Xiaomi Redmi firmware: official and custom methods with unlocking the bootloader

Why you should use Xiaomi Redmi and when you really need it

The firmware of Xiaomi Redmi is a process that can both save the device from the brick and turn it into a useless piece of plastic if you do the wrong thing. Most users face the need to reflash the phone in three cases: after a critical system failure, to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), or when switching to a global version of MIUI from China. But before you start to tackle the tools, it is worth honestly asking yourself: do you really need it?

Official Updates Through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system solves 90% of problems without risks. 10C stuck on the logo, can't see SIM-postcards after updating or you want to get rid of advertising in MIUI — It's important to understand that the process is different for devices with locked and unlocked bootloaders, and also depends on the chosen method (Fastboot, Recovery, EDL).

This guide covers current models of 2022-2026 (Redmi 13C, Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi K60, etc.), but the principles apply to older devices. The main rule: firmware through informal tools (for example, SP Flash Tool) for modern Xiaomi is fraught with a hard brilliance – such methods work only on MediaTek chips older than 2020.

Preparation for firmware: unlocking the loader

Without bootloader unlocking, you can’t flash Xiaomi Redmi custom firmware or even official Fastboot. Xiaomi has introduced this protection to combat device theft, but it also makes life difficult for enthusiasts. The unlocking process takes from 72 hours to 2 weeks — it all depends on the company’s policy at the time of your request.

Here's a step-by-step algorithm:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device: go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and enable synchronization.
2. Activate USB debugging: in Settings → About phone tap 7 times on the MIUI version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking.
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (only for Windows!).
4. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode: turn off the device, then press Volume down + Power until the hare appears in the eardress cap.
5. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to the same Mi Account as your phone, and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Warning: If you previously unlocked the bootloader on this device, but then flashed the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all option, the lock will return!

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will display Unlocked in Fastboot mode. Now you can start the firmware. But remember, the unlocked bootloader resets all data on the device and may cancel the warranty (in some regions).

Selection of firmware: official vs custom

The type of firmware not only determines the functionality, but also the stability of the device, and the official firmware from Xiaomi is divided into three types:

• 📱 Global Stable – optimized for the international market, supports Google Services, updates every 1-2 months.
• 🇨🇳 China Stable – without Google, but with maximum optimization for iron (sometimes faster than Global Stable).
• 🧪 Developer (Beta) – weekly updates, new features, but bugs are possible.

Custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, ArrowOS, Pixel Experience) offer “clean” Android without shell MIUI, but require an unlocked bootloader and are often devoid of some features (e.g, IR-For Redmi with Snapdragon processors, the choice of custom firmware is wider than for models on MediaTek.

Where to download firmware:

• 🔗 Officially MIUI: Xiaomi Firmware Download or Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
• 🔗 Castomy: XDA Developers (look for your model theme) or Telegram chat communities (e.g, @miuiru russian-language).

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Before downloading the firmware, check its version on the MIUI Versions website - some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro + 5G) have separate builds for different regions (IN - India, EE - Europe).

Firmware via Mi Flash Tool (Fastboot method)

This is the most reliable way to flash Xiaomi Redmi official firmware, especially if the device is not turned on or stuck on the boot.

Instructions:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool from the official website.
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder with a short path (for example, C:\MIUI\). There's gotta be a file inside. flash_all.bat.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the folder with the firmware.
5. Select the firmware method: Clean all – complete cleaning (remove all data, including internal memory!), Clean all and lock – the same + block the bootloader, Save user data – save user data (not always stable).

Flash

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool is a bug, you can't find fastboot, check the drivers. For Redmi on Snapdragon you need Qualcomm Driver, for MediaTek you need MediaTek Driver.

If the firmware is successful but the phone doesn’t turn on for more than 10 minutes, don’t panic. The first download after the firmware can take up to 20 minutes (especially on weaker models like the Redmi 9A).

Firmware through Recovery (without PC)

It's a good way to install official updates or custom firmware (if you already have customized Recovery like TWRP), and the main advantage is that you don't need a computer.

• ✅ Works on a locked boot loader (if you are stitching the official one) MIUI).
• ❌ Not suitable for bricks – the phone should at least be included in Recovery.
• ⚠️ Castom firmware requires TWRP and unlocked loader.

Instructions for official firmware:

1. Download the firmware in.zip (not.tgz!) from Xiaomi’s website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and transfer it to the root of internal memory.
3. Go to Recovery: Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Power before the MI logo appears.

Choose a language

Install update.zip to System

Confirm installation

For custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience):

1. Install TWRP via Fastboot (instruction below).
2. Download firmware (.zip) and, if necessary, GApps (Google Services).
3. Go to TWRP (Loudness Up + Nutrition).
4. Make Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
5. Press Install, select the firmware file, then (if necessary) GApps.
6. Reboot. It can take 15 to 30 minutes to boot first.

⚠️ Note: If you have a customized ROM The phone is stuck on the logo, try to flash the core (boot.img) Fastboot: Fastboot Flash boot boot.img fastboot reboot

Installation of TWRP and firmware custom ROM

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom Recovery that allows you to install informal firmware, make backups and restore the system. For Xiaomi Redmi, there are both universal and specialized TWRP builds (for example, for the Redmi Note 10 Pro there is a separate version with encryption support).

Instructions for installing TWRP:

1. Download the TWRP image for your model from an official website or trusted sources (such as XDA).
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices If the device is displayed – you can continue.
3. Please. TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-1-vili.img Fastboot Reboot Recovery (replace the file name with yours).
4. Once you get into TWRP, backup the persist partition (in some models, damage to it leads to loss of IMEI!).

Once you have TWRP installed, you can stitch custom ROMs. But remember:

• 🔄 Custom firmware often requires additional patches (for example, disable_force_encrypt de-encrypt).
• 📱 Some features (such as VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling) may not work without additional manipulation.
• 🔋 Battery life on custom ROM sometimes worse than on MIUI (especially in the first assembly).

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Always check the reviews on forums (XDA, 4PDA) before firmware custom ROMs – some builds may have critical bugs, such as a broken camera or sensors.

Solving common errors in firmware

Even with the instructions, the firmware process may not go according to plan, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions.

If your Redmi has turned into a brick (no buttons, no PC), don't panic. 90% of the time, it can be revived through EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode.

• 🔧 Authorized Xiaomi account (for new models).
• 🔧 Box solution (such as UFi Box or EasyJTAG) or paid credit on sites like XiaomiUI.
• 🔧 Firmware in.mbn format (for EDL).

Self-repairing through EDL without experience can lead to the ultimate loss of the device. If you are not sure, contact the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi firmware