📥 Official firmware in.tgz or.zip format (you can download it on Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\mojito_fastboot).
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to enter Fastboot mode.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder. Then select firmware mode: Clean all — complete cleaning (recommended when changing regional firmware); Clean all and lock — cleaning + lock the bootloader (use if you want to return the warranty); Save user data — saving user data (not always stable).

Flash

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can take up to 15 minutes -- that's okay.

Installation of custom firmware (TWRP + LineageOS/Pixel Experience)

If you are not satisfied with standard MIUI, you can install custom firmware, for example, LineageOS (pure Android) or Pixel Experience (interface like Google Pixel).

1. Unlocked boot loader (see section above).
2. Installed custom recaveries TWRP or OrangeFox.
3. File custom firmware in.zip format.

Step 1: Installation of TWRP

Download the current version of TWRP for Redmi Note 10 from the official website twrp.me.

1. Rename the file to recovery.img and place it in the folder with ADB.
2. Turn on USB debugging on your phone and connect it to your PC.
3. Open the command line in the ADB folder and execute: adb reboot bootloader fastboot flash recovery.img fastboot reboot recovery

Step 2: Install custom firmware

After uploading to TWRP:

1. Click Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data. Swipe for cleaning.
2. Return to the main menu, click Install and select the firmware file.
3. Wait until the installation is complete and press Reboot System.