Owners of the legendary budget Xiaomi Redmi 3 (codenamed ido) often face the inability to receive official updates to the operating system. the Standard path through the update menu has long been closed, leaving the device on older versions of MIUI. However, community enthusiasts have developed many informal builds to breathe new life into the smartphone.
Installing Android 10 on this device is not just a change of image, but also real performance gains, support for modern applications and improved security.The process requires care and strict follow-up instructions, as work is carried out at the level of system partitions.
Any software interference can lead to data loss or, in the worst case, turn the phone into a brick. However, with the right approach, Redmi 3 can run smoothly even on modern versions of Android.
Preparing a smartphone and computer for flashing
The first step is to collect all the tools you need. You'll need a Windows computer that's working. USB-cable and charged battery of the smartphone (preferably more than 60%). ADB Fastboot drivers and Xiaomi specific drivers USB Driver.
On the device itself, you need to activate the hidden developer menu. To do this, go to Settings → About the phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number seven times. After that, a new item will appear on the menu "For developers", where you should enable debugging over USB and unlock OEM.
☑️ Preparation for installation
It is important to make a full backup of all data, since the installation process of the new OS involves a complete cleanup of internal memory, and photos, contacts and documents should be transferred to the cloud service or computer in advance.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Without an unlocked bootloader, customized recavator and firmware cannot be installed. The official method requires an application on Mi Unlock and a wait of 7 to 30 days, a mandatory safety procedure from the manufacturer.
Once authorized, link your Mi Account to the developer menu (Trackloader Status → Add Account). Then turn off your phone and enter Fastboot mode by pressing the volume down and cable connection button. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on your PC and follow the instructions on the screen.
⚠️ Warning: The unlocking process will automatically delete all data from the device. Make sure you save important information in advance.Re-unblocking can be blocked for 168 hours (7 days) after the first attempt.
If the utility gives an error, check the Internet connection and the correctness of the account entered. Sometimes it helps to reconnect the cable or use another one. USB-Successful unlocking is confirmed by the appearance of a hare repairing an android on the phone screen when turned on.
What if the Mi Unlock Tool is 99% locked?
Installation of custom TWRP Recovery
Staff recovery can not install third-party firmware, so you need to replace the TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). for Redmi 3 there are several versions, but for Android 10, it is recommended to use builds with support for encryption and the latest kernel.
Download a file image of the recovery with the.img extension, specially adapted for the ido device. Place it in the folder with the ADB tools on your computer. Open the command line in this folder and enter a command to put the phone into firmware mode:
adb reboot bootloaderAfter making sure that the phone is in Fastboot mode, execute the image firmware command:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x.x-ido.imgOnce you've recorded it successfully, you need to manually switch to Recovery mode, which is usually done with a combination of volume and power keys while the phone vibrates when it's turned off. If you just restart the system in the usual way, the stock bootloader can replace the TWRP back with the standard one.
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Use the command "fastboot boot twrp.img" to temporarily run the recovery without writing to memory, which allows you to check the health of the file before the final installation.
Choosing and Preparing Android 10
For Xiaomi Redmi 3, there are many ports of Android 10. The most stable are the builds of LineageOS 17.1, Pixel Experience and ArrowOS. The choice depends on your preferences: if you want a clean interface like the Google Pixel, choose Pixel Experience, if you want maximum customization - LineageOS.
You should only download files from trusted sources, such as the 4PDA forum or the official XDA Developers portal. Pay attention to the date of the last build and the list of known bugs. For ido, there are often problems with the camera in some builds, so read user comments.
| Type of firmware | Features | Recommended user |
|---|---|---|
| LineageOS | Minimalism, high speed, no unnecessary applications | Experienced users |
| Pixel Experience | Google’s interface clone, stability, all services out of the box | Fans of pure Android |
| MIUI Ports | Preserve the familiar interface Xiaomi, but based on Android 10 | MIUI shell fans |
| ArrowOS | Balance between functionality and ease, excellent optimization | Everyday use |
After downloading the firmware archive (usually.zip) and GApps (if not built-in), copy them to the phone’s internal memory or microSD card. Checking the file checksums before installing will help avoid unpacking errors.
Process of installation of the operating system
Boot to the TWRP you installed earlier. First thing you need to do is clear the old system partitions. Go to the Wipe menu and select Advanced Wipe. Check the Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data and Cache sections. Internal Storage section is not necessary if the firmware files are there.
Run a swipe to clean. Once complete, go back to the main menu and select Install. Find an archive with Android 10 firmware and confirm the swipe installation. The process takes 2 to 5 minutes.
If the firmware requires you to install GApps separately, repeat the installation procedure immediately after you have firmware, without restarting your phone, otherwise you will get a system without Play Market and an app store.
⚠️ Note: When you switch from Android 9 to Android 10, make sure to do a full Wipe. Trying to upgrade on top of the old system with data storage ("Dirty Flash") in 99% of cases will lead to a cyclic reboot (bootloop).
Setup and optimization after installation
After a successful installation and first turn on, which can last up to 10 minutes, you will see the Android 10 Welcome Screen.Initial setup is standard, but it is worth paying attention to the battery settings and notifications, as in new versions of Android, the algorithms for working with background processes are different from the old ones.
Redmi 3 is a hot-button issue on new cores, and it’s recommended to install CPU frequency control applications or use built-in energy saving profiles, and check the sensors and screen calibration.
If you notice increased heat, try to reduce the maximum CPU frequency through root rights or special controller apps. Android 10 is more resource-conscious than its predecessors, so optimizing power consumption is critical for this device.
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Proper initial setup and removal of unused system applications can increase the battery life of Redmi 3 on Android 10 by up to 20%.