How to go to the custom TWRP recavator on Xiaomi: a complete guide with unlocking the bootloader

Entering the custom TWRP receptacles on Xiaomi smartphones is a key step for those who want to gain full control of the device, a special recovery environment that allows you to install informal firmware, back up Nandroid, recover data and even bypass some system limitations. However, the process requires preliminary preparation: without an unlocked bootloader and properly installed TWRP, all attempts will be useless.

In this article, we will discuss all the steps from unlocking the bootloader to directly entering the Recovery, including the nuances for different Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models. Particular attention will be paid to the typical errors that lead to a device "brick" and how to avoid them. If you are a beginner, we recommend you to carefully follow the instructions and not miss the steps - each of them is important for a successful result.

What is TWRP and why is it necessary for Xiaomi?

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is an open source custom recovery that replaces the standard MIUI recovery menu.

• 📦 Install unofficial firmware (Custom ROM): LineageOS, Pixel Experience, HavocOS and others.
• 🔄 Create and restore complete system backups.
• 🔧 Removal of system applications, modification of /system section without root rights.
• 🛠️ Correcting errors after failed firmware (e.g. bootloop).
• 🔓 Unlock additional features hidden in the standard MIUI.

Without TWRP, many Xiaomi operations are simply impossible, such as if you want to put Google Camera (GCam) on a model without official support or remove embedded Chinese services, this recovery will be your main tool, but it is important to understand that installing it will void the warranty and can lead to data loss if security rules are not followed.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with a locked bootloader, logging into TWRP is not possible. Attempts to circumvent this limitation software (e.g., via fastboot boot twrp.img) result in an automatic reboot to the standard backpack MIUI.

Preparation of the device: unlocking the loader

The first and mandatory step is to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all devices by default, and without it unlocking, TWRP installation is impossible. The process takes 3 to 30 days (depending on Xiaomi's policy) and requires an association of the Mi Account to the device.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and tap it 7 times.
2. Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
3. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
4. Download the Mi Unlock Tool utility from the official website and run it on PC.
5. Connect your phone in fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power).
6. In the Mi Unlock utility, log in under the same Mi Account as on your phone and follow the hints.

You'll have to wait until you send the unlock request, you can check the status on the same utility, and when the bootloader is unlocked, you'll see the Unlocked successfully message.

⚠️ Warning: On some models (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and later), unlocking may require additional confirmation via SMS or email.

Installation of TWRP on Xiaomi: version selection and methods

After unlocking the bootloader, you can start installing TWRP. It is important to choose the right version of the backpack for your model - incompatible firmware can lead to hard brick (irreparable damage).

Where to download TWRP:

• 🔗 The official website TWRP is a proven build for popular models.
• 🔗 Forum XDA Developers are informal ports for new devices (e.g., Xiaomi 13 or POCO F5).
• 🔗 Developer Telegram channels (e.g., @xiaomi_twrp) are current versions with support for the latest updates MIUI.

Methods of installation:

The recommended method for most users is to run firmware through fastboot.

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-1-xiaomi-codename.img


fastboot reboot recovery

After these commands are executed, the phone should automatically restart to TWRP. If this does not happen, try manually going to the recaveri (see the next section).

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Before you run TWRP, check your model name in Settings → About Phone → Device Model. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro may have either sweet or sweetin encoding – this is important for choosing the right version of the recovery.

How to log into TWRP on Xiaomi: ways to log in

Once the TWRP is successfully installed, you just have to go into it, and there are a few ways to do that, depending on the state of the device:

• 🔄 Hardware: Turn off the phone, then press Volume up + Power and hold for 5-10 seconds until the TWRP logo appears.
• 🖥️ Through ADB: If the phone is on, connect it to the PC and execute the command: adb reboot recovery
• 📱 Through Terminal: On the root-righted phone, type: su -c "reboot recovery"
• 🔧 Through apps: Apps like Quick Reboot (requires root) can reboot the device directly to the recave.

If after installing TWRP, the phone still loads into a standard MIUI recavator, then:

1. You've stitched the wrong version of TWRP (check model compatibility).
2. The device activated anti-rollback protection (relevant for Xiaomi on Android 10+).
3. You didn’t wait for the full firmware in fastboot (the process should end with OKAY message).

⚠️ Warning: Some models (Xiaomi 11T, POCO F4) may need to enter a password from your Mi Account after you log in to TWRP, even if you have already unlocked the bootloader. If you forget your password, restore it before you start the procedure.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even experienced users face problems when working with TWRP on Xiaomi. Let’s consider the most common errors and ways to fix them:

If the phone stops turning on (black screen or bootloop) after installing the TWRP, don't panic. In most cases, the device can be restored:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power for 10 seconds).
2. Sweep through the original firmware via the Mi Flash Tool (select Clean All option).
3. If fastboot is not defined, use EDL mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

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The most common mistake when working with TWRP on Xiaomi is ignoring the firmware version. If you upgraded MIUI over OTA after installing the recovery, TWRP may stop working. Always check for version compatibility!

Additional TWRP settings for Xiaomi

After first logging in to TWRP, it is recommended to perform several important settings to avoid problems in the future:

• 🔐 Turn off signature verification: Go to Settings → Disable DM-Verity (prevents bootloop after system modifications).
• 📁 Configure backup: In the Backup section, select the Boot, System, Data and EFS partitions (stores IMEI!).
• 🔄 Install Magisk for root rights: Download the latest version of Magisk and run it through Install → Select Zip.
• 🔧 Check the file system: If TWRP doesn't see files, switch to EXT4 in Wipe → Format Data → Change File System.

For devices with Dynamic Partition (e.g. Xiaomi 12, Redmi K50), standard backup methods may not work.

1. Use TWRP with dynamic support (e.g., OrangeFox versions).
2. Create backups only critical sections: boot, dtbo, vendor.
3. For a full backup, use ADB Backup or specialized utilities like DD.

If you plan to install custom firmware, check out the requirements first. Some Custom ROMs (like LineageOS) require additional firmware files, such as vendor.img or firmware.zip.

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To avoid data loss when experimenting with firmware, keep backups on an external memory card or PC. The EFS section (contains IMEI) is especially important - its damage can deprive you of your mobile network!

TWRP Compatibility with New Xiaomi Models (2023–2026)

With the release of Android 13/14 and new devices (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13, POCO X6), installing TWRP has become more difficult due to:

• 🔒 Anti-rollback protection that blocks rollbacks on older firmware versions.
• 📦 Dynamic Partition that changes the structure of system partitions.
• 🔑 New Signature Verification Mechanisms (AVB 2.0)

Current solutions for new models:

For devices without official TWRP alternatives:

• 🔧 OrangeFox Recovery is a fork TWRP with advanced features (supports Dynamic Partition).
• 🔧 PitchBlack Recovery is optimized for the new Qualcomm and Mediatek chipsets.
• 🔧 Temporary launch via fastboot boot twrp.img (without firmware in partition).

Before experimenting with new models, check the reviews on forums (XDA, 4PDA). Some devices (such as Xiaomi 12S Ultra) have hardware locks that are not yet bypassed even by experienced developers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about TWRP on Xiaomi