Installing firmware on Xiaomi via the Three Dots mode in MIUI 10: a complete guide with nuances

Installing custom or official firmware on Xiaomi smartphones through the recovery mode (known as “three dots”) is one of the most reliable ways to update or restore the system when standard methods do not work. The MIUI 10 version, despite its age, is still used on many devices, including popular models like the Redmi Note 5/7, Mi 8 or POCO F1. However, the process of firmware through this mode has its own peculiarities: from choosing the right.zip file to the risk of turning the phone into a “brick” if you do not.

In this article, we will take a step-by-step guide to the specifics of MIUI 10, explain how to avoid common errors (such as an Error 7 or Couldn't verify package), and give recommendations for preparing the device. We will focus on unlocking the bootloader, without which firmware through the "three dots" is impossible. If you have never done this before, we advise you to carefully study each section, from checking the compatibility of the firmware to actions when the process is frozen.

What is the Three Point Mode and Why You Need It in MIUI 10?

Three-point (or Stock Recovery) mode is a Xiaomi-built recovery menu that allows you to install official firmware without using Fastboot or custom recaps like TWRP. The name comes from the three dots at the top of the screen that appear when you enter mode. In MIUI 10, this method is especially relevant for several reasons:

• 🔄 Restore the system after crashes or “locking” on the Mi logo.
• 📱 Downgraid version (for example, with MIUI 11/12 back MIUI 10), If the new firmware is not working properly.
• 🔒 Bypassing locks when the device is not loaded in normal mode.
• 📦 Installation of regional firmware (for example, transition from China) ROM global ROM).

It is important to understand that the three dots are not custom Recovery, but a regular tool Xiaomi. Therefore, you can not install unofficial firmware (for example, LineageOS) or modified cores, but the method is suitable for official packages downloaded from the site. MIUI Downloads. The mode also supports installation. OTA-manual updates if the automatic update is “hang».

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 10 When installing firmware through three dots, there is no automatic data reset (unlike Fastboot).If you upgrade to an older version or change the firmware region, be sure to vape data manually through Wipe Data, otherwise you risk endless downloads.

Preparation of the smartphone: unlocking the bootloader and backup

Before you start firmware, you need to perform two critical steps: unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked) and create a backup of the data. Without unlocking the three dots simply will not allow you to install the firmware - the system will give an error This package is for locked devices.

How to check the status of the loader:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect the device to the PC and type the command: fastboot oem device-info
4. If the answer is Device unlocked: true, the bootloader is unlocked. If false, you need to unlock.

To unlock, use the official Mi Unlock Tool (downloadable on Xiaomi's website), which takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting after you link your Mi Account to your device, and without this step, you can't run firmware through the three dots.

Backup: Reset settings, it is recommended to save:

• 📸 Photos and videos (via Google Photos or PC Copy).
• 📱 Contacts (synchronization with Google Account).
• 🔑 Logins and passwords (export from the browser or password manager).
• 🎮 Application data (e.g. saving games via Helium or Swift Backup).

Where to download the right firmware for MIUI 10

Firmware error is the most common reason for devices to “brick”; for MIUI 10, only official.zip packages should be downloaded, corresponding to:

• 📱 Device models (e.g., Redmi Note 5 has the codename Whyred, and Mi 8 has the codename Dipper).
• 🌍 Region (Global, China, EEA — European).
• 🔢 Versions MIUI (for example, V10.2.3.0 or V10.4.1.0).

Official sources:

1. MIUI Downloads are global and Chinese firmware.
2. Xiaomi Firmware Updater is an archive of all versions (including the old ones).
3. XDA Developers is for custom firmware (but they don’t install through three dots!).

How to choose the right file:

⚠️ Note: If you download firmware for another model (for example, miui_dipper instead miui_whyred), The device won't turn on after you've run the firmware. → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Full specification.

💡

Before downloading the firmware, check its hash amount (MD5 or SHA-1) through a utility like HashMyFiles.

Step-by-step: how to flash Xiaomi through three points

When the firmware is downloaded, the bootloader is unlocked, and the backup is created, you can start installing it. The whole process takes 10 to 20 minutes, but requires precise follow-up.

Step 1: Go to three-point mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Volume Up + Power combination and hold for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo and recovery menu appear.
3. If the screen remains black, try Volume up + Volume down + Power (on some models).

Step 2: Selecting language and cache resetting:

• 🌐 Choose a language (usually English and Chinese available).
• 🧹 Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache and confirm the cleanup.This will delete temporary files, but will not affect user data.

Step 3: Install firmware:

1. Select Install update.zip to System One (or similar, depending on the version of the recovery).
2. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable and copy the firmware file to the root folder of internal memory (not to the folder!).
3. In the Recovery menu, select the Choose update package and specify the path to the downloaded.zip file.
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the completion (the progress bar will appear on the screen).

Step 4: Reset:

• After successful installation, select Reboot to System One.
• The first run can take up to 10 minutes – don’t interrupt the process!

Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the correct following of the instructions, errors can occur, and let's consider the most common and ways to eliminate them:

Additional advice:

• 🔋 If the installation process is interrupted due to battery discharge, connect the charge and try again. Minimum charge is 30%.
• 🔌 If the phone is not detected by the PC in three-dot mode, try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0) or cable.
• ⏳ If the firmware is stuck in the Verifying update package for longer than 5 minutes, restart the device and start again.

What to do after a successful firmware

Once you reboot, it can behave in a way that's unusual, like loading, overheating, or making application errors, and that's okay, because it takes time to optimize, and that's what you do in the first few hours after you've done it.

• ⚙️ Reset your network settings: go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings if there is no internet.
• 🔄 Update Apps: Go to Google Play and click “Update Everything».
• 📡 Check the sensors: run ##6484## (test of hardware components).
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruption.

If the firmware has been changing region (for example, from China ROM to Global ROM):

1. Remove unnecessary Chinese apps (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Video) via Settings → Apps.
2. Configure languages: Settings → Additional → Language and input.
3. Check for Google services (if you don’t have them, install GApps via TWRP).

⚠️ Warning: After firmware through "three points" can reset IMEI (Check it out in *#06# if you want to see it. IMEI No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Recovery will be required. SN Write Tool or contacting a service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions