Modification of the Android operating system on Xiaomi devices opens up limitless possibilities for customization and fine-tuning.
One of the most popular tools for this purpose is the custom recovery Orange Fox Recovery Project, which provides enhanced functionality compared to the standard Recovery from the manufacturer.
It is this utility that allows you to create full system backups, install third-party firmware, obtain root rights and perform complex operations to clean up memory partitions.
The installation process requires care and strict adherence to the sequence of actions, since interference in the system partition carries certain risks.
Before you start, you need to make sure that your smartphone model is fully compatible, since there are no universal solutions for all devices in the Redmi, POCO and Mi line.
Further steps will help you safely replace the stock loader with an advanced version, while maintaining the functionality of the gadget.
Preparation of the device and collection of necessary tools
The foundation of successful firmware is the correct preparation of the workplace and software.
You’ll need a computer running Windows, Linux or macOS with ADB and Fastboot drivers installed, which provide communication between the PC and smartphone in service mode.
Without these drivers, the computer simply won’t see the device in bootloader mode, making further manipulations impossible.
It is also critical to have original USB-A cable that can transmit data, not just charge the battery.
⚠️ Note: Using cheap “charging only” cables is the most common cause of connection errors when firmware is used, which can cause the recording process to be interrupted.
Don’t forget to make a full backup of all important data, as unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recap will result in complete removal of information from the internal drive.
Download the current image of Orange Fox for your model of the device from the official website of the project or proven forums.
Unlocking the Xiaomi Mi Unlock bootloader
Xiaomi has implemented strict restrictions on software modification, so the first mandatory step is to unlock the bootloader.
To do this, you need to link your Mi Account to your device through the Settings menu → About Phone → Tap 7 times according to MIUI to activate the developer mode.
Then, in the Advanced Settings menu → For developers, activate the "Factory Unlock" and "Debugging by USB".
After enabling these functions, download the official Mi Unlock Tool utility to your computer and log in to your acca.
It is important to know that after applying for an unlock, you often have to wait 7 to 168 hours before the Xiaomi server allows the procedure.
Attempting to unlock the device before the timer is set will lead to an error and reset the time counter.
To perform unlocking, transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode, pressing the volume reduction button when the device is turned off, and connect it to the PC.
In the Mi Unlock utility, click the Unlock button and wait for the process to complete, which will completely clear the data on the phone.
After successful unlocking, an open lock icon or the inscription "Unlocked" will appear on the boot screen.
Download Orange Fox image and check integrity
After successfully unlocking the bootloader, it is necessary to prepare the recaveri firmware file itself.
A downloaded file usually has the.img extension and should be renamed recovery.img for ease of use with the command line, although this is not strictly mandatory.
Place this file in the root folder where the ADB tools are installed so as not to prescribe long paths to the files.
It is recommended to check the checksum of the downloaded file to make sure there are no errors when downloading from the Internet.
A damaged image file can cause the phone to go into an endless reboot or stop reacting.
team up.
Use the command prompt to check the hash amount if the developer has provided such information.
Make sure that the battery is at least 60-70% before the procedure.
⚠️ Warning: Sudden power outage during image recording in the Recovery section can irreversibly damage the boot sector, turning the phone into a brick".
It is also worth disabling antivirus software on your computer, which sometimes blocks the work of Fastboot drivers, considering them suspicious.
Transfer of the smartphone to Fastboot mode and connection
Now you need to connect the prepared smartphone with a computer to transmit commands.
Turn off the device completely and press the volume button, holding it until the Fastboot logo with the image of a hare repairing an android appears on the screen.
Connect your phone to your PC through USB-Cable and open the command line or terminal in the tool folder ADB.
Enter the command fastboot devices to check the connection.
If you see the serial number of the device in response, then the connection is established correctly and you can proceed.
If no response is available, check the Windows Device Manager for unknown devices and reinstall the drivers.
Sometimes you need to reconnect the cable several times or change it. USB-port (USB 2.0) as some ports USB 3.0 can cause conflict.
Make sure the command line shows the status of the device as fastboot.
☑️ Firmware readiness
The Orange Fox installation process via Fastboot
This is the most important stage where the new Recovery is directly recorded in the memory of the device.
In the command line, enter a command to temporarily load the image, without erasing anything permanently:
fastboot boot recovery.imgThis team will run Orange Fox directly from RAM, which will allow you to test its performance without risk.
Once the phone boots into the Orange Fox interface, go to the Recovery Settings section.
Find the item responsible for installing the Recovery in the memory section, and confirm the action.
Only after that, the new recaveri will be recorded in permanent memory and will remain there after the reboot.
If you miss the step with the installation from inside the recovery, after the restart, the phone will return to the drain Recovery.
In some cases, for devices with A/B (seamless updates) partitions, the command may differ and require a specific slot to be specified.
Primary setup and backup creation
After successful installation, Orange Fox must perform an initial setup for stable operation.
When first run, the recaveri may suggest installing a magic patch or saving a modified bootloader.
Follow the on-screen hints by choosing Magisk installation if you need root rights.
It is essential to immediately back up your current system while it is in working order.
Go to Backup, select all the sections (System, Data, Boot, Vendor) and swipe to start the process.
Keep the archives on the outside SD-card or transfer to your computer, as internal memory may become unavailable if it fails.
In the settings of the recavery, it is also recommended to turn on password protection to prevent non-sanction.
Access to your device in case of loss.
Orange Fox allows you to encrypt backups, which adds an extra layer of security to your data.
What if Orange Fox doesn’t see the internal memory?
Solving problems and errors in installation
Even with strict adherence to the instructions, unforeseen situations can occur.
One of the common problems is the reboot cycle (bootloop) after installing the recavery.
In this case, you need to re-enter Fastboot mode and reflash the image again, possibly using a different version of the file.
If your computer doesn’t see your device in Fastboot mode, try using another one. USB-cable.
Also helps is cleaning the driver cache and re-installing the SDK Platform Tools platform.
Sometimes the problem lies in the antivirus, which blocks the execution of scripts.
There are cases when the camera or fingerprint sensor stops working after the installation of Orange Fox.
This is often solved by installing the appropriate patches or firmware compatible version of MIUI/EU before installing the recavery.
Do not ignore log error messages if they are displayed on the screen.
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If you lose access to internal memory after installing the recovery, don't panic. Do formatting the Data partition (not just Wipe, but Format Data) through the recovery menu by entering "yes." This will remove the encryption imposed by the stock firmware.
| Mistake. | Probable cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting for device | Not installed drivers or bad cable | Check the Device Manager, change the cable |
| Failed to boot recovery | Incompatible file image | Download the version strictly for your model |
| Signature verification failed | The bootloader is not unlocked | Repeat the Mi Unlock process again |
| Unable to mount /data | Encryption of the data section | Perform Format Data in Recavator |
Constantly updating your knowledge of your device model is the key to successful modding.
Developer forums contain up-to-date information about bugs of specific versions of Android and Orange Fox.
Don’t be afraid to experiment, but always have stock firmware on hand to return to its original state.
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The main key to success is the use of files designed specifically for your model, and the presence of an unlocked bootloader before starting any actions.