How to Install PBRP on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide from Unlock to Firmware

Installing the custom Pitch Black Recovery Project (PBRP) on Xiaomi smartphones provides access to advanced backup, unofficial ROM firmware and fine-tuning. Unlike the standard Mi Recovery, PBRP supports touch control, design themes and work with /data partitions without formatting. However, the installation process requires pre-unlocking the bootloader and adherence to a strict sequence of actions – an error at any stage can lead to a “brick” of the device.

In this guide, we will discuss two main installation methods: via Fastboot (for devices with a locked bootloader) and through Fastboot. TWRP (Particular attention is paid to the nuances for the popular models of the Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro and Mi 11, where the process may differ due to the specifics of Qualcomm and Mediatek hardware platforms. PBRP and relevant references to official resources.

What is PBRP and why is it chosen instead of TWRP?

Pitch Black Recovery is a TWRP fork with improved interface and additional features.

• 🎨 Dark theme by default with customization support (you can install third-party themes in.tzip format).
• 🔧 Advanced partition management: the ability to change size /system, /vendor and /data data-free.
• 🔄 Built-in support OTG Backup to external storage.
• 🛡️ Protection against random formatting – requires confirmation before critical operations.

Compared to OrangeFox Recovery, PBRP stands out for more stable work on Xiaomi devices with Snapdragon 8xx chipsets (such as the Mi 10T Pro or Black Shark 4).However, some models on Mediatek Helio (such as the Redmi Note 9T) may require manual editing of the recovery.fstab file to work properly with partitions.

Important: PBRP does not support File-Based Encryption (FBE) encryption on Android 11+. If your device uses this type of encryption, you will need to format /data after installing the recovery, which will result in loss of user data.

Preparation of the device: unlocking the loader

Before installing PBRP, you need to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool, a process that takes between 7 and 360 hours depending on Xiaomi’s policy for your model.

1. Link your Mi Account to your device in the settings: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
3. Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
4. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and follow the instructions. On 2023 devices+ year of release may require a binding SIM-cards to Xiaomi account.

Once successfully unlocked, the bootloader will go to Unlocked state, and you can check this by turning off the phone and holding Volume Down + Power, and the screen will show the message This device is unlocked.

💡

If the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a “Couldn’t unlock” error, try using the 5.5.224.24 version of the tool, which bypasses the restrictions on new devices.

Selecting a PBRP version for your Xiaomi model

Not all versions of PBRP are compatible with Xiaomi devices, and here is a table of proven builds for popular models:

Up-to-date versions can be downloaded on the official PBRP website or via the telegram channel @PitchBlackRecovery. Please note: files for devices on Mediatek (for example, Redmi Note 11) are often marked with the suffix -mtk.

⚠️ Attention: Installation PBRP Android-based 13+ and dynamic partitions (super.img) It requires a pre-conversion to fastbootd, otherwise the recaveri won't see the system partitions.

Install PBRP via Fastboot (the Beginner Method)

This is a good way to do this if you don't have a customized Recovery on the device.

• 🖥️ PC with installed drivers ADB/Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool.
• 📱 Unlocked bootloader (see section above).
• 📁 File. pbrp.img for your model.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (clamp Volume down + Power).
2. Connect the device to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
3. Fastboot flash recovery pbrp.img fastboot reboot recovery

If the device automatically switches to Mi Recovery after restarting, follow the additional command:

fastboot flash boot pbrp.img

This is due to the features of the bootloader protection on new Xiaomi devices (starting with the Redmi Note 12).

Downloaded the correct pbrp.img file for the device codename |

ADB/Fastboot drivers installed (version 1.4.3+)|

Check driver signatures in Windows| disabled

Backup of important data (photos, contacts) |

Battery charge > 50%-->

Installation of PBRP via TWRP (alternative method)

If you already have TWRP installed on your device, the process is simplified.

1. Download the file. pbrp.zip (not.img!) and put it on your internal memory or SD-map.
2. Reboot to TWRP (adb reboot recovery command or button combination).
3. In TWRP, select Install → Select pbrp.zip → Swipe to Confirm Flash.
4. After installation, run Reboot → Recovery to go to PBRP.

On certain devices (e.g, POCO F3) After installation, you may need to patch disable_forceencrypt.zip, avoid getting stuck in the logo MI. You can download the patch on the forum XDA Developers in the theme of your model.

⚠️ Attention: If after installation PBRP through TWRP The device is not loaded into the system, check the integrity of the partition /data. V 30% This is done by formatting via Wipe. → Format Data → enter".

Setup PBRP after installation

After the first download to PBRP, it is recommended to perform a basic configuration:

• 🌐 Interface Language: Go to Settings → Language and select Russian (if available).
• 🔐 Disabling encryption: For Android 10+ run the Wipe → Format Data to remove encryption FDE/FBE.
• 📁 Backup Creation: In the main menu, select Backup and select Boot, System, Data and Vendor sections.
• 🔧 Setting up OTG: Connect the flash drive through the adapter and check its display in Mount.

To eliminate possible interface lags on weak devices (e.g. Redmi 9A), go to Settings → Advanced → Disable Bluster. This will disable background blur and speed up the recovery.

Common mistakes and their solutions

When installing PBRP, users often face the following problems:

If the Xiaomi device does not turn on after installing the PBRP (black screen or logo hover), try the following steps:

1. Press Volume Up + Power for 20 seconds for forced reboot.
2. Connect to your PC and check the output command: fastboot getvar current-slot If the answer is a or b, please click here. PBRP In both slots: fastboot flash recovery_a pbrp.img fastboot flash recovery_b pbrp.img

💡

On dynamic partition devices (Android 12+), you must convert super.img to fastbootd using the fastboot reboot fastboot command before installing PBRP.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing PBRP on Xiaomi