How to install the downloaded firmware on Xiaomi: 3 proven ways

Installing custom or official firmware on a Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that scares many users. Fears involve the risk of bricking the device, losing data or cancelling warranty. However, with the right approach, the process of sewing becomes safe and predictable. The main thing is to understand that firmware through recovery and firmware through Fastboot require different preparations, and unlocking the bootloader on new Redmi or POCO models can take up to 720 hours of waiting.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install firmware on Xiaomi in 2026, including the nuances for devices based on MIUI and HyperOS. Particular attention will be paid to typical errors such as Error: flash write failure or hanging on the Mi logo, and explain how to avoid them. If you have never flashed a smartphone before, do not worry: we have painted each step so that even a beginner can cope without the help of the service center.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start installing your firmware, make sure your device is ready for the procedure. Failure to comply with the preconditions is the main cause of failures and "bricks." Let's start by checking the compatibility of the firmware file with your Xiaomi model.

Each firmware is designed for a specific device code (e.g., davinci for the Redmi K20 Pro or surya for the POCO X3 NFC). You can find out the code of your model in the settings along the Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click several times on the line with the version until the full name appears).

• 📱 Check the device model – firmware for Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet) is not suitable for Redmi Note 10 (mojito).
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60% – discharge during firmware can lead to irreversible consequences.
• 🔐 Unlock the bootloader (if required) – on new devices without this step, firmware through Fastboot is impossible.
• 💾 Backup – even official firmware can erase user data.

Xiaomi has tightened the rules: new devices require a Mi Account to be linked to a phone and wait up to 30 days (on some models up to 720 hours!). If you bought the phone with your hands, make sure the previous owner unblocked his account. Otherwise, unlocking will be impossible.

2. Method 1: Install firmware via Recovery (TWRP or Mi Recovery)

Custom Recovery (TWRP) is the most popular method among enthusiasts, allowing both formal and informal firmware installations (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), but this requires a pre-installed TWRP or unlocked bootloader.

If you have stock Mi Recovery, the possibilities are limited: you can flash only official ones. ZIP-Xiaomi files (usually with a name of the type) miui_SUBMODELS version.zip. Castom firmware cannot be installed through stock recovery.

Download ZIP firmware to memory card | Check file integrity (MD5 amount) | Disable Mi Account protection (if required) | Charge phone to 70%+

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Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware and place it in the root of internal memory or on the SD-card (file name should be in Latin, without spaces).
2. Turn off your phone and press the button combination to enter recovery: For most models: Volume up + Power. For some older devices: Volume up + Volume down + Power.

TWRP

Install

⚠️ Note: If the firmware requires data cleaning (Wipe), choose Wipe → Format Data and enter yes. This will delete all files from the device!

Wait for the process to complete (usually takes 5-15 minutes) and restart.

If the phone has been stuck on the Mi logo for more than 10 minutes after firmware, try:

• 🔄 Reflash the device again (maybe the file has been corrupted).
• 🧹 Performing Wipe Dalvik/Cache recovery.
• 🔧 Install another firmware version (for example, instead of global – Chinese).

Method 3: Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

Fastboot is a method for power users, because it requires a computer and a command line.

• 📦 Recovery of the bricked-up device.
• 🔄 Transition from custom firmware to official.
• 🔓 Bypassing the Mi Account lock (in some cases).

To run through Fastboot, you will need:

• 💻 Windows computer (recommended) 7/10/11).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (unpacked in a folder).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\Xiaomi\proshivka).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared should appear).
3. Connect your phone to your computer and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder. Then select firmware mode: Clean all — complete cleaning (recommended when changing the firmware); Clean all and lock — cleaning + lock the bootloader (for sale of the phone); Save user data — saving data (not always working correctly).

Flash

💡

If the Mi Flash Tool doesn’t see the phone, try running it on behalf of the administrator or using Mi Flash Pro, an alternative version of the utility.

Method 3: Update via OTA (without data loss)

The safest way to update your firmware is through the built-in OTA-It is suitable for installing official updates from Xiaomi without the risk of losing data or damaging the system:

• ❌ You can't install custom firmware.
• ❌ You can’t go back to an older version. MIUI.
• ❌ The update may stick on some devices (for example, on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with firmware older than 2021).

How to update through OTA:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select the Update File.
3. Specify the path to the downloaded firmware file (should be in.zip format and weigh ~2-3 GB).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the reboot.

If the update does not install and you see a Can't verify update error, try:

• 🔄 Rename the firmware file to update.zip and put in the root of memory.
• 🔧 Use Mi. PC Suite for Updating via Computer.
• 📁 Delete the folder /cache File Manager (root rights required).

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OTA-Update is the only way to flash the phone without unlocking the bootloader and without risking losing the warranty.

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, users will encounter errors, and let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.

1. the phone does not turn on after firmware (black screen or hanging on the logo)

• 🔋 Possible cause: Incompatible firmware or interrupted installation process.
• 🛠️ Solution: Try going to Fastboot (Loudness Down) + Power, and flash the device again. If the phone doesn't respond, plug it into charging for 30 minutes -- sometimes resuscitation of the battery helps. 4X) Try the combination Loudness up + Loudness down + Power for forced reboot.

2. This package is for "Second Model" devices; this is a "OTHER Model" error

• 📱 Reason: Trying to install firmware that is not designed for your device.
• 🔍 Solution: Check the model code in the firmware name and on your phone, like the firmware for raphael (Redmi). K20 Pro is not suitable for davinci (Redmi) K20).

3. the bootloader will not unlock (Couldn't unlock error)

• 🔐 Reasons: Mi Account is not tied to phone. 168/720 The phone is hand-held and tied to someone else's account. 🛡️ Solution: Make sure you're logged in to Mi Account on your phone and web version. Check the unlock status in Mi Unlock Tool. If the phone is off your hands, contact the previous owner to unblock the account. ⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G) Unlocking the bootloader can lead to blocking the encryption of data, in which case, after firmware, the phone will require entering a password from the previous Mi Account, even after resetting the settings. 6. After installing the firmware, you need to make sure everything went right. Here are the key signs of a successful firmware: 📱 The phone is turned on and loaded to the desktop. 🔍 B Settings → The phone is showing a new version. MIUI/HyperOS. 📶 Mobile network, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth work. 🔋 Charging and sensors (gyroscope, compass) are functioning normally. How to check firmware version: Open Settings → About the phone. Look at the lines: Version. MIUI — device-on MIUI. HyperOS version – for new models (e.g. Xiaomi) 14). Build number – must match the name of the stitched file.
• For more information, enter the dialer code: ##4636## → select Phone Information.