Installing the operating system on Xiaomi Redmi 3S via Fastboot mode is often the only way to reanimate the device after a failed upgrade or return to work during cyclical reboots. This method is considered the most reliable, since it allows you to completely clear the memory of the smartphone and write a fresh copy of firmware at a low level, ignoring file system errors. Unlike an update “over the air” or through Recovery, it uses a direct connection to the PC, which gives the user full control over the process.
However, the procedure requires care and strict adherence to the sequence of actions, as any interruptions can lead to serious consequences for the hardware of the gadget, USB-Ignoring the preparatory stage often causes errors in the early stages of firmware.
In this guide, we will go into detail every step from finding an official image to final installing drivers and launching the MiFlash utility. Don't rush, because the success of an operation depends on the quality of your workplace and software preparation. If you're ready for responsibility, you can move on to collecting tools.
Tool preparation and firmware downloading
The first step is to find and download the right image of the system. - For Redmi 3S (codename prada) it is critically important not to confuse the version, as the firmware from Redmi 3S Prime or regular Redmi 3 may not fit or damage the device, and you should only search for files on trusted resources, such as the official forum Xiaomi Community or specialized portals such as the Xiaomi Community. XDA We need a file with the.tgz extension, not.zip, as the latter is designed to be installed via Recovery.
In parallel with the search firmware, you need to install on your computer the current drivers ADB and Fastboot. Without them, Windows will not be able to correctly recognize the connected smartphone in boot mode. Most often they are part of the SDK Platform Tools, which can be downloaded from the Google site. Also, you will need the MiFlash Tool itself, preferably the latest available version, to avoid conflicts when working with new types of memory markup.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the battery charge of the device is at least 60%. interruption of the data writing process due to battery discharge can lead to irreversible damage to the boot loader.
For ease of storage of all components, create a separate folder on the root disk C: for example, by calling it Xiaomi_Flash. This will make navigation easier and avoid long path problems that sometimes cause errors in older versions of the firmware.
☑️ Preparation for flashing
Installation of drivers and preparation of the environment
Before you connect a smartphone, you need to make sure that the computer is ready to interact with it at a low level. After installing the SDK Platform Tools and MiFlash, it is recommended to restart the PC so that all changes in the registry take effect. Particular attention should be paid to Qualcomm drivers, since the Redmi 3S is built on the basis of the Snapdragon 430 processor, which requires specific libraries for EDL or Fastboot mode.
You can check for drivers through Device Manager. When you plug a phone that is turned off with the volume button down, the Android Bootloader Interface or similar should appear in the hardware list. If you display Unknown Device instead, you will have to install the drivers manually, indicating the path to the.inf file folder from Platform Tools.
- 🔌 Use the original. USB-cable or quality analogue capable of transmitting data, not just the current for charging.
- 💻 Connect the device directly to the motherboard ports (back of the system unit), avoiding USB-hubs and front panels.
- 🛡️ Disable antivirus software during the procedure, as it can block the work of the scripts of the firmware.
Some users are faced with the problem of signing drivers in Windows 10 and 11. If the system refuses to install the driver, you may need to temporarily disable the verification of the digital signature of drivers when booting the OS. This is a standard procedure for working with engineering software and does not pose a threat if the files are taken from official sources.
What to do if the driver is not installed?
Enter Fastboot Mode on Redmi 3S
For translation Xiaomi Redmi 3S In firmware mode, you need to do a certain sequence of actions with the physical buttons. First, turn off the smartphone completely, waiting for all the indicators and vibration to disappear. Then simultaneously press the Volume Down button and plug in. USB-cable.
If done correctly, the screen will show an image of a hare that is fixing an android, with the words FASTBOOT in orange, which is a signal that the device is waiting for commands from the PC. In this mode, the touch screen does not work, control is only through the software on the computer.
⚠️ Warning: Do not hold the buttons too long after the logo appears. If the phone has gone into normal boot, the procedure should be repeated again, completely de-energizing the device.
Sometimes it happens that the computer does not respond to the connection in this mode. USB-It's also worth checking with Device Manager if new equipment has appeared, and the lack of reaction may indicate a deep battery drain or a faulty charging port.
💡
If the phone is not included in the Fastboot, try to first press the volume button, and only then, without letting it go, connect the USB cable.
The process of firmware through MiFlash Tool
Once the device is successfully connected, you can run MiFlash. Launch XiaoMiFlash.exe on behalf of the administrator to avoid access rights issues. In the program interface, press refresh; if the drivers are installed correctly, your Redmi 3S serial number should appear in the list.
Next, you need to specify the path to the unpacked firmware. Press select and select the folder that contains the images file and the launch script. Importantly, the path should not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces, otherwise the program may give an error when reading the files. After choosing the path, click refresh again to check.
At the bottom of the program window, you will be asked to choose a firmware method. To completely clean the data and install a clean system, select Clean All mode. This option completely erases user data, settings and applications, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state.
| Firmware mode | Data retention | Description of action |
|---|---|---|
| clean all | No. | Complete memory cleanup, clean system installation (recommended) |
| save user data | Yes. | Saving user files, updating the system without resetting |
| clean all and lock | No. | Cleaning data and re-blocking the loader |
When all settings are set, press flash. You start writing, which can take 300 to 600 seconds. You'll see progress reports in the program log. You won't touch the cable or turn off the computer until success or flash done.
💡
Use the "clean all" mode for maximum system stability, especially if you are switching from global to Chinese or changing the Android version.
Solving mistakes and problems
When you run Redmi 3S, you often run into a variety of bugs that are coded by MiFlash, and one of the most common is the Missmatching image and device error, which occurs when you try to flash a global version onto a device with an unlocked bootloader but with Chinese markup, or vice versa, and the solution is to use an image that is strictly consistent with the current status of the bootloader and the region of the device.
Another common problem is the Not enough space error. This does not mean a lack of space on the PC drive, but rather indicates a conflict of memory partitions inside the phone, often when trying to downgrade the Android version without first unlocking the bootloader or when switching between development branches (China <-> Global).
- 🔴 Flash Error Error Often Refers to Bad Contact USB-cable or unstable power supply of the port.
- 🔴 The message Anti-rollback check failed means that the firmware version is lower than the device’s protection allows and installation is impossible.
- 🔴 Unknow error is usually solved by restarting the firmware service or replacing it. USB-port.
If the process is stuck at a certain percentage (e.g., 3% or 98%) for a long time, don’t rush to interrupt it immediately. Sometimes writing large partitions can take longer. However, if the progress is more than 10 minutes, you will most likely need to reconnect the cable and try a different port.
First start and set up system
Once the process is completed successfully, the phone will automatically restart. The first run after the firmware is run through the Fastboot can take significantly longer than usual to complete. 10-15 This is normal because the system creates new data sections and performs initial application optimization. MI Android.
When the device finally turns on, you'll be greeted by a welcome screen, and since we've been using clean all, the phone will be completely clean, just like when you buy it, and you'll need to re-select your language, connect to your Wi-Fi, and log in to your Google account and your Mi Account.
⚠️ Note: If after booting, the system requires you to enter a password from an old Mi Account and you do not remember it, this means that the Find Device function was active.
It is recommended to check the firmware version in the Settings → About Phone menu immediately to make sure the installed build is correct. It is also worth checking the operation of the main modules: camera, sound, sensor and communication modules to exclude hardware defects that could have been hidden by the previous software error.