Installing custom OrangeFox Recovery on Xiaomi smartphones opens up a wide range of options for system modifications, from firmware unofficial ROMs to backups through Nandroid. However, not all users require these features on a permanent basis. The reasons for removing OrangeFox Recovery can be different: preparing the device for sale, returning to a run-off state for warranty repairs, or simply wanting to return the original Mi Recovery for stability.
It is important to understand that the process of removing the custom recavator is not just a rollback of changes, but a full flashing of the recovery section. Wrong actions can lead to a device brique (full or partial failure), especially if we are talking about models with a locked bootloader. In this article, we will discuss three reliable methods of removing OrangeFox, taking into account the characteristics of different generations of Xiaomi smartphones (from Redmi Note 4X to Xiaomi 13 Ultra), and also give recommendations for restoring the system after the procedure.
Why you may need to remove OrangeFox Recovery
Castomic recaveri is a powerful tool, but not always justified in everyday use, and here are the most common scenarios when users decide to get rid of it:
- 📦 Preparing for a sale or exchange. The new owner may not be familiar with custom firmware, and the stock recavery makes it easier to update the software through a new source. OTA.
- 🔧 Warranty repair: Xiaomi service centers deny warranty if a modified recavator or unlocked bootloader is detected.
- 🔄 After experimenting with LineageOS or Pixel Experience, many people want to bring back the original firmware. MIUI custom-free.
- 🛡️ Problems with updates. OTA-Packages refuse to be installed via OrangeFox, requiring stock Recovery.
- 🚨 Recovery errors: In rare cases, OrangeFox may conflict with the core of the system, causing freezes or inability to boot.
Before you proceed with deletion, make sure you have a backup of important data.Even if you plan to return stock firmware, the process can erase user files in the /data partition.
⚠️ Note: On devices with a blocked bootloader, trying to flash stock Recovery through fastboot without first unlocking will lead to an error FAILED (Check the lock status with the command fastboot oem device-info - Device unlocked: true must confirm unlocking.
Method 1: Delete via Fastboot (recommended method)
The most versatile and safe method is to run the original Recovery through fastboot mode. It is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10 Pro, Poco X3, Mi 11 and others.
- 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download from the official Android website).
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
- 📱 Stock firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi or Xiaomi Firmware Updater website).
Steps to remove:
- Unpack the archive with stock firmware and find the recovery.img file (usually it is in the image folder).
- Connect your phone to your computer and put it into fastboot mode: adb reboot bootloader Or manually: turn off the device → pinch Power + Volume Down before the Fastboot logo appears.
- Sweep stock recovery command: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img Wait for the message OKAY.
- Restart the device to the recovery to check the result: fastboot reboot recovery If you saw the Mi Recovery logo with a mi-boonie - the process was successful.
Download stock firmware for your model |
Install ADB/Fastboot | drivers
Unpack the archive and find recovery.img|
Connect the phone with the original cable |
Check the battery level (minimum 50%)
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If the device is stuck on the Mi logo after the reboot, then the stock recavery conflicts with the current firmware, in which case you need to flash the full stock firmware package through MiFlash (see Method 2).
OrangeFox|
TWRP|
Stock Mi Recovery|
Another custom Recovery
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Method 2: Firmware full stock firmware through MiFlash
If removing only the recovery partition didn’t help or you want to return the device to the factory state, use the MiFlash Tool.This method reflashes all partitions, including boot, system and vendor, which is guaranteed to remove traces of OrangeFox.
Download MiFlash from the official website (Mi Flash Tool section). You will also need full firmware for your model in.tgz or.zip format (not Fastboot ROM, namely Full ROM!).
| Step. | Action. | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\Xiaomi\ROM). | The path should not contain gaps! |
| 2 | Connect your phone in fastboot mode (see Method 1). | Make sure the drivers are installed correctly (Android Bootloader Interface should be displayed in Device Manager). |
| 3 | Launch MiFlash, press Select and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware. | The Device field should show your device (e.g. tucana for Redmi Note 8 Pro). |
| 4 | Select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Locking bootloader). | Clean all and lock will block bootloader – only use if you are sure that you will no longer install custom firmware! |
| 5 | Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes). | Don't turn off the cable! The process can seem 99 percent "hungry" -- that's okay. |
⚠️ Warning: Clean all and lock mode blocks the bootloader, making it impossible to install custom recoveries in the future without re-unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool. TWRP, Choose Clean All.
Once the firmware is installed, the device automatically reboots to the stock MIUI. The first run can take up to 10 minutes — don't interrupt the process. If the phone doesn't turn on after the firmware is installed, try going to the power + volume up and do Wipe Data.
What if MiFlash can’t see the device?
Method 3: Removal via TWRP (alternative)
If you have TWRP installed in parallel with OrangeFox (or you are willing to flash it temporarily), you can remove OrangeFox through it, which is suitable for advanced users, since it requires partition manipulation.
You'll need:
- 📱 Established TWRP (version no less than 3.6.0).
- 💾 Stock file recovery.img (see Method 1).
- 🔋 Battery charge of at least 70%.
Instructions:
- Copy recovery.img to your phone’s internal memory or microSD.
- Download to TWRP (usually Power + Volume Up).
- Go to Install → Install Image and select stock recovery.img.
- Select the Recovery section and confirm the firmware with a swipe.
- Once completed, tap Reboot → Recovery to reboot into stock Recovery.
If the device does not boot into the system after running the stock recavator through TWRP, then the current firmware requires a custom recavator to work, in which case you need to flash the full stock firmware through MiFlash (Method 2).
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Before removing OrangeFox, back up the recovery section in TWRP: go to Backup → Select Partitions and only check Recovery, which will allow you to quickly restore the Recovery if something goes wrong.
Addressing common mistakes
When removing OrangeFox Recovery, users often face typical problems, and consider the most common ones and how to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| FAILED (remote: 'Flashing is not allowed') | The bootloader is locked. | Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool. |
| The device hung on the Mi logo after firmware. | Conflict between stock recavery and modified firmware. | Sweep through the full stock firmware through MiFlash (see Method 2). |
| Invalid sparse file format at header in MiFlash. | A damaged firmware archive. | Download the firmware again and check the checksum (MD5). |
| MiFlash can't see the device. | There are no drivers or problems with USB-port. | Install drivers manually through Device Manager (see spoiler above). |
| OrangeFox is not working after removal. OTA-update. | Modified partitions (boot or system) remain. | Sweat the full stock firmware with the choice of Clean all. |
If neither method worked, the problem may be that the misc or boot partition is damaged, and only a complete flashing through the back door will help. EDL-mode (emergency loading mode), but this is a topic for a separate article.
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Before any manipulation with the recovery, always check the compatibility of the firmware and the device model. The recovery.img firmware from Redmi Note 9 on the Poco X3 will lead to a blink!
How to check if OrangeFox has been successfully removed
After you do one of these, you need to make sure that OrangeFox Recovery is actually removed.
- Turn off the device.
- Press the Power + Volume Up combination to enter the Recovery.
- If you see: 🟢 The Mi Bunny logo and blue screen with points in Chinese/English are stock Mi Recovery. 🟠 Orange fox logo – OrangeFox not removed (repeat procedure). ⚪ Black screen or freeze – possibly damaged recovery partition (reflashing needed).
Reboot the device to the system and check the work OTA-Updates (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
You can also check the current recaps through ADB:
adb shell getprop ro.boot.recoveryIf the command returns the /dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/recovery path without mentioning OrangeFox, the process is successful.
What to do after removing OrangeFox Recovery
Once you've returned the stock Recovery, many users are faced with additional questions. Here's what we recommend doing next:
- 🔄 Update the system. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest version MIUI.
- 🔒 Check the status of the bootloader. If you blocked it through MiFlash, you can only unlock it back through the Mi Unlock Tool (you have to wait 7-30 days).
- 📱 Reset settings (optional).If you've been putting your device back to a runoff state before selling, make Wipe Data in Mi Recovery.
- 🛡️ Install antivirus. Custom recavers are sometimes used to spread malware. Check the system with Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.
If you have removed OrangeFox for warranty repair, remember:
- Untie Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi account → Sign out.
- Delete all data about your Google account (Settings → Accounts).
- Turn off Find My Device (Settings → Google → Security).
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Once the custom recavator is removed, some features (such as root access or Magisk) will stop working, and if you need them, you will have to re-install TWRP or OrangeFox.