How to flash Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro: all ways to unlock the bootloader

Why is Redmi Note 3 Pro still relevant for firmware?

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro, released in 2016, remains one of the most popular smartphones for firmware experiments. Even 8 years later, a device with a Snapdragon 650 processor, 3 GB of RAM and a metal body can compete with budget innovations - if you install the latest software. Owners sew this device for three key reasons:

First, official MIUI support has long since been discontinued (the latest update is MIUI 11 based on Android 6.0), but enthusiasts port the latest versions of Android up to 13-14 through custom firmware. Second, the Redmi Note 3 Pro is one of Xiaomi’s latest devices with an unlockable bootloader without being tied to a Mi Account, making it an ideal platform for experimentation. Third, the hardware platform (MSM8956) is well documented, and the Linux kernel supports most modern modifications.

But the firmware on this smartphone has nuances, from the need to unlock the bootloader to the risk of “bricking” if you choose the wrong firmware file, and in this guide, we will discuss all the current ways, from official updates through MIUI Updater to install LineageOS via TWRP, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors.

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start

Unprepared firmware is a surefire way to get a brick. Before any manipulation of Redmi Note 3 Pro software (codenamed kenzo), follow the mandatory steps:

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 70%. The firmware process can take up to 30 minutes, and discharging during installation will cause a failure.
• 📱 Make a backup through Mi Cloud or TWRP (If already installed, please note: backups MIUI Incompatible with custom firmware!
• 💻 Install drivers for ADB For Windows, download the Mi Flash Tool. Linux/macOS — android-tool-adb package.
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (unless done before). Without it, you can not install custom Recovery or firmware.

Pay special attention to the firmware version. The Redmi Note 3 Pro has two main options:

• 🇨🇳 Chinese version (HMNote3Pro) — without Google services, with a closed bootloader by default.
• 🌍 Global version (Redmi Note 3 Pro) – with Google services pre-installed, easier to use in firmware.

You can find out your model in Settings → About Phone → Model or through the command fastboot getvar product.

⚠️ Warning: Firmware of the Chinese version of global software (and vice versa) without prior conversion will lead to loss IMEI And you can use only firmware for your model!

Save important data (photos, contacts, SMS)

Check the device model (kenzo/ido/kate)

Download the correct version of the firmware (Fastboot/Recovery)

Install ADB/Fastboot drivers

Charge your phone to 70%+

-->

Method 1: Officially Updated via MIUI Updater

The safest method is to update through the built-in System Update app, which is suitable if:

• 📲 You have an official setup. MIUI (custom-free).
• 🔄 You want to upgrade to the latest supported version (MIUI 11 for the Redmi Note 3 Pro).
• 🔒 The bootloader is not unlocked (the method works with the blocked loader).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
3. Specify the path to the downloaded file with the.zip extension (for example, miui_HMNote3ProGlobal_V11.0.2.0.MHOMIXM_...).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the restart (it will take 5-10 minutes).

If the update is “hung” on the MIUI logo for more than 15 minutes:

• 🔄 Forced to restart the phone (clip the power supply) + Volume up for 10 seconds).
• 🛠️ If the system does not start, log in to Recovery (clip the power supply). + Volume up) and select Wipe → Wipe Cache.

⚠️ Note: Official Updates via Updater do not allow downgrading the version MIUI. If you need to retract (for example, from the MIUI 11 on MIUI 10), use the Fastboot or Recovery methods.

Method 2: Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

The Fastboot method is suitable for:

• 🔧 Installation of official firmware with full reset (for example, for recovery after failure).
• 🔄 Downgrades to version MIUI (downgrade).
• 🛠️ Correct errors when the phone is not loaded into the system.

The work will require:

• 💻 Windows PC (Mi Flash Tool is not officially supported) Linux/macOS).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot (you can download it on the official Xiaomi website).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\kenzo_global_images...).
2. Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. Make sure that the Android Bootloader Interface is in Device Manager.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware.
5. Select firmware mode: Clean all - full reset (recommended when changing the version of MIUI); Clean all and lock - reset + lock the bootloader (dangerous if you want to put the cast!); Save user data - data storage (not always stable).

Flash

If the Mi Flash Tool is an error, you can't find fastboot:

• 🔌 Check the cable connection (try another one). USB-port).
• 🐞 Install drivers manually through Device Manager (download platform-tools from Google).
• 🔄 Restart your PC and phone and try again.

💡

If, after Fastboot, the phone has been stuck on the MIUI logo for more than 20 minutes, don't panic! disconnect it from USB, press Power + Volume up for 20 seconds, then turn it on normally. Often a cold reboot helps.

Method 3: Install custom firmware through TWRP

To install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom firmware, you will need:

1. 🔓 Unlocked boot loader (see section below).
2. 📱 Installed custom Recovery — TWRP (3.6.0 version or later for kenzo).
3. 📁 Firmware in.zip and (optional) GApps format (if there are no Google services in the firmware).

Instructions for installing TWRP:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.0_9-0-kenzo.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.6.0_9-0-kenzo.img

The phone will then automatically reboot to TWRP.

Installation of custom firmware:

1. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

Swipe for confirmation.

Install

lineage-20.0-20231201-kenzo.zip

GApps

MindTheGapps-13.0.0-arm64.zip

Swipe for installation and wait for completion (5-10 minutes).

Reboot → System

⚠️ Attention: The first download of custom firmware can take up to 15-20 minutes. Do not interrupt the process, even if the screen remains black for a long time! If after 25 minutes nothing happens, repeat the firmware with a full vape.

How to unlock the bootloader on Redmi Note 3 Pro

Without unlocking the bootloader, it is impossible to install TWRP or custom firmware.The procedure takes 72–168 hours (3–7 days) due to Xiaomi's policy, but there are workarounds for the Redmi Note 3 Pro.

The official method (via Mi Unlock Tool):

1. Connect your Mi Account to your phone: Go to Settings → Mi Account and log in. Enable Settings → Additional → Developer → Unlock OEM. Link your device to your Settings account → Mi → Mi Cloud → Find your device.

Mi Unlock Tool

Loudness down + Nutrition

Fastboot

Unlock

Informal method (for older devices):

On the Redmi Note 3 Pro with firmware older than MIUI 8, you can unlock the bootloader without waiting through ADB:

adb shell


su




echo -ne "\x00" | dd of=/dev/block/mmcblk0gpt bs=1 seek=63487 count=1




reboot

⚠️ This method does not work on all devices and can lead to data loss!

💡

Unlocking the bootloader resets the phone to factory settings! backup ahead. Once unlocked, some features (like Mi Pay or Widevine L1 for Netflix in HD) may stop working.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, the firmware may not go according to plan.

If the phone has turned into a brick (does not respond to buttons, is not determined by the PC):

• 🔌 Try the emergency firmware through EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account and Qualcomm boxing).
• 🔧 Please contact the service center to flash through the Qualcomm Flash Tool (cost) ~1500–2500 ₽).

💡

If the sensor doesn't work after the firmware, check the firmware version. 3 Pro with a display from Sharp (ido modification) need special firmware marked "sharp_display".

Post-firmware recommendations

Successful firmware is only half the battle, so that the device works steadily.

• 🔄 Reset the settings after installing custom firmware (even if the system has booted). → System system → Resetting settings.
• 🔒 Install Magisk for root rights (if necessary). Download the latest version Magisk.zip and pass through TWRP.
• 📡 Set up the network manually if automatic search doesn't work. Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN) Add your operator’s settings.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery after changing the firmware: completely discharge the phone, then charge to 100% without interruptions.

To improve performance on custom firmware:

• 🎯 Turn on the settings. → System system → For developers → Animation of windows/transitions → Off.
• 🗑️ Limit background processes: Settings → Annexes → All applications → [Select the application] → Battery → Background activity → Limit.
• 🔧 Use optimized cores for the Snapdragon 650 (e.g., FrancoKernel or ElementalX).

⚠️ Note: On custom firmware (especially Android 12-based)+) If you're going to reboot your system and you ask for a password, but you don't accept it, you're going to have to reset your settings through the reboot. TWRP (loss!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note firmware 3 Pro