How to change Recovery to Xiaomi: from unlocking the bootloader to installing TWRP

Replacing the standard Recovery menu on Xiaomi smartphones is a key step for those who want to gain full control of the device. Custom Recovery (such as TWRP or OrangeFox) allows you to install informal firmware, backup the system, recover data after a reset and even bypass some of the manufacturer's limitations. However, the replacement process requires accuracy: a mistake at any stage can turn the phone into a brick.

In this article, we will discuss the current methods of replacing Recovery with Xiaomi in the future. 2026 In the year, given the changes in the company's security policy, you will learn how to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, choose the appropriate version. TWRP For your model, and avoid typical firmware errors. We will pay special attention to the nuances for devices on HyperOS and new Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. 8 Gen 3/MediaTek Dimensity 9300, where standard methods may not work.

Why should I change Recovery to Xiaomi?

Xiaomi’s standard Recovery menu (based on MIUI Recovery or HyperOS Recovery) is very limited in functionality, and only allows:

• 🔄 Reset your phone to factory settings (Wipe Data)
• 📥 Install official updates through ADB Sideload
• 🛠️ Check the integrity of the system (Verify)

Castom Recovery (e.g. TeamWin Recovery Project or OrangeFox) enhances the capabilities of:

• 📦 Create full section backups /data, including applications and their data
• 🔧 Install unofficial firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)
• 🔓 Bypass the lockdown FRP (Google Accounts after Resetting
• 🛡️ Recover deleted files from internal memory
• ⚡ Modify system files without root rights

For example, if you want to install Global ROM on the Chinese version of Redmi Note 13 Pro+, standard Recovery simply won’t let you do it – you will need TWRP. The same applies to removing embedded applications (bloatware), which can not be disabled through settings.

⚠️ Note: Recovery will void Xiaomi’s warranty and may result in the device being locked if you do not do it correctly. On some models (such as Xiaomi 14 Ultra), Widevine will stop working after installing custom Recovery. L1, What reduces the quality of streaming on Netflix and Disney+ before 480p.

Preparation for Recovery Replacement: Unlocking the bootloader

Before installing custom Recovery, you need to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool. Xiaomi tightened the rules in 2023: new devices (released after October 2023) now require binding your Mi Account to your phone and waiting 168 hours (7 days) before unlocking.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Activate Developer Options: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version (or HyperOS Version) 7 times.
2. Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking in the Developer Menu.
3. Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
4. Download Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.30 for HyperOS).
5. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power).
6. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your account and watch the unlock timer.

On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Pro or Redmi K70 Pro) may require an additional step - confirmation of unlock through SMS-code sent to a linked phone number.

Backup important data|Charge your phone at least to 60%|Install drivers ADB/Fastboot|Disable the antivirus (can block the Mi Unlock Tool)|Prepare. SIM-Card with a linked number (for HyperOS)-->

Choosing custom Recovery for your Xiaomi model

Not all versions of TWRP or OrangeFox are suitable for specific Xiaomi models. Installing the wrong version can lead to a device blink (inoperability).

To check compatibility:

1. Find the exact model name in Settings → About Phone → Model (e.g. 2304FPNC4G for Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G).
2. Check out the Xiaomi XDA section – there are up-to-date builds.
3. Use the official TWRP list, but keep in mind that many new models are missing.

⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ (Like Redmi. K60 Ultra: Some versions TWRP They may not work with the nuclei. 6.1.x. In this case, it is recommended to use OrangeFox with support for mtk-client.

Install custom Recovery through Fastboot

The most reliable way to flash Recovery is through Fastboot mode.

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 Linux (macOS may have driver problems)
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original)
• 📦 Recovery file in.img format (for example, twrp-3.7.0_12-0-sweet.img)
• 🛠️ Quickboot and Adb (part of Android) SDK Platform-Tools)

Instructions:

1. Unpack the platform-tools in the root of the C:\ disk (e.g., C:\platform-tools\).
2. Place the Recovery file in the same folder and rename it to recovery.img.
3. Open Command Prompt in this folder (click Shift + PCM → Open PowerShell window here).
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery.img
5. For devices with Dynamic Partition (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Use: Fastboot Flash recovery_ab recovery.img
6. Recovery Reboot Team: Fastboot Reboot Recovery

If you automatically replace custom Recovery with standard after you restart, you've got the anti-rollback mechanism going on.

• Immediately after the firmware Recovery, execute: fastboot flash disable_verity disable_verity.zip (file disable_verity.zip downloadable 💡If the fastboot flash recovery command is an error FAILED (remote: 'Not allowed in Lock State', which means the bootloader is not unlocked. Go back to the step with the Mi Unlock Tool and wait for the timer to end. Solve common errors when replacing Recovery Even if you follow the instructions, here are the most common errors and their solutions: Error Reason Invalid sparse file format at header Damaged file recovery.img Download Recovery again, check the checksum MD5 This package is for "sweet" devices; this is a "sweetin". Model code mismatch Use Recovery for the exact device name (check in fastboot getvar product) Phone does not boot after firmware Damaged boot or dtbo section Sweep through original boot.img via fastboot flash boot boot.img Recovery does not see internal memory Enabled encryption FBE (File-Based Encryption: Format /data into TWRP (Note: delete all data!) On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 14) Orange State error may occur, meaning that the system has detected changes to the recovery section. stock_recovery.img. Reboot to the system and wait for the update (if any). Repeat the process of firmware custom Recovery. TWRP The phone is constantly restarted in Recovery, which means that the boot partition is damaged. Restore it through the command: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img 💡On devices with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi Note) 12) Recovery firmware may need to disable verification SLA via the fastboot oem team disable_sla. Without this, the firmware will end in error. SLA How to return standard Recovery to Xiaomi If after installing custom Recovery problems (for example, Google Pay does not work or Widevine is missing) L1), You can return the original Recovery. To do this, download the official firmware for your model from Xiaomi Firmware. Unpack the.tgz file and find the image file inside the image folder. recovery.img. Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery recovery.img For a full return to stock firmware, run: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash vendor vendor.img On devices with HyperOS, after returning to standard Recovery, you may need to re-link your Mi Account (the system will request confirmation via the Recovery system). SMS). If you want to completely remove traces of custom Recovery, reset via Fastboot: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache ⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4 GT) Returning to the Recovery drain can block the bootloader if Magisk was previously installed.In this case, you will need to re-unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool. Security and risks when replacing Recovery Installation custom Recovery opens up wide opportunities, but also carries risks: 🔓 Loss of warranty: Xiaomi does not officially support bootloader modifications. 🛡️ Security vulnerabilities: Some versions TWRP Vulnerabilities that allow attackers to access data. 📵 Device Brick: A firmware error can make the phone inoperable. 🎮 Google services problems: Google Pay, SafetyNet, and streaming services are disrupted (Netflix, Disney)+). Minimize the risks: 🔄 Always backup the persist, modem and EFS before experimentation. 🔍 Check check the checksums (MD5, SHA256) downloaded. 📡 Use only verified sources (official sources) TWRP, OrangeFox, 4PDA). 🔧 Install Magisk to mask root rights and pass SafetyNet. For example, to restore Widevine L1 post-installation TWRP: Stitch the original vendor.img and odm.img. Install the Magisk Widevine module L1 Fixer. clear the data of the Google Play Services apps and DRM Info. 💡Before you install Recovery, disable all antiviruses (such as Kaspersky or Avast) – they can block fastboot and adb as suspicious activity. FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing Recovery with Xiaomi Can I install? TWRP No, on all modern Xiaomi devices (starting with Snapdragon) 845 MediaTek Helio G90T) The bootloader blocks the unofficial Recovery firmware. The only workaround is the temporary download through the fastboot boot. twrp.img, But after the reboot, Recovery will go back to the sewer. TWRP Does the phone not see the internal memory? FBE (File-Based Encryption in Android 10+. Decision: B TWRP Go to Wipe. → Format Data (this will delete all data!) Reboot to Recovery and check for memory access. If it doesn't work, go through Magisk and the Disable ForceEncrypt module. TWRP Update is performed the same as the original installation: Download the new version recovery.img. Reboot to the current one. TWRP. Choose Install. → Install Image and enter the new file. Click on the Recovery section. Don't update. TWRP If you use fastboot, if you're already loading your phone into custom Recovery, it can lead to a version conflict. What if you don't turn on your phone after you've installed Recovery? It's probably a boot or dtbo partition that's damaged. boot.img via fastboot flash boot boot.img. If it doesn’t work, run the full firmware firmware firmware firmware firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select Clean All mode). For devices with MediaTek, use the utility SP If the phone is not detected by the computer, try to pin the Volume up. + Loudness down + Meals for food 10 Can you install Recovery on Xiaomi with a MediaTek processor? Yes, but the process is different from the devices on Qualcomm Snapdragon. For MediaTek: Use the MTKClient utility or SP Flash Tool. Turn off the check. SLA Team of fastboot oem disable_sla (In some models, stitch the Recovery together with vbmeta.img, To disable signature verification: fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img For example, for the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (MediaTek Dimensity 920) OrangeFox is a good fit. R11.1 patchy.