Owning a smartphone from Xiaomi or Redmi is often associated with the desire of the user to get maximum control over the device. Standard Chinese firmware may not contain the necessary language packages, while the global version (Global ROM) offers full translation and pre-installed services Google. The process of replacing the software, or reflashing, allows you not only to Russify the device, but also to upgrade to a newer version of Android, which the manufacturer does not yet distribute over the air in your region.
However, installing the operating system yourself is a serious step that requires care and preparation. Mistakes can lead to loss of warranty or turn the gadget into a brick. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps from unlocking the bootloader to the final configuration of the system, so that you can safely perform the procedure with your own hands.
It’s worth noting that modern Xiaomi smartphones have multiple layers of protection, and before you start, you’ll need a Mi Account tied to the device and a stable internet connection, and ignoring the preparatory stages often causes errors early in the process when the phone goes into unlock key waiting mode.
The first and most important step is to assemble the workplace, and you're going to need a smartphone that's working. USB-cable (preferably original or high-quality analogue with data transfer support) and a computer running Windows. It is also critical to make a full backup of all data, as during the firmware process the internal memory will be completely cleared.
To work with system partitions, you need to activate hidden developer functions. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7-10 times on the MIUI Version (or HyperOS Version). Once the notification "You became a developer" appears, go to Advanced Settings → For developers. Here you need to activate the Factory Unlock and USB Debugging.
Then there's the unlock application process. In the developer menu, click Mi Unlock Status, log in to your account and link the device. The system will warn you of the risks, agree. After that, the phone will ask you to wait 7 to 168 hours (usually 168 hours for new accounts) before actually unlocking. This is the company's security mechanism, and it is impossible to circumvent it in a legal way.
⚠️ Note: Mi Account binding must be done via mobile Internet (LTE/3G), It's not Wi-Fi, otherwise the server might not see it. IP-address correctly and the link will not pass.
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
Bootloader is a program that runs before the operating system starts and checks the integrity of the software. By default, it is blocked, which prohibits the installation of modified images. To unlock, download the official Mi Unlock Tool utility from the developer's website and install it on your PC.
Turn your smartphone into Fastboot mode. Turn off the device, press the volume button, and hold it, connect the cable to your computer. The screen will show a picture of a hare repairing an android and say FASTBOOT. Launch Mi Unlock Tool, log in to the same account as your phone, and press Unlock.
- 🔓 If the timer has expired, the program will unlock the bootloader and the phone will automatically restart and reset all data.
- 🕒 If the timer has not expired, the utility will show the remaining waiting time (for example, "Try again after" 358h").
- ❌ If you make the "Couldn't verify device" error, check if debugging is enabled. USB and whether the account is linked through a mobile network.
Once successfully unlocked, the Unlocked or open-lock display will appear on the boot screen, which is normal for a device ready for modifications. Your Bootloader is now open to record new system images.
What if Mi Unlock can’t see the phone?
If the utility says "Phone is not connected," check Windows Device Manager. Android Device or Other Devices should have an Android Bootloader Interface. If there's an exclamation point, you need to manually update the driver, pointing the path to the driver folder. ADB/Fastboot. Try another one. USB-port, preferably USB 2.0, cable.> There are two main ways to install a new operating system on Xiaomi devices: through Recovery (Recovery). ROM) and through Fastboot (Fastboot) ROM). The method you choose depends on your goals and the current state of the device. Recovery is simpler and safer for beginners. It allows you to upgrade the system or change the region (for example, with a new system). CN Global, but you can't downgrade the Android version. The firmware file has a.zip extension and weighs about 3-4 GB. Fastboot requires an unlocked bootloader, but gives full control: you can roll back versions, change the region from any to any and restore "bricks." The firmware file has a.tgz extension and weighs 4-6 GB. Recovery ROM Fastboot ROM option The.zip.tgz file extension (archive) The need to unlock Not always (depends on regions) It is mandatory to save data (without cleaning) Only complete cleaning Difficulty Low Medium/High For home flashing, most often you do not need to upgrade your phone from the super-covery mode (this is not used), but you need to get a full version of the Recovery, but you do not use it from the Android version, but you need to get it, but you need to get it from the super-to install it, but you need to install it from the super-cover it, if you need to install it, but you need to install it, if you need to install it, however, if you need to get it from the Recovery version). Download the Recovery file ROM (zip) for your model and put it in the root of internal memory. Rename the file to something simple, like, update.zip, To avoid errors in your search, go to the Settings menu. → About the phone and click on the version MIUI/HyperOS. Click on three dots in the corner and select Select firmware file. Find your update.zip. The system will check the file. If the version is suitable, an update button will appear. In some cases, if you change region (for example, from China to Global), the standard menu may not allow you to start the installation. Then use the engineering menu: In the menu of the selection of update languages, click 10 logo MIUI. From the menu that opens, select Choose zip and specify the file. Press Reboot to Recovery (or Reboot and update). The phone will reboot to Recovery. Select the language (English or Chinese), then click Wipe Data, confirm the action. Then go back to the main menu and select Connect with MIAssistant (if the firmware requires it) or just wait until the installation starts if it starts automatically. ⚠️ Warning: When switching from Chinese firmware to global firmware via Recovery, Wipe Data is a must, otherwise the phone will go into a cyclic bootloop. If you need a clean installation or system restore, use the Xiaomi MiFlash Tool. Unpack the downloaded Fastboot firmware (tgz) into the root of the C disk so that the path is short, for example: C:\rom\. Remove the firmware archive so that script files appear inside the folder. Launch MiFlash.exe on behalf of the administrator. Put the phone in Fastboot mode. + Nutrition + Cable). In the program, press Refresh, the serial number of the device should appear. Press Load image and specify the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware. flash_all.bat - complete cleaning (recommended) flash_all_except_data_storage.bat - firmware without data cleaning flash_all_lock.bat - In the lower right corner of the program, select an action. For a clean installation, select clean all. Press Flash. 200 before 600 At the end, the phone will reboot itself to the new system. 10 It is important not to interrupt the process or disconnect the cable until the status is marked success. flash_ablk or flash_system), try USB-port or cable, but do not rush to pull the cord immediately. In the process of flashing, there may be unexpected situations. One of the common problems is the Error: 20031 error in MiFlash, which means that the antivirus or firewall is blocking the program. temporarily disable the security software and add a firmware folder to exceptions. Another common problem is that the phone goes into an endless reboot (Bootloop) after firmware is installed, often solved by re-cleaning the firmware with full cleaning. If this doesn’t help, it may have been downloaded firmware for the wrong model (for example, for the Redmi Note 10 Pro instead of the Note 10 Pro Max), which led to a driver conflict. 🔄 Soft Brick: Phone turns on but hangs on logo.Treated by re-running through Fastboot. 💀 Hard Brick: Phone doesn't respond to buttons, screen black, PC makes connection sound USB. Requires disassembly and closure of test points (Test Point) to enter the mode EDL. 🔒 Anti-Rollback: You can't roll back to the Android version below the one installed. You try to lock the device. EDL (Emergency Download, which is needed to save the bricks, often requires a physical opening of the case and closing the contacts on the board. It is a complex procedure that requires special skills and, usually, an authorized Mi Account for firmware. Can you flash the phone without unlocking the bootloader? Officially, no, if you're changing a region (like China to Global) or a version of Android, however, if you're just upgrading within the same region (Global to Global), you don't need to unlock. There are also paid services that exploit firmware vulnerabilities without unlocking, but they do not guarantee data security? Technically, unlocking the bootloader and installing third-party software will void the warranty in many regions. However, if you return the stock firmware and lock the bootloader back (fastboot oem lock command), visually detecting the interference in the service center will be difficult unless you physically damage. What is Anti-Rollback and what is it dangerous for? Anti-Rollback (ARB) is a security mechanism that prohibits installing an older version of the software than the one that was installed earlier. This is done for security. If you try to flash the old version on a device with an active ARB, it can only be fully restored to the Bard service (Hard).