How to flash Xiaomi Redmi 10: official and custom firmware

Xiaomi Redmi 10 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it eventually starts to slow down or requires upgrading to the current version of MIUI. The firmware can solve performance problems, add new features or even bring the phone back to life after a software failure. However, the wrong actions lead to a “brig” (completely inoperable) device, loss of data or locking the Mi Account.

In this guide, we will analyze all the current ways to run Redmi 10 firmware (codename selene): from official updates through MIUI Updater to install custom firmware such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience. Particular attention will be paid to unlocking the bootloader - a mandatory step for most methods, and also warn against typical errors that turn the phone into a "brick".

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Firmware isn't just pressing a few buttons. Incorrect preparation can cost you all the data on your phone, or even its performance, and let's start with the most important thing: backup.

Even if you plan to upgrade through the standard MIUI Updater, a failure during the process can result in loss of photos, contacts and messages.

• 📱 Local Backup: Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backup. Save the file to your computer or cloud.
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: Sync Contacts, Notes, and Photos (but remember, only 5GB is available for free).
• 💻 ADB Backup: For full backup of the system via computer (requires enabled debugging by computer) USB).

Also check:

• 🔋 Battery charge: At least 60%. Firmware at low charge may be interrupted.
• 🔌 Cable USB: Use an original or certified cable USB Type-C: Cheap analogues often cause data transmission errors.
• 🖥️ Drivers: Install Mi Phone Manager or Drivers ADB/Fastboot manually (links in the section "Useful links").

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 10 was purchased in China or is tied to the China region ROM, Global version firmware can block network (IMEI). Check the current firmware in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

2. Unlocking the bootloader: a must-do step for Fastboot and TWRP

The bootloader on all Xiaomi smartphones is locked by default, a security measure that prevents unofficial software from being installed. To flash a phone through Fastboot or install TWRP, it must be unlocked.

The process takes 3 to 7 days (due to Xiaomi’s policy) and requires:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone (be sure to use the same account as your device!).
2. Request permission through the official Mi Unlock Tool.
3. Expect SMS confirmation (may not come immediately).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on PC.
2. Put it on your phone: 🔓 Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to activate Developer Mode). 🔧 Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Unlocking OEM (slide on). 🔌 Debugging by USB (Ibid., on the Developer Menu).

Mi Unlock Tool

Mi Account

"Wait 168 hours"

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the phone will perform a full reset (wipe). All data will be deleted! Don't miss the step with the backup.

Method 1: Officially Update via MIUI Updater (without unlocking)

The safest method is to upgrade through the standard MIUI Updater application, which does not require unlocking the bootloader and is suitable for:

• 📲 Updates to the new version MIUI (for example, MIUI 12 on MIUI 14).
• 🔄 System Recovery after Failures (If Phone is Powered on).
• 📥 Installation of "clean" firmware without data loss (if the option "Update without data loss" is available").

Instructions:

1. Open the System Update (or MIUI Updater) app.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → "Select the Service Pack".
3. If you already have a firmware file downloaded (with the.zip extension), select it. If not, download the official firmware for Redmi 10 (selene) from the site: Official MIUI Archive (choose a version for your region!). Xiaomi Firmware Updater (alternative source).

"Update"

If the update is stuck on the MI logo for more than 10 minutes:

• 🔄 Forced to restart the phone (clip the power supply) + Volume up for 10 seconds).
• 📵 If the phone doesn’t turn on, go to the Fastboot method (Section 4).

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If after the update the phone began to brake, reset the cache: turn off the device, press Power + Volume up, select Wipe Cache in the Recovery menu.

Method 2: Fastboot Firmware (for power users)

The Fastboot method is used when:

• 📵 The phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo.
• 🔄 You need to “roll back” the firmware to an older version.
• 🔧 It is required to install a clean official firmware (for example, after customization).

This method requires an unlocked bootloader (see Section 2) and firmware files in Fastboot ROM format (.tgz or.zip archive).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for Redmi 10 (Selene).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your computer (e.g., C:\MIUI\selene).
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the Power + Volume buttons down for 10 seconds.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and check for device detection by the command: fastboot devices (if the list is empty, install drivers).
5. Start the firmware: For Windows: execute the file flash_all.bat (double click. Linux/macOS: use script flash_all.sh terminal.

Wait until the phone is finished (the phone will reboot automatically).

⚠️ If the process is interrupted during flashing vbmeta, don’t panic – this is normal for some versions. MIUI. Just restart the phone manually.

Critical error: If the phone shows a message "This device is locked" after running through Fastboot, the bootloader has not been unlocked. Repeat the unlock process (section 2) and re-sweeve it.

5. Method 3: Install custom firmware (TWRP + LineageOS/Pixel Experience)

Custom firmware such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS give:

• 🚀 Higher productivity (no “garbage” from the MIUI).
• 🆕 Up-to-date versions of Android (even if Xiaomi no longer supports the model).
• 🔓 More opportunities for customization (theme design, cores, modules Magisk).

But there are risks:

• 📵 Possible problems with the camera, sensors or mobile network (depending on the firmware).
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge (some custom cores are not optimized).
• 🚫 Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).

To install custom firmware you need:

1. Unlock the loader (Section 2).
2. Install TWRP Recovery (Castom Recovery)
3. Download the firmware itself and GApps (Google services, if they are not included in the composition).

Instructions for installing TWRP:

1. Download the latest TWRP for Redmi 10 (.img file).
2. Put your phone in Fastboot mode and flash Recovery with the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-selene.img
3. Immediately after firmware, go to TWRP, holding Power + Volume up.
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (enter yes), then reboot back to Recovery.

Installation of custom firmware:

1. Copy firmware and GApps files to your phone (via MTP to TWRP).
2. In TWRP, select Install → specify firmware file → add GApps (if necessary) → swipe for confirmation.
3. After installation, run Wipe → Dalvik/Cache and restart.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware requires additional fixes for Redmi 10, such as a patch for VoLTE or Widevine L1 (for Netflix HD). Learn the topic of firmware in the forum XDA Developers.

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Castomic firmware does not receive OTA-You'll have to manually track the release of new versions and refollow.

6. Solving firmware errors

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors.

If, after the firmware:

• 📶 No network: Check if the firmware matches the region of the phone (e.g. Global) ROM European models).
• 🔊 Speakers/microphone not working: The audio drivers may not be installed. vendor.img original.
• 🔋 Battery goes down quickly: Calibrate (discharge to 0%, charge to 100% without interruption).

To diagnose problems, use the following logs:

• TWRP: Advanced → Copy Log.
• In Fastboot: commands fastboot getvar all (to check the status of the bootloader).

7. Useful links and tools

Here are the proven sources for downloading firmware and tools:

• 🌍 Official firmware MIUI: Xiaomi site (choose Redmi 10/selene). Xiaomi Firmware Updater (archive of all versions).
• 🛠️ Tools: Mi Unlock Tool (unlock bootloader). TWRP for Redmi 10 (Custom Recovery. Android SDK Platform Tools (for teams) fastboot/adb).
• 🤖 Custom firmware: LineageOS (pure Android). Pixel Experience (interface like Google Pixel).

To verify the authenticity of downloaded files, use the following utilities:

• MD5 Checksum Tool (for Windows)
• The md5sum command is called file.zip (for Linux/macOS).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)