How to restore Xiaomi phone from the state of “brick”: 5 working methods

Your Xiaomi stopped turning on after a failed upgrade, experimenting with custom firmware or resetting? The screen is black and the computer does not recognize the device? These are classic symptoms of a brick state, when the smartphone turns into a useless piece of iron. But don't rush to carry it to the service center: in 90% of cases, the phone can be restored yourself.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods of resuscitation of Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark, including models with a locked bootloader. We will analyze the MiFlash tools, Fastboot and EDL modes, and also explain how to get around errors like Invalid image format or Firehose not found. Importantly, the procedure requires attention to detail - one wrong command can aggravate the problem.

What is a “brick” and why does it occur?

The brick state is a critical firmware error in which a smartphone cannot boot the operating system, ranging from harmless to fatal:

• 🔄 Interrupted update through OTA MiFlash (for example, battery is down or disconnected) USB-cable).
• 🛠️ Incompatible firmware: an attempt to install Global ROM Chinese model (China) ROM) vice versa.
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader in violation of the official Mi Unlock procedure.
• 🤖 Delete system files through ADB or TWRP (For example, random formatting of a section /system).
• 🔋 Hardware failure: damage to memory (eMMC) or power controller (in which case software methods will not help).

The symptoms of “brick” are divided into two types:

Critical error: Unless the phone is identified as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 in Windows Device Manager, the chances of recovering without specialized hardware (such as a UFi Box) are minimal.

Preparation for Recovery: What You Will Need

Before you start resuscitation, gather the necessary tools and files, without which the procedure is doomed to failure.

• 💻 Computer on Windows 7/10/11 (MiFlash is best avoided macOS/Linux because of driver problems).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap cables may not transmit data to the Fastboot/EDL).
• 🔋 Charged battery (minimum 50%, otherwise the process will be interrupted).
• 📁 Firmware for your model (download only from official sources: Miui Download or Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🛠️ Programs: MiFlash Tool (version 2020.3.14.0 or later); ADB & Fastboot (from Platform Tools for Android) SDK); Qualcomm Drivers (for mode) EDL).

Note: If your Xiaomi is released after 2021 (e.g., Redmi Note 11, POCO X4 Pro), you may need to link your Mi Account to your device to unlock the bootloader.

Method 1: Fastboot Recovery (for Soft Brick)

If the phone responds to the power button (vibrates, lights up), but does not load beyond the logo, most likely, the problem is software, in which case the flashing through the Fastboot will help.

Step-by-step:

1. Download your phone to Fastboot: Turn off the device (press Power + Volume Up for 10-15 seconds). Hold Power + Volume Down until an image of a hare labeled Fastboot appears.

Connect your phone to your PC

fastboot devices

If the device is displayed (e.g. 123456789abc fastboot) – you can continue.

Unpack the firmware.

C:\MiFlash\rom

Launch MiFlash

Refresh

Choose the firmware method

• Clean All – Cleanses all data, including /data.
• Clean All and Lock – same + bootloader lock (recommended for phone sales).
• Save User Data: Save User Data (not always working)
• Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).

Typical errors and decisions:

• ❌ Invalid sparse file format at header → Download the firmware again (file damaged).
• ❌ Device is locked → Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock.
• ❌ Waiting for device → Check the driver or try another one. USB-port.

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If MiFlash is 99% hanging, don't turn off your phone! Wait 10-15 minutes - sometimes the process is delayed.

Method 2: EDL mode (for Hard Brick)

If the phone doesn't respond to buttons and isn't detected in Fastboot, the last chance is Emergency Download Mode (EDL), which runs at the Qualcomm processor level and allows you to flash the phone even with a damaged system.

How to log into EDL:

• 🔌 Method 1 (hardware): Close the test points on the board (requires disassembly of the phone). For most Xiaomi models, these are contacts near the battery, signed EDL or TEST.
• 💻 Method 2 (Software: Use the adb reboot edl command (if you ADB It still works, or special utilities like Deep Flash Cable (for Redmi Note). 8/9).

Firmware via EDL:

1. Install Qualcomm drivers (you can download here).
2. Connect your phone in EDL mode (Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008) should appear in the Device Manager.
3. Start MiFlash, select firmware and Clean All method.
4. Press Flash. It takes 5-15 minutes.

⚠️ Note: On new models (Xiaomi 12, Redmi Note 11) for firmware through EDL You need an authorized Mi Account (otherwise MiFlash will give you an error). SLA Auth Error: Use a utility like the Mi Account Bypass Tool (at your own risk).

Method 3: Recovery through TWRP (if custom recavery is installed)

If a phone has previously had TWRP installed, the chances of recovering without data loss are higher.This method is suitable for soft bricks when the system is not booting, but TWRP is available.

Instructions:

1. Download to TWRP: Hold the Power + Volume Up until the TeamWin logo appears.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and copy it to:.zip firmware (such as OrangeFox or Pixel Experience); File Magisk.zip (if you need root; file Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip (avoid getting stuck on the logo after the firmware).

TWRP

Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Tag Dalvik, Cache, System, Data → Swipe to Wipe

Install → Choose. ZIP-file → Swipe to Confirm Flash

Disable_Dm-Verity

Reboot → System

Warning: If you have been flashing Global ROM to a Chinese model (or vice versa), after recovering via TWRP, you may have problems with:

• 📶 Network (not operational) 4G/LTE);
• 🔊 Sound (distortions in dynamics);
• 🔋 Charging (the phone does not detect the charger).

In this case, you will have to sew the original firmware through MiFlash.

Method 4: Use of Mi Assistant (for new models)

For Xiaomi phones 2022-2026 (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13), the company has released an official utility - Mi Assistant. It automates the recovery process, but has limitations:

• ✅ It works even with a blocked loader;
• ✅ Supports the firmware through Fastboot and EDL;
• ❌ Requires authorization through the Mi Account linked to the phone;
• ❌ Does not work on models older than 2021.

How to use Mi Assistant:

1. Download the utility from the official website.
2. Connect your phone to Fastboot or EDL mode.
3. Sign in to your Mi Account (should be linked to your device!).
4. Select the phone model and firmware version.
5. Press Start and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Note: If you bought your phone with your hands and you don't know your Mi Account, you can't restore it with Mi Assistant, and then you just have to go to the service center and prove your purchase.

Method 5: Contact a service center (if nothing helps)

If all of these methods fail, the problem is likely hardware:

• 🔥 Memory chip (eMMC or EMMC) is damaged UFS);
• ⚡ Power controller burned;
• 🔌 Contacts on the motherboard were oxidized.

In this case, self-repair is impossible – diagnostics are required on specialized equipment (for example, UFi Box or EasyJTAG).

How to choose a service center:

• 🔍 Check reviews on Yandex.Maps or 2GIS (look for references to the restoration of bricks»);
• 💰 Compare prices: in official Xiaomi services repair costs 3-10 thousand rubles, in unofficial – cheaper, but without a guarantee;
• 📄 Check whether your data will be saved (in most cases, hardware repairs will lose information).

Cost of repair in 2026 (example prices):

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If the phone is not responding to the charger connection (no indication), do not waste time on software methods - immediately take to the service. This is a sign of hardware damage, and self-manipulation can aggravate the problem.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's recovery