Recavatories on Xiaomi Poco X3: how to install TWRP or stock recovery

Why do you need a Poco X3 recovery and what are the risks?

Custom or stock recavers on Xiaomi Poco X3 (surya and karna models) open up opportunities not available in standard Android mode. Through the recovery menu, you can install informal firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), make full system backups (nandroid backup), reset the pattern lock or restore the phone after a “brick”. However, not all users understand that improper installation of the recovery can lead to a loss of warranty, locking the device or even complete loss of data without the ability to restore the Mi Account.

The main problem is that Xiaomi is actively blocking the ability to install third-party recoveries on new devices. On Poco X3, this is implemented through the anti-rollback system and linking the bootloader to the Mi Account. If you decide to flash TWRP or other customized recoveries, you will first have to unlock the bootloader, which takes up to 72 hours to wait for confirmation from Xiaomi. In this article, we will analyze all the stages from preparation to firmware, and also explain how to avoid errors such as Fastboot error: FAILED (remote: State'Not allowed in Lock).

Preparation for installation of recaveri: what to do before firmware

Before you start manipulating the recovery, make sure your device is ready for the procedure. Skipping at least one item can cause a firmware failure or loss of access to the phone.

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)

Check the device model (surya or karna) in Settings → About the phone

Charge the battery to at least 60%

Install ADB/Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool drivers on PC

Download the official firmware for your model (in case of recovery)

Disable Find My Device and Mi Cloud Sync in Settings

Connect the device to a stable Wi-Fi network (to unlock the bootloader)-->

Pay special attention to your Poco X3. Devices codenamed surya (global version) and karna (Indian version) have different firmware and Recovery.

adb shell getprop ro.product.device

If you plan to install TWRP, download the latest version for your model from the official website twrp.me. For stock Recovery, use files from the official MIUI firmware, which can be found on the Xiaomi website. Remember that Poco X3 supports firmware only through Fastboot - methods like the SP Flash Tool do not work here.

Stock (official) from Xiaomi

TWRP (castomic)

OrangeFox Recovery

Other-->

Unlocking the bootloader on Poco X3: step-by-step instructions

Without the unlocked bootloader, you can’t install any recovery (other than stock) without it. Xiaomi requires the unlock confirmation via the Mi Unlock Tool, which is linked to the Mi Account. The process takes at least 72 hours (sometimes longer) and involves several critical steps:

1. Link your Mi Account to your device: go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and enable sync. Without that, the Mi Unlock Tool won’t see your phone.
2. Put the debugging on. USB unlock OEM: Activate the developer mode (7 taps according to the version) MIUI In Settings → About the phone, then turn it on: 🔧 Debugging by USB (Settings → Additionally. → For developers) 🔓 Unlocking OEM (there)

Connect your device to the Mi Unlock Tool: download the utility from the official website, log in and follow the instructions. During the device check phase, you will receive a waiting message (usually 168 hours, but for some accounts - 72).

After successfully unlocking the bootloader (you will see the Unlocked successfully message), you can start the recovery firmware.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the device, including internal memory, and it also voids the Xiaomi warranty (if it is still valid). L1 (downgrad L3), What will make streaming on Netflix and Disney worse?+.

Installation of stock Recovery on Poco X3 via Fastboot

If you need to restore the original recovery (for example, after a failed TWRP firmware), use the official recovery.img file from MIUI firmware.

1. Download the latest stable firmware for your model (surya or karna) from the Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the.tgz file (or.zip) and find the images folder inside. It will have a recovery.img file.
3. Move recovery.img to the folder from fastboot (where fastboot.exe is located).
4. Turn the phone into Fastboot mode: Turn off the device, then press Power + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears.
5. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
6. After successful firmware, restart the device with the command: fastboot reboot

If after firmware stock recavator phone boots into the system, but when you try to enter the recavery (Power + Volume up) again appears TWRP, then the device installed anti-rollback or modified boot.img. In this case, you will need full firmware original Fastboot-ROM through the Mi Flash Tool.

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If the phone doesn't turn on after running the stock recavator, try booting into Fastboot and running the fastboot erase userdata command, then reflashing the recavors again, which will help reset the settings that may conflict with the new version.

Installing TWRP on Poco X3: Detailed Guide

TWRP's cadaver recavators allow you to install unofficial firmware, backup and root rights. However, there's a nuance on the Poco X3: some versions of TWRP don't support File-Based Encryption (FBE) encryption, which may require data formatting after firmware is installed. Here's how to install TWRP correctly:

1. Download the latest version TWRP for your model: 📱 Poco X3 (surya): twrp.me/xiaomi/xiaomipocox3 📱 Poco X3 (karna: Use the surya version (compatible)

Rename the downloaded file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with fastboot.

Transfer the phone to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down) and connect to the PC.

Squeeze the TWRP command:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

Important: boot into TWRP immediately, preventing the phone from booting into the system!

fastboot reboot recovery

If you skip step 5 and let the phone boot into MIUI, the stock system will overwrite the TWRP to its recapvery. To avoid this, you can also disable automatic Recovery replacement, boot.img patch via Magisk (if you already have root).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI (particularly MIUI 13+) TWRP It might not see the internal memory because of encryption, and then you'd have to format the data in the very same format. TWRP (Wipe → Format Data, but it will delete all user data!

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After installing TWRP, the first thing to do is backup the boot and dtbo partition – this will help restore the phone if after firmware custom firmware it stops booting.

Solving common mistakes when firmware recavery

Even with accurate follow-up, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

• 🚨 FAILED (remote:'Not allowed in Lock State': Means the bootloader is locked. Unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool as described above.
• 🚨 Invalid sparse file format at header: File recovery.img Download it again and check the checksum (MD5).
• 🚨 Phone does not load after firmware: If only logo burns POCO — Flick the full Fastboot-ROM through the Mi Flash Tool. If the screen is black, check if the cable is turned off during the firmware (possibly damaged boot or dtbo).
• 🚨 TWRP Asks for Password When Downloading: This Is Encrypted FBE. If you do not know the password, format the data (all data will be deleted!).

If you get a Fastboot error: FAILED (remote:'anti-rollback check fail'), it means you're trying to flash an older version of the Recovery than the one installed now.

1. Find out the current version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone.
2. Download Fastboot-ROM of the same or newer version.
3. Sweep through the full image via the Mi Flash Tool (select the clean all option).

To diagnose other errors, use the fastboot log. To save it to a file, do:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img > log.txt 2>&1

How to use the recavators on Poco X3: basic functions

Once you have successfully installed a recap (stock or TWRP), you can use it for a variety of tasks. Here are the basic functions and their applications:

When working with TWRP on Poco X3, consider:

• 🔄 For data backup, disable encryption (or use a password if it is set).
• 🔧 When installing custom firmware, first go through vendor.img and dtbo.img, if they go separately.
• ⚡ After the core or Magisk firmware is cleaned, always Dalvik/ART Cache (Wipe → Dalvik).

If you use stock recapavere, its options are limited:

• 📱 You can reset your phone to factory settings (Wipe Data).
• 🔄 Install official updates MIUI.zip (via Apply update from) ADB).
• 🚫 No access to ADB Sideload or backup.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions on the Poco X3