Introduction: Why you need firmware through Recovery and when to use it
Installing firmware through Recovery mode is one of the most versatile ways to update or restore Xiaomi when standard methods don’t work. This method comes in handy if your smartphone is stuck on the MI logo, doesn’t turn on after a failed “over the air” update, or you want to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience). Unlike firmware through Fastboot, the Recovery method does not require a PC connection at some stages, but has its nuances.
It is important to understand the difference between firmware types: Official MIUI (stable/development) is suitable for restoring operability without loss of warranty. Castom firmware gives more freedom (for example, pure Android), but requires an unlocked bootloader and can be insecure. Local firmware via Updater is a simplified option, but does not work on all models (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11 can block this method).
In this article, we will discuss the only reliable way to flash Xiaomi through Recovery without a “brick” – with a pre-unlocking of the bootloader and checking the firmware compatibility. If your device is already in a “brick” state (does not respond to buttons), first try the Fastboot method or contact the service center.
Preparation: What to do before the firmware
Before you start installing, make sure all the preliminary steps are followed. Missing at least one item can lead to data loss or the inability to turn on the phone.
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool (required for official firmware on new models after 2021). 4X) We can do without it.
- 📱 Check the model and the encoding: the firmware for the Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet) will not work for the Redmi Note 10 (mojito). → About the phone or through the command fastboot getvar product.
- 🔋 Charge the battery by at least 60 percent, and when discharged during firmware, the device can turn into a brick".
- 💾 Backup important data (photos, contacts, messages) via Mi Cloud or ADB Backup.Firmware through Recovery usually erases user data!
Pay special attention to the choice of firmware version:
For official MIUI, download files only from en.miui.com (Download section).
For custom firmware, use proven sources: XDA Developers, 4PDA or SourceForge (for example, ArrowOS firmware is suitable for POCO F3).
Avoid files with the.tgz extension – they are designed to be firmware through Fastboot, not Recovery.
Unlocking the loader: without this can not do
Starting with the Xiaomi Mi 5 (2016), all of the company’s devices come with a locked bootloader, meaning that installing any firmware through Recovery is impossible until you unlock it.The process takes 3 to 360 hours (on new models) and requires:
- Linked Mi Account (required to have a confirmed phone number).
- Mi Unlock Tool (you can download it on the official website).
- Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power when the phone is off).
Unlocking algorithm:
1. Install Mi Unlock Tool on Windows PC (on macOS/Linux works via a virtual machine).
2. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode (on the screen should burn a hare in a hat-eared).
3. log in to the utility under the same account as on the phone.
4.Push Unlock and wait until it is completed (the progress bar will appear on the phone screen).
What to do if Mi Unlock Tool gives you a "Couldn't unlock" error
The error "Couldn't unlock" or "Current account is different from the account info on the device" occurs in 90% of cases due to:
- Accounts on the phone and in the utility are not the same (even if the logins are the same, check the region: Mi Account for China and global account are different things!).
- No binding SIM-Cards to account (some models require insertion) SIM wait 72 hours).
- The Mi Unlock Tool (only download from the official website)
Solution: Delete your Mi Account on your phone through Settings → Accounts, reboot, re-add your account and try again in 24 hours.
Once successfully unlocked, the phone will have Unlocked on its screen, and you can start the firmware. Attention: unlocking resets all the data on the device!
Firmware selection: official MIUI vs custom builds
The type of firmware that determines not only the functionality, but also the stability of the device, and below is a comparative table with the pros and cons of each option.
| Type of firmware | Advantages | Deficiencies | What models are suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official MIUI (Stable) | Maximum compatibility with hardware support OTA-Updates Preserve Warranty (if the bootloader is not unlocked) | Many pre-installed apps Delays with updates (3-6 months) | All models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12) |
| Official MIUI (Development) | New features before stable version More frequent updates (weekly) | Possible bugs (e.g., quick battery discharge) Not suitable for daily use | POCO F4, Xiaomi 12S Ultra, etc. (list at en.miui.com) |
| LineageOS (Pixel Experience) | Pure Android without junk Additional features (e.g. navigation gestures) Support for legacy models (e.g. Redmi 5 Plus) | The camera may not work, NFC or fingerprint sensor No OTA-Updates (must be manual) Risk of "brike" in case of installation error | Active community models (e.g. POCO X3 Pro, Mi 9T) |
For beginners, we recommend starting with the official stable MIUI. If you want a pure Android, choose custom firmware only for popular models (for example, POCO F3 or Redmi K40), where bugs are minimized.
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Before downloading the firmware, check its hash amount (MD5) using the HashMyFiles utility. This will help avoid installing a corrupted file that can "brick" the device.
Step-by-step: how to flash Xiaomi through Recovery
Now, let's get to the process. Make sure you have the right handy.
- 📱 Phone with unlocked loader and charge ≥60%.
- 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download it on Android. SDK).
- 📁 Firmware file in.zip format (for example, miui_SWEETGlobal_V13.0.1.0.SKFMIXM_2f3a123456.zip).
If everything is ready, follow the instructions:
- Copy the firmware to your phone: Connect the device to your PC and move the.zip file to the root folder of internal memory (not to the Download or MIUI folders). Disable the phone and turn it off.
- Load into Recovery: Press Volume Up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi Recovery logo appears. On some models (like the POCO F2 Pro) you first need to clamp Volume Up + Volume Down + Power.
- Select a language (usually English or Chinese) and go to the Install update.zip to System menu (or similar).
- Specify the path to the firmware file: In standard Recovery, select the file through the menu. In TWRP, tap Install → specify the path to.zip → swipe for confirmation.
- Wait for completion (usually 5-15 minutes) and it will appear that you will be successful or installation complete.
- Reset (required!): From the Recovery menu, select Wipe data → Wipe All Data (or Factory Reset in TWRP). Confirm the action (some models require you to enter an unlock code).
Reboot.
Reboot
Reboot to System
☑️ Checklist before rebooting
The first download after firmware can take up to 10 minutes. If the MI logo is on the screen for longer than 20 minutes, something went wrong (see the "Error Solving" section).
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If you install custom firmware, be sure to flash the file before it. disable_forceencrypt.zip (Android 10+) or OrangeFox.zip (to disable encryption, otherwise the system will not boot!
Typical errors and their solutions
Even with the correct instructions, there can be problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:
⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't turn on after firmware (black screen, no image vibration), don't try to flash it again. First check if the device in Fastboot is detected by the fastboot device command. If not, there's a hardware problem (possibly a battery plume dump).
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| E: Footer is wrong or E: Signature verification failed | A damaged firmware file or an incompatible version of Recovery. | Check it out. MD5-hash file. If you use it TWRP, Turn off signature verification in the settings. MIUI First, stock recovery through Fastboot. |
| Phone boots to Recovery after restart | The system partition is not damaged or the data is not reset. | Go back to Recovery and run Wipe Data. If it doesn't work, run the firmware again with the pre-Format Data (in TWRP). |
| This package is for "sweet" devices; this is a "mojito". | The firmware is designed for another model. | Download the correct firmware version (check the device code through fastboot getvar product). |
| Phone not identified in Fastboot after failed firmware | "Soft Brick" (damaged boot boot boot or section). | Try to pinch Volume Down + Power 30 seconds. If it doesn't work, run stock ROM through MiFlash in EDL mode (requires an authorized account). |
If none of the methods worked and the phone didn’t turn on, there are two options:
1. contact the service center (especially if the device is warranty).
2. Swipe through EDL (Emergency Mode) with Qualcomm box or MiFlashPro utility.This method requires experience and can lead to complete data loss.
Firmware through TWRP: features and nuances
TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom Recovery that allows you to install informal firmware, make backups and restore them. Its installation is mandatory if you plan to use custom ROM or Magisk (for root rights).
How to install TWRP:
1. Download the correct version for your model from twrp.me (for example, for Redmi Note). 10 Pro. twrp-3.6.2_11-0-sweet.img).
2. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_11-0-sweet.img3. Immediately after the firmware, restart the Recovery command:
fastboot reboot recovery(If you just restart your phone, standard Recovery will overwrite TWRP!)
Features of working with TWRP:
Before installing custom firmware, be sure to backup the Boot, System and Data partitions (Backup button in the main menu).
— For Android-based firmware 10+ You may need to disable encryption (file) disable_forceencrypt.zip).
If the phone doesn’t boot after installing the firmware, try flashing the kernel (boot.img) separately through Fastboot.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T Pro) TWRP It may not work properly with the file system. F2FS. In this case, before the firmware format the Data section in ext4 via Wipe menu → Format Data → enter.