Xiaomi has become a brick after failing to firmware, upgrade or experiment with custom ROMs? Don't panic - 90% of the time, the device can be brought back to life even without specialized equipment. In this article, we will examine all the stages of recovery: from diagnosis of the type of "brick" to choosing the right firmware and using official / informal tools.
It's important to understand that Xiaomi has three types of "brick": soft brick (the device turns on but doesn't load beyond the logo), bootloop (a cyclic reboot), and hard brick (a complete lack of response to buttons and charging), the latter two cases require different approaches — and that's where we'll focus. If your device even displays the Mi logo or vibrates when you connect to a PC, the chances of a successful recovery are much higher.
We warn you beforehand that the process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the model and the complexity of the problem, but if you follow the instructions correctly, even a dead Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO F3 can be reanimated, the main thing is to take your time and follow the preparation checklist.
1.Diagnostics: What type of “brick” does your Xiaomi have?
Before you start firmware, you need to determine exactly the state of the device, which will affect the choice of tools and methods of recovery.
- 🔋 Hard brick: phone doesn't respond to power button, doesn't charge, doesn't get detected by computer. Screen black, no vibration or backlight.
- 🔄 Bootloop: The device is constantly restarting without reaching the desktop. can hang on the Mi logo or download animations.
- ⚠️ Soft brick: The phone turns on but does not boot beyond the logo or gives a No command error in recovery mode.
- 🔌 EDL-Emergency boot mode: the device is not turned on, but is defined by the PC as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (Device Manager needs verification).
For accurate diagnosis, connect your smartphone to a computer with Qualcomm or Mediatek drivers installed (depending on your model’s processor). If an unknown device with an error code appears in Device Manager, this is a sign of an error. EDL-A mode that allows you to access the firmware through special tools like the Mi Flash Tool or QFil.
⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is not computer-defined, even in the EDL-The problem may be a hardware problem (damaged) USB-port, power controller or motherboard, which requires repairs at the service centre.
2. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before You Start
Incorrect preparation is the main reason for repeated “bricking”. Before you start recovery, follow all the paragraphs in this section:
Install Qualcomm/Mediatek drivers for your model
Download official firmware (Fastboot or Recovery) from the Xiaomi website
Prepare a USB cable (preferably original)
Charge your phone to at least 30% (if possible)
Disable antivirus and firewall on PC
Download Mi Flash Tool or alternative flasher (e.g. XiaomiTool V2)
Backup your data (if the phone is still turned on)
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Pay special attention to the choice of firmware. Only official Fastboot firmware with the extension.tgz or.zip are suitable for recovery of the brick.
- 🌍 Xiaomi Firmware (select a version for your model and region).
- 🔧 On resources like Xiaomi Firmware Updater (there are archival versions of firmware here).
- 📦 Through telegram bots, sort of. @MiFirmwareBot (easy to search by model code).
If your device supports unlocking the bootloader (most Xiaomi models after 2016), you’ll also need to:
- Link your Mi Account to your device (unless it has been done previously).
- Get permission to unlock through the official Xiaomi website (can take up to 72 hours).
- Install Mi Unlock Tool to unlock bootloader.
⚠️ Warning: Fastboot firmware with a blocked bootloader will result in an anti-rollback error or complete loss IMEI on some models (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro with Mediatek Helio processor) G90T). Always check the status of the bootloader with the fastboot oem device-info command. 3. Unlock the bootloader: a must-have step for most models If your Xiaomi is released after 2016, its bootloader is most likely locked.This means flashing the device through Fastboot or EDL Unlocking process consists of several steps: Linking Mi Account: on the working device, log into Settings → Mi Account → Linked devices and tie the brick (if it still turns on) If the phone doesn't work, this step is skipped, but unlocking will become impossible. Obtaining permission: go to the unlock page, log in and submit a request.The wait can take from a few hours to 3 days.Use of the Mi Unlock Tool: After receiving SMS Download the utility with confirmation, transfer the phone to Fastboot (clip Volume Down) + Power, connect to the PC. Press Unlock on some models (e.g., Unlock, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) When you unlock the bootloader, you reset to the factory settings. If your device was in soft brick, that's OK, the data was still inaccessible. What if the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a "Couldn't unlock" error? If the utility refuses to unlock the bootloader, try the following steps 1. Use another version of the Mi Unlock Tool (e.g. 5.5.224.24 instead of the last one). 2. Connect the phone to another. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC). 3. Disable the driver signature in Windows (via download options, key) F7 4. Try unlocking from another computer (sometimes changing helps) IP-5. If the device is new (bought less than 72 hours ago), wait 3 days - Xiaomi blocks unlocking for new devices. 9T or POCO M3) Unlocking the loader is not required for firmware through SP Flash Tool, but you may need to install custom recavators like TWRP. 4. Fastboot firmware: universal method for most bricks If your Xiaomi is defined by a computer in Fastboot mode (when connected with the pressed button Volume down), this method will work best: 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool (official version from Xiaomi). 📄 Fastboot firmware for your model (file with.tgz extension). 🔌 Original. USB-cable (Chinese cables are often not suitable for firmware) Step-by-step instruction: Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\fastboot_rom). Install the Mi Flash Tool and run on behalf of the administrator. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down). + Power off the device. In the utility, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder. Select the firmware method: Clean all — complete cleaning (recommended for bricks). Clean all and lock — cleaning + lock the bootloader (unless you plan to experiment with firmware any further). Save user data will save data, but may not work on damaged partitions. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-15 If the process is successful, the phone will automatically restart. The first load after the firmware may take up to 10 If you see the Mi logo and it's going well, congratulations, you've restored the device! 1. Use an older version of the utility (for example, 2018.5.4.0). 2. Manually edit the file flash_all.bat In the firmware folder, removing the fastboot oem lock line. 3. Switch through alternative tools like XiaomiTool V2 or Fastboot Enhance.--> 5. Firmware through EDL: When Fastboot doesn’t work if the device doesn’t respond to buttons and isn’t defined in Fastboot, but the computer sees it as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, So the phone is in the EDL-This is a method that works for hard brick, but it requires special care. EDL You'll need it: 🔧 Mi Flash Tool or QFil (for Qualcomm devices). 📄 Firmware in.mbn format or special EDL-file (can be found on forums such as XDA). 🔑 Authorized Mi Account (for new models starting in 2019) Instructions for Mi Flash Tool: Download firmware for EDL (It's usually a file marked edl or firehose. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool. Connect the phone to a PC, and it needs to be defined as COM-port in Device Manager. In the utility, select Select and specify the path to the firmware folder. Press Refresh, the device should appear in the list. Choose Clean all and press Flash. ⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL on Xiaomi models 2019 and later (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi 9) requires authorization through the Mi Account. SLA Auth Error: Use an authorized account (linked to the device before "bricking»). Contact the official Xiaomi service center for unlocking (paid service). On some models, the firmware through Test Point (closing contacts on the motherboard) helps, but this is risky for beginners. 9A or POCO C31) Mi Flash Tool is used instead of Mi Flash Tool. SP Flash Tool.The process is similar, but requires installing Mediatek Preloader drivers and selecting the right scatter file in the firmware. 6. IMEI After successful firmware, you may encounter a lack of network or error IMEI: It means that the partition with the modem data has been erased. IMEI This method is suitable for Instruction Risks via Engineer Mode Devices on Qualcomm Enter ##4636##, select Information → Write IMEI and enter the original meanings. Low (if you enter the correct ones) IMEI) Through QCN-File All Qualcomm models Download backup QCN (If you have, and restore it through QPST Mi Flash Tool: Medium (risk of damaging the modem if you make an error) META Devices on Mediatek Use the Maui utility META re-record IMEI Meta Mode. High (with incorrect data, the modem can fail) All models Call service Service Center will refashion the modem with the original data. No (but paid service) If you do not know the original IMEI Your device can be found: 📄 On the phone box (under the barcode). 📱 In the settings of Google account (partition Android Device Manager). 💾 In backup if it was created before firmware. ⚠️ Attention: Introducing incorrect IMEI or the use of generators IMEI (For example, to bypass the operator lock, it can cause a complete loss of communication and lock the device at the modem level, and then you can restore the phone only with the help of soldering equipment in the service center. 7. Frequent errors and solutions Even with accurate follow-up to the instructions, errors can occur. Here are the most common ways to fix them: Error Reason Anti-rollback check fail firmware older than the current version MIUI or the bootloader is blocked Use the firmware of the same or newer version. Unlock the bootloader. SLA Auth Error (in) EDL) Mi Account authorization required for new models Use an authorized account or contact the service. Device not found (in Fastboot) Drivers not installed or cable problem Install drivers manually through Device Manager. Try another cable/port. Invalid sparse file format Damaged firmware file or incompatible version Download firmware again from an official source. Phone does not turn on after firmware Wrong method (Clean all and lock on unlocked bootloader) Repeat firmware with Clean all method. If none of the methods did not help, check: 🔌 Powering the phone: connect to the charging on 30+ minutes before the firmware. 🖥️ Windows Version: On Windows 11 Older versions of the Mi Flash Tool may not work. 10. 🔧 Alternative tools: XiaomiTool is suitable for some models V2, Fastboot Enhance or SP Flash Tool. fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin (file NON-HLOS.bin file-storage).--> FAQ: Can I flash Xiaomi without unlocking the bootloader? No, if we are talking about models after the launch? 2016 year-end. Firmware through Fastboot or EDL If you have a locked bootloader, you'll get an error or you'll get a copy of it, except for the Recovery firmware (but it only works with a soft brick). What if the Mi Flash Tool can't see the phone? Check this out: Are Qualcomm or Mediatek drivers installed (depending on the processor); are you using the original cable (Chinese cables often don't fit); have you tried connecting your phone to another one? USB-port (better) USB Do you run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator, have you disabled the antivirus (it can block the utility). If nothing helps, try using XiaomiTool V2 — It's often better at recognizing devices. How do I know which processor is in my Xiaomi? There are a number of ways: See the model specs on the GSMArena website. If the phone turns on, install the app. CPU-Z or AIDA64. Model code: the first letters indicate the processor. For example: tucana (Redmi Note 8) - Qualcomm Snapdragon. begonia (Redmi Note 8 Pro) - Mediatek Helio G90T. alioth (POCO F3) — Qualcomm Snapdragon 870. Can you recover data after you have been firmwareed through Fastboot? Unfortunately, Clean all erases user data (photos, contacts, messages) completely. If you need to save information, try the following options: If the phone turns on but doesn’t load beyond the logo, connect to your PC in Fastboot mode and use utilities like Quick Shortcut Maker to access files via the Fastboot. ADB. If you have a backup in Mi Cloud, restore the data after you have firmware. You can use it to retrieve data from damaged partitions. SP Flash Tool in Readback mode (power users only). In most cases, hard brick means irretrievable data loss. What if the phone warms up and discharges quickly after firmware is done? These are typical symptoms after the brick has been restored. Causes and solutions: Wrong firmware: you stitched the version MIUI Solution: Sweep through the correct version. Damaged partitions: some system files have not recovered. Solution: repeat the Clean all firmware. Battery calibration failure: reset battery statistics after firmware. For this, enter in the engineering menu (##4636##) Battery info → Background processes: after firmware MIUI It can take a long time to index files. 1-2 If the problem does not go away, check the status of the battery in the AIDA64 (battery).