How to flash Xiaomi correctly: from unlocking to installing MIUI or custom firmware

Installing firmware on Xiaomi smartphones is a process that can both bring a device back to life and turn it into a “brick” if you approach it without preparation. Unlike the usual update through Settings → About Phone → System Update, manual firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, choosing the right version of software and carefully executing instructions. This article will help you understand all the nuances from official MIUI to custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

It’s important to understand that the procedure is different for different Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models. For example, the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ have stricter restrictions on unlocking the bootloader than the budget POCO M5. We’ll look at the universal steps, but also point out the key differences for popular devices. If you’ve never flashed a smartphone before, don’t worry: with the right approach, the risks are minimal.

Before you start, answer two questions: why you need a new firmware (speed up, new features, remove bloatware) and which version you want to install (official global, Chinese, custom), which determines the choice of tools and the sequence of actions.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

The first and most important step is data backup. The full-reset firmware will delete all files, including photos, messages and installed apps. Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive or local copying on your PC.

• 📱 Contact and SMS — Export through Contacts → Contact management → Exports.
• 📸 Photo/video – copy the folder DCIM computer.
• 🔑 Passwords and tokens – save backup codes for two-factor authentication (Google Authenticator, Telegram).
• 🎮 Game Save – Use built-in reservation features in games or Helium.

Next, check the device model and the current firmware version. This is critical, as the firmware from Redmi Note 11 (spes) will not work for the Redmi Note 11 Pro (veux).

• 🔍 In settings: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Press 5 times on "Kerole" (Hardware info will appear).
• 💻 Through ADB: Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command adb shell getprop ro.product.device

Also make sure that:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60% (when discharged during firmware, the device may turn off).
• 🔌 Used by the original USB-cable (cheap cables can interrupt data transmission).
• 🖥️ The PC has Mi Flash Tool drivers installed or ADB/Fastboot (Download from the official Xiaomi website).

💡

If you are flashing the POCO F5 or the new Xiaomi 14 model, check if it supports bootloader unlocking.Some devices (for example, for the Chinese market) may require additional steps, such as linking a Mi Account to a device.

2 Unlocking the bootloader: without this firmware is impossible

The bootloader on all Xiaomi smartphones is locked by default, a security measure that makes it harder to install unofficial firmware, and it takes between 3 and 360 hours (depending on Xiaomi’s policy) to unlock and requires:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device (be sure to use the same account as your phone!).
2. Request permission via Mi Unlock Tool (download here).
3. Expectations of confirmation from Xiaomi servers (times vary).

Step-by-step:

1. Enable Developer Options: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times.
2. Activate OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in.
4. If you see a message that says "Couldn't unlock", wait until the time is specified (usually 168 hours for new accounts).

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the device, even if you do not install a new firmware. Also, some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) may stop working due to the SafetyNet trigger.

3. firmware selection: official MIUI vs custom builds

Decide which firmware to install, will help the comparative table:

Where to download firmware:

• 🌍 Officially MIUI: Global/EEA: Chinese: Chinese portal (needed) VPN).
• 🛠️ Custom: LineageOS: lineageos.org. Pixel Experience: pixelexperience.org. Xiaomi.eu (optimized) MIUI): xiaomi.eu.

For custom firmware, additionally you will need:

• 🔧 Install TWRP ornamental.
• 📦 Download GApps (Google Services) if they are not included in the build.
• ⚠️ Check compatibility with your model in forums XDA Developers or 4PDA.

💡

Xiaomi.eu firmware is a modified version of MIUI with remote bloatware, weekly updates and support for all languages, and is suitable for those who want an official interface without Chinese restrictions.

4. Install official firmware via Mi Flash Tool

This is the most reliable way to return the device to the factory state or upgrade to the latest version.

• 🖥️ Windows PC (Mac/Linux unsupported).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (unpack it into a folder without Cyrillic!).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Vol− until the hare appears in the hat-eared.
2. Connect the device to a PC. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware.
4. At the bottom, select firmware mode: Clean all – full reset (recommended when changing the version of MIUI); Clean all and lock – reset + lock the bootloader (only for official firmware!); Save user data – data storage (not always stable).

Flash

⚠️ Note: If the process is stuck on "waiting for device", check:

• Connecting the cable (try another port).
• Drivers (install them through Mi Flash Tool → Driver)
• bootloader mode (should be Fastboot, not Recovery).

5. Install custom firmware through TWRP

Custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.) will require custom recoveries - usually TWRP. The process is more complicated, but gives more options:

Step 1: Installation of TWRP

1. Download the image TWRP for your model from the official website (for example, twrp-3.7.0_9-0-veux.img For the Redmi Note 11 Pro).
2. Transfer your phone to Fastboot (Power + Vol−).
3. Open the command line in the folder with ADB and type: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img

Step 2: Firmware through TWRP

1. In TWRP, make a backup of the current firmware (Backup → Select partitions → Swipe to Backup).
2. Transfer firmware and GApps files (if needed) to your phone via MTP or OTG-cable.
3. Click on Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

Install → Choose. ZIP → Swipe to Confirm Flash

GApps

Reboot → System

⚠️ Warning: The first download after installing custom firmware can take up to 15 minutes. Don't interrupt the process! If the device has been hanging on the logo for longer than 20 minutes, repeat the firmware with full wipe.

6. Decision errors in firmware

Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be problems.

If IMEI is missing after the firmware:

1. Make sure the firmware supports your modem model.
2. Try to restore the IMEI through the engineering menu: ##4636## → Phone Information → Select SIM
3. Use the Maui META or SN Write Tool (requires an IMEI backup!).