How to install MIUI on Xiaomi: official and custom firmware

Why install MIUI on Xiaomi?

Xiaomi’s MIUI shell is one of the most popular custom firmware for Android devices. It offers unique design, advanced personalization features and optimization for the iron of the brand’s smartphones. However, even owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices sometimes face the need to reinstall or update MIUI — whether it’s a return to the stock version after experimenting with custom ROMs, recovery from a crash, or the desire to get a fresh version of the shell with new chips.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install MIUI on Xiaomi smartphones: from official methods through Fastboot and Recovery to the nuances of working with an unlocked bootloader. We will focus on preparing the device, choosing the right version of the firmware and typical errors that can turn the process into a headache. If you are a beginner, don’t worry: we will explain each step in detail, and experienced users will find here the latest life hacks and warnings about pitfalls.

⚠️ Important: Smartphone firmware is always fraught with risks. Mistakes can lead to a device blink (total inoperability), data loss or warranty cancellation. If your Xiaomi is still under warranty – official flashing through the Mi Flash Tool will not deprive you of the rights to the service, but install custom versions. MIUI (For example, from Xiaomi.eu, the warranty is removed.

1. Preparation of the device for installation of MIUI

Before you start firmware, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to failures in the installation process or even loss of access to the smartphone.

The first thing you need to do is to save all the important data. Fastboot or Recovery will cause a complete device reset (wipe) in most cases. Use cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive), a computer or an external drive to back up:

📸 Photos and videos (including screenshots and downloads from messengers)
📱 Contacts and call log (export in.vcf format)
📄 Documents and files from Download, Documents folders
🎮 Game Save (if cloud-based save is supported, sync)

The second is to check the device model and the current version of MIUI, which is critical for choosing the right firmware.

📱 In settings: Settings → The phone. → Model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro) 5G Xiaomi 12T)
🔍 On the device box or under the battery (if removable)
💻 Through ADB: Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command adb shell getprop ro.product.model

The third step is to unlock the bootloader (if it is locked), without which most firmware methods will not be available. Read more about this in the next section.

2. Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi

The bootloader on Xiaomi smartphones is locked by default, a security measure that prevents unauthorized firmware changes, and to install MIUI unofficially or via Fastboot, it must be unlocked.

The official way to unlock is through the Mi Unlock Tool, which takes anywhere from a few days to a week due to the mandatory waiting for confirmation from Xiaomi.

Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
Log in to Mi Account on your phone and link it to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
Enable Developer Options (7 times click on the MIUI version in your phone settings) and activate OEM Unlock and USB Debugging.
Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to the same Mi Account and follow the instructions, and you’ll likely have to wait 168 hours (7 days) before unlocking.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the phone will be erased, and some features (such as Mi Pay or Find Device) may stop working on informal firmware. If you are flashing a device for sale, unlocking the bootloader will reduce the cost of the bootloader in the secondary market.

There are also informal ways to unlock (for example, through exploits or paid services), but they carry the risk of blocking your Mi Account or damaging your device.

Yes, official way | Yes, through unofficial methods |No, just planning |I don't know how to check |I have my bootloader blocked-->

3. Selecting a version of MIUI for installation

Before downloading the firmware, you need to decide on its type. Xiaomi offers several options for MIUI, each of which has its own characteristics:

Type of firmware	Description	Pluses	Cons
Official Global (Global)	Stock firmware for the international market. Supports Google services, but it can contain advertising.	Stable work, official updates, support for Google Play.	It can contain bloatware (preinstalled Xiaomi applications).
Official Chinese (China)	Firmware for the Chinese market, without Google services, but with maximum optimization.	More frequent updates, less advertising, and additional features (like Super Wallpapers).	No Google Play, the default language is Chinese (can be changed).
Xiaomi.eu	Unofficial firmware based on the Chinese version, but with added Google services and no advertising.	The optimal balance between functionality and cleanliness of the system.	It's not official, it's possible to get bugs, it's voided.
Castomium (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)	Firmware from third-party developers based on pure Android or other shells.	Maximum customization, no bloatware.	It can be unstable, there is no official support for Xiaomi.

For most users, the best choice will be the official global firmware or xiaomi.eu. The first is suitable for those who value stability and do not want to lose the warranty, the second is for enthusiasts who are willing to sacrifice the warranty for the sake of additional features and no advertising.

⚠️ Note: Installing firmware not designed for your model (e.g. global on a Chinese device) may result in broken modules (NFC, Camera, sensors, or complete phone failure. Always check the device's code name (e.g., vili for Xiaomi) 11T Pro) and download the firmware exactly for it.

Download official firmware on the sites:

🌍 Official website MIUI (Global)
🇨🇳 Official website MIUI (China)
🔧 Xiaomi.eu (unofficial firmware)

adb shell getprop ro.product.device

This parameter is critical for choosing the right firmware!-->

4. MIUI installation methods: Fastboot vs Recovery

There are two main ways to install MIUI on Xiaomi: through Fastboot and through Recovery, each with its own advantages and limitations. Let's take a closer look at them.

Installation via Fastboot (recommended for official firmware)

Fastboot is suitable for installing official firmware and requires an unlocked bootloader, which is considered more reliable, since the firmware is installed directly through the computer, avoiding possible Recovery errors.

You'll need firmware.

💻 Windows computer (for Mi Flash Tool)
🔌 Original. USB-cable (important for stable connection)
📦 Archive with firmware in.tgz or.zip format (unpack it)
🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool

Step-by-step:

Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
Connect the device to your PC. Make sure the drivers are installed (if not, download Mi Phone Manager).
Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
Select firmware mode: Clean all - complete cleaning (recommended for changing the version of MIUI), Clean all and lock - cleaning + lock bootloader (only for official firmware!) Save user data - data storage (not always stable)

Flash

Important: If you choose Clean all and lock, the bootloader will lock and you will have to re-unblock it to re-run it (with a wait of 168 hours).

Installation via Recovery (for custom firmware)

Recovery is suitable for installation of unofficial firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) or updates via OTA-This would require custom Recovery, such as TWRP Or OrangeFox.

Advantages of the method:

✅ No need to connect to a PC (you can flash directly from your phone)
✅ Allows you to make backups through TWRP
✅ Supports installation ZIP-firmware

Instructions:

Turn off your phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.

Install

Swipe to Confirm Flash

Reboot System

⚠️ Attention: Installation through TWRP This can cause an Error 7 error if the firmware is incompatible with your device, in which case, check the code name of the firmware and phone model.

💡

Use Fastboot via Mi Flash Tool to install the official firmware. Custom ROMs (e.g. xiaomi.eu) will require TWRP and Recovery.

5. Typical errors and their solution

Even with strict adherence to the instructions, the firmware process may not go according to plan, and let's look at some of the most common errors and how to fix them.

Mistake.	Reason.	Decision
Couldn't unlock bootloader in Mi Unlock Tool	168 hours have passed since the account was linked or the account is not authorized.	Wait 7 days or check that the phone and Mi Unlock Tool use one Mi Account.
Fastboot mode... waiting for device	The PC doesn’t see the phone in Fastboot mode (no drivers or cable issues).	Install Xiaomi drivers, try another cable or USB port. In Device Manager, check if the phone is defined as Android Bootloader Interface.
Error: Failed to Flash in Mi Flash Tool	A firmware file or incompatible version is damaged.	Download the firmware again and check its integrity (the archive must not be damaged).
Phone stuck on MI logo after firmware	Incompatible firmware or incomplete partition cleaning.	Repeat the firmware with full cleanup (Clean all in Mi Flash Tool or Wipe Data in TWRP).
E: Footer is wrong or E: Signature verification failed in TWRP	The firmware is not designed to be installed via Recovery or is damaged.	Try flashing through Fastboot or downloading the firmware again. For xiaomi.eu, use special versions for Recovery.

If the phone doesn’t turn on or reboots constantly after firmware, try the following steps:

Press Volume Up + Power for 10-15 seconds for forced reboot.
If it doesn’t work, repeat the firmware with a complete data cleanup.
For devices with a locked bootloader, try flashing the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean all and lock option.