Installing or reinstalling MIUI on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones can be required in a variety of situations, from banning an account to wanting to return a clean system after experimenting with custom firmware. However, the process is not always intuitive — especially for beginners. Firmware errors can turn a phone into a brick, and an incorrectly selected version of MIUI will lead to performance or compatibility problems.
In this guide, we will discuss three official ways to install MIUI (via Fastboot, Recovery, and OTA), detail on device preparation, choosing the right firmware, and solving typical errors. Special attention will be paid to unlocking the bootloader, without this step, most firmware methods simply will not work. If you have never flashed your smartphones before, start with the section on backing up data - this will save your nerves and time.
1.Preparation for MIUI installation: what to do before firmware
The first and most important step is to save all the data. Installing MIUI (especially through Fastboot) leads to a complete reset in 90% of cases. Even if you plan to upgrade through Recovery with saving files, you better be safe.
- 📱 Sync your contacts and notes with your Google or Mi Account (settings) → accounts).
- 📁 Copy photos and videos to your PC or cloud (e.g. Google Photos or Mi Cloud).
- 🔑 Save passwords from your browser or password manager (e.g. export them from Mi Browser or Chrome).
- 📱 Write it down. IMEI phone (type *#06# in dialer) – it may be necessary to restore the network after firmware.
Also check the battery power, which should be at least 60%. If the phone runs out during firmware, it can make it impossible to turn on the device without service intervention. Connect the smartphone to charge for the duration of the procedure.
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If you have root or custom Recovery installed (for example, TWRP), before the official MIUI Please use the command fastboot flash recovery. stock_recovery.img, To return stock Recovery, otherwise the update may end in error.
It is equally important to determine the exact model of your device. 10 The Pro has several modifications: sweet (global version), sweetin (India) and sweet_k6a (Install firmware from another modification is a sure way to get a bootloop:
- 🔍 In settings: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Model code name.
- 🔧 Through ADB: Connect your phone to your PC and run adb shell getprop ro.product.device
2 Unlock the bootloader: without it anywhere
If you are installing MIUI for the first time or switching from custom firmware, you will have to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi blocks it by default to protect against unauthorized changes. The unlocking process takes 3 to 15 days (depending on company policy) and requires you to link your Mi Account to the device.
Here's the step-by-step instruction:
- Activate USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI to turn on Developer Mode. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlock.
Link the Mi Account
- In the same developer menu, look for Mi Unlock Status.
- Click Add Account and Device and log in.
- Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (Windows only).
Linked to the Mi Account to the device|Debugging is on. USB|Download Mi Unlock Tool|Phone in Fastboot mode|Battery charge > 60%-->
Yeah, long ago.|Yeah, but I had to wait a few days.|No, I'm just planning.|I don't know what that is.-->
⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the phone will be erased, and some features (e.g. Mi Pay or Widevine) will also be deleted. L1 viewable HD-Netflix content may stop working, and sometimes it can only be restored by locking the bootloader again (which will erase all data again).
Method 3: Install MIUI via Fastboot (for power users)
Fastboot is the most reliable, but it's also the most complex, and it's good if you:
- 📥 You've got the loader unlocked.
You'll need to get the firmware:
- Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website)
Step-by-step:
- Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
- Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
Flash
Wait until the end (usually 5-10 minutes).
What to do if the Mi Flash Tool gives you a "Couldn't find fastboot" error
⚠️ Warning: If the phone has been stuck on the Mi logo for longer than 15 minutes after the firmware is installed, don’t panic – sometimes the first download takes up to 30 minutes. If nothing has changed after this time, try flashing the device again by selecting a different mode (Clean all instead of Save user data).
Method 2: Install MIUI via Recovery (without PC)
This method is simpler than Fastboot and doesn't require a computer connection.
- 📲 Updates to the current version MIUI (for example, MIUI 13 on MIUI 14).
- 🔄 System Restore after a failure (if the phone is still switched on).
- 📦 Firmware installations with data storage (but not guaranteed!).
You'll need:
- Firmware in.zip format for Recovery (download only from the official website!).
- Memory card or internal memory of the phone (minimum 4 GB of free space).
Instructions:
- Boot in Recovery: Turn off your phone. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears. Select the language (usually English by default).
Install update.zip to System
Specify the path to the firmware file
Wait for completion
| Type of firmware | Data retention | Unlocking required | Time of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fastboot (Clean all) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | 5-10 minutes |
| Fastboot (Save user data) | ⚠️ Partially. | ✅ Yes. | 5-10 minutes |
| Recovery (update.zip) | ✅ Yeah, not always) | ❌ No. | 10-15 minutes |
| OTA-update | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | 15-30 minutes |
⚠️ Note: If you install firmware via Recovery on a phone with an unlocked bootloader and custom Recovery (for example, TWRP), Before you do that, make sure to return stock Recovery. Otherwise, the update may end with the error E:footer is wrong.
5. Method 3: Update MIUI by Air (OTA)
The easiest and safest way is to upgrade by air (Over-The-Air, OTA).
- 📶 You have a stable internet connection (Wi-Fi is recommended).
- 📱 The phone is running smoothly (not hung on the logo).
- 🔒 The bootloader is locked (or you don’t plan to unlock it).
To update MIUI via OTA:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click Check for updates.
- If the update is available, download it (at least 2GB of free space is required).
- After downloading, click Reboot and install.
If the update does not come automatically, you can try:
- 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and networks → Resetting network settings.
- 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes updates only come through certain Wi-Fi networks) IP).
- 🔧 Manual download. OTA-page-pack MIUI Downloads and install it through Settings → Updating the system → Three points. → Select the update file.
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OTA-Updates are the safest method, but they come with a delay (sometimes months later than full firmware). MIUI Use Fastboot or Recovery immediately.
6.Typical Mistakes When Installing MIUI and How to Fix Them
Even with strict adherence to the instructions, errors can occur, and here are the most common ways to solve them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Couldn't verify device (in Mi Flash Tool) | Mi drivers or Mi Account are not tied | Reinstall drivers, check the account binding in the developer settings |
| E:footer is wrong (in Recovery) | A damaged firmware file or model mismatch | Download the firmware again, check the code name of the model |
| The phone is stuck on the Mi logo | Incompatible firmware or interrupted process | Repeat the firmware through Fastboot with a full clean (Clean all) |
| This package is for "sweet" devices; this is a "sweetin" | Firmware for another modification of the device | Download the firmware specifically for your model (check the code name) |
| Mistake 7 in TWRP | Attempt to establish an official MIUI through custom Recovery | Return stock Recovery or stream through Fastboot |
If the IMEI disappeared after the firmware or the mobile network stopped working, try to restore it using the engineering menu:
- Dial in ##4636###.
- Go to the phone information.
- Click Select SIM and check the IMEI.
- If IMEI It is not available, restore it with the help of QCN-file (requires a backup copy made before firmware).
How to Restore Widevine L1 After Firmware
7. How to Choose the Right MIUI Version for Your Xiaomi
One of the most common questions is: what firmware to download? on the Xiaomi website, there are usually several options available:
- 🌍 Global (Fastboot/Recovery) — for international versions (supported by Google services, Russian language).
- 🇨🇳 China (Fastboot/Recovery) — Chinese firmware (without Google, but with maximum features) MIUI).
- 🇪🇺 EEA (European Economic Area (similar to Global, but with some limitations).
- 📱 Stable/Beta — stable or test branch (beta may contain bugs but has new features).
How do you determine which firmware is right for you?
- Check the current version of MIUI in Settings → About Phone. If you already have Global, don’t install China – this can lead to network or language issues.
- Global versions usually have the letter M in the model name (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro M2101K6G). Chinese versions are the letter C (for example, Mi 11 Ultra M2102K1C).
Download the firmware only from official sources
- Official MIUI website.
- Xiaomi Firmware Updater (unofficial but reliable archive)
⚠️ Note: Installation of Chinese firmware (China) ROM) The global system will lead to:
- No Google services (you will have to install manually).
- 4G/5G problems in some regions (due to different frequencies)
- Inability to renew through OTA Global version without full re-flashing.