How to remove Xiaomi Recovery: Full Replacement Instructions

Xiaomi smartphone users seeking full control of their device often face the limitations of the standard software shell.Stock Recovery mode, or stock Recovery, is closed source and allows only basic operations, such as data reset or updates via OTA. For advanced work, including installing custom firmware, obtaining root rights and creating full backups, you need to replace the regular component with a modified counterpart.

The process of replacing the boot partition software requires careful and careful follow-up, as interference with system partitions carries certain risks. In this article, we will discuss how to safely remove standard Recovery on Xiaomi and Redmi devices, replacing it with a functional TWRP or OrangeFox. You will learn about device preparation, unlocking the bootloader and directly installing new software.

Before you start manipulating system partitions, it is important to understand that replacing the bootloader or recoverer automatically voids the manufacturer's warranty in most service centers. In addition, the procedure requires prior unlocking of Bootloader, which can take from 7 to 168 hours after submitting an application in the Mi Unlock service. Complete loss of data from the device when unlocking the bootloader is inevitable, so backing up all important files is a mandatory preliminary step.

Tools and drivers preparation

The success of the operation depends on the quality of the workplace preparation and the availability of the necessary software on the computer. USB-The use of the original cable or its high-quality counterpart is critical, as an unstable connection at the time of recording the image can damage the boot sector.

To interact with the device at a low level, you need to install specialized ADB and Fastboot drivers, these utilities allow the computer to send commands to a smartphone that is in debugging or fast boot mode. Without properly installed drivers, the system will not be able to recognize the device in the desired mode, and all attempts at firmware will be unsuccessful.

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Use it. USB-port located on the back of the system unit, directly connected to the motherboard to eliminate power and data transmission problems.

You also need to download a custom recavéri image adapted specifically for your model of the device. There are no universal solutions: firmware designed for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 can completely disable the Xiaomi Mi 11. Therefore, the search for a file with the.img extension should be conducted strictly by the code name of your model, which can be found in the phone settings or on specialized forums.

• 📱 Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone with unlocked bootloader.
• 💻 Computer with Windows operating system 10/11 and Internet access.
• 🔌 Original or certified USB-data-line.
• 💾 Installed drivers ADB and Fastboot.

Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader

Xiaomi has implemented strict security measures to block the ability to change the system partitions by default.To be able to write a new image to the recovery section, you must officially unlock Bootloader. This action erases all user data, so before starting the procedure, make sure that important contacts, photos and documents are saved in the cloud or on an external medium.

The process begins with the Mi Account being linked to the device, and in the Developer menu, you need to include the “Factory Unlock” option and link the account, and then wait for the manufacturer’s set time, which is usually 168 hours (7 days), although in some cases the timer can be reduced to 36 hours or, conversely, increased.

⚠️ Warning: After unlocking the bootloader, some security features, such as Google Pay (or Google Wallet) and banking apps, will stop working unless additional steps are taken to bypass them (Magisk, Zygisk). Photo quality may also decrease when shooting in low light conditions due to changes in image processing algorithms.

The official Mi Unlock Tool is used to directly unlock it. Launch the program on your PC, log in to your account, turn the phone into Fastboot mode (clutching the volume button down when the device is off), and connect it to your computer. Press Unlock and wait for the process to complete. The device will restart and the data will begin to be cleaned.

Finding and downloading the right Recovery image

The most popular and functional solution to date is TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), however, for some devices there are more optimized forks, such as OrangeFox or PitchBlack. A mistake in choosing a version can lead to a device “bricking” or a touchscreen in recovery mode.

Search files should be exclusively on trusted resources, such as the 4PDA forum or XDA Developers. The file description always indicates supported models and the version of Android. For example, devices based on Android 13 (HyperOS) may require special versions of the recovery, as the new structure of the A/B partitions or Dynamic Partitions is different from the classic scheme.

Once you download the archive, you need to unpack it. Inside you will find a file with the.img extension, sometimes there may be several (for example, separately for different regions or versions), Place this file in the root folder of the ADB platform on your computer for easy access through the command line.

Instructions for installation via Fastboot

The process of replacing a regular recap with a custom one is Fastboot, a low-level protocol that allows you to write images directly to the device memory, bypassing the operating system, and make sure that the cable is securely connected and the drivers are installed correctly before you start.

Turn off your smartphone and enter Fastboot mode by pressing the volume button and connecting the cable to your PC. The Fastboot logo will appear on the screen with a picture of a rabbit repairing an android. Open the command prompt (CMD) or PowerShell in the folder with ADB tools and enter a command to check the connection:

fastboot devices

If you see the serial number of the device, the connection is established. Now you need to execute a command to record the image. It is important to understand that the standard command fastboot flash recovery name file.img on modern Xiaomi devices may not work correctly due to the mechanism of "anti-rollback" or instant reboot to normal immediately after the firmware.

fastboot boot name file.img

Or if you want to record the memory:

fastboot flash recovery_ab name file.img

After a successful recording, don't press the power button for a normal boot. Use a button combination (usually volume up + power) to log directly into the newly installed Recovery. If you just restart the device in the usual way, stock Recovery can automatically recover from backup or be overwritten by the system.

Comparison of stock and custom Recovery

Understanding the differences between standard and modified software helps to assess the need for the procedure. Xiaomi Stock Recovery is focused on minimalism and security: it allows you to reset settings or update the system with an officially signed package. Custom solutions open access to the file system and allow you to install software from any source.

Below is a table showing the key differences in functionality:

The scaling system also allows you to install sections as USB-However, it is worth remembering that advanced functionality requires deeper knowledge: improper cleaning of the Data or System partition can lead to loss of operation of the device.

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The main advantage of custom Recovery is the ability to install unsigned modifications and full backups before risky experiments.

Possible problems and solutions

During the software replacement process, users may encounter various errors, one of the most common is the message (failed) remote: device is locked. This means that the device bootloader is still locked and the Fastboot command cannot be executed, in which case you need to return to the unlock stage through the Milock Unlock Tool.

Another common problem is “bootloop” after installing a new image, which can be due to the incompatibility of the recovery version with the current version of Android or a corrupted file system, in which it helps to clean the Data partition directly from the menu of the new backpack, but this action will completely delete all the user files.

⚠️ Note: If the device stopped responding to buttons and the screen is black after firmware, you may have flashed an image designed for another model, in which case only flashing stock through the Mi Flash Tool program in mode will help. EDL (Emergency Download Mode, which often requires an authorized account.

Users can also see that after the first TWRP installation, it flies off when the first reboot is rebooted, because the hardware firmware checks the integrity of the recovery partition and replaces it with the original, and to avoid this, you need to boot into the system immediately after you install the TWRP, install a root rights manager application (if necessary) or a patch that will prevent a replacement, or use the fastboot boot command each time instead of a permanent record.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)