Recovery on Xiaomi Redmi: from unlocking the bootloader to installing TWRP

Recovering Xiaomi Redmi’s Recovery is a key skill for users who have experienced software failures, firmware failures, or root rights. Xiaomi’s standard Recovery is limited, allowing only resets or official updates. TWRP custom reclaims provide access to backup, unofficial firmware installation, and modifications.

However, the process of installing a recover on Redmi is not just a download and flash. It requires pre-unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool, which takes up to 720 hours of latency (according to the rules of Xiaomi 2026). In this article, we will discuss all the steps from preparing the device to solving typical errors (for example, Fastboot is mode locked or Invalid image format), especially focusing on the Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10C/11 and other current devices with Snapdragon and MediaTek processors.

Warning: manipulating the bootloader and firmware resets the warranty and can lead to complete data loss. If your goal is simply to reset the phone to factory settings, a standard recap (press Power + Volume up when the phone is off) is enough. This is an instruction for those who are ready for deep system setup.

1. Device Preparation: What to Do Before Unlocking

Before you start unlocking the bootloader and installing the TWRP, you need to follow a number of mandatory steps, skipping at least one of which can lead to locking the device or the inability to complete the process.

First, check your Redmi model and codename (e.g., mojito for Redmi Note 10 or rosemary for Redmi Note 11S). This is critical, as the firmware and TWRP versions are strictly tied to the hardware platform.

• 📱 In the phone settings: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Full name of the model (e.g, M2101K7AG).
• 🔍 Through the app CPU-Z (section).
• 🌐 On the website MIUI Doc by IMEI.

Second, upgrade your firmware to the latest stable version of MIUI. This is important because:

• 🔄 New versions MIUI They can block vulnerabilities used to unlock.
• 🛡️ Old firmware sometimes contains bugs that interfere with work TWRP.
• ⚠️ Xiaomi may refuse to unlock on outdated versions (relevant for models 2022-2026 years).

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi is purchased in China (C-suffix version in the model, for example Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G (C)), unlocking the bootloader may not be possible without a Chinese Mi Account. MIUI through EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

Also prepare:

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 (For the Mi Unlock Tool).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap cables may not transmit data to Fastboot).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60% (unlocking and firmware take 10–30 minutes).
• 📁 Backup of data (all files will be deleted!).

2 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

The bootloader on all Xiaomi smartphones is blocked by default, and unlocking it is a must before installing a custom recover. The process consists of two steps: linking the Mi Account to the device and actually unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.

First, make the account binding:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and log in.
2. Turn on Settings → Additional → For developers → Unlock OEM (if there is no item, tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode).
3. Connect your phone to the Internet via mobile data (Wi-Fi may not work!) and go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Unlock status. Click Add account and device.

The waiting period depends on Xiaomi’s policy:

After the waiting period has expired:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool (Windows version)
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect Redmi to your PC and launch the Mi Unlock Tool. Sign in with the same Mi Account as your phone.
4. Press Unlock and wait until it is completed (usually 10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Unlock Tool is giving you a Couldn't unlock error or Current account is not bound to this device, check the device: 🔹 Is the original cable and port used? USB 2.0 (problems are more common with the USB 3.0). 🔹 Is your account linked to your device (check Mi Unlock status). 🔹 Are there Mi Flash Tool drivers on your PC (they may conflict).

Linked to the Mi Account to the device|Waiting is completed (checked in Mi Unlock status)|Fastboot drivers installed|Phone in Fastboot mode (screen with a rabbit)|Antivirus on PC is disabled-->

3. Installation of custom TWRP Recovery

Once the bootloader is unlocked, you can start installing TWRP. This process is different for Snapdragon and MediaTek devices, so first determine the type of processor your Redmi (for example, via CPU-Z).

For most Redmi models (for example, Note 12 Pro+ on Snapdragon 778G or Redmi 11 Prime on MediaTek Helio G99) will fit the universal instruction:

1. Download the current version of TWRP for your model from the official website twrp.me (see the code of the device, for example, sweet for Redmi Note 10 Pro).
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with ADB/Fastboot (you can download here).
3. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot.
4. Connect Redmi to your PC and in the command line (Win + R → cmd) execute: fastboot devices Make sure the device is determined (serial number should appear).
5. Please. TWRP Team: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp.img For some models (e.g. Redmi) K50) You may need an additional command: fastboot flash recovery_ramdisk twrp.img
6. Reboot to the recaveri command: fastboot boot twrp.img Don't use fastboot reboot! This will lead to a re-recording of TWRP with standard recaveri.

If you see a standard Mi-Recovery after the reboot, it means:

• 🔹 You used the command fastboot reboot instead of fastboot boot.
• 🔹 Your Redmi model has protection. A/B-Partitions (Relevant to Redmi Note) 11 Pro+ 5G In this case, a patch is required. disable_dm-verity.
• 🔹 You downloaded the wrong version. TWRP (Check the code name of the device!).

4. Solving Common Errors When Installing Recovery

Even with the correct instructions, users often encounter errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Error: Fastboot mode is locked

This error means that the bootloader is not unlocked.

• 🔓 Repeat the unlocking process with the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 🕒 Make sure the waiting period is over (check in Mi Unlock status).
• 📱 Try another Mi Account (sometimes changing your account region to Global helps).

Error: Invalid sparse file format at header

It occurs when you try to flash TWRP on devices with MediaTek (for example, Redmi 10C or Redmi 9A), the reason is the incompatibility of the.img and.bin formats.

1. Download a special version of TWRP for MediaTek (usually marked with MTK in the file title).
2. The command is fastboot flash recovery. twrp_mtk.img --disable-verity --disable-verification

This package is for "sweet" devices; this is a "ginkgo"

It means you're trying to flash TWRP for another model, like the firmware from the Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet) on the Redmi Note 8 (ginkgo).

• 🔍 Please specify the code name of your device (see Section 1).
• 📥 Download the correct version TWRP official website.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) K40 or Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G) post-installation TWRP You may need to disable the DM-Verity check, otherwise the system will not boot. disable_dm-verity_forceencrypt.zip (download XDA Developers).

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If the phone does not boot into the system after installing TWRP, try flashing the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in clean all mode, and then repeat installing the recovery.

5. Backup and Recovery through TWRP

One of the key features of TWRP is the ability to create full backups (Nandroid backup), which will save your data in the event of a failed firmware or experiment with modifications.

To create a backup:

1. Sign in to TWRP (Plug Power + Volume Up when the phone is off).
2. Go to the Backup section.
3. Select the backup partitions (it is recommended to note Boot, System, Data, Vendor).
4. Press Swipe to Back Up and wait until it is completed (it can take 10-20 minutes).

Backup files will be saved in the folder /TWRP/BACKUPS/[serial number on internal memory or SD-They can be copied to a PC for safe storage.

For recovery:

1. In TWRP, go to Restore.
2. Select the right backup and mark the sections for recovery.
3. Press Swipe to Restore.

Important: Backups are not compatible between different Redmi models and MIUI versions! For example, a backup with a Redmi Note 11 on a MIUI 14 won't work for a Redmi Note 10 on a MIUI 13.

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The backup in TWRP saves everything: apps, settings, SMS, even game data, and it’s the only way to fully restore your phone after a crash.

6. Install custom firmware through Recovery

With TWRP, you can install informal firmware such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or crDroid.

• 🔍 Make sure the firmware is compatible with your Redmi model (check on the XDA Developers).
• 📥 Download firmware in.zip format and place it on internal memory or SD-map.
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 70% (installation can take 30 hours)+ minute).

Step-by-step:

1. Enter TWRP.
2. Click Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data, Cache. Confirm with a swipe.
3. Go back to the main menu and select Install.
4. Specify the path to the firmware file and confirm the installation.
5. After completion, press Reboot System.

The first start after installing custom firmware can take 10-15 minutes. If the system does not boot for more than 20 minutes, then:

• 🔹 The firmware is incompatible with your model.
• 🔹 You forgot to turn off DM-Verity. disable_dm-verity_forceencrypt.zip post-fix).
• 🔹 There was not enough space on the System partition (try the firmware marked Lite).

7. How to return standard Recovery and block the bootloader

If you decide to return the phone to its original state (for example, for sale or warranty repair), you must:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the MIUI Doc website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder with the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Log in to Fastboot on your phone and connect it to your PC.
4. Run the Mi Flash Tool, select a folder with firmware and press Refresh (the device should be determined).
5. Select Clean All Mode and press Flash.

Once the firmware is installed, the bootloader will be automatically locked and the TWRP will be replaced by a standard backup.

• 🔄 All data will be deleted.
• 🔒 Unlocking the bootloader in the future will require a second wait (up to 720 hours).
• 📱 Some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 with a MIUI 14) may require authorization of the Mi Account after resetting.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Recovery on Xiaomi Redmi