Installing Recovery ROM on Xiaomi smartphones is a process that opens up new possibilities for the user, from rebuilding bricks to installing custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. However, the wrong actions can turn your device into a useless "brick", this instruction will help to avoid errors and perform the firmware as safely as possible.
Unlike the standard update via Settings → About Phone → System update, installation through the recover requires unlocking the bootloader, selecting the correct version of the firmware and following the algorithm accurately. We will analyze all the steps from tool preparation to the final restart, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors, such as incompatibility of MIUI versions with the device model or failures when unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.
Important: The procedure is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models released after 2018 (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi 12T, POCO F4). Additional steps may be required for legacy devices (up to the Mi 8).
1.What is Recovery ROM and why is it needed
Recovery ROM is a special type of firmware for Xiaomi, which is installed through Recovery Mode. It comes in two types:
- 🔄 Official Recovery ROM — firmware from Xiaomi, packaged in the format for installation through stock or custom Recovery (for example, TWRP). Suitable for system recovery after failures.
- 🛠️ Castomic Recovery ROM — modified firmware (e.g., modified firmware, MIUI EU, Xiaomi.eu) removes bloatware, adds features or optimizes performance.
The main reasons for installation:
- 🔧 Recovery of the phone after a “brick” (for example, after a failed firmware through fastboot).
- 🚀 Installation of custom firmware (LineageOS, ArrowOS), requiring preliminary firmware through the Recovery.
- 🧹 Removing system applications (Mi Browser, Mi Video) without root rights.
- 🔒 Bypassing the restrictions of regional firmware (for example, switching from Chinese to Chinese) MIUI CN global MIUI Global).
⚠️ Note: Installation of unofficial firmware may lead to loss of warranty, unstable operation of sensors (for example, NFC or wide-angle camera) or problems with OTA-Check compatibility on forums before you run the firmware. XDA Developers or 4PDA.
Distinction from Fastboot ROM:
| Parameter | Recovery ROM | Fastboot ROM |
|---|---|---|
| Method of installation | Recovery Mode (TWRP or Mi Recovery) | Fastboot (Fastboot Flash commands) |
| Data retention | Possible (when choosing the Wipe Dalvik/Cache option) | Full reset (fastboot erase userdata) |
| Suitable for | Updates without unlocking the bootloader (if already unlocked) | Restoration of "bricks", change of the firmware region |
| Risk of error | Low (if the correct version is selected) | High (when the process is interrupted) |
Preparation: unlocking the loader
Without Bootloader unlocking, Recovery ROM cannot be installed. Xiaomi blocks it by default to protect against unauthorized changes. The unlocking process takes 3 to 15 days (depending on the model and Mi Account).
Steps to unlock:
- Connect your device to your Mi Account: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Sync. Enable Data Sync and Find the device.
- B Settings → About the phone, press 7 times on the version MIUI, to enable Developer Mode.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking.
- Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (Windows only).
- Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power).
- Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your Mi Account and follow the instructions. When you first connect, you will see a message about your account being linked to your device — wait 168 hours (7 days).
Synchronized account Mi|Debugging is on. USB|Drivers installed ADB/Fastboot|Battery charge > 60%|Download Mi Unlock Tool-->
⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 13) after unlocking the bootloader automatically triggers Anti-Rollback - protection against rollback on older versions. MIUI. Make sure the firmware you select is compatible with the current version of Anti-Rollback (checked in Fastboot by the fastboot getvar anti team).
If the Mi Unlock Tool is a Couldn't unlock error:
- 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable (original from Xiaomi).
- 🖥️ Disable the antivirus and firewall on the PC.
- 📱 Reboot your phone in Fastboot (sometimes multiple connections help).
- 🔄 If the 168-hour wait doesn’t work, try linking your device to another Mi Account.
3. Selection and downloading Recovery ROM
The wrong firmware is the main reason for the bricks.
- 📱 The model of the device (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro is codenamed sweet, and the model is called sweet). POCO X3 Pro - vayu. You can find out in Settings → The phone. → Model or via the Quickboot Getvar Product command.
- 🔢 Version MIUI (for example, MIUI New firmware must be the same or more recent version.
- 🌍 Region: China firmware (CN), Global (MI), EEA (EU) India (IN) Not interchangeable without additional manipulation.
Where to download:
| Source | Type of firmware | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Xiaomi website | Stock Recovery ROM | miuidownload | Global and Chinese versions only |
| Xiaomi.eu | Modified MIUI (without Bloatware) | xiaomi.eu | Requires an unlocked bootloader |
| 4PDA | Custom and ported firmware | 4PDA Forum | Check user reviews |
| XDA Developers | Unofficial builds (LineageOS, etc.) | XDA | For experienced users |
The firmware file should have a.zip extension and weigh between 1.5 and 3 GB. Examples of correct names are:
- sweet_global_images_V14.0.3.0.SKFMIXM_20230315.0000.00_12.0_global.zip (formal).
- xiaomi.eu_multi_HMNote10Pro_V14.0.3.0.SKFMIXM_v14-13.zip (modified).
💡
Check before downloading MD5-hash of the firmware file (for example, through the HashMyFiles utility), this will help to avoid installation errors due to damaged archives.
Installation of custom recaveri (TWRP)
Xiaomi's stock reclaimer doesn't support Recovery ROM installation - it requires custom recovery, such as the TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project).
Step. 1: Download. TWRP for your model from an official website or trusted sources (for example, 4PDA). The file must be.img (for example, the file must be in the.img format, twrp-3.7.0_12-0-sweet.img).
Step 2: Move the downloaded file to the folder with ADB (e.g., C:\platform-tools) and rename it to twrp.img for convenience.
Step 3: Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode and execute the commands:
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
fastboot boot twrp.imgOnce executed, the device will automatically restart to TWRP. If this does not happen, press Volume up + Power when turned on.
⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12, Redmi K50) stock MIUI re-record TWRP To avoid this, immediately after installing the recaveri, run the command: fastboot flash recovery. twrp.img fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img fastboot reboot recovery file vbmeta.img can be downloaded together with TWRP Or create an empty one through the fastboot command. --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img.
What to do if TWRP does not start?
5. Step-by-step installation of Recovery ROM
Now that you have the bootloader unlocked and you have TWRP installed, you can start the firmware. Importantly, back up all the data, because the process can erase the internal memory.
Instructions:
- Copy the firmware file (.zip) into the phone’s internal memory or on the phone. SD-map.
- Boot to TWRP (Put Volume Up + Power on).
- From the main TWRP menu, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik / ART Cache Cache Data (if you want a clean installation)
Swipe for confirmation.
Install
5-15 minutes
Reboot System
Installation was error-free |Firmware deleted from memory (optional) |Battery charge > 30% |All cables disconnected-->
If after the reboot the phone hangs on the MI logo:
- 🔄 Repeat installation by pre-executing full Wipe (including System).
- 🔧 Check firmware compatibility with the Anti-Rollback version.
- 📥 Try a different firmware version (for example, instead of Weekly, take Stable).
💡
If the firmware requires root rights, install Magisk immediately after installing the ROM. To do this, download the latest version of Magisk.zip and run it through TWRP (Install menu).
Typical errors and their solutions
Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Error 7 in TWRP | Incompatibility with the device or version of MIUI. | Check the code name of the model and download the correct firmware. If the error persists, edit the updater-script file in the firmware archive (remove the lines with the model verification). |
| The phone does not turn on after the firmware | Incorrect Wipe or interrupted installation. | Repeat the Format Data in TWRP, and if it doesn't work, run the Fastboot ROM through the Mi Flash Tool. |
| Mi Unlock Tool doesn't see the device | No ADB/Fastboot drivers are installed or Mi Account is not tied. | Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select Android Bootloader Interface). Reconnect your phone to Fastboot. |
| After the firmware, there's no network. | Firmware for another region (e.g. CN instead of Global). | Install the correct firmware or run modem and vendor modules from stock firmware through TWRP. |
If you encounter an error not described in the table:
- Take a picture of the screen with the error.
- Check the logs in TWRP (Advanced → Copy Log).
- Find a solution on 4PDA or XDA by specifying the device model and error text.
💡
If your sensors (gyroscope, compass) stop working after the firmware, try calibrating them through the engineering menu, and type ##6484### in the phone dialer (for some models ##4636##) and select Sensor Test.
7.Recovery after failed firmware
If the phone stops turning on (the "brick"), don't panic - in 90% of cases it can be restored.
- 🧱 Soft-brick: phone vibrates, logo burns MI, It doesn't load. It's fixed by flashing.
- 🧨 Hard-brick: phone unresponsive to buttons, undetectable to PC. Requires soldering EDL-point or service equipment.
For Soft-brick:
- Try booting up to Fastboot (click Volume Down + Power for 10-15 seconds).
- If you can, run Fastboot ROM through the Mi Flash Tool: Download Mi Flash Tool and.tgz firmware from the official website. Unpack the firmware into a folder without Cyrillic characters. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and click Refresh → Flash.
Fastboot
EDL
- Download the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver.
- Shut up. EDL-contact on the motherboard (instructions for your model look for the 4PDA).
- Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil.
⚠️ Attention: Regime EDL If you do not have an authorized account, contact the service center - self-attempts can aggravate the problem.