How to remove the “brick” on the smartphone Xiaomi: all ways to restore

Your Xiaomi stopped turning on after firmware, updates or experimenting with root rights? The screen stays black, the device doesn't respond to buttons, and the computer can't see the phone? These are classic symptoms of the so-called "brick" - a condition where the smartphone turns into a useless "piece of brick." But don't panic: in 90% of cases, the device can be restored even if it does not show signs of life.

In this article, we will analyze all working methods of unlocking Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — From simple (via Fastboot) to complex (mode) EDL You'll learn what tools you'll need, how to avoid firmware errors, what to do if your smartphone isn't computer-defined, and you'll learn unique recovery tips. IMEI and data after separation, which are not in the standard instructions.

What is a “brick” on Xiaomi and why it arises

The term “brick” refers to the condition of the smartphone, in which it completely or partially loses performance, depending on the severity of the problem, there are three types:

• 🟢 Soft brick: The phone turns on but only loads to the Mi logo or the suspended boot animation.Responds to Fastboot and Recovery.
• 🟡 Hard brick: screen black, no button response, but computer identifies device as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (mode) EDL).
• 🔴 Dead brick: The smartphone shows no signs of life, is not detected by a PC, often requires soldering or replacement of the motherboard.

The main reasons for the emergence of the “brick”:

• ⚡ Unsuccessful firmware via Fastboot or Recovery (interrupted process, incompatible version) MIUI).
• 🔧 Errors in obtaining root rights or modifying system files (e.g., removing critical Miui applications).
• 📱 Resetting settings (Hard Reset) on a locked loader.
• 🔋 Power problems during upgrade (battery discharge below 30%).
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunctions (damage to flash memory, power controller).

If your Xiaomi falls into the first or second category, the chances of recovery are close to 100%. In the third case, you will need specialized hardware, but there are solutions here, as we will discuss at the end of this article.

Preparation for Recovery: What You Will Need

Before you start to break up, make sure you have everything you need, and missing at least one of the items can make it impossible to recover or make the problem worse.

If you are recovering a smartphone with a MediaTek processor (like Redmi). 9A or POCO C31), Instead of the Mi Flash Tool, you will need a utility. SP For Qualcomm devices (most Xiaomi models) - only Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Note: Never use firmware from third-party developers (for example, with a 4PDA), If you're not sure if they're compatible, informal builds may contain viruses or incorrect partitions, which will cause you to lose your content. IMEI or damage the module NVRAM.

Download the official firmware for your model|Install Qualcomm and Mi Phone Manager|Charge your smartphone to at least 50%|Prepare original USB-cable|Disable the antivirus (it can block the Mi Flash Tool)-->

Method 1: Fastboot Recovery (for soft brick)

If your Xiaomi is switched on but hovers on the Mi logo or loads into an endless bootloop (cyclical reboot), try flashing it through Fastboot first.

• 📱 The phone responds to the combination Loudness down + Food (transfers to Fastboot).
• 💻 The computer defines the device as an Android Bootloader Interface.
• 🔓 Bootloader is unlocked (if not, read the section about the bootloader). EDL).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
2. Uncancel the firmware file into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MiFlash\rom).
3. Install Xiaomi and Mi Flash Tool drivers.
4. Turn off the phone, press the volume down. + Power for 10 seconds to log into Fastboot (a bunny with the words Fastboot should appear).
5. Connect your smartphone to your PC. In Device Manager, check that it is defined as Android Bootloader Interface.
6. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
7. At the bottom, select Clean All mode (Save user data if you want to save data, but it’s risky!).
8. Press Flash and wait for the process to end (5-10 minutes).

If the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. If not, try repeating the process with another version. MIUI or go to the method EDL.

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If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a “Couldn’t find fastboot” error, try running the program on behalf of the administrator or temporarily disable the Windows firewall.

Method 2: Firmware through EDL (hardbrick)

Regime. EDL (Emergency Download Mode is an emergency firmware mode that works even when the Fastboot is not available:

• 🖥️ Defined by a computer as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• 🔄 Does not respond to buttons, but when connected to the PC, it emits a device recognition sound.
• 🔓 Has a blocked bootloader (in this case, Fastboot will not help).

To run through EDL, you will need:

1. An authorized Xiaomi account (for new models from 2021) without it, the Mi Flash Tool will not allow you to flash the device.
2. Testpoint (for some models, such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or the Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 These are the contacts on the motherboard that need to be closed to be forced into the motherboard. EDL.

Instructions for devices without testpoint (automatic input to the testpoint) EDL):

1. Install Qualcomm drivers (you can download here).
2. Connect the phone to your PC, and if it's identified as a QDLoader 9008, move to step 4.
3. If not, press the volume up. + Loudness down + Eating 10-15 seconds (sometimes helps).
4. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select firmware and Clean all mode.
5. Click Flash. If you have an authorization error, you will need an authorized account (see spoiler below).

For testpoint devices (e.g., Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO F3):

1. Take the phone apart (you need a plastic spatula and screwdriver).
2. Find contacts on the motherboard EDL (Usually signed or marked on the diagram for your model).
3. Lock them with tweezers or wires on the 2-3 seconds, while connecting the USB- cable to the PC.
4. The phone should be defined as QDLoader 9008 – after that you can stitch through the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Warning: Testpoints that fail to close can damage the motherboard. If you're not sure, you should go to the service center. For Redmi Note 11 and newer models, testpoints are often hidden under protective coatings, and you need to scrape them off carefully.

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Firmware through EDL — The only way to restore Xiaomi is with a locked bootloader or a damaged firmware.However, on new models (2022)+ Without Xiaomi’s authorization, this method will not work.

Method 3: Recovery (if the phone is turned on)

If your Xiaomi boots into Recovery, but doesn’t start normally, you can try reflashing it without a computer.

• 📱 Devices with unlocked loader.
• 🔄 Phones that hang on the logo after a failed update.
• 📁 Smartphones with corrupted user data (but a working system).

Instructions:

1. Download firmware in.zip format for Recovery (for example, from Xiaomi.EU or the official website).
2. Rename the file to update.zip Put it in the root of your internal memory or SD-map.
3. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. In the menu, select Install. update.zip to System (navigation – volume buttons, choice – power button).
5. Confirm the installation and wait until the end (don’t turn off the phone!).
6. After restarting, perform Wipe data reset if the system does not start.

If there is no Install item in Recovery update.zip, So the boot loader is locked, this method won't work.

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If you have custom recovery (TWRP), You can flash any compatible firmware. But remember: on the new Xiaomi (from 2020) TWRP Often breaks data encryption, and after firmware, the phone may require a password even after resetting.

What to do if nothing helps: extreme measures

If all of these methods have failed and the phone is still not turning on, there are radical ways to do this, and you should only use them if you:

• 💀 The device is not defined by a computer (full brick).
• 🔧 Firmware through EDL Error (for example, Sahara fail or Firehose mismatch).
• 🔋 Phone does not respond to charging (possibly a problem in the power controller).

Possible solutions:

If you're not sure about your skills, you should go to a service center, like rehab. JTAG eMMC soldering requires specialized equipment and can permanently kill the phone if performed incorrectly.

However, there is one lifehack for devices with a Qualcomm processor: if the phone is not detected in the EDL, but responds to the charging connection (the indicator lights up), try the hot reboot method»:

1. Connect your phone to charge for 10-15 minutes.
2. Turn off charging and immediately connect to the PC with the Volume Down button pressed.
3. If you are lucky, the device will be identified as QDLoader 9008.

How to avoid a brick in the future: rules for safe firmware

To avoid problems after updates or modifications, follow these rules:

• 📌 Always check firmware compatibility with your model (even if the names are similar, for example, Redmi Note 10 and Redmi Note 10 Pro have different firmware!).
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60% before the firmware.
• 💻 Use only original cables and ports USB 2.0 (they're more stable) USB 3.0).
• 🔓 Unlock Bootloader before firmware custom ROM (instruction on the official website).
• 📁 Make a backup. IMEI, NVRAM and data before the experiment (e.g., through TWRP or MTK Droid Tools for MediaTek).

If you frequently use your devices, we recommend you to:

• 🛠️ Solding station (for testpoints).
• 💾 UFED-boxing (for recovery via eMMC).
• 📡 Replacement battery (in case the main battery is discharged during the process).

And remember, 90 percent of the bricks are caused by the impatient users. Never interrupt the firmware, even if it's been a long time. The average firmware time on Fastboot is 5-15 minutes, and then you'll be stuck in the middle of a new firmware. EDL — 30 minutes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi