How to put recovery on Xiaomi: full instructions with unlocking the bootloader

Installing custom recavators on Xiaomi smartphones is the first step to full control of the device, which will allow you to install unofficial firmware, backup the system (nandroid backup), recover data after crashes and even bypass some of the limitations of MIUI. However, the process requires care: error at any stage can turn the phone into a “brick”. In this article, we will discuss three officially supported ways of installing TWRP (the most popular custom recavers), including unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, choosing the correct version of the recavers for your model and solving typical problems.

It is important to understand that the procedure is different for different Xiaomi lines. For example, flagships of the Xiaomi 13/14 series or Redmi Note 12 will require a more recent version of TWRP than for older models like Redmi 4X or Mi A1. In addition, since 2023, the company has tightened the policy of unlocking the bootloader: now for some regions, it is required to wait up to 720 hours (30 days) after linking the Mi Account to the device.

If you’ve never worked with fastboot or ADB before, don’t worry — we’ll explain each step in detail, including installing the necessary drivers and programs. For experienced users, we’ll give you alternative methods, such as installing a recoverer through the OrangeFox app or patching a boot image through Magisk.

1.Preparation: What to do before installing a recaveri

Before you start installing, make sure your device meets the key requirements. First, check the smartphone model – go to Settings → About Phone → Model. For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G has the code name veux, and the Xiaomi 12T is plato. This information is critical for choosing the right version of TWRP.

Secondly, it is imperative that:

• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 60% – this will prevent a sudden shutdown during the procedure.
• 🔍 Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) on Google Drive or computer. Installing a Recovery can cause resets.
• 🖥️ Prepare a PC with Windows 10/11 (Mi Unlock Tool is not officially supported macOS/Linux).
• 📥 Download the latest version of Mi Unlock Tool and drivers ADB/Fastboot (for example, Android SDK Platform-Tools).

Also check if the bootloader is unlocked. To do this, turn off the phone, then press Volume Down + Power to enter fastboot mode. Connect the device to the PC and type in the command line:

fastboot oem device-info

If you see Device unlocked: false in the answer, the bootloader is locked, you need to unlock it (more on this in the next section). If true, you can immediately go to install the Recovery.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later, you may need to disable the option Data Protection when unlocking in Settings → Additionally. → For developers, otherwise, once the bootloader is unlocked, the phone will reset completely.

2 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

This is the most formal (and longest) way, with Xiaomi requiring a Mi Account to be linked to a device and waiting for a set time. For new models (released after 2022), this period is 720 hours (30 days), for old models, from 72 to 168 hours.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and activate: 🔓 Unlocking OEM (may be called OEM Unlocking). 🔌 Debugging by USB.

Mi Unlock Tool

Mi

Added successfully. Wait for {X} hours

After the waiting period has expired:

1. Go back to fastboot (Loudness down + Power).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and press Unlock in the Mi Unlock Tool.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) When you unlock the bootloader, you automatically reset the settings to the factory settings!

3.Selecting the Right TWRP Version for Your Model

Installing an incompatible version of the Recaveri is one of the main reasons for the phone to “brick”: to avoid this, use the official TWRP Devices website or proven sources like XDA Developers. Below is a table with current versions for popular models (June 2026):

If your model is not in the table:

• 🔎 Look for the thread on XDA Developers by device code (e.g. veux for Redmi Note 11 Pro)+).

💡

If you're on the site TWRP If you don’t have your model, try looking for unofficial ports in telegram channels like @TWRP_updates or @XiaomiFirmwareUpdater. But remember, these versions may be less stable.

Installation of TWRP via fastboot (main method)

This is the most reliable way, running on 90% of Xiaomi devices.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 📱 Unlocked loader (see section 2).
• 📁 Recovery file in.img format (for example, twrp-3.7.0_12-0-ruby.img).

Step-by-step:

1. Place the twrp-*.img file in the folder with the platform-tools (where fastboot.exe and adb.exe are located).
2. Open the command line in this folder (Shift + right mouse button → Open in the terminal).
3. Check the connection to the device: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the phone.
4. Install Recovery: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-0-ruby.img (Replace the file name with yours).
5. Reboot to Recavers directly from fastboot (important!): fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_12-0-ruby.img

If after the restart, the phone starts up again in the standard MIUI recavator, then the system has overwritten TWRP.

• 🔄 Repeat the command fastboot flash recovery and immediately boot to the TWRP via fastboot boot.
• 🛠️ V TWRP Go to Advanced. → Flash Current TWRP (if the option is available).
• 🔧 Install Magisk or OrangeFox to block recapture.

5. Alternative methods of installation of the recaveri

If fastboot doesn't work for some reason, there are other ways to do it. Let's look at two proven options.

Method 1: Installation via OrangeFox

OrangeFox is a modified TWRP-based recovery with advanced features (e.g. MIUI OTA support and built-in file manager) suitable for most Xiaomi devices on Android 11-14.

Instructions:

1. Download. APK-OrangeFox file from the official website.
2. Install the app on your phone (allow installation from unknown sources).
3. Open OrangeFox, select your model and click Download.
4. After downloading, press Flash and confirm the reboot to the Recovery.

Method 2: Patching a boot image through Magisk

This is a good way to do it if you're already using Magisk for root rights, and it allows you to install TWRP without completely flashing it.

Steps:

1. Download boot.img file for your firmware (you can extract from the official MIUI ROM via Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
2. Open Magisk, click Install → Select and Patch a File and select boot.img.
3. After patching, copy the file magisk_patched-*.img.
4. Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Boot magisk_patched-26200_XXXX.img
5. Install TWRP as a module in Magisk (available in the module repository).

⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic Partition (e.g. Xiaomi) 12/13/14) patching boot.img This can lead to a boot cycle, in which case, use fastboot flash recovery.

6. Solving typical errors when installing a recavery

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can have problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the phone doesn’t turn on at all (hard brick), try:

• 🔌 Connect to charging for 30 minutes - sometimes helps with battery discharge.
• 🔧 Scroll it out MIUI ROM via Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official website).
• 📡 Contact the service center if software recovery does not help.

💡

If the phone doesn't boot after installing the recovery, don't panic. 90% of the time, the problem is solved by running the original boot.img or the full MIUI ROM through fastboot.

7 First steps after installing TWRP

After successful installation of the recaveri, it is recommended to perform several key actions to secure the device and prepare it for further manipulation.

List of mandatory actions:

• 📁 Make a full backup of the current firmware: TWRP Go to Backup. Select the Boot, System, Data, Vendor partitions. Click Swipe to Back Up and wait until it's done.
• 🔒 Install Magisk for root rights (if needed): Download the latest version of Magisk (.zip) from GitHub. TWRP Click Install, select the file and confirm the installation.

FBE

Format data → enter Yes

Attention:

Also useful:

• 🔄 Set up automatic updates TWRP via Official Appendix TWRP App (available on Google Play).
• 📂 Create a separate folder for SD-card OTG-storage-storage.
• 🔧 Install Magisk modules for advanced functions (e.g, ViPER4Android for sound or LSposed for modifying system applications).

8. Frequent Questions (FAQ)