How to Refuse Xiaomi: A Step-by-Step Guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones often come with regional firmware versions that may contain redundant ads, unnecessary pre-installed apps, or not support the language packs you need. Self-swapping software unlocks the full potential of the device, saving it from the regional limitations of the Chinese version of CN or the unstable European EU. Flashing is a process that can seem difficult to a beginner, but with the right approach it becomes a standard procedure for maintaining a gadget.

Before you start taking action, you need to be clear that any manipulation of the system partition carries risks. Incorrectly selected version of the bootloader or interruption of the data recording process can cause the device to stop responding to commands. However, if you carefully study the theoretical framework and prepare all the necessary tools, the probability of error is minimized, and you will get a completely cleaned of garbage Xiaomi with the current version of Android.

In this article, we will look at all the preparation steps, how to unlock the bootloader and how to install firmware through Recovery and Fastboot modes. You will learn how MIUI differs from HyperOS, why you need the Mi Flash Tool and how to avoid the typical errors that 90% of users make when you first try to interfere with the system.

Preparation for flashing: necessary tools and backup

The foundation of successful flashing is the quality of the workplace and the software environment. You will need a computer running Windows (on macOS and Linux, the process may differ and require emulation), serviceable USB-A cable with thick wires, providing stable current, and a charged battery of the smartphone at least 60%. Backup is a mandatory step, since during the operation of all data on the internal drive will be irretrievably deleted.

To work with the system partitions of Android requires a special set of drivers that allow the computer to communicate with the phone at a low level. Standard Windows drivers often do not see the device in Fastboot or Recovery mode, so installing Minimal ADB and Fastboot or a full-fledged Android SDK Platform Tools is critical. Without these components, the computer will simply charge the phone, ignoring commands to write system files.

⚠️ Before starting any work, be sure to back up your important data to a cloud service or external hard drive. Internal memory will be fully formatted and data recovery without a backup will become impossible.

If you log in to your Xiaomi account on your phone, after flashing and first downloading, the system will require you to enter the password from this account for security purposes. If you do not remember the password, it is better to delete the account from your phone settings (Settings → Mi Account → Sign out) before the start of the firmware procedure, otherwise the device may be blocked.

Unlock the bootloader: why and how to do it

Bootloader is a small program that starts before the operating system is turned on and checks the digital signature of the software being downloaded. By default, it is blocked on Xiaomi smartphones, which prohibits the installation of modified systems or firmware from other regions. Unlocking the bootloader is the first and most important step, without which installing Global ROM on a Chinese phone or custom firmware is impossible.

The unlocking process requires you to apply through the official Mi Unlock Tool app. Once you have linked the device to your account in your phone settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version, press 7 times on the build number), you will have to wait 3 to 7 days (sometimes up to 30 days).

The unlocking procedure is Fastboot. To log in, you need to turn off your phone and press the Loud Down + Power button combination until the android-fixing hare appears. By connecting the device to your PC, you launch the Mi Unlock Tool, which will check the status of the akka!unt and, if the wait period has expired, unlock the device. It is important to know that unlocking the bootloader automatically resets all data on the phone, even if you just entered status check mode.

• 🔓 Unlocking removes the manufacturer’s warranty on the software, but not on (hardware) unless you damage the components.
• ⏳ The wait timer is linked to a specific Mi Account and IMEI devices, you can not reset it.
• 🔄 After unlocking, every time you boot your phone, you will see a warning about an unprotected bootloader that disappears after 5 seconds.
• 🛡️ Some banking apps may stop working or require Magisk installation to hide root rights.

Selecting the type of firmware: Recovery or Fastboot?

Users are often confused about the types of firmware available for download. The main difference lies in the method of installation and the depth of the system intervention. Recovery firmware (extension.zip) is designed to be installed through an integrated recovery menu or customized recovery (TWRP). It updates the system, preserving the partition structure, and often allows you to do this without completely cleaning the data (although cleaning is required when changing the region).

Fastboot firmware (extension.tgz) contains complete images of all parts of the system, including bootloader, modem and recovery. This method is used to completely reinstall the system, change the region (for example, from China to Global) or restore the phone after critical errors.

There is also a division by build status: Stable (stable), Beta (test) and Dev (developers). For everyday use, it is recommended to install only Stable versions, as they are fully tested. Beta versions can contain errors, bugs in the camera or battery, and have a limited lifespan.

Installation of firmware through Recovery Mode

This method is suitable for updating the MIUI version within one region or installing the official firmware if the phone is running normally. The downloaded firmware file (.zip) must be placed at the root of the phone's internal memory. Make sure the file is not renamed and has the correct extension.

To log into Recovery Mode on your phone turned off, press Volume Up + Power. In the menu that appears (manage volume buttons, select power buttons), select a language (if available) and press Wipe Data. This is a mandatory step for the new system to work correctly. After cleaning, select Install and specify the path to the downloaded archive.

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If the built-in updater curses the firmware version (“Can’t verify update”), use third-party installation methods, for example, through the MiUI bootloader application or renaming the file to update.zip and placing it in a special folder, but the method through the Recovery menu is more reliable.

The installation process takes 5 to 15 minutes. The phone can reboot several times, the screen can go out and turn on — this is normal behavior. Do not interrupt the process or touch the buttons until the welcome language selection window appears. If the phone goes into a cyclic restart after booting, the Wipe Data procedure must be repeated.

⚠️ Note: When installing firmware through Recovery, make sure the battery is charged at least to the minimum. 50%. Interrupting system file recording at the stage 40-60% It can cause the recovery partition to fail, and the phone will stop loading even in the recovery menu.

Fastboot Method: Complete Flashing Through Computer

The most reliable and clean way to flash Xiaomi is to use the Fastboot mode and the Mi Flash Tool, which completely erases the disk and writes all system partitions back, and is necessary for the transition from Chinese firmware to global, as well as for the treatment of software errors that cannot be corrected with a conventional update.

First, unpack the downloaded firmware archive (.tgz) into the root of the C disk so that the path is short and does not contain Cyrillic (for example, the Cyrillic file, C:\xiaomi_rom). Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Put your phone to Fastboot mode. + Power) and connect to the PC. Press the Refresh button in the program, the serial number of the device should appear.

fastboot devices


fastboot getvar all

These commands in the command line (if you use the manual method) make sure that the computer sees the phone. In the Mi Flash Tool, select Clean all in the lower right corner. The Clean all and lock option is not recommended if you change the firmware region, since the phone can lock (hard brick) due to checking the region of the bootloader.

• 🚀 Press Flash and wait until the process is over. The green word "success" stands for success.
• ⚠️ Don't turn off the cable. USB while flashing the indicator on the phone.
• 🔄 Once completed, the phone will reboot itself, the first run can last up to 10 minutes.
• 💻 Make sure that the Qualcomm or Xiaomi drivers are installed on your computer. USB Driver.

Common Errors and How to Resolve Them

During the flashing process, users often encounter error codes. ERROR: 0x80004005 usually indicates problems with drivers or antivirus blocking the record. Try temporarily disabling antivirus software and reinstalling ADB drivers. Miss matching image and device error means that you are trying to flash firmware not intended for your model (for example, the firmware from Redmi Note 9 on Redmi Note 9 Pro).

If the phone goes to Bootloop after firmware, try making full Wipe Data through Recovery. If that doesn't help, it may be damaged by persist or modem, and you'll need to flash through EDL mode, which already requires paid Mi Auth accounts or disassembling the phone to close contacts.

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The rule of thumb for successful firmware is to always check the codename before downloading the file. The firmware for davinci won't work for davinciin, even if the phone names are similar.

Another common problem is the update check error, so if you manually scan, ignore the system's message that the update can't be checked, it's a routine response to the installation of modified or regional builds, and the main thing is that the recording process goes smoothly.