How to Remove Custom Recovery (TWRP) on Xiaomi and Return Stock MIUI Recovery

Installing custom recovery (such as TWRP) on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones opens up a wide range of options for system modifications, from root rights to unofficial firmware installations. However, over time, users face the need to return the original MIUI Recovery — whether for warranty repair, air updates (OTA) or fixing bugs after unsuccessful experiments.

The process of removing a custom recavator seems simple, but it has critical nuances: wrong actions can lead to a device blink (complete failure) if you flash an incompatible version of stock recovery or interrupt the process. In this article, we will discuss three proven methods of returning to the factory recavator, discuss in detail the preparation, risks and recovery methods after failures.

Why you may need to remove the custom recavator

Custom recovery like TWRP or OrangeFox is useful for enthusiasts, but it can be a challenge in everyday use.

• 🔄 Impossibility of updates OTA. MIUI refuses to install updates through the standard menu if a third-party Recovery is detected.
• 🛡️ Warranty issues: Xiaomi service centers often check firmware integrity during warranty repairs.
• 🐞 System glitches: Some features (such as Mi Share or Game Turbo) may not work properly.
• 🔒 Lock the bootloader. On new models (Xiaomi) 12/13, Redmi Note 11/12) When you reflash it, anti-Rollback protection can work.

In addition, custom recavators sometimes conflict with Dynamic Partition, which leads to a cyclical reboot or firmware installation errors. If you plan to sell a phone, returning stock recovery is a must-do step for FRP reset.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi) K70) The process is different from the classical MIUI. Using old methods can lead to data loss in the super and vendor sections.

Preparation for the removal of custom recaveri

Before starting the procedure, follow the mandatory steps to avoid data loss or “brick”:

Backup data (photos, contacts, messages) | Check battery power (minimum 60%) | Download stock firmware for your model | Install ADB/Fastboot drivers on PC | Disable Mi Account lock (if the phone is tied)

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Pay special attention to the choice of firmware. Any official firmware for your model will do well to remove the recaveri, but it is better to use:

• 📱 Fastboot firmware (file with.tgz or.zip extension) – more reliable for full recovery.
• 🔧 Recovery firmware (.zip file) – if you want to save data (but this method is less stable).

Download the firmware only from official sources:

• 🌐 Official website MIUI (Choose a Global Region, EEA Russia).
• 🔗 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (for older models).

⚠️ Note: Do not use firmware from third-party forums (for example, 4PDA) check-out (MD5). Fake files may contain malicious code or incompatible partitions.

Also prepare the tools:

Fastboot (complete flashing)|Recovery (Save data)|Through the Mi Flash Tool|I don't know what to choose.-->

Method 1: Remove TWRP via Fastboot (recommended)

This is a method that works for 90% of Xiaomi models and is considered the most reliable, replacing the recovery partition completely with the stock partition, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

Steps:

1. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (a rabbit with a hat will appear on the screen).
2. Connect the device to the PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
3. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and execute: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number appears), continue.
4. Fastboot flash recovery recovery.img fastboot flash boot boot.img (recovery.img and boot.img files must be from the official firmware for your model).
5. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

If after the reboot the phone hangs on the MI logo, reset through the stock recavator:

1. Enter recovery (clip the power + volume up).
2. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
3. Reset the device.

💡

If your phone doesn’t turn on after you have recovered the firmware, try flashing the full Fastboot firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all option.

Method 2: Return stock recovery with the Mi Flash Tool

This is a good way for users who want to fully restore the firmware, not just the recovery partition, and is especially relevant for anti-Rollback devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11, Redmi K40).

Instructions:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model (for example, courbet_global_images_V13.0.4.0.SKQMIXM_20221010.0000.00_12.0_global.zip for Mi 11 Lite 5G NE).
2. Uncancel the firmware file into a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (as in Method 1).
5. At the bottom of the program, select the option clean all (complete cleaning) or clean all and lock (if you want to lock the bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process takes 5-10 minutes).

Once the firmware is in place, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can take up to 15 minutes - don't interrupt the process!

Method 3: Recovery Removal via stock MIUI Recovery (no PC)

If you don't have access to a computer, you can try to return stock recovery directly from your phone, which doesn't work on all models and requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 📁 The presence of the official recovery firmware (.zip file) on the memory card.

Instructions:

1. Download recovery firmware for your model (for example, miui_COURBETGlobal_V13.0.3.0.SKQMIXM_3a4a8f2b3d_12.0.zip).
2. Rename the file to update.zip Put it in the root of your internal memory or SD-map.
3. Enter TWRP (Put Power + Volume Up).
4. Choose Install. → Select Storage → Micro SD (memory).
5. Find the update.zip file and swipe for installation.
6. After completion, press Reboot System.

If the process is successful, the next time you log in to recovery, you will see the standard MIUI Recovery menu (blue screen with minimalist interface).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi Note 10 Pro) this method can lead to the E:Footer is wrong error.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you remove custom recavers, users face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

If after all the manipulations the phone doesn't turn on or if this MIUI version cannot be installed on this device is an error, chances are you've stitched the firmware for another model or region.

1. Download the correct firmware (check the model name in Fastboot with the fastboot getvar product command).
2. Repeat the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all option.

💡

On Dynamic Partition devices (e.g. Xiaomi 11T, Redmi Note 11), you can’t flash only the recovery section separately, which will lead to an error.

How to check if the custom recap has been removed

After the instructions are followed, it is important to make sure that the phone is actually equipped with stock MIUI Recovery.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter recovery.
3. If you see: 🔹 Blue screen with logo MI lettering MIUI Recovery 4.0 – It was a success. 🔹 Black or orange screen with TeamWin Recovery menu – custom recovery is still in place.

You can also check through ADB:

adb reboot recovery

If the phone is rebooted to stock recovery, the task is done.

We also recommend:

• 🔍 Check the status of the bootloader by command: fastboot oem device-info (the line Device unlocked: false means that the bootloader is blocked).
• 📱 Make sure that OTA-Updates are working: Go to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions