Install firmware on Xiaomi via Fastboot: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s mobile devices are known for their flexibility in customization, but sometimes standard upgrade methods stop working. Situations when a smartphone gets into a “cyclic reboot”, hangs on the logo or requires complete deletion of data require deeper intervention in the system. This is where Fastboot mode comes to the rescue, allowing you to interact with the device loader directly, bypassing the operating system.

Using this method gives the user full control over the software of the gadget, you can roll back to a more stable version of Android, switch from Chinese firmware to global or restore functionality after a failed experiment. However, the process requires carefulness and strict adherence to the sequence of actions, since interrupting the recording of data can lead to the failure of the device.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of preparation, installation of the necessary software and the process of firmware. We will discuss the intricacies of working with the command line, the need to unlock the bootloader and the typical errors that users face.

Preparation for flashing: tools and drivers

Before any manipulations with the system partition, it is necessary to ensure a stable connection between the computer and the smartphone. You'll need a personal computer or laptop running Windows, because that's where the developer's core tools are, and virtual machines or other operating systems are possible, but often have compatibility issues. USB-port.

A critical element is quality. USB-Cheap charging cables often do not support high speed data transmission or have high resistance, which leads to a connection break at the most inopportune time. Interrupting data transmission during the process of writing a system or boot partition is almost guaranteed to turn the device into a “brick”, the recovery of which will require complex hardware repairs.

You also need to install dedicated ADB and Fastboot drivers. Without them, the computer simply won’t see the phone in the right mode, displaying it as an unknown device in Task Manager. Modern versions of platform tools often come bundled with driver installers, which makes it easier to do.

Check for free space on your computer's system disk. Temporary files and unpacked firmware images can take up a significant amount of space, especially if you're working with full versions of the software. Lack of space can cause an archive unpacking error that will interrupt the process at the initial stage.

Selecting and downloading the right firmware

Finding the right software is the stage where fatal errors are most often made. Firmware for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices is divided into several types, and not all of them are suitable for Fastboot mode. You need an archive with the.tgz extension, which contains full disk partition images.

Note the file name encoding. Global versions usually have a "G" or "Global" in their title, and Chinese versions have a "CN." Trying to install Chinese firmware on the global device (and vice versa) without changing the bootloader region will result in verification error or no connection.

• 📱 Recovery ROM — has the.zip extension and is intended for updating via the recovery menu, Fastboot is not suitable for.
• 💻 Fastboot ROM — tgz archive, contains raw-images of partitions, this type is needed for our instructions.
• 🌍 EEA / Global / RU — region designation, it is important to choose the version that corresponds to your market or desired region.

You should only download files from trusted sources, such as the official developer site or authoritative profile resources. The damaged archive may contain broken sectors, which will manifest as checksum errors when you try to write. After downloading, be sure to check the integrity of the file, if this is possible from the source.

Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader

Xiaomi has implemented a security mechanism that blocks unauthorized entry to system partitions. If your device’s bootloader is locked (Locked status), the command to write a new firmware will be rejected. You can check the current status by entering Fastboot mode: on the screen, an inscription will appear with the image of a hare repairing an android and the status of the lock.

The unlocking process requires you to apply through the Mi Unlock Tool app on your PC. This is not an instant procedure: once you have attached your Mi Account to your device, you often have to wait 7 to 168 hours, and only after this timer expires, the utility will allow you to unlock the bootloader.

⚠️ Attention! The bootloader unlock procedure automatically performs a full Wipe Data reset. All photos, contacts and apps will be deleted without recovery unless you backed up in advance.

Once successfully unlocked, the status on the Fastboot screen will change to Unlocked, and when the system boots, a warning will appear that the device may not be safe.This is a standard behavior that can be ignored. Having an unlocked bootloader also allows customized recavers like TWRP to be installed.

Installation of Mi Flash Tool and drivers

The main tool for interacting with the phone in bootloader mode is the Mi Flash Tool, the official software that provides a graphical interface for sending commands to record images. Despite the presence of console counterparts, using a graphical shell reduces the risk of error in the syntax of commands.

When installing the program, make sure that the components list has the checkmarks that are responsible for installing Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on your device’s processor). If the drivers do not stand up automatically, they can be found in the program installation folder, usually along the path C:\Program Files (x86)\Xiaomi\MiPhone\Driver.

Once installed, it is recommended to restart the computer, which ensures that the USB system services correctly initialize new drivers. When connecting the phone in Fastboot mode in Windows Device Manager, it should be defined as an Android Bootloader Interface or similar device without exclamation points.

It is important to use the Mi Flash Tool that is compatible with your version of Windows. Windows 10 and 11 are the latest releases, whereas Windows 7 may require older versions of the program. Version incompatibility often causes errors when trying to start the process.

Step-by-step instructions for firmware

Now, to the immediate update process, first unpack the downloaded firmware archive (.tgz) into the root of the disk or any short-path folder, such as C:\rom. The path must not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces, otherwise the firmware script will not be able to find the files.

Turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the power and volume buttons simultaneously. Hold them until the hare image and the FASTBOOT sign appear on the screen. Connect the device to your computer with a cable. In the Mi Flash Tool, press the "Refresh" button, and the serial number of your device should appear on the list.

fastboot devices

This command in the command line (if you use the console method) will confirm the connection. In the Mi Flash Tool GUI, select the path to the unpacked folder with the Select Image firmware button. Then note the bottom of the window, where the three firmware mode options are located.

• 🟢 Clean all – clean all data and install a new system (recommended).
• 🔵 Save user data – attempts to save user data (may cause errors when changing region).
• 🔴 Clean all and lock – data cleanup and re-block bootloader (only for native regional firmware!).

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If you are changing a region (e.g. from China to Global), make sure to choose the "Clean all" mode, and trying to save data as you change region will lead to an endless reboot.

Once you select "Clean all" mode, press the "Flash" button, which takes 200 to 600 seconds, the log will show you progress on each partition, do not touch the cable or turn off the PC power until the green "Success" sign appears.

Solving Typical Errors and Problems

There may be various bugs in the firmware process that are displayed in the program log. One of the most common is a connection error, often associated with drivers or cable. If the process is 1 percent up or gives a Connection lost error, try replacing it. USB-cable or reconnect it to the port USB 2.0 on the back of the motherboard.

Missmatching image and device error indicates that you are trying to write firmware that is not intended for this model. For example, you can not flash Redmi Note 10 Pro firmware from Redmi Note 10. Carefully check the codename of the devices, they must match.

⚠️ Attention! The "Anti-rollback check failed" error means you're trying to roll back to an older version of Android than the one you're currently installing. Security prevents this action to avoid security vulnerabilities.

If the device goes into an endless reboot after the firmware (bootloop), try to execute the command fastboot reboot or press the power button for 15-20 seconds. In some cases, you need to re-rout the firmware with the choice of the mode "Clean all".

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90% of firmware errors are associated with poor USB-cable, wrong path to files (Cyrillic) or attempt to save data when changing the firmware region.