How to Install OrangeFox Recovery on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Unlocking the bootloader

Installing custom OrangeFox Recovery on Xiaomi smartphones is the first step to complete freedom of action with your device. With it you can flash informal firmware, make backups of NANDroid, restore data and even bypass some restrictions. MIUI. But the process requires accuracy: an error in the stage of unlocking the bootloader or firmware can turn the phone into a “brick».

In this article, we will discuss all the stages from the preparation of the device to the final test of OrangeFox Recovery, POCO F3, Mi 11 and others, and the common problems users face, if you've never worked with a user before. ADB or Fastboot, do not worry: the instruction is adapted for beginners, but taking into account all the technical details.

⚠️ Important: The procedure voids Xiaomi's warranty and erases all data from the device. If you're not ready for it, stop right now.

1.Preparation of the device: what to do before installation

Before you start installing OrangeFox Recovery, you need to follow a few critical steps, and skipping at least one of them can cause a procedure to fail or even damage the firmware.

First, unlock your Xiaomi bootloader, without which no custom recavator can be installed. The official way is through the Mi Unlock website, but there are nuances: for example, for some regions (including Russia) it may be necessary to install a custom recavator. VPN. Also note that after unlocking the device will automatically perform a reset to factory settings – stock up with a backup of data.

Second, check the version. MIUI For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro can be either sweet (global) or sweetin (Indian) and can be codenamed through the Mi Info app or the team:

adb shell getprop ro.product.device

• 📱 Make sure the battery is at least 70% charged – interruption of the process due to discharge is fraught with consequences.
• 🔧 Install the drivers. ADB/Fastboot It's a Windows Minimal package. ADB and Fastboot, for Linux/macOS — standard utilities through the terminal.
• 🔗 Download the correct version of OrangeFox for your model from the official website orangefox.download (arm64 or arm) and firmware region.
• 🛠️ Prepare the cable. USB — It is desirable to be original, since cheap cables can cause data transmission errors.

⚠️ Note: If your device was purchased in China (version) CN), To unlock the bootloader, you may need to link the Chinese Mi Account. In this case, it is easier to use alternative methods of unlocking through the Internet. EDL, But it's a topic for a separate article.

2. Unlocking the bootloader: step-by-step instructions

Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi is the most critical step, taking 3 to 7 days due to the mandatory waiting for confirmation from Xiaomi servers.

1. Link your Mi Account to your device: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Sync: Make sure the device is linked to the account (the device must be ticked "Device Linked»).
2. Activate Developer Mode: Open Settings → About the phone. Press 7 times on "Version" MIUI», Notice: “You have become a developer».

Enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Activate the "Debugging by" switches USB» and “Unlocking” OEM».

Now connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool. Sign in with the same Mi Account as your phone. The utility should show a wait message (usually 168 hours) and then try again, the bootloader will be unlocked.

Linked to the Mi Account to the device

Developer mode is on

USB debugging activated

OEM unlock enabled

Device charged. >70%

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⚠️ Note: If the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a “Couldn’t unlock” error even after waiting, try: Use another one. USB-port (preferably) USB Disable the antivirus on the PC. Try another cable or computer.

3.OrangeFox Version Choice: How Not to Go Wrong

OrangeFox Recovery supports most Xiaomi models, but not all builds are universal. A version choice error can cause the recovery to simply not start or, worse, damage the boot section.

The official OrangeFox website has broken down versions by device code names, including:

• Redmi Note 10 Pro — sweet
• POCO F3 — alioth
• Mi 11 — venus

If you are not sure about the choice, check compatibility on the forums. XDA Developers or telegram chats about your model. POCO X3 Pro (vayu) has separate builds with support for Dynamic Partitions, which are not suitable for standard firmware.

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If there is no version for your model on the site, try searching for unofficial ports on the site. XDA. But be careful: these builds may contain errors.

4.OrangeFox Installation: Fastboot vs Method TWRP

There are two main ways to install OrangeFox Recovery: via Fastboot or through an already installed one. TWRP. The first method is suitable for “clean” devices, the second – if you already have custom Recovery.

Method 1: Installation via Fastboot (recommended)

This is a much more reliable method, because it doesn't depend on the current state of the recaveri.

• 🖥️ PC with installation ADB/Fastboot.
• 📁.img file with OrangeFox (e.g, OrangeFox-R11.1_3-sweet.img).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices should display your phone’s serial number.
3. Recreation: Fastboot Flash Recovery OrangeFox-R11.1_3-sweet.img
4. Reboot to Recovery: Fastboot Reboot Recovery

Method 2: Installation through TWRP

If you already have. TWRP, simplification:

1. Download the.zip file from OrangeFox (not.img!).
2. Move it to the phone or SD-map.
3. Boot in. TWRP, Choose Install → Select the.zip file → Swipe to confirm.
4. After installation, reboot to a new recaverie.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Mi) 11 Dynamic Partitions installation through TWRP This is a problem with E: Unknown command. [log]. In this case, use only Fastboot.

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If the phone is loaded after the firmware MIUI, Not in OrangeFox, so the Recovery was overwritten by stock firmware. Solution: Turn off automatic recapture updates in the settings. MIUI (Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI → Threefold → Settings → Turn off "Recaveri update").

5.The first download and setup of OrangeFox

Once installed successfully, you will be placed on the OrangeFox Recovery menu, which is very different from the standard menu. TWRP — There is a built-in file manager, support OTA-Updates and even theme design.

The first thing to do is to create a backup copy:

1. Go to Backup. → Select partitions.
2. Check the boxes Boot, Data, System.
3. Select a storage location (internal memory or storage). SD-map).
4. Press Swipe to Backup.

We also recommend:

• 🔒 Set a password for the recap: Settings → Security → Set password.
• 🌐 Set up language: Settings → Language → Russian (if available).
• 🔄 Disable signature verification (if you plan to file unofficial checks) ZIP): Settings → Zip signature verification → Disable.

6. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with the correct following of the instructions, problems can arise, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If your problem is not described above, check the error logs in OrangeFox:

1. Go to Advanced. → Copy Log.
2. Copy the log on your PC and analyze (or ask a question on the forum with the log attached).

7. Additional features of OrangeFox

OrangeFox Recovery is not just a replacement TWRP, It's a full-fledged tool for advanced users, and here are a few features that distinguish it from its peers:

• 🔄 Support OTA-Updates: Official updates can be installed MIUI straight out of the Recovery without losing the root right.
• 📁 Built-in file manager with support for tar, zip, and even DM-verity.
• 🔧 Partitioning tool: resize, backup of individual partitions (vendor, product).
• 🎨 Topics: You can download additional themes directly to the Recovery.
• 🔒 Backup Encryption: Backups can be password protected.

One of the most useful functions is the ability to sew firmware in format payload.bin (It's used in Xiaomi stock firmware:

1. Download Fastboot ROM for your model from the site MIUI Downloads.
2. Extract. payload.bin archived.
3. In OrangeFox, select Install. → Install Image or Payload → choose payload.bin.
4. Check the sections for firmware (usually everything except userdata).
5. Press Swipe to confirm.

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If you often flash different firmware, create a separate folder on the SD-This way you can quickly roll back to the working version if something goes wrong.

8.Safety and recovery after failures

There are always risks involved in working with custom recavéri, and to minimize them, follow these rules:

• 🔋 Always check the battery power before manipulating partitions. Optimum - 80% or higher.
• 📡 Don't interrupt the firmware process (even if it seems like the device is getting stuck).OrangeFox's average installation time — 30-60 seconds.
• 🔍 Check the checksums of downloaded files (MD5 or SHA-256). This will prevent the firmware from damaged images.
• 📱 Have stock firmware on hand for your model in case of “bricking».

If your phone stopped loading after installing OrangeFox, try the following steps:

1. Download to Fastboot (Loudness Down) + Food) and re-sweeten the Recovery.
2. If downloading to the recovery is not possible, run the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (Clean All mode).
3. For devices with damaged boot may require firmware through EDL (This is a complex procedure that requires an authorized Xiaomi account.

⚠️ Note: If you have been flashing Dynamic Partitions and you have an error in the Invalid sparse file format at header magic, it means that your version of OrangeFox does not support this partition format. DP (Dynamic Partition or use it TWRP Recovery.

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Save a backup of persist and nvram (if available) – these sections contain data about communication modules (IMEI, MAC-Losing them can lead to network problems.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions