The process of updating the operating system on Xiaomi smartphones is often a necessity when automatic devices are used. OTA-Manually installing the software through a tgz file allows you to bring the device back to life, change the region or even roll back to a more stable version of Android. Unlike zip archives, which are designed to be updated through the recovery menu, tgz is a compressed archive containing a complete system image for Fastboot mode.
Many users are afraid to interfere with the system software for fear of turning the gadget into a brick, but if you follow the algorithm of actions and use proven tools, the risk is minimal. Xiaomi firmware through a computer is a standard procedure for service centers, which can be performed at home if available. USB-cable and stable internet.
In this article, we will discuss all the preparation steps, how to convert the archive and the process of writing data to the flash memory of the device. You will learn how the global version differs from the Chinese version, and why it is important to choose Fastboot ROM for this method.
Differences in firmware formats and file preparation
Before you start technical manipulation, you need to clearly understand what file you are dealing with. Archives with the extension tgz usually contain a Fastboot ROM, that is, a complete image of the system that is written directly to the memory of the smartphone, bypassing the installed operating system, which is radically different from Recovery ROM (zip archives), which update the system on top of existing data.
Tgz files are often distributed in compressed form, and sometimes users have to face double compression when there is another archive inside tgz. To work with such data, a tar-supporting archiver, such as 7-Zip or WinRAR, must be installed on the computer. Standard Windows tools can display content incorrectly, which will lead to errors when trying to extract the desired startup scripts.
Why tgz?
The tgz format (tar.gz) is the de facto standard for distributing complete firmware images in the Android ecosystem.It provides the integrity of folder structure and file access rights, which is critical for system partitions. Unlike zip, tar retains character links, without which the Android bootloader will not be able to properly initialize the system.> It is also important to consider the region of the device and the type of firmware, with global versions marked with the end of Global, and Chinese versions marked with China. When flashing a Chinese smartphone to the global version (or vice versa), an unlocked bootloader is often required, otherwise the process will end with an authorization error. 📦 Fastboot ROM (tgz) – complete system image, requires PC and Fastboot connection, erases or saves data depending on the method chosen. 📲 Recovery ROM (zip – service pack installed via Recovery menu, usually saves user data and applications. ☁️ OTA Update - automatic update "over the air", the safest, but not always available for all regions and versions of the software. the preparation of the file consists in downloading it from an official source or verified mirrors and then unpacking. Inside the archive, you should see folders like images, firmware-update and executable script. flash_all.bat (These elements confirm the integrity of the downloaded image. Tools and drivers required. Successful installation of tgz firmware is impossible without the right computer-side software. The main tool is the Mi Flash Tool utility, developed by Xiaomi engineers specifically for working with devices based on Qualcomm and MediaTek chipsets in bootloader mode. It is best to download it from the official Mi Community forum or a proven resource. XDA The critical step is to install the drivers, and the computer must correctly recognize the smartphone in two modes: normal. ADB Fastboot is often defined as "Unknown Device" or"QHSUSB_BULK", This indicates that there are no Qualcomm drivers required or ADB. ☑️ Download the tgz firmware archive Installed Mi Flash Tool Installed Drivers Installed ADB Qualcomm and battery charge higher 50%There's original. USB-cable Completed: 0 / 5 Universal Installer can be used to install drivers. ADB Driver or Qualcomm’s specialty package HS-USB QDLoader 9008, Which often comes with Mi Flash. After installing the drivers, it is recommended to restart the computer so that the changes to the registry take effect. USB-Cheap charging cables may not provide sufficient data transfer speeds, which will cause a connection to break at a critical point in the recording of memory sectors. The cable must be whole, without clogs, and it is desirable to use ports. USB 2.0 or 3.0 on the back of the system unit, because they provide more stable power. Prepare the smartphone for flashing before you start active, you need to prepare the device itself. The first step is to back up all the important data. Since the tgz firmware method often involves a complete cleanup of memory (the Clean All method), save contacts, photos and documents to the cloud or to an external medium. To do this, go to the Settings. → About the phone and seven times quickly click on the version MIUI (After the "You've become a developer" notification appears, go to the menu → For developers, you need to include Debugging on USB and factory unlocking (if required). ⚠️ Attention: Enabling the "Factory Unlock" function" (OEM Unlocking) may require a Mi Account to be linked to a phone number and wait 7 to 168 hours. Without an unlocked bootloader, installing global firmware on a Chinese smartphone (or custom recavers) is impossible. After you've prepared the software, you need to put your smartphone into Fastboot mode, and this is done with a combination of keys: press the volume button and hold it, plug it in. USB-The phone is turned off, and the logo of the hare repairing the android should appear on the screen, with the inscription: FASTBOOT. Check if the computer sees the device in Device Manager. USB" or "ports (COM and LPT)" It will be called the Android Bootloader Interface or Qualcomm. HS-USB QDLoader." If there's an exclamation point instead, the drivers are not installed correctly, and the procedure needs to be stopped. The installation process through the Mi Flash Tool Now we move to the most important stage. Start the Mi Flash Tool program on behalf of the administrator. In the top menu, click the Refresh button to make sure the program sees the connected smartphone. The Device field should display the device's serial number. Next, click the Select button and specify the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware. It is important to choose the root folder of the firmware, where the images and files are located. flash_all.bat, If the path is right, the file list will show the firmware structure. At the bottom of the program window, you will see three options, and the fate of your data depends on the choice: Firmware Action Description Clean all Data Saving Clean all Complete clean and install new system No (everything removed) save user data Update with saving files Yes (data remains) clean all + lock bootloader Cleaning and lock No (everything deleted) For a clean installation that is recommended when you transition between Android versions or regions, choose clean all. If you just update within one version of MIUI, you can try the data, but this increases the risk of bugs. After selecting mode on the cable, Clean all + lock bootloader will take no (all is deleted) For a clean installation button on the computer to write 600 seconds, then do not use the "Save"Save system from the user'Space system to write "Frrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" and then will not appear in the message "Se system "Setatatape" before the When the status is complete, the word "success" will appear, and the phone will automatically reboot. Alternative method: ADB and command line For advanced users or in cases where the Mi Flash GUI fails, there is a manual firmware method through the Windows command line. This method gives full control of the process and allows you to see the detailed logs of each command sent. It requires the Platform-tools platform (ADB/Fastboot). Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with the unpackaged firmware. Make sure that the phone is in Fastboot mode and connect to the device. fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash recovery recovery.img fastboot flash vendor vendor.img However, manually stitching through all partitions for a long time and is fraught with errors. flash_all.bat, It automatically executes a sequence of commands for all partitions, and running this script is equivalent to running Mi Flash in clean all mode. ⚠️ Note: When using the manual method through ADB/Fastboot Be extremely careful with the command fastboot erase persist or fastboot erase modem. Error in these sections can lead to loss of the IMEI, It's also very difficult to restore Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to the home, and it also allows you to do specific things, like flashing only one damaged partition without affecting user data. It requires a deep understanding of the structure of Android partitions, but it is a powerful tool in the hands of an expert. Error and problem solving In the process of firmware, various errors can occur, the codes of which are displayed in the program log. One of the most common is error: can't find the target. It occurs when the bootloader version on the phone is newer or older than in firmware, or when trying to flash the global version to a locked Chinese bootloader. Flash All Except Data Storage error or getting stuck on a certain percentage often indicates a bad one. USB-cable or port. Try reconnecting the cable to another connector, preferably USB 2.0, and use another cable, and an antivirus or Windows firewall that blocks drivers can also cause the problem. If the phone went into a bootloop cycle after a failed firmware, try entering Recovery mode. + Power and reset to factory settings (Wipe Data). EDL (Emergency Download Mode, which allows you to flash a phone even with a bootloader, but it often requires an authorized Mi Account or paid service tools. Don't ignore log error messages. flash_aboot or flash_xbl, You can't keep the device running without soldering the memory chip or using a programmer. Always get the process done and wait for the message of successful completion. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can you flash tgz firmware without unlocking the bootloader? Officially, no. To record an image via Fastboot (tgz format) requires an unlocked bootloader. However, if you are flashing official firmware in the same region as it is now, sometimes Mi Flash can update in save user data mode without fully unlocking, but this is unstable and depends on the version. MIUI. What is the difference between Global and EEA Global is the global version for the whole world (except Europe and China), EEA — The main difference is the availability of pre-installed Google services (in Global they are always available, in China they are not) and compliance with the rules. GDPR into EEA. Functionally, they're almost identical. What if Mi Flash can't see the phone? Check the Device Manager. If there's a "Unknown Device," install the drivers manually. Make sure the phone is exactly in Fastboot mode. Try another one. USB-port. Also, run Mi Flash on behalf of the administrator. Will the warranty fly after the firmware? Firmware with the official firmware through Mi Flash is usually not a reason to deny the warranty if you do not damage the hardware. However, if you unlock the bootloader (Unlocked Bootloader), formally this can be considered a violation of the terms of use of the software, although in practice, service centers often turn a blind eye if the software device is working. How to return to the old firmware? The process is called downgrade. It is possible only with the unlocked bootloader. You need to download the tgz archive of the older version and to open the anti-loader by the anti-locking mechanism of the clean-protection.