How to flash Xiaomi Redmi Go through Fastboot: a complete guide with nuances

Firmware Xiaomi Redmi Go smartphone through Fastboot mode — a procedure that may be necessary for critical system failures, the need to roll back to the factory version or install custom firmware. This budget device based on Android Go Edition has its own features, which are important to consider: from the specifics of unlocking the bootloader to choosing a compatible firmware. Unlike the flagship models of Xiaomi, there is no support for EDL-mode, so Fastboot remains the only reliable way to restore.

In this article, we will discuss the entire process, from tool preparation to the final device reboot. You will learn how to avoid typical errors (for example, incompatibility of firmware versions with the current state of the bootloader), what drivers will be required for Windows 10/11, and how to work correctly with the MiFlash utility.

Preparation for firmware: what will be needed

Before starting the procedure, make sure you have everything you need, and the absence of at least one of the components can lead to a device blink (completely inoperable).

• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi Go smartphone with a battery charge of at least 50% (better than 100%).
• 💻 Computer running Windows 7/10/11 (MacOS and Linux do not support MiFlash).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably from the set). USB 3.0 can cause problems - use it USB 2.0.
• 🔧 MiFlash Tool (Last version for Redmi Go – 2018.5.28.0).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for your model (be sure to check compatibility!).
• 🔑 Mi Account tied to the device (to unlock the bootloader).

Download the firmware only from official sources:

• 🌐 Xiaomi official website (choose the version for Redmi Go codenamed tiare).
• 📥 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (alternative source with archived versions).

Warning:

Redmi 7A

Redmi 5A

invalid image

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Go has previously been unlocked through EDL (For example, for custom recavator installation, firmware via Fastboot can return the bootloader lock, in which case you will need to re-unblock.

Installation of drivers and configuration of MiFlash

Without properly installed drivers, Windows will not recognize the device in Fastboot mode.

1. Download and install the MiFlash Tool.
2. Install drivers for Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (included in the MiFlash package, but sometimes require manual installation through Device Manager).
3. Disable the digital signature check drivers in Windows (instruction below).

To disable the driver signature verification:

1. Open the Command Prompt on behalf of the administrator.
2. Follow the command: bcdedit.exe /set nointegritychecks on
3. Restart the PC.

After installing the drivers, connect the Redmi Go turned off to the PC by pressing the Volume Down + Power buttons. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.

💡

If Windows can’t see the device, try another one. USB-Port or cable. Also help reinstall drivers with pre-removal of old through Device Removal in Manager.

Unlock the bootloader on Redmi Go

Xiaomi Redmi Go comes with a locked bootloader, and firmware through Fastboot is impossible without unlocking.The process takes up to 72 hours (due to Xiaomi's policy) and requires a tied Mi Account.

Steps to unlock:

1. Download and install the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Log in to your Mi Account on your phone and in the program.
3. Connect Redmi Go in Fastboot mode (Loud down + Power buttons).
4. In Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock and wait for the process to be completed.

If you have a Couldn’t unlock error, check:

• 🔗 Mi Account is linked to the device (in phone settings: Settings) → Mi Account → Devices).
• 🕒 It’s been at least 72 hours since the first account was linked.
• 📶 The device is connected to the Internet (via the SIM or Wi-Fi before unlocking.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the device will be reset (full wipe.

Step-by-step instructions for firmware through Fastboot

When the bootloader is unlocked and the drivers are installed, you can start the firmware.

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware (.tgz format) in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\RedmiGo_Firmware).
2. Run MiFlash.exe on behalf of the administrator.
3. Press Select and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware.
4. Connect Redmi Go in Fastboot mode.
5. In MiFlash, a device (Device field) should appear.
6. Select the firmware method: Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended when system failures); Clean all and lock – cleaning + locking the bootloader (only if you plan to sell a phone); Save user data – saving user data (not always stable).

Flash

The process is considered successful if the Flash Done string appears in the MiFlash log, and then the phone automatically restarts.

Typical errors and their solutions

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

If Redmi Go is stuck on the Mi logo after the firmware, perform a hard reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power for 10 seconds.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.

💡

If the firmware is interrupted in the middle, don’t try to reconnect the phone – this can damage the boot partition. First restart the PC and phone, then repeat the process.

Custom Recovery (TWRP) firmware on Redmi Go

TWRP receptacles are required to install custom firmware (such as LineageOS). Note that only the unofficial version is available for Redmi Go, so the risk of errors is higher.

Instructions:

1. Download TWRP for Redmi Go (twrp-3.3.1-tiare.img file).
2. Rename the file to recovery.img and place it in the firmware folder.
3. In MiFlash, select the Clean All option and just click. recovery.img (delete the remaining files from the folder).
4. After firmware, immediately boot into TWRP by clamping Volume up + Power.

Important: Once TWRP is installed, standard MiFlash recovery can return stock recavators. To avoid this, turn off the Auto-reboot after installation option in TWRP.

IMEI Recovery After Firmware

Redmi Go, when you run through Fastboot, can reset IMEI (unique communication module identifier) without it, the phone won't catch the network.

Method 1 (via Engineer Mode):

1. Enter the dialer code: ##36446337##
2. Go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.
3. In the field AT+ enter: AT +EGMR=1,7,"Yours_IMEI_1" AT +EGMR=1,10,"Yours_IMEI_2" (IMEI indicated on the box or under the battery).
4. Reboot the phone.

Method 2 (through QCN-file):

• 📄 Download the backup copy QCN for your model.
• 🔧 Sweep the file through QPST or MiFlash mode EDL (Requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect input IMEI Use only the original values from the box or stickers under the battery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions