How to install the driver correctly on Xiaomi: from ADB to Mi Flash Tool

Installing drivers for Xiaomi devices is a must before firmware, unlocking the bootloader or debugging through ADB. Without the correct drivers, Windows will not recognize the smartphone in Fastboot or EDL modes, and attempts to connect to the device will end in errors like device not found or unauthorized. This instruction covers all current installation methods - from automatic search through Mi PC Suite to manual installation to work with Mi Flash Tool and custom firmware.

Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark) feature proprietary protocols that standard Windows drivers do not support. For example, EDL (Emergency Download Mode) requires a separate Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver, and Fastboot requires a modified Android Bootloader Interface. We will analyze each case with the latest updates from 2026, when Xiaomi tightened its security policy for downloaders.

1.What drivers are needed for Xiaomi and why

Depending on the task, you may need different types of drivers.

🔌 ADB-driver – for debugging applications, obtaining root rights or installing APK It's on the command line. USB Debugging (includes in the developer settings).
⚡ Fastboot Driver – for firmware through fastboot flash, unlocking the bootloader or recovering through the Mi Flash Tool. + Vol Down.
🛠️ EDL-driver (Qualcomm 9008) - for disaster recovery of "brick" devices. Requires special cable or test points on the board.
📱 MTP-driver - for standard connection as a flash drive (file transfer.

Most problems arise with Fastboot and EDL – their drivers are often blocked by the system as unsigned. For example, when trying to flash Redmi Note 12 through the Mi Flash Tool, you may see an error This device cannot start (Code 10) – this means that the driver is installed incorrectly or locked Windows.

📊 Why You Need Xiaomi Drivers?

Firmware through Fastboot

Unlocking the loader

Recovery through EDL

Application debugging (ADB)

Another option

2.Preparation for installation: what to do before the start

Before installing drivers, follow the mandatory steps to avoid errors:

Turn off the driver digital signature check in Windows (otherwise the system will block unofficial drivers).
Download the official utilities Xiaomi:

cable-in-the-box

Fastboot

Disable the driver signature verification|Download Mi PC Suite and Mi Flash Tool|Use the original USB-cable|Restart the PC in test mode (if necessary)-->

Important: On devices with a Mediatek processor (e.g. Redmi 10A, POCO C50), BROM requires a MediaTek Preloader driver that Windows blocks as malicious.

Method 1: Automatic installation via Mi PC Suite

The easiest method is to use the official Mi PC Suite utility, which is suitable for most modern models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5) and installs drivers for MTP, ADB and the basic Fastboot.

Instructions:

Install Mi PC Suite and start the program.
Connect your smartphone to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
Wait for the utility to identify the device and prompt you to install the drivers. Click Install.
Restart your PC and smartphone.

Check the result:

📱 Open Device Manager (Win) + X → Device Manager).
🔍 The Portable Devices section should show the name of your model (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro).
🔧 In the Controllers section USB Check for Android availability ADB Interface.

💡

If Mi PC Suite does not see the device, try to connect in file transfer mode (MTP), Then switch to Image Transfer (PTP) And back again. It sometimes resets. USB-linkage.

Method limitation: Mi PC Suite does not install drivers for EDL and does not always work correctly with Fastboot on new models (e.g. Xiaomi 14 Ultra).

Method 2: Manually install drivers for Fastboot and ADB

If the automatic installation didn't work or you need firmware drivers, follow this instruction. We'll use drivers from the Mi Flash Tool package.

Steps:

Download and unpack the Mi Flash Tool.
Go to the folder MiFlash\Source\ThirdParty\Google\UsbDriver - here are the drivers for ADB and Fastboot.
Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Power + Vol Down before the Fastboot logo appears).
Open Device Manager, find a device with a yellow exclamation point (usually under Other Devices like Android or Xiaomi).
Right-click → Update the driver → Search for drivers on this computer → Select the driver from the list → Install from the disk.
Point the way to the file. android_winusb.inf from the UsbDriver folder and confirm the installation.

After successful installation in the Device Manager should appear:

📱 Android Bootloader Interface (for Fastboot).
🔧 Android ADB Interface (for debugging).

If Windows issues an error Failed to check the publisher of these drivers, go back to the step of disabling signature verification (section 2).

What to do if the driver is not installed?

If the system is persistently blocking the driver, try it: 1. Install it via pnputil (command line from administrator): pnputil /add-driver "paddy-daddy\android_winusb.inf" /install 2. Use Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider (DSEO) forced-installation. 3. Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0, so USB 3.0 Sometimes it conflicts with Fastboot).

Method 3: Installation EDL-Drivers (Qualcomm 9008)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is used to restore devices with damaged firmware, and it requires a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver to activate it, which Windows does not recognize by default.

Instructions:

Download the Qualcomm 9008 driver (the version for your Windows bit).
Put the smartphone in mode EDL: 🔧 For most models: Turn off the device, press Vol Up + Vol Down and connect to the PC (you need the original cable!). 🛠️ For "brick" devices: it may be necessary to close the test points on the board.

Device Manager

QHUSB_BULK

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

qdloader.inf

Once installed in Device Manager, Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (COMX) should display, where X is the port number, which you will need to work with the Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

💡

EDL mode is the last chance to restore the brick, but activating it on new models (such as the Xiaomi 13T) may require an authorized Mi Account or a special cable with a resistor.

⚠️

Note: Some antiviruses (e.g. Avast, Kaspersky) remove the Qualcomm 9008 driver as potentially dangerous. Add the driver folder to the antivirus exceptions before installing.

Verification of the operation of drivers

Make sure the drivers are installed correctly before proceeding with firmware or unlocking.

Regime.	How to connect	What should be displayed in Device Manager	Team to check
MTP	Enable File Transfer in the Notification Curtain	Xiaomi [model] in the Portable Devices section	—
ADB	Enable USB debugging in the developer settings	Android ADB Interface in the USB Controllers section	Adb devices (must show serial number)
Fastboot	Turn off the device, clamp Power + Vol Down	Android Bootloader Interface	fastboot devices (should show the serial number)
EDL	Close the testpoints or use a combination of buttons	Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (COMX)	—

If the fastboot device command does not show your device, but the driver is installed:

🔌 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
🔄 Reinstall the driver with the old one removed completely (via Device Manager) → Remove the device → Remove drivers).
📋 Check if the connection is blocked by antivirus or firewall.

7. Solving common mistakes

Even after installing drivers, problems can arise, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

🚫 The error "Device not found" in ADB/Fastboot: Make sure that the developer settings include debugging by USB and Unlock. OEM. Execute in command line: adb kill-server adb start-server
⚠️ Code 10 in Device Manager: This means the driver can't start. Try rolling back the driver to the previous version or installing it manually with signature check disabled.
🔄 The device plugs in and out cyclically: The problem is typical for non-original cables. USB on the motherboard – some of them may not provide sufficient current.
🔒 Mi Flash Tool does not see the device in the EDL: Make sure that Qualcomm is displayed in Device Manager HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (not QHUSB_BULK). Check the number. COM-Port – it must match what is specified in the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️

Note: On devices with a Mediatek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) An additional MediaTek driver may be required to work with firmware DA USB VCOM. Its installation is similar to Qualcomm 9008, But the driver file is called mtk_usb.inf.

8. Alternative installation methods

If the standard methods didn’t work, try these options:

📦 Universal driver from Google: Download USB-Google's Android driver. Install it through Device Manager, specifying the driver folder. ADB and the basic Fastboot, but not for EDL.
🖥️ Use Zadig: The Zadig utility allows you to replace the driver with libusb or WinUSB. EDL, It may conflict with other drivers.
🔧 Drivers from the chipset manufacturer: For Qualcomm: download QDART (Qualcomm Developer Tools. for Mediatek: use MTK Driver Auto Installer.

If you are running Linux or macOS, you don’t need to install drivers, just configure the udev rules for ADB and Fastboot. For example, for ADB, add a string to /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules:

SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="2717", MODE="0666", GROUP="plugdev"

(where 2717 is Vendor ID for Xiaomi)

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi drivers

Can I install drivers without disabling signature verification?

Technically, yes, but only if the driver has a Microsoft digital signature: Official drivers from Xiaomi (e.g., from Mi PC Suite) are signed, and drivers for EDL or Fastboot are not.

Why did the drivers stop working after the flash?

This is due to changing the VID/PID after you have firmware, like when you switch from MIUI Global to MIUI China or custom firmware, so you can remove old drivers through Device Manager and reinstall them.

How do I know which chipset is in my Xiaomi?

There are several ways: Enter ##4636## in the dial box → Select Phone Information → See Set of Chips. Use the CPU-Z app (Social Controls section). Check the model specifications on the GSMArena website. The chipset determines which driver you need: Qualcomm or Mediatek.

Can I use drivers from other brands (Samsung, OnePlus)?

Partially. ADB and MTP drivers are universal for all Android devices. But the drivers for Fastboot and EDL are specific for each manufacturer. For example, Samsung's Qualcomm 9008 driver is not suitable for Xiaomi, because they have different Vendor IDs.

How to remove all Xiaomi drivers before reinstalling?

Follow the steps: Open Device Manager. Find all devices with Xiaomi, Android, Qualcomm, or Mediatek names. Right-click for each → Delete device → Remove the driver programs for that device. Reboot the PC. Remove the driver folders manually (usually found in C:\Program Files (x86)\Xiaomi or C:\Users\[Your name]\AppData\Local\MiPhone).