Self-flashing Xiaomi phone: from unlocking to installing MIUI or custom OS

Freaking through Xiaomi’s smartphone is a challenge that scares many users, with fears of building up the device, losing warranty, or making it difficult to process, but with the right approach, firmware can solve a host of problems, from bugs in the official MIUI to installing current versions of Android on older models, and it will help you understand the nuances of the process, from preparation to final configuration.

It’s important to understand that the procedure is different for different purposes: updating through Fastboot, installing a customized backup (such as TWRP), or completely changing the firmware to LineageOS or Pixel Experience. We’ll look at all options, paying attention to the critical points that 90% of users miss when first running a firmware — for example, properly linking a Mi Account account or checking the firmware compatibility with a specific device revision (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro’sweet vs’sweetin’).

This article is relevant for 2018-2026 models, including the Redmi Note series, POCO F/X, Mi 11/12/13 and Xiaomi 14. If your device is older, check out firmware versions on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums before work begins.

1.Preparation of the phone: what to do before the firmware

The first stage is the most important, but often ignored. Incorrect preparation leads to a bootloader lock, loss of data, or inability to complete the firmware. Start by checking the current version of MIUI and the bootloader status:

• 📱 Find out the device model and code name: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Click 7 times on "Kere Version" to activate Developer Mode.
• 🔓 Check the status of the bootloader: turn off the phone, press Volume down + If you see this device is locked, you'll need to unlock it.
• 🔋 The battery should be at least 60 percent charged, and it can take up to 30 minutes to run through the Fastboot, and it will crash when it is discharged.
• 📁 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset or use Mi PC Cloud redundancy (via Mi Cloud) does not save some system settings.

Pay special attention to the binding of the Mi Account. Once the bootloader is unlocked, the device will require authorization through the same account that was tied before the procedure. If you forgot your password or changed your mail, restore access in advance. Otherwise, the phone may remain locked even after successful firmware.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a MediaTek chipset (e.g., Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) Unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool can take up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting!

2 Unlocking the bootloader: official and alternative methods

The bootloader on all Xiaomi smartphones is locked by default, which is a security measure, but it also complicates the firmware. The official way to unlock is through the Mi Unlock Tool, but it doesn't work for all regions and requires waiting. Let's consider both options.

The official method (via Mi Unlock Tool)

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (Windows only).
2. Sign in to your Mi Account account on your phone and utility.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
4. In the utility, click Unlock. If you receive a waiting message, wait for the specified time (usually 168 hours for new accounts).

Once unlocked, the phone will reset to factory settings, which is a mandatory step, and the data will be deleted.

Alternative methods (for experienced users)

If the official method does not work (for example, due to regional restrictions), you can use:

• 🔧 EDL-Emergency Download Mode – requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable.
• 🛠️ Bypassing test firmware - some versions MIUI (For example, for Redmi Note 8 Pro, you can unlock the bootloader without waiting.

⚠️ Note: Using informal unlocking techniques (e.g., via Deep Flash Cable) may cause hardware damage to the port USB-C. On models POCO F3/Redmi K40 This is a common problem due to a sensitive eating pattern.

3. firmware selection: official MIUI vs custom builds

Decide which firmware to install, will help the table below. note that custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or ArrowOS) require unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP, while the official can be flashed even through Fastboot without a backup.

For official firmware, use MIUI Downloads. Choose a version for your codename (e.g. alioth for POCO F3) rather than the model name. Look for firmware on XDA Developers or 4PDA, checking user reviews with the same device revision.

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Before downloading the firmware, check its hash amount (MD5 or SHA-256) through the HashMyFiles utility. This will save you from downloading corrupted files that can interrupt the firmware process.

4. Install firmware via Fastboot (official method)

The most reliable way to flash official MIUI is through Fastboot modes, which is suitable for:

• 📲 Recovery of the phone after a failure;
• 🔄 Recoiling on the previous version MIUI;
• 🆕 Updates without loss of data (if the firmware version is newer than the current one).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux;
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (preferably original);
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (unpack it into a folder);
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
2. Connect to a PC. Make sure the drivers are installed (Android Bootloader Interface should be displayed in Device Manager).
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
4. Select firmware mode: Clean all – full reset (recommended when changing the version of MIUI); Clean all and lock – reset + lock bootloader (only for official firmware!); Save user data – data storage (does not always work).

Flash

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a can't receive hello packet error, try: Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager (select Android Bootloader Interface driver from the Mi Flash folder). Tool/driver). Run the utility on behalf of the administrator. Use another. USB-port or cable on MediaTek devices (e.g. Redmi) 9T) You may need to disable driver signatures in Windows.

5. Install custom firmware through TWRP

LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom firmware will require custom recavers — usually TWRP. The process is more complicated than firmware through Fastboot, but provides more features.

Step 1: Installation of TWRP

Download the current version of TWRP for your model from twrp.me.

1. Unpack the downloaded.img file in the folder with ADB.
2. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode and connect to the PC.
3. The command is fastboot flash recovery. twrp-3.7.0_12-alioth.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_12-alioth.img (Replace alioth with your device’s code name).

Step 2: Firmware through TWRP

After uploading to TWRP:

1. Make a backup of the current firmware (Backup section).
2. Transfer your firmware (.zip) and GApps (if you need Google services) to your phone via MTP or ADB Sideload.
3. Select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
4. Install the firmware through Install, then GApps (if required).
5. Reboot to the system.

The first run after firmware can take up to 10 minutes – do not interrupt the process!

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If the phone doesn't turn on after installing custom firmware (hangs on the logo), try flashing the kernel (boot.img) separately through Fastboot. Often the problem is with the incompatibility of the kernel and firmware.

6. Solving problems after firmware

Even with the right firmware, there can be problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them:

If your IMEI is gone or your mobile network is gone, don't panic. Most often, this is done by restoring modem and nvram partitions from the backup. 4PDA forums have instructions for manually restoring IMEI through the engineering menu (#4636##), but this method requires caution.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a MediaTek chipset (such as the Redmi Note 11) recovery IMEI through the engineering menu can lead to hardware modem lock. Use only proven methods with backups!

7. System optimization after firmware

Once the firmware is successful, the system requires customization, both for the official MIUI and custom firmware.

• ⚡ Disable unnecessary system applications through ADB: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.joyose (full list of junk bags) MIUI can be found XDA).
• 🔒 Set up root rights (if needed) through Magisk. Install modules for: AdAway Blocking; Battery Optimization (Greenify); CPU Overclocking/undervoltage (Kernel Adiutor).
• 📡 Check the network settings: on custom firmware sometimes get lost APN. Enter your operator’s settings manually in Settings → Mobile network → Access points (APN).

For custom firmware based on AOSP (for example, LineageOS), additional configuration may be required:

• 🎵 Install. ViPER4Android sound-enhancing;
• 📷 Download GCam with configured config for your model (look for the 4PDA);
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: completely discharge the phone, then charge to 100% without interruption.

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If your custom OS doesn't have navigation gestures after you've firmware, install Fluid Navigation Gestures via Magisk. It adds flexible gesture settings similar to MIUI.

8. Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)