How to Install TWRP Recovery on Xiaomi via Computer: Complete Guide 2026

Installing TWRP Recovery on Xiaomi smartphones gives you access to advanced system customization options, from backups to custom ROM firmware. However, the process requires care - an error at any stage can turn a phone into a "brick." In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step instructions for installing TWRP through a computer, including unlocking the bootloader, preparing tools and direct firmware.

Xiaomi devices feature a default bootloader, which cannot be installed without customized Recovery, and it is also important to consider that different models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro, Mi 11, etc.) may require different versions of TWRP and drivers. We will look at a universal method suitable for most devices based on Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek.

Before you proceed, make sure you understand the risks: loss of warranty, possible device blink, problems with the security of the device. OTA-If you're a beginner, we recommend that you first learn the theory of what it is. TWRP And why do you need it.

1. Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone for TWRP installation

Before connecting your phone to your PC, you need to take several critical steps on the device itself, and skipping any of them can cause the process to fail.

One is to enable USB debugging and unlock OEM Unlock in the developer settings.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to activate the Developer Mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Activate the USB Debugging and OEM Unlock switches.

Two, link your Mi Account to your device, and without that, you can't unlock the bootloader.

• 📱 It's on the phone. SIM-A card with active internet (Wi-Fi may not work).
• 🔗 Mi Account added in settings and synchronized.
• ⏳ At least 72 hours have passed since the account was linked (Xiaomi’s new device requirement).

⚠️ Warning: If you reset your phone to factory settings after you've tied your account, the 72-hour timer will reset!

The third is to check the model and the firmware version. It depends on choosing the right version of TWRP. You can find out the model in Settings → Phone → Model. See the firmware version (MIUI) in Settings → Phone → MIUI version. Write this data down — you will need it later.

2 Unlock bootloader on Xiaomi

Without an unlocked bootloader, you can’t install TWRP. Xiaomi has made this process more difficult in the latest versions of MIUI, so follow the instructions carefully.

First, download the official Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi: https://en.miui.com/unlock/. The utility is only available for Windows.

1. Unpack the archive and launch it. miflash_unlock.exe on behalf of the administrator.
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off your phone, then press Volume Down + Power until a bunny with the word Fastboot appears).

If the utility is running a "Couldn't unlock" or "Wait 72 hours" error, it means:

• 🕒 It has not been 72 hours since the account was linked.
• 🔌 Phone is not recognized in Fastboot mode (check drivers).
• 🔄 You are trying to unlock the bootloader on an unofficial firmware (you need to return the stock one). MIUI).

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings. Don't worry, that's okay. You can now start installing TWRP.

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If the Mi Unlock Tool can’t see the phone, try connecting it to another phone. USB-port (preferably 2.0) or use the original Xiaomi cable. also disable the antivirus - it can block drivers.

Installation of drivers and preparation of PC

To work with Fastboot and ADB, the computer must have the appropriate drivers installed. Without them, the PC simply will not see the phone in the right modes.

List of required software:

• 🖥️ Android SDK Platform Tools (Official Tools from Google).
• 🔧 Drivers for Qualcomm or MediaTek (depending on your Xiaomi processor).
• 📁 Archives with TWRP for your model (download only from the official website: twrp.me).

After downloading Android SDK Platform Tools Unpack Archives into the Root of the Disk C:\ (for example, C:\platform-tools\). It'll make it easier to work with teams:

1. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (as described earlier).
2. Open the command line in the platform-tools folder (press Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the phone is found, you will see its serial number.

If the command returns an empty result, install the drivers manually:

1. Open Device Manager on PC.
2. Find a device with an exclamation point (usually an Android Bootloader Interface).
3. Update the driver by pointing the path to the folder platform-tools\usb_driver.

⚠️ Warning: Never download drivers from third-party sites! use only official sources or verified repositories (e.g, XDA Developers: Fake drivers may contain malware.

4. Search and download the correct version of TWRP

Mistakes in choosing a version of TWRP is one of the main reasons for the device’s brilliance. For each Xiaomi model, there is a different build of recovery, and sometimes several (for example, for different regions).

How to find the right TWRP:

1. Go to the TWRP Devices page.
2. Enter your phone model (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro or the POCO X3 NFC).
3. Download a file with the.img extension (for example, twrp-3.7.0_12-joyeuse.img).

If your model is not on the official website, check the thematic forums:

• 🔍 XDA Developers (Search for the theme of your model).
• 📱 4PDA (firmware section for Xiaomi).

Beware of unofficial builds from unknown developers – they may contain backdoors or be unstable.

After downloading, rename the TWRP file to twrp.img and place it in the platform-tools folder, which will make it easier to enter commands in the next step.

5. TWRP firmware via Fastboot

Now, to the most critical stage, the custom recavator firmware.

• 🔋 The phone is charged at least 50 times%.
• 🖥️ On PC, sleep and hibernation modes are disabled.
• 📂 File. twrp.img It is located in the platform-tools folder.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode.
2. Open the command line in the platform-tools folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
4. Squeeze TWRP temporarily (for test): fastboot boot twrp.img The phone will reboot to TWRP. Check the sensor and basic features.
5. If everything works, run TWRP constantly: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
6. Reboot your phone in Recavator: fastboot reboot recovery

Once you reboot, you'll be in TWRP Recovery, and the first thing you need to do is back up your current firmware.

1. Go to the Backup section.
2. Check the boxes Boot, System, Data.
3. Swipe to start reservations.

⚠️ Note: If after the firmware TWRP phone hangs on the logo MI longer 10 You can try to reflash the stock Recovery through the Fastboot with the fastboot flash recovery command. stock_recovery.img (The file must be downloaded separately).

🔹 Phone's 50-charged%+

🔹 bootloader unlocked (checked through Mi Unlock Tool)

🔹 Drivers installed ADB/Fastboot

🔹 Download the right one twrp.img for my model

🔹 Created a backup copy of important data-->

6. Solving common problems

Even with the correct following of the instructions, errors can occur, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the phone stopped booting after installing the TWRP, it's likely a problem with data encryption. Current versions of MIUI use File-Based Encryption (FBE), which can conflict with TWRP.

• 🔑 Enter the screen lock password in TWRP (A request will appear during installation /data).
• 🗃️ Format the Data section (all data will be deleted!).
• 🔄 Disable Force Encryption (Special Encryption) ZIP-file, look for XDA).

Another common problem is the automatic recovery of the stock Recovery after rebooting, which is due to the Anti-Rollback feature in new Xiaomi devices.

1. Immediately after the firmware TWRP go to the Install section.
2. Install. ZIP-file with Magisk (for root) or Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.
3. Reboot to the system not through the reboot in TWRP, but through the command fastboot reboot.

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If the TWRP doesn't hold up after the reboot, your device has an active anti-rollback protection solution: either to flash a patch to disable the recovery check or to use the fastboot boot twrp.img method every time.

7.Follow-up after installation of TWRP

Successful TWRP installation is just the first step to customizing your Xiaomi.

• 📦 Install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
• 🔓 Get root rights through Magisk.
• 💾 Create full backups of the system (Nandroid backup).
• 🧹 Clean Cache and Dalvik sections to speed up work.

However, keep in mind the risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if you don't return the stock firmware).
• 🔄 Problems with OTA-Updates (you will need to update manually).
• 🛡️ Security vulnerabilities (if root is set up incorrectly).

If you're planning on running custom ROM, you should first look at the requirements. Some firmware requires:

• 📌 A certain version MIUI base.
• 🔄 The Anti-Rollback offline.
• 🔧 Special patches for camera or modem.

To return to stock firmware, use the Mi Flash Tool. Instructions for the official MIUI firmware can be found on the official Xiaomi website.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing TWRP on Xiaomi