How to change firmware to Xiaomi Redmi: official and informal methods

Changing the firmware on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a procedure that can dramatically change the way the device works. Podczas how official MIUI updates come through Settings → About Phone → System Update, many users want to install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) to remove ads, improve performance or get the latest version of Android. However, the wrong actions can turn the phone into a “brick” – so it’s important to understand all the steps from unlocking the bootloader to choosing the right firmware method.

In this article, we will discuss three main ways to change firmware to Redmi (including Note 12/13 Pro, Redmi 10/11 and others): through Fastboot, Recovery and EDL mode. Also find out what tools you will need (Mi Flash Tool, ADB, TWRP), how to avoid errors when unlocking the bootloader and what to do if the phone does not turn on after firmware. If you are a beginner, start with official firmware; if an experienced user, study the section on custom builds with support for GApps and Magisk.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start changing the firmware, make sure that the critical conditions are met:

• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 60% – when discharged during firmware, there is a high risk of damage to system files.
• 📱 Make a full backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or TWRP (If installed, the internal memory will be erased!
• 🖥️ Install the Mi Flash Tool on PC (for official firmware), ADB/Fastboot Drivers and Platform Tools from Google.
• 🔑 Unlock. OEM-unlocking → For developers (activated by 7-fold pressing on the Assembly Number).

On new Redmi models (like the Note 12 Turbo), Xiaomi uses Anti-Rollback (ARB) protection, which blocks rollbacks on older firmware versions. Check the current version of ARB in Fastboot with the command:

fastboot getvar anti

If the value is higher than 3, firmware on the older version of MIUI will result in hard-brick (irreparable damage), in which case only firmware with an equal or newer version of ARB is allowed.

2 Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi

Without an unlocked bootloader, installing any unofficial firmware is impossible. Xiaomi requires you to link your Mi Account to your device and wait 7 days (on new models) or 72 hours (on old ones).

1. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute in ADB: adb reboot bootloader
3. Sign in to Mi Unlock Tool (download from the official website) under the same account as on your phone.
4. If you see a "Couldn't unlock" error, check it: 🔌 Cable USB (must support the transmission of data). 🔄 Restart your phone and PC. ⏳ Wait for the time specified (7 days 11/12).

⚠️ Note: On models with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi) 10C) Unlocking through Mi Unlock Tool may not work. EDL-Registration with an authorized account (more in Section 5).

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings. All data will be deleted!

Linked to Mi Account |

USB| debugging activated

Installed drivers ADB/Fastboot|

Battery charge > 60%|

Backup of important data is made-->

3. Installation of the official firmware through Fastboot

This method is suitable for refurbishing a "blocked" phone or switching to a clean MIUI (e.g., from global to European).

• 📌 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (download from the official website).
• 💻 Mi Flash Tool (version not lower than 2020.3.14.0).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high-quality).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\redmi_note12_pro).
2. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
4. In the program, select the firmware method: Clean all - complete cleaning (recommended when changing the firmware region); Clean all and lock - cleaning + locking the bootloader (only for official firmware!); Save user data - saving user data (not always stable).

Flash

If after firmware the phone is getting stuck on the MI logo, perform a hard reset via Recovery (clip Volume up + Power when the device is turned off).

💡

If the Mi Flash Tool can’t see the phone, try connecting it to another phone. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC) or use an externally powered hub.

4. Install custom firmware through TWRP

LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom builds require custom TWRP recavators. Importantly, not all Redmi models have stable versions of TWRP. Check your device support on the official website.

Instructions:

1. Download. TWRP for your model (for example, twrp-3.7.0_12-vayu.img For the Redmi Note 10 Pro).
2. Transfer your phone to Fastboot and run the TWRP command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. In TWRP, swipe to allow changes (if requested).
4. Make a backup of the NVRAM section (important for models with MediaTek!).
5. Sweep through the custom firmware: 📁 Copy. ZIP-phone-file. 🔄 V TWRP press Install → Select a file → Swipe to confirm. 🔧 After installing the firmware, immediately swipe Magisk (if root is needed) and GApps (if they are not in the build).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) K50) When you install custom firmware, the encryption stops working. To avoid problems, format the Data partition into the data partition. TWRP (Wipe → Format Data → enter").

The first launch of custom firmware can take 10-15 minutes. If the phone has been getting stuck on the boot animation for longer than 20 minutes, restart it to the recavator and re-install.

5. Firmware through EDL-regime (for “bricks")

Emergency Download Mode (EDL) is the last chance to recover a phone if it is not enabled or detected in Fastboot.

• 🔧 Authorized Xiaomi Account (for new models).
• 💻 Mi Flash Tool or QFil (for Qualcomm).
• 📄 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format (for MediaTek).

How to log into EDL:

• For Qualcomm: Press Volume Up + Volume Down + Power (on the phone off).
• For MediaTek: connect your phone to a PC without a battery (if removable) and execute in ADB: adb reboot edl

Next:

1. In the Mi Flash Tool, select firmware and Clean all method.
2. Connect the phone – it should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process can take up to 30 minutes).

On models 2023-2026 (Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5), Xiaomi blocks EDL for unauthorized accounts. If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error "flash not allowed", you will need to:

• Contact the Xiaomi service center with a check for the purchase.
• Buy authorized EDL-Account (risky - scammers sell non-working accounts).

💡

EDL-Mode is the only way to restore a phone with a damaged bootloader, but on new models Xiaomi blocks it for self-use.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even with the right instructions, there can be problems.

If it's gone after the firmware. IMEI (The phone does not catch the network, restore it through QCN-file (for Qualcomm) or NVRAM (Instructions for recovery IMEI search the forums 4PDA XDA-Developers – for each model, the process is individual.

To diagnose hardware problems (for example, a broken touch screen after firmware), use the test menu:

#4636## (to check the sensors)
##6484## (Tacch Screen Test)
#64663## (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/GPS test)

7.How to return the official firmware after custom

If custom firmware is unstable or you want to return the warranty, roll back to stock MIUI.

1. Download the full Fastboot firmware (not Recovery!) for your model with Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
2. Unpack it and delete the file. flash_all_lock.bat (If it is available, the loader will be blocked.
3. Fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash system.img fastboot flash vendor vendor.img fastboot flash vendor.img fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img fastboot reboot
4. If the phone doesn’t boot, run the full firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean all selection.

After returning to MIUI:

• 🔒 The bootloader will remain unlocked (to block, use fastboot oem lock, but it is risky!).
• 📱 All data will be erased – restore it from the backup.
• 🔄 Updates OTA You may not be able to come – manually check them in Settings. → Updating the system.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions