The procedure for reinstalling the operating system on Xiaomi smartphones often becomes inevitable when the device begins to work unstable, freezes or locks in an endless reboot cycle. Owners of Chinese versions of gadgets also face the need to replace regional firmware CN with a global Global ROM to get Russian language and Google services. Properly installed system allows not only to restore the functionality of the device, but also significantly expand its functionality, getting rid of excess software debris.
The current MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS offer flexible software management tools, but interfering with the system partition requires precision. Mistakes in preparing or selecting a firmware file can lead to a device being locked, known as a “brick.” In this guide, we’ll go through all the steps from gaining access rights to final setup so you can safely upgrade or reset completely.
Before any manipulations, it is critical to reserve all data. The flashing process involves full formatting of internal memory in 99% of cases. Back up contacts, photos and important documents to the cloud service or external drive, as it will be impossible to recover the data deleted after formatting. Make sure that the battery charge is at least 60% so that the device does not turn off at the most critical time.
Preparation for installation: tools and files
The foundation of successful installation is the quality of the workplace and software. You will need a Windows computer, because most of the utilities for working with Bootloader and firmware are sharpened for this platform. The use of virtual machines or macOS is possible, but often associated with driver problems and connection instability.
You need to download the current firmware version for your particular model. Files are divided into two types: Recovery (update via the phone menu) and Fastboot (complete reinstallation via PC). For a clean installation, always choose Fastboot ROM, which has the extension.tgz. You can download it from the official website or proven resources like XiaomiFirmwareUpdater.
You will also need a certified or certified quality USB-Cheap cables often only support charging and are unable to provide stable data transfer at high speeds, which will lead to errors when writing system files. ADB Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool for working with system image.
☑️ Firmware readiness
Check for free space on your hard drive. An unpacked firmware archive can take anywhere from 3 to 5 GB, and temporary files require extra space during installation. If the disk is full, the process can be interrupted with a write error, leaving the phone inoperable.
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
Bootloader is a program that runs to the operating system and checks the integrity of the software. By default, it is blocked on Xiaomi smartphones, which prohibits the installation of modified systems or global versions of firmware. Unlocking is the first and mandatory step, without which further action is impossible.
First, link your Mi Account to your device. Go to your phone's settings, select About Phone, and click on MIUI multiple times to activate the developer menu. Then, in Developer's section, look for Mi Unlock Status and click Add Account and Device.
⚠️ Warning: Once the account is tied, the system will ask you to wait 7 to 168 hours (depending on the region and status of the account.
After the waiting time, you can start unlocking. Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode, holding the power and volume buttons at the same time. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool utility and log in to your account. The program will check the status of the device and, if all conditions are met, unlock the bootloader.
What happens to the data when you unlock it?
Successful unlocking is confirmed by the appearance of an open lock icon when you boot the device, from which point you get full control over the memory partitions and can install any compatible versions of the operating system, including custom recavators like TWRP.
Installation of the system via Fastboot (Recommended method)
Fastboot is the most reliable and clean way to install the system, allowing you to completely rewrite all memory partitions, eliminating conflicts between old files with the new version of the software, which is ideal for moving between regions (for example, from China to Global) or recovering your phone after a serious crash.
Unpack the downloaded firmware archive at the root of the C disk so that the path to the files is short and contains no Cyrillic characters. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button to detect the connected device. If the phone is correctly identified, you will see its serial number in the list.
Select firmware mode at the bottom of the utility window. Clean all will clear the memory and install the system. Save user data will try to save data, but when you change region, it does not work and can cause errors. Always opt for a full cleanup for guaranteed results.
| Firmware mode | Data retention | When to use | |
|---|---|---|---|
| clean all | No (full reset) | Minimum | Changing the region, treating errors |
| save user data | Yes. | High (conflicts) | Updating within a region |
| clean all + lock | No. | Medium (locking) | Return to baseline |
Press Flash and wait until the process is complete. The progress indicator will display the status of the recording sectors. At this time, it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the computer. Once completed, the phone will automatically restart to the new system.
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Use only the port. USB 2.0 or 3.0 on the back of the PC motherboard. ports on the front of the case or USB-Hubs often do not give enough voltage, which leads to a communication break at a critical moment.
Local Update via Recovery
If your phone is stable but you need to upgrade to a newer version of MIUI or switch from one global firmware to another (e.g. EEA to Global), you can use the built-in Recovery menu, a method that is less risky, but requires that the current system at least boot.
Download the firmware file in Recovery format (extension.zip). Rename the file in update.zip and place it in the root of the phone's internal memory. Go to the settings, select About phone and click on the system version. In the menu that opens, click on three dots in the corner and select Select firmware file.
Specify the path to the prepared update.zip file. The system will check the integrity of the package and, if the version is suitable for updating, prompt you to start the process. The phone will restart and begin installing updates. This method does not require an unlocked bootloader unless you change the region.
- 📱 Suitable for planned updates within a region.
- 🔒 No need to unlock Bootloader (provided the region matches).
- ⚡ It takes less time than a firmware through a PC.
- ❌ Not allowing you to move on CN on Global without unlocking.
In some cases, the system may issue a "Can't verify update" error when trying to install an older version or firmware from another region, which is a standard security restriction.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to jump over multiple major versions of Android (e.g., Android 11 immediately to Android 14) through a local update unless officially provided.
Solving mistakes and problems
Users often encounter technical difficulties in installing the system, and one of the most common problems is the Missmatching image and device error in the Mi Flash Tool, which occurs when you try to flash firmware for another model, or when files for different CPU modifications are stored in the archive.
Another common problem is hanging on the MI logo (Bootloop). If after firmware the phone is endlessly rebooted, try resetting via Recovery. Press the power and volume buttons up, select Wipe Data -> Wipe All Data. If that doesn't help, it may have been damaged by downloading or recording.
Driver errors in Windows Device Manager often prevent your computer from seeing your phone in Fastboot or Download mode, in which case you need to manually update your device driver by selecting it from the list. USB-devices or install the Xiaomi package USB Drivers. Sometimes changing the port helps. USB or use of another cable.
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If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error at the end of the process (e.g. 99%), don't panic. Often the system is already recorded. Try just to turn off the phone and boot it as normal by holding the power button.
Problems with IMEI and base can occur when the firmware is not properly installed. If the signal is lost after installation or the IMEI is displayed as null, you will need to restore the persist or modem partition from the backup, which is why it is recommended to do a full backup through the engineering menu or specialized snails before any manipulations.
Primary setup and optimization
After you successfully install the system and boot it for the first time, you will be greeted by a welcome screen, and at this point it is important to set the basic settings correctly to ensure that you continue to work smoothly. Choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and log in to your Mi Account.
If you are switching from another Android or iOS, use the built-in migration tool. When recovering from the Mi Cloud, make sure you do not restore system settings from the old firmware version to avoid conflicts.
Check for updates right after download. Often, the firmware (even new) already has critical security patches that come out later than the image builds. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and check for updates.
- 🛡️ Set up device protection: Pin code, fingerprint or Face ID.
- 🔋 Optimize the battery: disable auto-start for unnecessary applications.
- 🌐 Set up network operation: select your preferred network type (4G/5G).
- 🧹 Remove unnecessary pre-installed apps if they are not needed.
The final step is to install the apps and customize the interface, and the new system is faster because it doesn't have the accumulated garbage over the years, and check the Security section regularly to find viruses and optimize memory.