How to go to custom recavator on Xiaomi: from unlocking the bootloader to launching TWRP

Logging into custom receptacles on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is a must for advanced users who want to gain full control of the device. TWRP, OrangeFox or other alternative receptacles can install unofficial firmware, back up Nandroid, remove Bloatware or even restore a brick-and-brick phone. However, the process is not as simple as logging into a standard Mi Recovery – this requires unlocking the bootloader, installing special drivers and avoiding the typical bugs that can turn the gadget into a brick.

In this article, we will take a look at the whole way from preparation to successful launch of custom recavator, including nuances for different Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note 10 Pro to Xiaomi 13 Ultra). Particular attention will be paid to bypassing the new restrictions of MIUI 2026, which complicated the process of unlocking the bootloader. If you are a beginner, do not miss the sections on data backup and firmware compatibility check!

1.Preparation of the device: what to do before unlocking

Before trying to enter a custom recavator, there are several critical steps that need to be taken, and skipping at least one of them can result in data loss, unlock failure, or even hardware damage to the device.

First, back up all your data. Custom retrieves and unlock the bootloader reset the device to factory settings, removing photos, contacts, and apps. Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or physical copying on your PC. Note that once unlocked, some features (like Find My Device) may not work properly.

• 📱 Check the device model: go to Settings → The phone. → A model. For example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G differential!
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 70%. interruption of the process due to discharge can damage the boot partition.
• 🔗 Make sure you have the original USB-Cheap cables often don't transmit data in Fastboot mode.
• 🖥️ Prepare a PC with Windows 10/11 (for Mi Unlock Tool or Linux/macOS (alternative methods).

The second step is to check firmware compatibility. Some Xiaomi models (such as the POCO F5 or Xiaomi 12T) require special versions of TWRP adapted to their hardware platform. Set the wrong receptacles and the phone will not boot. The list of supported devices is always up to date on the official XDA Developers or twrp.me forums.

2. Unlock the bootloader: bypassing the limitations of MIUI 2026

The main obstacle to custom recovery is a locked bootloader. Xiaomi tightened the policy in 2026: now, to unlock, you need to link your Mi Account account to the device and wait 168 hours (7 days) after the first binding, this rule applies to all models released after 2021.

The unlocking process includes several stages:

1. Account Link: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Unlock Status and add the device. Make sure your account has a real phone number and email.
2. Enable USB debugging: activate Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to become a developer), then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlock.
3. Install drivers: Download Mi Unlock Tool and Qualcomm drivers (for most models) or Mediatek (for Redmi 10A, POCO C).
4. 168 hours waiting: Even if the status in Mi Unlock shows "Device unlocked", the real unlock will occur only after 7 days.

After the deadline, connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power), launch the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions. If the program gives an error "Couldn't unlock", check:

• 🔌 Connection to USB 2.0 (USB 3.0 may not work).
• 🔄 Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager.
• 📡 Disable the antivirus (it can block the Mi Unlock Tool).

3. Installation of custom recaveri: TWRP vs OrangeFox

Once the bootloader is unlocked, you can start installing custom recovery. The most popular solutions today are TWRP (TeamWin Recovery Project) and OrangeFox Recovery, and these are the key differences:

To install the recavator you will need:

1. Download the correct version TWRP Or OrangeFox for your model (a file with the.img extension). 11 Pro+ 5G will twrp-3.7.0_12-0-veux.img.
2. Download Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
3. Unpack Platform Tools to the root of the C:\ disk and place the recovery file in this folder.

Next, execute commands in the terminal (on behalf of the administrator):

cd C:\platform-tools


fastboot devices




fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-0-veux.img




fastboot reboot recovery

🔹 The file recaveri corresponds to the model of the device

🔹 bootloader unlocked (Unlocked status in fastboot)

🔹 Debugging is on. USB and unlock OEM

🔹 The device is connected in fastboot mode (screen with a rabbit)

-->

4 First entrance to the custom recavérie: what to do if the phone does not load

If done correctly, the device will reboot to TWRP or OrangeFox after the fastboot reboot recovery command, but many users will be surprised to find that the system may request a password to decrypt data (if encryption was enabled) or not boot at all.

• 🔐 Password request: if you have used PIN-code MIUI, Put it in the recavator. If you forget, you'll have to make Format Data!).
• 🚫 Black screen after reboot: So the recovery is not compatible with your firmware. Try another version or patch through OrangeFox.
• 🔄 Automatic reboot in the MIUI: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) have custom Recovery protection, so the solution is to disable autorecovery in the settings. TWRP.

If the device is loaded into the recavery, first of all make a backup of all sections:

1. Go to the Backup section.
2. Select the sections: Boot, System, Data, Vendor.
3. Please indicate the location of the save (better to SD-map OTG-accumulator).
4. Swipe for confirmation.

💡

If the Recovery does not see the internal memory, connect OTG-storage SD-map before reset entry mode. TWRP mount /data automatically.

5. Error Fixing: From "Invalid ZIP" to "No OS Installed"

Working with custom recavéri is often accompanied by errors that can puzzle even experienced users, and let's consider the most common of them and how to fix them.

Error: "Invalid ZIP file" when trying to install firmware or Magisk.

• 📁 Check integrity ZIP-File (download again, compare hash amounts).
• 🔄 Rename the file to a short name without spaces (e.g, miui.zip).
• 🛠️ Update the Recovery to the latest version (older versions) TWRP They do not support new formats. ZIP).

Error: "No OS Installed" after installing the firmware

⚠️ Note: This error means that the recovery did not detect the operating system in the boot or system partition:

• 🔧 Incorrect firmware (for example, trying to install) MIUI EU Chinese-style).
• 🗃️ Damage to the vendor partition (solved by flashing through fastboot).
• 🔒 Data encryption (requires data formatting in the recaveria).

To restore the working capacity:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Unpack. ZIP-firmware file and find the file flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/macOS).
3. Connect your phone in fastboot mode and start the script.

6. Alternative methods of entering the Recovery without PC

What if you don't have a computer at hand and you need to enter the custom Recovery urgently? There are several ways, but they only work on devices that are already unlocked:

• 📱 Through the terminal ADB (if debugging is on USB):

adb shell reboot recovery

• 🔧 via Quick Reboot (requires root rights).
• 🔄 Through the button combination: Turn off the phone, then press Volume up + 10 seconds of power. Attention: on some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) this results in resetting of settings!

If the device is not unlocked, you can not do without a PC - Xiaomi requires confirmation through the Mi Unlock Tool. However, for the already installed recovery, you can use applications like TWRP App (available on Google Play), which allow you to reboot to restore mode directly from the MIUI interface.

💡

Without an unlocked bootloader, entry into the custom recaveri is only possible through the official Mi Recovery, which does not support installation. ZIP-file-back.

7.Compatible with new models: Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 and POCO F6

Xiaomi smartphones released in 2023-2026 (such as Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or POCO F6) have additional layers of protection that make it more difficult to install custom recavator.

• 🔒 New unlock protocol: instead of 168 hours, it may now take 336 hours (14 days) for some regions.
• 🛡️ Anti-Rollback: You can’t install firmware older than the current version without the risk of hard brick.
• 📱 Dynamic Partitions: New Devices Use dynamic_partitions, which are not all versions TWRP maintain.

For these models, it is recommended that:

1. Use OrangeFox instead of OrangeFox TWRP (better dynamic_partitions).
2. Check firmware for compatibility with Anti-Rollback (information is in the file vendor/build.prop).
3. Install Magisk in the section init_boot (not boot) to bypass inspections MIUI.

Example of the team to install Magisk on new models:

fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched.img


fastboot reboot

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions