Owners of the popular budget smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 3S (codename prada) often face the need to reinstall the operating system, which can be caused by the device hanging on the logo, a failed update over the air, or the desire to switch from the global version of MIUI to the Chinese for more recent features. Unlike the standard update through the settings menu, firmware through the computer gives full control over the process and allows you to restore the device even in critical situations.
The main tool for performing this procedure on devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors is the MiFlash Pro utility or its lighter version MiFlash. The success of the operation depends on the correct preparation of the workplace, the availability of the original USB-Ignoring the preparation steps often leads to connection errors or interruption of data recording, which may require more complex repairs.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the process from finding the right system image to the final reboot. We’ll look at the differences between Fastboot and Recovery boot modes, and discuss the risks of unlocking a bootloader. Even if you’re new to the Android world, following the instructions will help you safely update your gadget’s software.
Preparation of necessary software and drivers
The first step is to download all the necessary components to your personal computer. Without specialized software, interaction with low-level partitions of memory of a smartphone is impossible. You will need to download the official MiFlash utility, which is the de facto standard for working with Xiaomi devices based on Snapdragon chips.
Critically important element are drivers Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 and ADB/Fastboot. In modern versions of Windows 10 and 11, the system can automatically find the basic drivers, but for stable work of the firmware better install the full package Xiaomi USB Drivers. Lack of the right driver is the most common reason why the computer "does not see" the phone in the desired mode.
⚠️ Note: Download drivers and MiFlash utility only from proven resources or official forums MIUI. Using modified versions of the flashers from unknown authors can lead to data leakage or malware installation.
You'll also need a firmware archive. For the Redmi 3S, it's important to choose an image labeled fastboot (extension.tgz) rather than recovery (extension.zip). Fastboot firmware contains a full set of system partitions, including a bootloader and a radio module, which allows you to perform a clean installation of the system.
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Use it. USB-port located directly on the computer motherboard (back of the system unit), as the ports of the front panel or USB-Hubs may not provide enough voltage for stable data transmission.
Finding and selecting the right version of the firmware
Choosing the right firmware file is not just a matter of preference, but a technical necessity. For Xiaomi Redmi 3S, there are various regional versions: Global (Global), China (Chinese), Russia (Russian), and others. Installing an inappropriate version can lead to the inoperability of certain communication frequencies (Band 7, Band 20) or the absence of Russian from the menu.
When downloading, pay attention to the build date and Android version. Since the device no longer receives official updates from the manufacturer, the last stable version is often MIUI 9 or 10 based on Android 8. However, custom builds based on newer versions of Android are available in the community if you care about the relevance of security and app compatibility.
Below is a table that helps you decrypt firmware file names so you understand what you are downloading:
| Type of firmware | File extension | Method of installation | Data retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fastboot | .tgz | Through MiFlash and PC | Complete removal (usually) |
| Recovery | .zip | Through the Recovery menu | Possible preservation |
| OTA | .zip | Automatically over the air. | Data retention |
| Recovery (China) | .zip | Through Recovery. | Only for China. |
It is important to distinguish between Stable and Developer versions: Stable builds are optimized for everyday use and have less power consumption. Developer versions are updated weekly, contain the latest features, but may be less stable and include debugging logs, which affects autonomy.
Download modes: Fastboot and Recovery
To run through a computer, you need to understand the difference between the main modes of the bootloader. Fastboot is a low-level memory access protocol developed by Google. This is where MiFlash works, allowing you to write partition images directly, bypassing the operating system.
To put Redmi 3S into Fastboot mode, you need to turn the device off completely, then press the volume down and power button simultaneously, and the image of a rabbit repairing an android will appear on the screen, and the FASTBOOT inscription in orange, which is a signal that the phone is ready to receive commands from the computer.
Recovery mode is used to service the system: reset settings, clear cache or install updates from the file.zip. Enter it is by pressing the volume and power button. Although Recovery can flash the phone, for deep recovery or change of region, it is often a bundle of PC + Fastboot that is most often required, since it has broader access rights.
What if your phone is not included in Fastboot?
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
Xiaomi’s official policy requires unlocking the bootloader to install global firmware on Chinese versions of devices or to use custom recavators. Without unlocked Bootloader, MiFlash will give an error when trying to write partitions protected from modification.
The unlocking procedure requires filing through the Mi Unlock app on your computer and linking your Mi Account to your device. After filing, you usually have to wait 7 days (168 hours) – a security measure introduced by the manufacturer to make it difficult to use stolen devices.
⚠️ Warning: The process of unlocking the bootloader automatically and irrevocably deletes all user data from the internal drive of the smartphone. be sure to back up photos, contacts and documents before starting the procedure.
There are also paid services and third-party instant unlock methods that bypass the wait of 7 days, but using such methods carries certain risks and requires high qualifications. For most users, the official wait is a safest path, ensuring that the warranty (if it is still relevant) and stability of work are maintained.
☑️ Checklist before unlocking
Step-by-step instructions for firmware through MiFlash
After all the tools and files are ready, you can start the main process. Unpack the firmware archive in the root of the C disk so that the path to the file is short and does not contain Cyrillic characters (for example, the file is not a single file, C:\rom\prada_global). Long tracks often cause errors in older versions of the sewer.
Run MiFlash on behalf of the administrator. Press refresh to let the program detect the connected device. Your Redmi 3S serial number should appear on the list. If the number appears empty or an error instead of the number, check the drivers in Windows Device Manager.
At the bottom of the MiFlash window, select firmware mode. For full cleaning and fresh installation, choose clean all. If you want to save user data (not recommended when changing region), choose save user data. Clean all and lock mode will completely clean the phone and re-lock the bootloader, which is useful when selling the device or returning to factory condition.
Press flash and wait until the process is complete. The progress indicator will move, and the log will be a message about the recording of each partition. The entire process takes 200 to 600 seconds. Once successful, the status will change to success, and the phone will automatically restart.
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Never interrupt the firmware process or disable the USB cable until status in MiFlash changes to "success." Interrupting the recording can turn the smartphone into a "brick" requiring a programmer to recover.
Resolving errors and problems when running
Even if you follow the instructions strictly, there can be technical failures, one of the most common errors is Missmatching image and device. It means that you are trying to flash firmware from another model (for example, from Redmi 3S Prime or Redmi 3X) on Redmi 3S. Carefully check the code name of the device (prada).
Flash all except data storage error or driver problems are often solved by reinstalling Qualcomm drivers. Windows Device Manager, when connected to a phone, must display an Android Bootloader Interface device in Fastboot mode. If there is an "Unknown device", the driver is installed incorrectly.
If the process hangs on a certain percentage (e.g., 3% or 54%) and then produces an error, try:
- 🔌 Replace USB-cable for quality, short and original.
- 💻 Reverse USB-port to another (preferably) USB 2.0 instead of 3.0).
- 🔄 Use another computer or laptop.
- 📂 Recheck the integrity of the firmware archive (possibly the file has downloaded with errors).
In the rare cases where the phone goes into an endless restart (bootloop) after firmware, a reset via Recovery (Wipe Data / Wipe All Data) can help. If this does not help, it may be damaged partition persist or modem, which requires re-routing with a choice of clean all mode.