Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones have powerful hardware, but software failures can turn a device into a brick. Often users face problems after a failed “over the air” update or want to change the firmware region to access certain features.
The process of flashing through this mode allows you to write a clean image of the Android operating system with a MIUI or HyperOS shell on your phone, completely ignoring the current state of the software part. It is an effective method of combating banner ads in the system, cyclic reboots and account locks. However, despite the apparent simplicity, the procedure requires carefulness and strict adherence to the algorithm of actions.
In this article, we will discuss all the stages of preparation, from downloading the necessary drivers to entering the final commands into the console, you will learn how to safely put the device into boot mode and avoid common errors that can lead to complete failure of the smartphone.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Before we start to act, we need to prepare the software on the computer, and the main tool will be the ADB utility and Fastboot Tools, which provides low-level communication between the PC and the smartphone, and without this set of commands, the computer's operating system will not be able to correctly interpret the signals coming from the mobile device in boot mode.
A critical element is quality. USB-Cheap cables that come with budget electronics are often just for charging and don’t have the necessary lines to transmit data. Using such a cable will cause the computer to simply not see the phone, making firmware impossible.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
You will also need an archiver that can work with.tgz format, for example, 7-Zip Windows standard tools sometimes unpack nested folders incorrectly, which disrupts the structure of the firmware files. After unpacking, you should see many files, among which the key is the launch script. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the battery charge of the smartphone is at least 60%. interruption of the data writing process due to battery discharge can damage the partition of the bootloader, after which the phone will cease to respond to any commands.
Search and download compatible firmware
Choosing the right software version is the foundation of a successful installation. Fastboot firmware for Xiaomi is divided into two main types: Recovery and Fastboot. We need the second option, which usually has an extension of the.tgz archive, as opposed to.zip for Recovery versions. The Fastboot firmware file name often contains the word fastboot in the title.
Global versions are marked with MI in the model code, European versions are marked with EU, Russian versions are marked with RU, and Chinese versions are marked with CN. When changing regions (for example, from China to Global), Unlock Bootloader may be required, while flashing within the same region often takes place without additional checks.
Where to download secure firmware?
Once the archive is uploaded, it must be unpacked into the root of the disk, preferably so that the path to the folder does not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces. C:\xiaomi_rom\. This will eliminate script errors when trying to access files on a long or incorrect path.
Installation of drivers and PC configuration
The computer must correctly recognize the smartphone in Fastboot mode. This often requires manual installation of Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader drivers or specific Xiaomi USB Driver drivers. If a device with a yellow exclamation mark or an unknown device appears in the Device Manager when connecting the phone, the drivers are installed incorrectly.
To check the connection, open the command line (CMD) and type in the command fastboot devices, if you see the serial number of your device in response, then the connection is successfully established, and the lack of response indicates problems with drivers, cable or USB port.
It is recommended to use USB 2.0 ports located on the back of the system unit (directly on the motherboard). USB 3.0/3.1 ports on some motherboards may not work properly with Fastboot mode due to the characteristics of the controllers.
| Type of connection | Status in dispatch. | Action required |
|---|---|---|
| Regular regime | Xiaomi Android ADB Interface | Transfer to Fastboot |
| Fastboot | Android Bootloader Interface | Ready for firmware |
| EDL (9008) | Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader | Authorized account required |
| Mistake. | Unknown device | Update drivers manually |
Translation of the smartphone to Fastboot mode
There are several ways to put a device into bootloader mode, and the most common and safe method is to use a combination of buttons on the device that is turned off, press the Volume Down button and, without letting go, plug it in. USB-The screen should show a picture of a hare repairing an android and a sign that says FASTBOOT.
An alternative method is available if the phone is turned on and running. You can activate OEM Unlocking through the Developer menu and use the adb reboot bootloader command, which is preferred if the volume buttons are physically damaged or triggered.
If the phone is in a state of endless reboot, force the power button to be pressed for 10-15 seconds until the screen is completely turned off, and when the screen is turned off, quickly press the volume button down and connect the cable.
⚠️ Attention: Don't pull out USB-The interruption of system partition writing is almost guaranteed to lead to the need for complex recovery through the firmware process. EDL-fee-authorization.
The process of installing firmware through the console
Once you've successfully connected, you go to the folder with the unpacked firmware. In the address bar of Windows Explorer, type cmd and press Enter, and that will open the command prompt immediately in the right directory. You need to run the firmware script on behalf of the administrator to avoid problems with access rights to system files.
For the Windows operating system, the executable file is flash_all.bat. Simply enter its name into the console or double-click on it. The script will automatically start a consistent record of all sections: bootloader, logo, system partition, userdata and others.
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash vendor vendor.img
...As you run, you'll see progress bars and sending and writing statuses, and the whole process takes 3 to 10 minutes depending on the speed. USB-At the end, the script will execute the data clearing command (erase userdata) and restart the device.
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The main sign of success is the appearance of the MI or Xiaomi logo on the phone screen and the absence of red lines with errors in the command line of the PC.
Frequent mistakes and ways to solve them
One of the most common problems is the FAILED (remote:'Flashing is not allowed in Locked State') error, which means that the device bootloader is locked and you try to change the type of firmware (for example, from Chinese to Global) or downgrade the Android version. In this case, you need to officially unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock application, which requires a wait of 168 hours (7 days).
Another common mistake — FAILED (data size) or timeout of recordings. It often occurs due to poor cable, use of the data USB-Hub instead of direct connection or antivirus that blocks access to the port. Try replacing the cable, connecting the phone to another port and temporarily disabling the security software.
If the script ends with an error in the flash userdata step, it may be a sign of a physical malfunction of the smartphone’s flash memory or critical damage to the file system. In such cases, it may be necessary to manually format the partition with the fastboot erase userdata command before restarting the script.
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If the firmware was successful, but the phone is constantly rebooting, try to perform a full reset (Wipe Data) through the Recovery menu, pressing the power and volume button up.
First start and initial setup
Once the smartphone is automatically restarted, it will start the initial setup. The first run after running through Fastboot always takes longer than usual, 5 to 15 minutes. This is normal, as the system optimizes applications and creates new configuration files.
Since the Fastboot method involves a complete data cleanup, the phone will be like a new one: you will need to re-enter your Google account and Mi Account. If the Find Device feature was enabled on the device before flashing it, the system can request a password from the previous account for security purposes (FRP lock).
It is recommended to check the firmware version in the Settings → About Phone section immediately after download and make sure it matches the downloaded file. It is also worth checking the main modules: camera, Wi-Fi and touch screen to exclude hardware incompatibility.