How to Remove TWRP Recovery from Xiaomi Phone: 3 Working Methods

TWRP is a powerful tool for Android enthusiasts to install unofficial firmware, backups and root rights. However, over time, many Xiaomi users decide to return the device to a effluent state: whether before sale, for warranty repairs or because of unstable system operation. Removing TWRP from Redmi, POCO or Mi phones is a more difficult process than installing it, and requires care not to turn the smartphone into a brick.

In this article, we will discuss three proven methods of removing custom recavators, including the official method through the Mi Flash Tool and alternative options for devices with a locked bootloader. We will focus on Xiaomi models on Qualcomm and MediaTek processors, since the algorithms for them are fundamentally different, and you will learn how to avoid common errors, such as Anti Rollback or loss of IMEI after firmware.

Why you should remove TWRP from Xiaomi

Even if you no longer plan on using custom firmware, having TWRP on your device can create problems:

• 🔄 Denial of warranty repair. Xiaomi service centers easily detect modified Recovery through fastboot log or bootloader signature verification.
• 🔒 Lockdown OTA-Stock firmware refuses to be installed on top of the custom Recovery, giving an error E3004.
• 🛡️ Security vulnerabilities. TWRP Bypasses signature verification of images, which theoretically allows attackers to flash malware.
• 📱 Unstable performance on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) TWRP conflict with camera modules or sensors.

Also, if you plan to sell the phone, the new owner may have difficulty trying to upgrade the device via Settings → About phone → System update. Even a factory reset (Wipe Data in TWRP) doesn’t remove the recovery itself – it will remain in the recovery section and will boot when Power + Vol+ is held.

Preparing the phone for TWRP removal

Before you start the procedure, follow the mandatory preparatory steps:

1. Create a backup. Deleting TWRP often involves a full reset (Wipe All), so copy photos, contacts and files to your PC or cloud. Use Swift Backup to back up your applications.
2. Check the model and firmware version. Go to Settings → About the phone and write: Device model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G or POCO X3 Pro); MIUI version (e.g. MIUI 14.0.5 Global). Build number.

Unlock the loader

fastboot

Mi Unlock

Mi

Charge the phone.

hard brick

Models with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi 10C or POCO M4 Pro) will additionally require:

• 🔧 Install MediaTek Preloader drivers (download from the official website).
• 📥 Download utility SP Flash Tool for Firmware with Download Agent.

Method 1: Remove TWRP via Mi Flash Tool (recommended)

This method is suitable for all Xiaomi models on the Qualcomm processor (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5, Mi 11) and guarantees a complete return to the drain state.

1. Download the stock firmware for your model from the official website: Go to the MIUI download page. Select a region (Global, EEA, China - must match the current firmware!). Download the Fastboot version (file with the extension.tgz or.zip).
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\). There's gotta be a file inside. flash_all.bat.
3. Install drivers: Download ADB and Fastboot (or use Minimal) ADB). Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (hold Power). + Vol− In Device Manager, check that the phone is defined as Android Bootloader Interface.

Launch the Mi Flash Tool

• Download the utility from the official source.
• Select a folder with unpacked firmware.
• Press Refresh – your phone should appear in the list of devices.
• At the bottom, select Clean All (full reset) or Clean All and Lock (reset) mode. + loader-lock).
• Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

After the reboot, check that TWRP is removed: press Power + Vol + - the stock Recovery should open (menu in English / Chinese with Reboot, Wipe Data items).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) The scalp can be automatically replaced by TWRP In this case, after the command fastboot flash recovery, immediately do: fastboot reboot recovery and manually select Reboot to System.

Method 3: Remove TWRP on MediaTek (via SP Flash Tool)

MediaTek processor devices (e.g. Redmi 9A, POCO C31, Redmi 10) require a different approach because of the chipset architecture, using the SP Flash Tool utility and firmware via Download Agent.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware in SP Flash Tool (file with extension.zip or.rar). Official firmware for MediaTek can be found on the Xiaomi website (section For MediaTek) or on 4PDA.
2. Install drivers: Download and install the SP Flash Tool. Install MediaTek Preloader drivers (manually through Device Manager if Windows does not find them automatically).
3. Prepare the phone: Turn off the device. Disconnect the cable (if connected).

Flush the firmware.

• Launch the SP Flash Tool and click Choose in the Scatter-loading File section.
• Select a file MTxxxx_Android_scatter.txt unpacked.
• Make sure that the checkmarks are only for recovery (if you want to save data) or for all sections (for a complete reset).
• Press Download and connect the phone to the PC, and the firmware will start automatically.

Warning for MediaTek: Never stitch only preloader - this will lead to hard brick! Always use full firmware or at least a set of partitions: recovery, boot, system.

💡

It is critical for devices on MediaTek to use firmware with the correct version of Secure Boot. The firmware of the older version can lock the phone at the boot stage (SLA Auth Fail error).

Checking the results and restoring the IMEI

After removing the TWRP, you need to make sure that the device is fully functional:

• 🔍 Check the Recovery: Press the Power + Vol+ — A stock menu should open (usually with the Mi logo and items in English).
• 📶 Make sure that IMEI Save: enter in the dialer *#06#. IMEI No (empty or Null), restore it through SN Write Tool (Instructions for your model look at the 4PDA).
• 🔄 Update through OTA: Go to Settings. → The phone. → System Update: If the update is downloaded and installed — TWRP successfully removed.

If the IMEI is missing after the firmware, use the following algorithm:

1. Download the SN Write Tool and drivers for your model.
2. Find the original IMEI (usually listed on the box or under the battery).
3. Connect your phone in EDL (for Qualcomm) or BROM (for MediaTek) mode and record the IMEI.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with Qualcomm Snapdragon processor 8 Gen 1/2 (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi K50 Pro) rehabilitation IMEI You may require an authorization file that is issued only to official service centers.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

If your model is protected by Anti Rollback (relevant to Redmi Note 7/8/9, POCO X3, etc.), the only safe way to do this is to flash the same or a newer version of MIUI. Trying to bypass the protection through patches can lead to a hard brick!

fastboot erase userdata

This will prevent errors in partitioning.-->

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions