Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have a huge potential, which is often hidden behind the limitations of the standard shell MIUI or HyperOS. Many users are looking for ways to expand the functionality of the device, remove system debris or install a custom operating system, and the key to these capabilities is the TWRP recovery. This tool allows you to perform deep system operations that are not available in normal recovery mode.
The process of flashing through Team Win Recovery Project is radically different from the usual update "over the air" and requires the user to be attentive and understand the processes. Errors during the preparation or selection of a file can lead to the inoperability of the gadget, so it is important to follow the algorithm of actions. In this material, we will discuss in detail how to safely install firmware using the capabilities of custom recovery.
Before you start taking action, you need to realize that any manipulation of the system partition is a risk: unlocking the bootloader, which is a mandatory preliminary step, automatically removes the device from warranty in official service centers, but for enthusiasts, this opens the door to a world of complete freedom to control your gadget.
⚠️ Note: All actions described in the article, you perform at your own risk.The author is not responsible for turning your smartphone into a “brick” or loss of personal data in the event of incorrect execution of instructions.
To succeed, you will need not only the firmware file itself, but also a properly configured environment on your computer. Make sure that the battery is at least 60-70% charged, as the process can take a long time and the energy consumption in recovery mode is often higher than usual.
Preparation of the device and unlocking the loader
The foundation for installing TWRP and subsequent firmware is an unlocked bootloader. Without this step, the recovery will simply not allow changes to system partitions. Xiaomi account holders need to link the device to an account in the phone's settings and apply for unlocking through the official Mi Unlock Tool utility on the PC.
The process of waiting for permission from the company can take from 7 to 15 days, and this time should be used to prepare files. Once you receive the SMS notification of permission, the unlock procedure takes only a couple of minutes, but completely erases all data from internal memory, so backup is the first thing you need to do.
- 📱 Make a full backup of contacts, photos and documents to an external medium or to the cloud.
- 🔓 Make sure that the “For Developer” settings activate the “Factory Unlocking” item».
- 💻 Install the drivers. ADB Fastboot on your personal computer.
It’s important to understand that once unlocked, some features, such as Widevine L1 (for viewing high-quality content on streaming services), may stop working, a security limitation that the manufacturer implements when the integrity of the bootloader is violated.
Some models, especially those released for the Chinese market, may have additional restrictions or require paid unlocking through third-party services.Always check the forums dedicated to your Redmi model to learn about the specific nuances.
⚠️ Note: When unlocking the bootloader, the “Find the Device” function will be forcibly disabled, and all data on the internal drive will be irretrievably deleted.
Installation of TWRP and selection of suitable firmware
When the bootloader is unlocked, the installation of the recovery itself begins, the.img image file must be matched strictly to your device model, and using the Redmi Note 10 version on the Redmi Note 11 will lead to fatal errors, as the memory markup and screen drivers differ from each other.
The firmware you plan to install must also be compatible with the recovery version and bootloader type. There are firmware with and without A/B markup, and different file system types. A file selection error can result in a cyclical reboot or inability to boot the system.
☑️ Pre-installing check
To record the image of the recovery, a command is often used via Fastboot. Connect the phone in this mode to the computer and execute the command in the terminal:
fastboot flash recovery twrp_image_name.imgImmediately after that, you need to pinch the button combination to enter recovery mode, otherwise the standard system can overwrite the recaveri back to the original, which is a common mistake of beginners when after firmware, the phone simply boots in normal mode.
- 📂 Download the current one. ZIP-Firmware archive from a verified source (official website or XDA Developers).
- 📝 Move the firmware file to the phone’s internal memory or to a connected microSD card.
- 🔋 Make sure the cable is USB It is reliable and reliable to connect the device to the PC (if the installation is from the computer).
The choice between global, European or Chinese firmware depends on your preference. Global versions are usually more stable but may contain more pre-installed software, while Chinese versions often get updates faster.
Navigating the TWRP menu and cleaning the partitions
The Team Win Recovery Project interface may sound intimidating to a beginner, but it's logical and structured. The main menu is divided into large buttons, each one responsible for a specific function: Install, Wipe, Backup, Restore, Mount and Settings. To install the firmware, we'll need a Wipe section first.
Before installing a new system, it is critical to perform a correct data reset, and simply deleting files is not enough, because you need to clear the partitions where old system files and cache are stored to avoid conflicts, which is called a clean installation.
In the Wipe section, select Advanced Wipe and tick the Dalvik/ART Cache, Cache, System, and Data sections. Internal Storage section is not necessary if the firmware file is there, otherwise you will delete the installer itself.
| Section | Appointment | Should I clean it? |
|---|---|---|
| Dalvik / ART Cache | Cash compilation applications | Yes (required) |
| System | Operating system files | Yes (required) |
| Data | User data and applications | Yes (for clean installation) |
| Internal Storage | Photos, music, files | No (if there's firmware in there) |
Once you select the partitions, swipe the Swipe to Wipe slider with your finger, which takes a few minutes to process, and the screen can go out, which is normal, because the backlight saves energy in the recaveri mode.
💡
If the phone doesn't turn on or is unstable after installing the firmware, repeat the cleaning procedure for the Data partition and re-install it, often because of the remnants of the old system.
There is also a Format Data option that requires you to type in the word “yes” and is needed in rare cases, such as when you switch from one file system to another or when you have serious encryption errors, but for normal firmware reflashing, Advanced Wipe is enough.
Installation process (Flashing) ZIP-file
Now, to the main stage, in the main menu, click the Install button, and the file manager will open, where you need to find the previously saved one. ZIP-If you use an external memory card, select it from the list of storage facilities.
Once you select a file, the confirmation screen will appear on the screen. Here, it is important to pay attention to the Swipe to confirm Flash slider. Before you move it, you can click the Add More Zips button if you plan to install several components at once (for example, firmware, root rights patch and modified kernel).
The firmware process is displayed as a log at the bottom of the screen, and you'll see individual packets installed, checksums checked, and partitions recorded, and interrupting this process, for example by removing the battery (if it's not removable) or turning off the cable, is guaranteed to damage the system.
- 🚀 Click on the slider to start the installation and wait for the inscription "Successful" to appear».
- 🧹 After installing the main firmware, it is recommended to immediately clear the Dalvik and Cache cache (Wipe Cache / Dalvik button).
- 🔄 Restart the system by selecting Reboot System.
The first launch after installing custom firmware or even official through TWRP can take from 5 to 15 minutes. Don’t panic if you see the manufacturer’s logo longer than usual – there is an optimization of applications and the creation of new configuration files.
⚠️ Note: If you see red lines with errors in the installation log (Error 1, Error 7, etc.), the process is not considered successful.
In some cases, especially when switching between Android versions (e.g. 11 to 12), it may be necessary to format the Data partition with all data lost. TWRP It is usually notified if the Android version changes.
Solving errors and problems in firmware
Even with strict adherence to the instructions, there can be unforeseen situations, one of the most common problems is Bootloop, the phone turns on, shows the logo and turns off again, and 90% of the time it solves this by rewiring the Data and System partitions and reinstalling the firmware.
Another common bug is "Error 1" or signature verification issues, which often happens if you try to install official MIUI firmware through TWRP without special patches. Xiaomi's official firmware has custom Recovery protection.
How to bypass MIUI signature verification?
If the phone stopped responding to buttons and did not enter recovery mode, perhaps the recovery “flyed off”, in this case, only re-running the recovery.img image through Fastboot mode from the computer will help.
Date and time issues in TWRP logs can be confusing, but they don’t affect the installation process.Time in recovery is often reset to a default value (e.g. 2015) because there’s no synchronization with the network.
- 🔍 Check integrity ZIP-File: If downloading is interrupted, the file may be broken.
- 📉 Make sure there is enough free space on your phone to unpack temporary files.
- 🔌 Use the original. USB-cable, cheap analogues can fail when transmitting large amounts of data.
In case of complete inoperability of the device (hard brick), when the phone does not respond even to the connection to the PC, you will need to use the Mi Flash Tool utility and switch to EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, which often requires disassembling the smartphone to close contacts on the board.