Xiaomi Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to connect the device to the computer not just to transfer files, but to perform more complex operations, installing drivers becomes mandatory when flashing, unlocking the bootloader or debugging applications. Without the right one. USB-Your computer will not see your phone in Fastboot or Recovery mode.
The installation process can seem confusing due to the many driver versions and features of the MIUI shell. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of connection, from automatic installation to manual registration of paths in the Device Manager.
To start, make sure you have a good one. USB-cable, preferably original or certified, damaged cables often cause intermittent connection, which is critical when installing system components, and prepare Internet access on your computer to automatically download the necessary files.
Why you need Xiaomi drivers and what they are
The driver is a software intermediary that explains how to interact with a connected device in the Windows operating system. There are several types of drivers in the Xiaomi ecosystem, each of which is responsible for its own mode of operation of the smartphone, and understanding the differences between them is key to successfully solving connection problems.
The main type is the ADB Driver (Android Debug Bridge), which is required for debugging over USB, installing applications via a computer, taking screenshots in high resolution and executing commands through the console. This driver works when the phone is on normal and the request for debugging permission is displayed on the screen.
The second critical type is the Fastboot Driver, which is used when the phone is in bootloader mode (android repairing hare mode). Without this driver, it is impossible to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock utility or flash the device through Fastboot. Often Windows cannot find this driver automatically, requiring manual installation.
⚠️ Warning: Trying to flash your phone in Fastboot mode without the driver installed can cause a communication error but won’t hurt the device. However, interrupting the firmware process due to loss of connection can turn your smartphone into a brick".
The third type is VCOM Driver (or Preloader), which only activates in the deepest recovery modes when the phone is completely off and you press the volume buttons before you plug in the cable, and it's a driver that you use to recover dead devices through programs like the SP Flash Tool.
Preparation of the smartphone and computer for installation
Before you start installing any software, you need to configure the smartphone itself correctly. Android's default debugging modes are hidden from the average user for security reasons. You'll need to activate the hidden developer menu.
Go to your phone and find About Phone. Inside this menu, you need to quickly click on MIUI 7 times. After a series of clicks, a pop-up notification will appear that you have become a developer. Now a new section Additional or Advanced Settings will appear in the main settings menu, where you need to select For Developers.
☑️ Checklist of device preparation
In the menu for developers, find the debugging switch USB You can activate it. You can agree with the system to alert you to the risks. USB, If it's available in your firmware version, you may need to insert this to activate this item. SIM-card and log into the Mi-account.
On the computer side, it is recommended to disable driver signature verification if you are using older versions of Windows or specific hardware. However, in most cases, modern versions of Windows 10 and 11 handle Xiaomi digital signatures automatically. Make sure that on disk C: at least 500 MB of space is free for temporary installation files.
Automatic installation via ADB Driver Installer
The easiest and most reliable way for most users is to use a universal installer. ADB Driver Installer. This utility automatically detects the model of the device, downloads the appropriate files and prescribes them to the system. You don't have to manually search. INF-files or dig into the Device Manager.
Download the current installer version from the official website or a trusted source. Launch the file on behalf of the administrator. The program will offer you to install the necessary components, including the Android SDK Platform-tools. Accept the terms and wait for the copying of the files to be completed.
Connect the unlocked smartphone to your computer with a cable. The phone screen will be prompted to allow debugging. USB? mapped RSA-Check the box Always allow from this computer and press OK. The installer must identify the device and complete the driver installation.
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If the automatic installer is hanging during the device search stage, try changing it. USB-port on the computer. USB 2.0 (black) is often more stable for debugging than USB 3.0 (blue).
Once you have successfully installed your phone in the Device Manager section of Android Devices or Portable Devices, the device status should be "Device is operating normally." If you see a yellow exclamation point, the driver is not up properly and you will need to manually install it.
Manual installation of drivers through Device Manager
If the automatic methods don’t work, you’ll have to install the drivers manually, which requires care, as choosing the wrong device model in the list can cause the port to fail. First, download the archive with the Xiaomi USB Driver drivers and unpack it into a convenient folder.
Connect your phone to your PC in the mode you need the driver for (e.g., turn on Fastboot mode by pressing the volume button when the phone is off, and plug in the cable). Open Device Manager on your computer (press Win) + X and select the appropriate item. Find a device with a yellow icon, it can be called Android, Unknown Device or QHSUSB_BULK.
Right-click on the device and select Update the driver. In the next window, select Search for drivers on this computer. Click Overview and specify the path to the folder where you unpacked the drivers. Be sure to tick Including nested folders.
| Type of device | Name in dispatch. | Required driver | Entry mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartphone (MTP) | Portable Devices | MTP USB Device | Regular regime |
| Debugging (ADB) | Android ADB Interface | Android ADB Interface | USB debugging |
| Loader | Android Bootloader | Android Bootloader Interface | Fastboot (Vol- + Power) |
| Deep Testing | QHSUSB_BULK | Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader | Test Point / 2 buttons |
The system will warn you that the driver is not digitally signed or the model is not entirely accurate. Ignore the warning and click Install Still. Once installed successfully, the device should disappear from the list of unknowns and appear in the Android Device section.
What to do if Windows blocks the installation?
Solving problems with Qualcomm and MediaTek drivers
Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are based on Qualcomm Snapdragon or MediaTek Helio processors. Drivers for these chipsets are different. If your phone is "burst" and does not turn on at all, you will most likely need a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver. This mode is called EDL (Emergency Download Mode).
To enter this mode on most modern models requires disassembly of the case and closure of test points on the board, or the use of a special cable. QHSUSB_BULK.
When manually installed, select Qualcomm Incorporated from the manufacturer list, and Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 from the model list. If there is no such item, use the Install from disk and specify the.inf file from the driver folder. After installation, the COM port will appear in the Ports (COM and LPT) section.
⚠️ Attention: Operational mode EDL (9008) is designed for service centers, and in this mode, non-professional firmware can permanently lock the device due to its binding to the Mi Account (Mi Account Lock).
For MediaTek processors, the Preloader USB VCOM Port driver is relevant. It is necessary to use the SP Flash Tool utility. The peculiarity of this driver is that it is installed only when the phone is switched off for a short time. You need to press the installation button in the dispatcher and immediately connect the cable.
Checking the operation and diagnostics of the connection
Once you have installed all the necessary components, make sure that the connection is set correctly. Open the command line (cmd) or PowerShell. Go to the folder where the ADB is installed (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools or the folder where you unpacked the tools).
Enter a command to check for ADB status:
adb devicesIf your device serial number and device status are displayed on the list, the ADB driver is working perfectly. If unauthorized, look at your phone screen and confirm access. If the list is empty, the driver is not installed or debugging is off.
To check the Fastboot mode, enter the command:
fastboot devicesThe response should show the serial number of the device in bootloader mode, which confirms the successful installation of the Fastboot driver. If the computer does not respond, try another one. USB-cable or port, as some cables only support charging.
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Successful driver installation is confirmed not only by the absence of errors in the Device Manager, but also by the correct response to the commands ADB and Fastboot in the command line.