The process of flashing a Xiaomi smartphone through the MiFlash Tool utility is often the only way to bring the device back to life after a failed update or system failure, and many users are afraid to take up this procedure, considering it too complex and dangerous for the gadget. However, with strict adherence to the algorithm of actions and the presence of a stable USB-The risk of “bricking” is minimal, and the result is worth it.
Before you start taking action, you need to be clear about what you're going to do. Firmware through MiFlash means completely clearing the device's memory, including partitions with user data, unless you choose a specific save mode, and it's not just a software update, but a deep reassembly of system files at a low level.
In this article, we will discuss every step of the process, from tool preparation to the final launch of the system, you will learn how to install drivers correctly, where to download current firmware images and how to avoid the typical mistakes that beginners make. Follow the instructions carefully, and your Xiaomi will work again as new.
Preparation for firmware: tools and requirements
The success of the operation depends on 90% of the correct preparation of the workplace. You will need a computer running the Windows operating system, since the MiFlash Tool is not officially supported on macOS or Linux without the use of emulators. USB-cable, preferably original, coming with the device.
You have to take care of all the important data backups in advance, and photos, contacts, messaging, all of these will be permanently deleted in the firmware process, and backup is the only insurance against loss of valuable information that you can't ignore.
The battery charge of the smartphone should be at least 50-60%. the flashing process can take from 5 to 20 minutes, and if the device turns off in the middle of the recording of memory sectors, recovery can become extremely difficult.
⚠️ Note: Use of unoriginal or damaged USB-Cables are the most common cause of connection errors in Fastboot mode. Check the cable on other devices before starting.
You’ll also need a stable internet connection to work to download the current firmware version. Scale files can reach 3-4 gigabytes, so make sure there’s enough free space on your computer’s system drive.
Where to download the firmware and MiFlash Tool
Finding the right files is a very careful task. The official MiFlash utility is free, but it can be difficult to find it on the manufacturer's website because of the frequent interface updates, and it's best to use proven aggregators like the Xiaomi Firmware Updater or the 4PDA forum, where you can put direct links.
It's important to differentiate between firmware types. For MiFlash, we need an archive with the.zip extension, which contains a folder inside with lots of files and scripts. This is what's called Fastboot firmware. Recovery firmware (with the.zip extension, but smaller) is not suitable for this method, they are installed through the recovery menu.
When downloading, pay attention to the region of the device. Global (Global) differs from Chinese (China) in a set of pre-installed applications and supported communication frequencies. Installing Chinese firmware on a global device can lead to problems with Bands 4G/5G and the absence of Russian in the system.
How to determine the type of firmware by name?
The MiFlash version also matters: Older versions may not see new smartphone models or not work properly with new recording protocols. It is recommended to use a version at least 2021 release to ensure compatibility with modern Snapdragon and MediaTek chipsets.
Unlocking the bootloader: a mandatory step
The blocked bootloader will not allow you to write new system partitions through Fastboot. This is a protection mechanism introduced by Xiaomi to prevent data theft and install malware. Without unlocking firmware through MiFlash is impossible.
The unlocking process requires filing an application on the official Mi Unlock website and linking the Mi Account to the device. Once the application is approved, you must wait a certain time (usually 7 days, sometimes up to 30) before the unlocker program allows you to remove the protection, this time is given to the user at the reconsideration.
To perform the procedure, you need:
- 📱 Log in to Mi Account in your phone settings and enable “Find device».
- 🔓 Download the Mi Unlock Tool utility to your computer and log in to it.
- 🔄 Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode (click the volume reduction button when the screen is off).
- 🔌 Connect the device to the PC and press the “Unlock” button in the program.
Once successfully unlocked, the device will be completely cleared.The boot screen will display an open padlock icon or the words Unlocked.From that point on, you get full access to the file system, but you lose the software warranty, and security features like Google Pay (now Google Wallet) can work with limitations.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader automatically performs a full data reset (Wipe Data). save all important files to the cloud service or computer in advance.
Installation of ADB and Fastboot drivers
The computer must "see" the smartphone in a special mode. Standard Windows drivers are often not suitable for interaction with the Android bootloader. You will need the package ADB Drivers and Fastboot Drivers. These usually come with the MiFlash installer, but they can be installed separately.
If the drivers are installed incorrectly, in Device Manager you will see an unknown device with a yellow exclamation mark or a device with a name. QHSUSB_BULK (In this case, the firmware will not start. You need to manually update the driver, indicating the path to the folder with the drivers Xiaomi USB Driver.
To check the connection, open the command line (cmd) and enter the command:
fastboot devicesIf you see a set of numbers and letters (the serial number of the device) in response, the connection is correctly established. If the line is empty, check the cable, the USB port, or reinstall the drivers.
☑️ Driver readiness check
Sometimes Windows blocks the installation of drivers because of the digital signature verification, which requires restarting the computer to Debug mode and disabling the mandatory driver signature verification, and without this step, the installation can end in error.
Step-by-step instruction: the firmware process
Now that all of the work is done, you can move on to the process itself. Run the MiFlash Tool on behalf of the administrator. This is an important step, because the program requires permissions to write to system partitions of the disk and access to the system partitions. USB-port.
Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode. For most Xiaomi models, this is done by turning off the phone and then pressing the volume button + power button. The screen should show a hare in a hat-outfit, repairing the android, or the inscription FASTBOOT.
Then proceed with the algorithm:
- Press the select button in MiFlash and point the way to the unpacked firmware folder. Importantly, you should choose the folder that contains the files, not the archive itself.
- Press refresh. Your device with its serial number should appear on the list.
- In the lower right corner, select firmware mode. Select clean all for clean installation.
- Press the flash button and wait for the process to be completed.
During the firmware process, the log will be reported on the status of partition recording. Don't be afraid if the process hangs on a percentage for a few minutes, which is normal for large system files. Stop or shut down the cable will lead to a critical error.
💡
If MiFlash is a Flash Error, try it. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 instead of 3.0) or run the program in Windows 7 compatibility mode.
Once successful, the status will be labeled success. The smartphone will automatically restart. The first run can last up to 10-15 minutes, as the system optimizes applications and creates new configuration files.
Clean all, save user data, clean all and lock
The bottom panel of the MiFlash Tool shows three main modes, the choice of which determines the fate of your data and the status of the bootloader. Understanding the difference between them is critical.
Clean all completely deletes all user data, including photos, apps and settings, and leaves the bootloader unlocked, which is the best choice for changing the firmware region or treating software errors.
Save user data attempts to save user files by updating only the system partition, a method that is risky: if the firmware versions are very different, there is a high probability of a bootloop or system instability, and is recommended only by experienced users.
Clean all and lock mode performs a full cleanup and re-locks the bootloader. Using this global firmware mode on a Chinese device (or vice versa) is guaranteed to turn the smartphone into a “brick”! You can only lock the bootloader when the firmware region coincides with the device region.
| Regime. | Data retention | Bootloader status | Risk of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| clean all | No (full reset) | Unlocked. | Low. |
| save user data | Yes. | Unlocked. | High-pitched |
| clean all and lock | No (full reset) | Blocked. | Medium (dangerous when changing region) |
Choose mode wisely. If you're not sure of the origin of your device or firmware version, always choose clean all. It's the safest option for Android to run.
💡
Never use the “clean all and lock” mode when changing the firmware region (e.g. from CN to Global) and this will result in the device locking at the bootloader level.
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be technical failures. One of the most common errors is Miss matching image and device. It means that you are trying to flash firmware that is not intended for this model. Check the code name of the device (for example, cepheus, ursa) in the name of the firmware file and in Fastboot mode.
The Not enough space error indicates a partition overflow or attempt to write data over the occupied space when choosing the wrong mode. In this case, only clean all mode helps. Also make sure that on the C disk: at least 10 GB is free.
If the process is stuck in the sparse stage or flash success does not occur for more than 30 minutes, it may be a problem in the process. USB-Try reconnecting the cable to the port on the back of the motherboard (if you use a stationary PC) without going through the port. USB-hub.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone went into an endless bootloop after running the firmware, don't panic. Try logging into Recovery Mode. + power and make Wipe Data/Factory Reset.
In rare cases, the MiFlash utility may simply "not see" the device, although the drivers are installed.It helps manually start the fastboot oem edl command (transition to disaster recovery mode) or use alternative command line gates, but this requires more in-depth knowledge.