How to properly flash Xiaomi smartphone: from unlocking to installing firmware

Xiaomi’s smartphone firmware is a challenge that scares many users from the risk of turning the device into a brick. However, with the right approach, it’s no more difficult than installing Windows on a computer. In 2026, the manufacturer simplified official upgrade methods, but alternative firmware still requires care. This article will help you figure out when to sew the device, which method to choose and how to avoid typical errors.

The main reasons for Xiaomi firmware: the release of a new version of MIUI with bug fixes, the desire to install custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the need to return the phone to factory settings after a failure or removing preinstalled software. It is important to understand that informal firmware deprives of warranties, and improper actions can lead to hard brick (complete inoperability of the device).

We will look at all the current ways – from updating through Settings to installing firmware through Fastboot and TWRP. Particular attention will be paid to the preparation: backup data, unlock the bootloader and check the compatibility of firmware files with your model Redmi, POCO or Mi.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

The first step is to determine the current firmware version and device model. Go to Settings → About the phone. Write down:

• 📱 Device model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G or POCO F5)
• 🔢 Version MIUI (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.5)
• 🔄 Assembly number (e.g, TKQCNXM)
• 🔓 bootloader status (unblocked/blocked)

Without a backup, firmware can lose photos, contacts and messages. Use Mi Cloud or third-party services like Google Drive.

• 📸 Photo and video (folder) DCIM)
• 📞 Contacts (export to.vcf)
• 💬 Messages (annexes such as: SMS Backup & Restore)
• 🎮 Save games (via Google Play Games or manual backup)

⚠️ Note: If you are planning to move from China to China ROM Or vice versa, note that this will require a complete reset (Wipe Data.

Check the battery charge – it should be at least 60%. Prepare the cable. USB Type-C (preferably original) and a computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot. Windows will need to disable driver signature verification (instruction below).

Record model and version of MIUI| Make backup data| Charge phone ≥60%| Install ADB/Fastboot Drivers | Download the correct firmware for your model-->

2. Official methods of firmware: without risk and loss of warranty

The safest method is to upgrade through Settings, and it's suitable for installing the latest versions of MIUI without unlocking the bootloader.

1. Settings → About the phone → System update
2. Click Check for Updates
3. If a new version is available, download it (recommended via Wi-Fi)
4. After download, click Reboot and install

If the update does not come automatically, you can install it manually through Recovery:

1. Download the firmware file from the official Xiaomi website (choose.zip for your model)
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory.
3. Press Volume Up + Nutrition to Enter Recovery
4. Select Install update.zip to System and confirm

For devices with a locked bootloader, the method through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool utility is suitable:

• 🖥️ Download Mi Flash Tool and firmware in.tgz format for your model
• 🔌 Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down) + Nutrition)
• 📂 Unpack the firmware and specify the path to the folder in the Mi Flash Tool
• ⚙️ Select Clean All (total clean) or Save User Data (to save data)

Officially OTA-update|Recovery (update.zip)|Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)|Custom firmware through TWRP|I haven't sewed yet.-->

3. Unlocking the bootloader: a mandatory step for custom firmware

The bootloader on Xiaomi devices is locked by default. To install TWRP or custom firmware, it must be unlocked. The process takes up to 720 hours (30 days) due to Xiaomi's security policy.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi Account
2. Go to the Mi Unlock website and download the Mi Unlock Tool utility
3. Run the program on your PC, log in to your Mi Account and follow the instructions
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and wait for the unlock confirmation

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, Factory Reset will be activated, all data will be erased, and this will also void the warranty on the device.

List of models for which unlocking is possible without a long wait (2026):

• 📱 POCO F5/F4 (restriction 168 hours)
• 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (72-hour limit)
• 📱 Xiaomi 13T/12T (restriction 336 hours)

To check the unlock status, enter in the terminal (with the phone connected to Fastboot):

fastboot oem device-info

If the answer is Device unlocked: true, the bootloader is unlocked.

4. Install custom Recovery (TWRP) and firmware

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is an alternative recovery that allows you to install informal firmware, backup and restore the system.

1. Download the current version of TWRP for your model from twrp.me (.img file)
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-0-redminote12proplus.img (Replace the file name with yours)
3. Immediately after firmware, reboot to TWRP by clamping Volume up + Power
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (required to avoid getting stuck on the logo)

To install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS):

1. Download firmware (.zip) and GApps (if you need Google services) from OpenGApps
2. Transfer files to your phone or flash drive
3. In TWRP, select Install → specify firmware file → add GApps (if needed)
4. After installation, run Wipe Cache/Dalvik and restart.

⚠️ Note: Install custom firmware on Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 11 or Xiaomi). POCO M4 Pro) is fraught with problems with the module LAF (Anti-Rollback firmware for the old version MIUI A new device can lead to a hard brick without recovery. Always check the Anti-Rollback version in the firmware file! 💡Before installing custom firmware, check its compatibility with your model on the forum XDA This is especially true for Dynamic Partition devices (e.g. Redmi). K50 Xiaomi 12, where special versions are required TWRP. 5. Typical errors and their solutions Even when following instructions, users face problems: 🔴 Error "This package is for... but this is a..." So you're trying to install firmware not for your model. Check the file name and compare it to ro.product.device in the TWRP (Mount → System → Advanced → File Manager → /system/build.prop). 🔴 Hanging on the logo MI Or looped downloads, because there's no Wipe Data after you install custom firmware, or because the kernel is incompatible. Solution: go back to the kernel. TWRP, run the Wipe → Format Data (enter yes) and reinstall the firmware. 🔴 The "Invalid" error IMEI" After firmware often occurs on MediaTek devices. IMEI via Maui META or SN Write Tool (requires backup) NVRAM firmware). 🔴 The sensor does not work after installation TWRP The problem is typical for new models (Redmi Note). 12, POCO X5). Solution: Use TWRP Device tree-enabled versions (look for versions marked unified or treble). To do this: Download Fastboot firmware for your model from Xiaomi (choose the Stable version) Unpack the archive into a folder without spaces (for example, C:\miui_fastboot) Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and launch Mi Flash Tool Specify the path to the firmware folder and select Clean All Mode Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 For devices with unlocked loader and installed TWRP can be used update.zip: Download Recovery firmware (.zip file) Transfer it to your phone TWRP Choose Install → specify the file → Confirm after installation, run the Wipe Cache/Dalvik Reset if you return to the MIUI Mobile network or Wi-Fi is not working, check: 📶 IMEI (It should be the same as the battery label in the *#06# 📡 MAC-Wi-Fi address in Settings → The phone. → All specifications 🔧 Settings APN (for mobile Internet) in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → If the phone stopped turning on (hard brick), try: Connect the device to the PC in mode EDL (Hold the volume up + Loudness down + USB-Cable) Use the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All and Lock option to restore stock firmware SP Flash Tool and auth file (available on forums) 💡If the phone does not turn on after firmware, but is defined by the computer as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, so the device is in mode EDL. In this case, only the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with authorization in Mi Account. 6. MIUI If experiments with custom firmware were not successful, you can return stock MIUI. Access points (APN) 7. Firmware through ADB Sideload: Alternative method if TWRP Unavailable and Fastboot is not working, you can use it. ADB Sideload. This method is suitable for installing official updates without unlocking the bootloader. Instructions: Download the firmware in.zip format and place it in the folder with ADB (for example, C:\platform-tools) Transfer the phone to Recovery Mode (clip Volume Up). + Select Apply update from ADB On PC, open the command line in the folder with ADB and type: adb devices (should display your device) Run the firmware command: adb sideload miui_BLOCKOTA.zip (Replace the file name with yours: Advantages of the method: ✅ Does not require unlocking the loader ✅ Works on devices with blocked Fastboot ✅ Stores user data (unless otherwise indicated) Deficiencies: ❌ Slower than Fastboot ❌ Not all custom firmware supports installation through ADB Sideload ❌ If you make an error, the phone may freeze during the upgrade phase. 💡If the process ADB Sideload hovers on 47% or another number, don't turn off your phone. 10-15 minute. After successful firmware, follow a few steps to ensure the device works consistently: 🔒 Enable encryption (if it has been disabled): Settings → Additionally. → Encryption and accounts 🔄 Update all apps via Google Play or Mi App Store 📡 Check the network settings: sometimes after firmware is lost APN mobile-internet 🔋 Calibrate the battery: completely discharge and charge the phone 2-3 Time to improve productivity: 🚀 Turn off animation: activate for developers and install window animation = 0.5x, Animation of transitions = 0.5x 🧹 Clear the cache: Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache 🛡️ Install Magisk for root rights (optional) and module management If bugs appear after firmware: 🐞 Report them on the Xiaomi forum EU or XDA (Specify the model and firmware version) 🔍 Check the error logs via MatLog or Logcat 🔄 If progress hasn’t changed, restart the device in Recovery and try again. 8. Go back to the previous firmware version if the bugs are critical. ⚠️ Note: After installing custom firmware, some functions may not work properly: NFC (Pixel Experience for Redmi Note 10 Pro, Broadband LTE (on firmware without VoLTE support), IR-blaster (requires separate Magisk modules). FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi firmware ❓ Can you flash Xiaomi without a computer? Yes, but with limitations. → Updating the system can only be installed official OTA-You'll need custom firmware. TWRP, The alternative is to use apps like Flashify, but it's risky. ❓ Why is the camera not working after the firmware? It's because there are no drivers or because the firmware is not compatible with the hardware. For Xiaomi with Snapdragon processors (e.g, POCO F3) often ANX Camera or GCam. MediaTek (like Redmi Note 11) may require a patch for libcamera. ❓ How do you check if the bootloader is unlocked? Turn off the phone, then press Volume down. + Power to log in to Fastboot. Connect to your PC and type in the command: fastboot oem device-info If Device unlocked: true - bootloader unlocked. Also when you turn on the phone on locked devices, the warning This device is locked is displayed. ❓ Which firmware is better: MIUI EU, Global or China? The choice depends on priorities: MIUI Global: stable, Google-enabled, but with advertising and restrictions (e.g. no themes). MIUI China: More features (like Super Wallpapers) but no Google services and in Chinese. MIUI EU: weekly updates, no ads, Google support, but bugs are possible. MIUI EU or Global Stable. ❓ Can you flash Xiaomi with a broken screen? Yes, but it's harder. You'll need: Connect your phone to your PC and control it through your PC. ADB or scrcpy (screen display on the computer) If the sensor is not working, use it OTG-Mouse (some models support). Fastboot firmware does not require a screen - physical buttons are enough (Volume) ± + Power supply: The main risk is the inability to confirm actions on the lock screen (unless disabled). OEM Unlock ahead of time).