How to reinstall Xiaomi Redmi 3: reset, firmware and recovery

Xiaomi Redmi 3 (codenamed ido) is still popular with users due to its robust hardware and custom firmware installation, but over time, any gadget starts to slow down, give errors or refuse to turn on, and in such cases, reinstallation of the system — whether it is a factory reset or a complete firmware reflash — helps.

In this article, we’ll break down all the ways Redmi 3 is reinstalled: from simple menu reset to manual firmware via Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool. You will learn how to save data before the procedure, what tools you will need, and how to avoid errors, such as “brick” (turning your phone into a “brick”) when you incorrectly firmware the preloader partition. 3S and standard version.

Preparing for reinstallation: what to do before starting

Before you start resetting or firmware, be sure to follow these steps – they will save you from data loss and unforeseen problems:

• 📱 Save important data: contacts (export to.vcf), photos, messages (use Mi Cloud or Google Photos!
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%. When discharged during firmware, the phone may turn off and stop responding to charging.
• 🔌 Prepare the cable: use the original USB-Xiaomi cable (or quality cable) cheap cables often cause data transmission errors.
• 💻 Install drivers: download Mi Phone Manager or Qualcomm drivers manually to work with Fastboot.

If you plan to flash your phone through a PC, check:

• 🖥️ The driver signature function should be disabled on the computer (for Windows). 10/11). Otherwise, the system will block the installation of Mi Flash drivers.
• 🔒 Is bootloader unlocked? Unlocking is not required for official firmware via Mi Flash, but for custom ones (for example, LineageOS) is mandatory.

⚠️ Note: If you used Mi Account and enabled Find Device, after resetting, the phone will require you to enter a password from your Xiaomi account. untie the device in advance in your account settings!

Method 1: Reset to factory settings via the settings menu

The easiest and safest method is soft reset via the standard menu, which deletes all user data but saves the current version of MIUI, which is suitable if the phone turns on and responds to touch.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (not to be confused with Network Reset!).
3. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-5 minutes).

After the reset, the phone will start with a clean system, as after purchase, all applications, accounts and files in memory will be deleted, but:

• ✅ Updates will remain MIUI (firmware version won't roll back).
• ✅ There'll be files left on SD-map (if it is installed).
• ❌ Will be removed: SMS, calls, Wi-Fi settings, network passwords.

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone asks for a password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it, restore access via account.xiaomi.com!

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If the menu reset doesn't work (the phone freezes), try hard reset via Recovery. To do this, turn off the phone, then press Volume++ Power before the Mi logo appears.

Method 2: Hard Resetting with Recovery Mode

If the smartphone doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo or doesn't respond to touch, resetting through Recovery will help, which works even with corrupted system files, as it uses built-in recovery.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (squeeze the power for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press Volume+ and Power at the same time until the Recovery menu (the Mi logo with android robot) appears.
3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power for selection.
4. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (complete cleanup).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (the phone will restart automatically).

Redmi 3 uses Xiaomi's stock Recovery, so the interface will be in Chinese/English. If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the icons:

• 🧹 — Data Cleanup (Wipe Data).
• 🔄 — reboot (Reboot).
• 📱 MiAssistant – Connect to Mi Assistant (not required for resetting).

Turned off the phone (not just rebooted)

Charged the battery at least 50%

Prepared the original USB-cable (in case of errors)

I have been using the slate (if I plan to re-shoot after I reset)-->

Method 3: Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

If the reset didn't help or you want to upgrade/downgrade the MIUI version, you'll need firmware through Fastboot.

• 🔄 Restore the phone after the brick (if the preloader is not damaged).
• 🆙 Updates to the latest official firmware.
• 🆓 Backtracking to the old version MIUI (for example, 12 to 11).

You'll need to get the firmware:

• 💻 Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz format for Redmi 3 (download from the official website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool Programming.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware (.tgz) in a folder without Cyrillic (for example, C:\redmi3_firmware).
2. Turn off the phone and turn to Fastboot mode: press Volume− + Food before the appearance of a bunny with the inscription Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. Select firmware mode: Clean All - complete cleaning (recommended when changing the version of MIUI); Clean All and Lock - cleaning + lock bootloader (only for official firmware!); Save User Data - saving user data (not always stable).

Flash

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error critical partition flashing is not allowed, then you are trying to flash the unofficial firmware to the locked bootloader. Unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool.

Method 4: Install custom firmware (TWRP + ADB)

For power users who want to install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom firmware, you will need to:

1. Unlocked bootloader (via Mi Unlock Tool)
2. Installed Custom Recovery (TWRP)
3. Firmware in.zip format (for example, with XDA Developers).

Instructions:

1. Download TWRP for Redmi 3 (version 3.5.2 or later) and firmware.
2. Install TWRP via Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.5.2-ido.img fastboot boot twrp-3.5.2-ido.img
3. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

Install → Choose. → Swipe to Confirm

Magisk

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 Higher performance (optimized core).
• 🆕 Up-to-date versions of Android (for example, Android 12 instead of Android) MIUI 11).
• 🔓 No restrictions on Xiaomi (Bloatware removed).

⚠️ Attention: Castom firmware can disrupt the operation of the module NFC or cameras on Redmi 3. Before installing, check reviews about a specific build on the XDA.

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Custom firmware requires an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP installed. Without this, the phone won't boot after firmware!

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When reinstalling the Xiaomi Redmi 3, users face typical problems.

If the phone does not respond to the buttons after a failed firmware:

1. Turn off the battery for 10 minutes (disassemble the case or wait for full discharge).
2. Connect to charging for 30 minutes, then try logging into Fastboot (Voice)− + Nutrition).
3. If it doesn’t help, run the firmware through EDL-mode (Qualcomm boxing or help from a service center is required).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions