Modern Xiaomi smartphones have the widest functionality, but sometimes the standard update by air is not enough. OTA-updates, want to change the firmware region from CN You can go to Global or even roll back to a more stable version of Android, and in those cases, the only reliable solution is to manually install the operating system through your personal computer.
This method allows you to completely control the process, eliminating the influence of unstable Internet connection and software failures of the phone itself. Direct USB connection provides stable data transfer, which is critical when writing system partitions. However, despite the seeming complexity, the procedure is quite simple, if you strictly follow the algorithm of actions and understand what boot mode you use.
Before you start taking action, you need to be clear about the risks. Incorrectly selected software version or interruption of communication at a key point can lead to software errors. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of preparation, the process of firmware through Mi Flash and Recovery, and answer the most common questions of beginners.
Preparation of equipment and choice of software version
The first step is to find and download the correct image of the system. Official files are distributed through the portal miui.com or specialized resources like xiaomirom.com. It is important not to confuse the Recovery version (extension.zip) and Fastboot version (extension.tgz), as the methods of installation are radically different.
Make sure your smartphone is at least 60 percent charged, the power consumption may be high during the recording process, and it is not allowed to discharge at a critical moment. USB-cable, preferably original, and find a computer with Windows operating system, as the main tools are sharpened for this platform.
To work, you'll need to download the specialized Mi Flash Tool, which is the official software from Xiaomi developers that allows you to interact with your phone in boot mode. Without this tool, firmware through Fastboot is impossible.
Installation of drivers and setting up the environment
The computer must see the phone not just as a drive, but as a debugging device, requiring Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on the processor), as well as ADB and Fastboot drivers, which are usually bundled with the Mi Flash archive, but their installation often requires manual confirmation through Device Manager.
If you are using Windows 10 or 11, the system may block driver installation due to lack of digital signature, which means you will need to temporarily disable driver signature verification when you boot the OS.
Where can I find drivers for old models?
Once you have all the components installed, check the correctness of the work. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode (clambing the volume button when you turn on) and start the command line. Entering the command fastboot devices should output the serial number of the device. If the number is displayed, the communication is established successfully.
Instructions: Firmware via Mi Flash Tool (Fastboot)
This is the main method for a complete system replacement. It requires an unlocked Bootloader. If the bootloader is locked, the program will give an error and the process will not begin. Unlock is done through the official Mi Unlock application after a wait of 7 days (168 hours).
Unpack the downloaded firmware archive into the root of the C disk so that the path is short and does not contain Cyrillic characters: C:\rom\miui_HMNOTE1W. Long paths with spaces often cause failures in recording.
☑️ Checklist before Mi Flash launch
Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button to find the connected device. In the lower right corner, select the firmware mode. The safest option is clean all, which completely erases data and installs a clean system.
Press the Flash button and wait for the process to be completed. The green progress bar and success status signify successful completion. The phone will automatically reboot, and the first boot can take up to 10 minutes.
⚠️ Warning: Selecting the "clean all and lock" option will block the bootloader back. Use this feature only if you are flashing the original regional firmware. Installing a global version with the bootloader locked on a Chinese machine will result in a bootloop).
Firmware via Recovery Mode (without unlocking)
If unlocking the bootloader is not possible or necessary, you can use Recovery Mode. This method allows you to update the system version or change the region, but only if you follow strict version compatibility rules, you can not roll back to the older version or flash Global ROM on the CN device in this way.
Copy the firmware file with the.zip extension to the root of the phone's internal memory. rename it to update.zip for convenience, though that's not always necessary. Reboot the smartphone to Recovery mode, clamping both the power and volume buttons at the same time.
From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English and Chinese available). Click on the installation icon (top button) and select update.zip. The system will check the integrity of the file and begin the update.
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If the installation button is inactive, it means that the version in the archive is older or equal to the current one, or the region does not match, in which case Recovery blocks the installation to avoid errors.
Once completed, the phone will restart. This method saves user data, but it is recommended to back up just in case. It is ideal for those who are afraid to unlock the bootloader or want to just update manually.
Table of comparison of firmware methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right method, let’s compare the main characteristics of the installation methods, each of which has its own advantages and limitations, which should be considered before starting the procedure.
| Parameter | Fastboot (Mi Flash) | Recovery (built-in) | TWRP (Castomic) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requires BL unlocking | Yes (for full firmware) | No. | Yes. |
| Data retention | Only when choosing an option | Yeah (usually) | Depends on the action. |
| Regional change (CN -> Global) | Maybe. | Impossible. | Maybe. |
| Difficulty | Medium | Low. | Tall. |
| Risk of getting a brick | Medium. | Low. | High-pitched |
As you can see from the table, Recovery is the safest method for the average user who wants to just upgrade, but you can't do without unlocking deep customization and changing the region.
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
When you run a firmware, you often encounter error codes, and one of the most popular is Missmatching image and device, which occurs when you try to flash firmware that's not designed for your model, and always check the code name of the device (e.g., cepheus, ginkgo) and it's the same.
Can not flash multiple images or path problems are often solved by moving the firmware folder closer to the root of the disk. Make sure there are no Russian letters and special characters on the way. Also try running Mi Flash on behalf of the administrator and using another one. USB-port, preferably USB 2.0.
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90% of the firmware errors Xiaomi is associated with the wrong driver, bad cable or trying to flash an incompatible version of the software.
If the phone goes into an endless bootloop after firmware, try doing Wipe Data through Recovery. If that doesn't help, you may need to flash it through the back. EDL-mode, which often requires an authorized account or opening of the case to close contacts.
⚠️ Warning: Never interrupt the recording process, even if it seems to be 99% frozen. interrupting the data transfer at this point can damage the bootloader partition, which will make the device unrecoverable software methods.