Xiaomi Redmi 3, released in 2016, has become a real bestseller thanks to the combination of a metal case, a powerful battery and an affordable price. However, time goes by and the standard Android operating system installed by the manufacturer no longer meets modern requirements for security and application compatibility. Many owners wonder whether it is possible to breathe a second life into the device by installing a newer version of the software.
The process of updating Redmi 3 has its own features, since the official support of the model has long been discontinued, and regular means through the menu “About the phone” new OS no longer receive. You will need to independently search for the latest firmware assemblies, choose between the stability of the official versions of MIUI or the functionality of custom assemblies. In this material we will discuss in detail all available ways to upgrade the software of your gadget.
Before you start taking action, you need to be clear about the risks and prepare the device. Any interference in the system partition has the potential to turn the smartphone into a “brick” if you do not follow the instructions. We will look at methods from simple updates through the computer to the complex installation of TWRP Recovery for complete flashing.
⚠️ Note: All actions for flashing you perform at your own risk.The author of the article is not responsible for damage to your device as a result of incorrect actions.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
The first step before any software manipulation is done is to prepare carefully, you need to back up all the important data, because the internal memory will be completely cleared during the upgrade process, and save contacts, photos and documents to the cloud or to your computer.
Next, you should make sure that the hardware, especially the battery, is in good working order. 60-70%, So you don't shut down the device at the most critical time when you're writing system files, and you also need a high-quality system. USB-cable, preferably original or certified, to avoid connection breaks during data transmission.
To work with the computer, you will need to install special ADB and Fastboot drivers that allow the PC to interact with the system partition of the smartphone. Without these components, the computer will not be able to recognize the phone in bootloader mode, and installing firmware will become impossible.
☑️ Checklist for firmware preparation
- 📱 Charge the battery of the smartphone to at least 70% for stable operation.
- 💾 Make a full backup of contacts and media files.
- 🔌 Prepare for good. USB-cable and check the computer ports.
- 💻 Install the drivers. ADB Fastboot on your personal computer.
- 📥 Download the current firmware file for your model (IDO).
Official Update Methods through MIUI
Despite the age of the model, there are times when you can find a way to upgrade to the latest official version of MIUI without using a computer, a method that is suitable for those who want to keep the warranty (if it is still valid) and are afraid of complex manipulations.
The first way is the standard update menu. You need to go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If the server finds a new version, it will prompt it to download. Often, for older devices, this path is closed, but it is worth trying, since this is the most secure option.
The second method involves manually installing the update archive, so you download a firmware file with the.zip extension (required for Recovery, not for TWRP) and place it at the root of internal memory. Then, in the update menu, click three dots in the corner of the screen and select "Select firmware file."
Why can't we get an update?
| Type of firmware | Method of installation | Data retention | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTA (online) | Automatic. | Preserve. | Low. |
| Recovery (zip) | Through the phone menu | Preserve. | Medium |
| Fastboot (tgz) | Through PC (MiFlash) | Removed | Tall. |
| TWRP (custom) | Through Recovery. | Removed | Tall. |
Firmware through computer and Fastboot mode
If standard methods don't work, Fastboot mode comes to the rescue. It's a special diagnostic mode built into Qualcomm's chipset that allows you to download system images directly from your computer. For Xiaomi Redmi 3, it's one of the most reliable ways to bring a device back to life or install a clean system.
You'll need the MiFlash Tool to start with, download it from the official website and install it on your computer, and download the.tgz firmware and unpack the archive into the root folder of the disk so that the path to the files is short and does not contain Cyrillic.
Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode by slamming the volume button and connecting the cable to your PC. The screen should catch fire, and it will show an image of a rabbit in headphones or the inscription Fastboot. In MiFlash, click "Refresh", select the device and indicate the path to the unpacked firmware.
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Using Fastboot mode allows you to completely overwrite the system partition, which eliminates conflicts between old files with the new version of the OS, but requires complete data loss.
It is important to choose the right firmware method in the utility. clean_all It will clean the phone completely, save_user_data try to save files (not recommended when changing Android versions) clean_all_lock It will lock the bootloader after installation. 3 Most often, they use a complete cleaning.
Installation of TWRP Recovery and custom firmware
For those who want to get the most performance and the latest version of Android (for example, 7, 8 or even 9 through LineageOS), you will need to install custom TWRP recovery.
The process begins with unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock utility, a mandatory step that requires a Mi Account to be linked to the device and waiting 3 to 7 days. Without an unlocked bootloader, TWRP installation is impossible.
Once you have unlocked, download the TWRP image specifically for Redmi 3 (codename ido). Enter the command line and ADB command fastboot flash recovery twrp.img. After a successful recording, you need to immediately boot into Recovery mode, pressing the volume button with the cable connected.
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock app.
- ⬇️ Download the current image TWRP ido.
- 💻 Swipe through the fastboot flash recovery command.
- 🔄 Load into Recovery by clamping Vol.+ and plugged USB.
- 🗑️ Make a Wipe. Data/Factory Reset before installing a new OS.
⚠️ Note: When installing custom Recovery and unlocking the bootloader, data protection stops working and some banking applications or Google Pay services may stop functioning.
Solving errors and problems during the update
During the upgrade process, users often encounter various errors such as "Error 7", "Status 7" or endless reboot (bootloop). Error 7 usually means that the firmware version does not match the bootloader version or the Recovery type does not fit (you need TWRP instead of stock).
If the phone has gone into a bootloop and can't boot the system, you need to reset via Recovery. Go into Recovery Mode, select Wipe and clean up the Dalvik/ART Cache, Cache, System and Data partitions. This will delete all data, but often saves you from the reboot cycle.
If your computer doesn’t see your phone in Fastboot mode, try replacing it. USB-Connect the device to another port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC.You may also need to manually install Qualcomm drivers. HS-USB QDLoader 9008 if the phone is identified as an unknown device.
Optimize the system after installing a new version
After successfully installing a new operating system, it is important to properly configure the device to work smoothly. The first 15-20 minutes after turning on the phone can warm up a lot and work slowly - this is a normal process of optimizing applications and cache with the Android Runtime system.
It is recommended to disable unnecessary animations in the Developer menu to speed up the interface. Find the items "Scale of window animation", "Scale of animation transition" and set a value of 0.5x or turn them off completely. This will visually speed up the work of Redmi 3.
It's also worth checking battery consumption. The new firmware can control power in different ways. If you notice a fast discharge, try resetting the network settings or recalibrating the battery with a full discharge and charge cycle. Remember to clean the app cache regularly.
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After the first boot of the new system, let the phone lie on the charge for 1-2 hours in the off state, which will help the power controller to correctly calibrate the battery readings.