Return stock recoveries to Xiaomi: 3 proven methods

Stock (original) reavers on Xiaomi smartphones are not just a backup option for booting the system, but a key element of security and stability of the device. After installing custom firmware (TWRP, OrangeFox) or unsuccessful experiments with unlocking the bootloader, users often face the need to return factory recovery. Without it, you can not officially upgrade by air (OTA), reset to factory settings through the menu, and even some service operations in authorized centers.

In this article, we will discuss three current methods of restoring stock recavers on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including models with locked and unlocked bootloader. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for devices based on Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek, as well as common errors that can turn a simple procedure into a “brick.” If you have ever seen the inscription This MIUI version cannot be installed this device when trying to upgrade, this guide is for you.

Why Stock Recovery Is Important for Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s original recovery performs several critical functions that custom counterparts (TWRPs) don’t always support:

• 🔄 Safe. OTA-Updates: Only stock recavers can correctly install official updates over the air without risking system damage.
• 🔒 Digital Signature Verification: Factory Recovery Verifies Firmware for Authenticity, Protecting against Malware.
• 📱 Reset to factory settings: full wipe through TWRP Often leaves artifacts, while stock recavery cleans the device “to zero».
• 🛠️ Service: Authorized Xiaomi centers refuse to work with devices that have custom recovery installed.

In addition, some models (such as Xiaomi) 12T Or the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+) Custom Recavers Can Block Access to Widevine Features L1 (reproduction-holder HD-content from Netflix and Disney+). Stock recovery recovery often solves this problem without a complete flashing.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a blocked bootloader, trying to flash a stock Recovery through Fastboot without first unlocking will lead to an error FAILED (remote: 'Flashing is not allowed in Lock State'.This requires official unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool.

Preparation of the device: what to do before recovery

Before you start the procedure, make sure that all the preliminary steps are followed, and neglecting them can lead to data loss, locking the device or even damaging the bootloader.

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)

Check the battery level (minimum 60%)

Install ADB/Fastboot drivers on PC

Download the official firmware for your model

Disable Mi Account protection (if you plan to reset completely)-->

Pay particular attention to the firmware version. Stock recavers must match the current version of MIUI on the device. For example, if you have MIUI 14.0.5 installed and you sew down recovery from MIUI 13.0.2, this can cause loading conflicts to find out the exact version:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Remember the full build number (e.g., V14.0.5.0.TKLCNXM).
3. Download the firmware with the same number from the official Xiaomi Firmware website.

For devices on MediaTek (for example, Redmi 10C or POCO M4 Pro) additionally require the SP Flash Tool, while Qualcomm devices (Xiaomi 13, Redmi K50) will be enough Fastboot and ADB.

Redmi Note 10/11/12

POCO F3/F4/F5

Xiaomi 11/12/13 series

Redmi K40/K50/K60

Another model-->

Method 1: Fastboot Recovery (for unlocked bootloader)

This is the most reliable way for devices with unlocked bootloader, and it is suitable for most models on Qualcomm Snapdragon, including Xiaomi 11T Pro, Redmi Note 11 Pro and POCO X4 Pro.

Steps:

1. Download the official firmware in.tgz or.zip format from the Xiaomi website and unpack it.
2. In the firmware folder, look for the recovery.img file (for some models, it may be called recovery-signed.img).
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power).
4. Open the Command Prompt (CMD) in the firmware folder and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery.img
5. After successful firmware, restart the device in the recavator command: fastboot reboot recovery

If you see TWRP again after the reboot, it means that the custom recap has overwritten the stock.

• Fix it again. recovery.img via Fastboot.
• Immediately after the firmware, execute the command: fastboot boot recovery.img (this will load the stock Recovery once, allowing you to complete the installation).
• From the stock recavator menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (this will remove TWRP permanently).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) after the firmware recavator may require re-assignment of the account Mi Account. If you forget the login details, restore them in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

Method 2: Installation via Mi Flash Tool (for locked bootloader)

If your bootloader is locked and unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool is not possible (for example, due to account binding), you can use full firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. This method will work even on devices with active anti-Rollback protection, but requires caution.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool from the official Xiaomi website (Tools section).
2. Select firmware in.tgz format for your model (necessarily stable, not development version).
3. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\ROM).
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (as in Method 1).
6. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the Clean All option (this will erase all data!) and click Flash.

On devices with a MediaTek chipset (e.g. Redmi 9A, POCO C31), the Mi Flash Tool does not work – use the SP Flash Tool with a firmware scatter file.

1. Switch to an older version of the tool (e.g. 2018).

2. Use firmware marked Global instead of China.

3. Manually delete the file flash_all_lock.bat from the folder with the firmware (if any).-->

Method 3: Recovery through OTA-package (without PC)

If you don't have access to your computer, but the device is booted into the system, you can try to return the stock recavator through a local update.

• 📱 The device is loaded into MIUI (off-bootloop).
• 🔄 The phone has an official firmware (albeit outdated).
• 📁 Access to the file system (you can download files directly to the phone).

Instructions:

1. Download the full OTA-package for your model from the Xiaomi website (file with the extension.zip, weight) ~2-3 GB).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root of internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select the Update File.
5. Please specify the path to update.zip and confirm the installation.
6. After the reboot, the stock Recovery will be restored automatically.

This method will not work if:

• You have custom firmware installed (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• Version. MIUI It's newer than the phone. OTA-Package (you need to download more fresh firmware).
• The device is in a bootloop (cyclic reboot) state.

💡

Local updates through OTA-The package is the only way to return stock recoveries without a PC, but it only works on official firmware without modifications.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If after restoring the stock recavator, the device does not boot into the system, but loads into Fastboot, do:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot reboot

This will clear the user’s data and can help avoid bootloop.

How to check that the stock recavator is installed

After the procedure is completed, it is important to make sure that the recovery has been successful.

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the combination Volume up + Nutrition to enter the recaveri.
3. If you see a Chinese/English menu with the Xiaomi logo and Reboot items, Wipe Data is a stock recap.
4. If the menu is in Russian or with touch-control, it is TWRP or another caste.

You can also check through ADB:

adb reboot recovery


adb shell getprop ro.boot.recovery

If the team returns recovery without mentioning TWRP, that’s fine.

Yeah, first time.

Yeah, but I had to repeat the procedure.

No, I've been making mistakes.

I haven't tried it yet.-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about the restoration of the recovery on Xiaomi