Installing custom recavators on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is the first step to full control of the device, allowing you to flash informal firmware, back up NANDroid, remove system applications, and even restore bricks after unsuccessful experiments. However, the process requires preparation: from unlocking the bootloader to installing the drivers correctly. Without these steps, you simply cannot log into TWRP or OrangeFox.
Many users experience errors like Fastboot mode instead of a recap or perpetual download on the Mi logo. The reasons lie in the wrong sequence of actions, outdated versions of utilities or incompatibility of the firmware with the recovery version. In this article, we will analyze all the steps from preparing the PC to alternative ways of login if the standard method did not work.
⚠️ Critical Warning: The procedure will reset all data on the device, including photos in internal memory. Even if you plan only to go into the receptacles without firmware, the Mi Unlock Tool requires a complete reset when unlocking the bootloader. Use cloud backups or physical copying on your PC.
Preparation of the device: unlocking the loader
Without an unlocked bootloader, Xiaomi cannot log in to custom recavers, and the company blocks it by default to protect against unauthorized changes, a process that takes at least 7 days (since 2026) and requires a Mi Account to be linked to the device.
First, check the blocking status:
- Turn off your smartphone.
- Press Volume Down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.
- Connect the device to the PC and type in the command line: fastboot oem device-info
If you see Device unlocked: false in the answer, the bootloader is blocked.
- 🔓 Link your Mi Account: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud and log in. Make sure your device is linked to your account (check Settings). → The phone. → Mi Unlock status).
- ⏳ Wait 168 hours: Once the account is linked, the countdown will begin.Any attempt to unlock ahead of time will result in a Couldn't unlock error.
- 💻 Download Mi Unlock Tool: The official utility is available on the Xiaomi website (the 2026 version supports all models, including the official version). POCO F6 Redmi Note 13).
⚠️ Note: Since 2023, Xiaomi has tightened the rules: if the device was purchased less than 30 days ago, unlocking can be delayed for an additional 30 days.
2. Install drivers and ADB/Fastboot on PC
Without the right drivers, the PC won’t recognize the smartphone in Fastboot mode.
- Download Android SDK Platform Tools (official package from Google).
- Install drivers: 🖥️ For Windows. 10/11: Use Universal ADB Driver. 🐧 For Linux/macOS: No drivers needed, but you need to add udev rules for fastboot.
fastboot devicesIf the device is displayed (for example, 1234abcd fastboot) – the drivers are installed correctly.
🔹 Frequent Error: If the fastboot device team returns an empty list, try it:
- 🔌 Reconnect. USB-Cable (use the original from Xiaomi).
- 🔄 Reboot your PC and smartphone.
- 🛠️ Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select Android Bootloader Interface).
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If you have Windows 11, turn off driver signature verification: press Shift when you restart, select Search and troubleshooting → Additional settings → Boot options → Reboot, then press F7 to disable the check.
3. Installation of custom recaveri (TWRP/OrangeFox)
Once the bootloader is unlocked, you can flash backs. We recommend TWRP for most models or OrangeFox for advanced features (for example, support for MIUI OTA without data loss).
Step 1: Download the correct version of Recaveri
- 📱 For the Redmi Note 12: TWRP 3.7.0+.
- 📱 For POCO F5: OrangeFox R11.1 (Supported by Dynamic Partition).
- 📱 For Xiaomi. 13T: check the compatibility on XDA Developers.
Step 2: Sweat the Recovery through Fastboot
- Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode (Loudness down + Power).
- Connect to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0-alioth.img (replace twrp-3.7.0-alioth.img with your file name).
- For Dynamic Partition devices (e.g. Redmi Note) 11) Use: Fastboot Flash recovery_ramdisk twrp.img
Step 3: Launch the rivers
Don't reboot to the system after you've run the firmware.
fastboot reboot recoveryIf you see the TWRP logo or OrangeFox logo, the installation was successful. If the device loaded into MIUI Recovery, the stock recovery firmware has been overwound, in which case, repeat step 2 and immediately after the firmware is done:
fastboot boot twrp.imgbootloader unlocked (unlocked status: true)
Installed ADB/Fastboot drivers
Download the correct file recovery for your model
Battery charged at least 50%
Antivirus disabled (can block fastboot)
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4. Alternative ways of entering the river
If the standard method doesn’t work, try these options:
| Method | When to use | Team/action |
|---|---|---|
| ADB Reboot | Device on, USB-debugging activated | adb reboot recovery |
| Buttons + OTG cable | The bootloader is blocked, but there is root | Connect. OTG-cable with flash drive, hold Volume up + Meals 10 seconds. |
| Fastboot Boot | Revere is stitched, but not saved | fastboot boot twrp.img |
| Mi Flash Tool | Device in a "brick" (not included) | Scroll through the full Fastboot ROM with a clean all checkmark |
🔹 For models with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi) 10C):
- 🔧 Use it. MTK Client instead of fastboot.
- 📥 Download preloader and scatter file for your model.
- 💡 V MTK Client select Boot Recovery and specify the path to the Recovery file.
What if the device gets stuck on the Mi logo after firmware?
5. Common mistakes and their solutions
Even experienced users face problems, and here are the most critical errors and ways to fix them:
- 🚫 FAILED (remote: 'Flashing is not allowed in Lock State') Reason: bootloader not unlocked. Repeat the procedure with Mi Unlock Tool and wait 168 hours.
- 🔄 Invalid sparse file format at header Reason: Damaged file recovery. Download it again and check check checksum MD5.
⚠️ Note: If after a failed firmware recovery smartphone stopped turning on (hard brick), do not try to flash it through EDL-The mode without an authorized Xiaomi account. since 2026, the company has blocked EDL For most models, recovery is possible only in the service center.
6 What to do after successfully entering the river
When you see the TWRP or OrangeFox menu, follow these steps for security:
- Make a backup copy: 📁 Choose Backup → Check Boot, Data, System. 💾 Save a copy for SD-map OTG-flash drive (internal memory can be encrypted).
Turn off encryption (if necessary):
If Data is not mounting due to encryption, go to Wipe → Format Data and enter Yes. ⚠️ It'll delete all the data!
Install Magisk (optional):
For root rights, download the latest version of Magisk and swipe through Install → Select Storage.
🔹 Important for owners POCO/Redmi 2023-2026 year-end:
Newer models (such as the POCO X6 Pro or Redmi Note 13 Pro+) use Dynamic Partition, so:
- 🛠️ Don’t change partition sizes manually – this will lead to bootloop.
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Once you log in to the custom recavator, the first thing you do is back up your Boot, Data, and System partitions, and that will save your data if you fail to firmware or reset.
7.How to get back stock Recovery
If you need to return the original recovery (for example, for warranty repairs), follow these steps:
- Download stock firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
- Unpack the archive and find the recovery.img file (usually in the image folder).
- Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery recovery.img
- Reboot the device: fastboot reboot
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K60) The stock Recovery automatically recovers when it's loaded into the system. To avoid this, immediately after the firmware is installed, perform the Recovery:
fastboot flash disable_verity disable_verity.img(file disable_verity.img You can find it in the archives with Magisk or on XDA).