Connecting Xiaomi smartphone to your computer through USB It often turns into a headache: the system does not see the device, gives errors in installing drivers or offers to update the software, 90% of the time lies in the absence or incorrect operation. USB-Drivers – special software that provides interaction between the operating system and the hardware of your gadget. Without them, it is impossible not only to transfer files, but also to unlock the bootloader, flash the device through Fastboot or use tools like Mi Flash Tool.
In this article, you will find the current 2026 ways to install drivers for all Xiaomi lines, from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 14. We will analyze the official and alternative methods, solve typical errors (for example, Code 10 or Device not recognized), and show how to check the performance of drivers after installation.
Why do we need to? USB-drivers for Xiaomi
USB-Drivers are the “translators” between your PC’s operating system and your smartphone’s hardware. Without them, Windows doesn’t know how to access Xiaomi’s internal memory, manage Fastboot modes, or EDL, and interact with the processor through protocols ADB.
Here are the key tasks for which drivers are required:
- 📁 Transfer of files (photos, videos, music) through MTP (Media Transfer Protocol).
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (Fastboot) OEM Unlock) before firmware.
- 🛠️ Firmware via Mi Flash Tool or fastboot commands.
- 🐞 Debugging by USB (ADB) for developers or system restoration.
- 🔄 Restoring the Bricks through the Regime EDL (Emergency Download Mode).
Without drivers, even simple synchronization with Mi PC Suite will become impossible. Windows will become impossible. 10/11 Often installs universal drivers automatically, but they work unstable – especially for Fastboot modes and other modes. EDL, where you need branded drivers from Qualcomm or Xiaomi.
⚠️ Note: If you plan to unlock a bootloader or flash your device, installing drivers manually is mandatory. Automatic installation via Windows Update leads to a Waiting for Device error in the Mi Flash Tool in 70% of cases.
Xiaomi drivers: where to download and how to verify authenticity
The most reliable source of drivers is the official Xiaomi website, but it is not so easy to find them there: the company does not allocate a separate page for downloading, but “hidden” drivers inside the utility packages.
- 🌐 Mi Unlock: drivers are included in the Mi Unlock Tool (Download Mi Unlock section) and is suitable for all models, including the Redmi Note 12 and the Redmi Note. POCO X5.
- 📦 Mi Flash Tool: The archive with the utility contains a driver folder with drivers for Fastboot and EDL. You can download it here.
- 🔧 Xiaomi PC Suite: When installing this software, drivers are installed automatically, but only for mode MTP (firmware-free).
How to verify the authenticity of downloaded files:
- Convert the hash sum (SHA-256) archive with official data (for example, for MiUnlock.exe the current hash: a1b2c3...).
- Check the digital signature of files: drivers from Xiaomi must be signed by Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.
- Use antivirus: Original drivers don’t contain threats, but fake versions are often spread with malware.
| Source | Type of driver | Windows Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Unlock Tool | Fastboot, ADB | 7/10/11 (x64) | Includes Android Bootloader Interface Driver |
| Mi Flash Tool | Fastboot, EDL | 10/11 (x64) | Contains Qualcomm driver HS-USB QDLoader 9008 |
| Xiaomi PC Suite | MTP, PTP | 7/10/11 | Not suitable for firmware |
Step-by-step installation USB-Windows-based drivers
The installation process depends on what type of connection mode you want, and we'll look at two scenarios: normal file transfer (MTP) and to work with Fastboot/EDL (firmware, unlock).
Scenario 1: Drivers for file transfer (MTP)
If you only need to copy photos or music, standard drivers are sufficient:
- Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-cable (preferably original).
- On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
- Wait until Windows tries to install the driver automatically. If you get an error, move to manual installation.
For manual installation:
- Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
- Find a device with a yellow exclamation point (usually under Other Devices or Portable Devices).
- Right-click → Update the driver → Search for drivers on this computer.
- Choose M.TP USB Device from the list of compatible drivers.
Scenario 2: Drivers for Fastboot and EDL
For firmware or unlocking, you need to install special drivers:
☑️ Preparation for installing Fastboot drivers
Next steps:
- Transfer Xiaomi to Fastboot mode: turn off the device, then pinch the Power + Reduce the volume before the appearance of the rabbit logo.
- Connect your phone to your PC. Android Bootloader Interface will appear in Device Manager with an error.
- Right-click → Update the driver → Search on this computer.
- Specify the path to the driver folder (for example, MiFlashTool\driver) Install Android Bootloader Interface.
For the regime. EDL (It is used to restore the bricks»):
- 🔌 Connect the phone to the PC by holding Vol.+ Vol- at the same time (some models require testpoint).
- Device Manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
- Install the driver from the folder MiFlashTool\driver, hand-picked.
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If Windows blocks the installation of an unsigned driver, press Shift when you restart your PC, select Diagnostics → Additional parameters → Loading parameters → Reboot, then press. F7 (disable driver signature verification).
Solving errors when installing drivers
Even if installed correctly, drivers can not work properly, and here are the most common errors and their solutions:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Code 10: The device cannot start | Driver conflict or lack of signature | Remove the current driver, disable signature verification and install again |
| Device not identified. | Damaged. USB-port | Try another cable/port, check the connection on another PC |
| Waiting for Device in Mi Flash Tool | Not installed Fastboot driver | Reinstall the driver manually (see section above) |
| ADB device offline | Conflict with an antivirus or firewall | Add adb.exe to the exceptions of antivirus |
If the drivers are installed, but Xiaomi is still not defined:
- 🔄 Restart your phone and PC.
- 🔌 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 – They are more stable with Fastboot).
- 🛡️ Temporarily disable the antivirus (for example, Avast or Kaspersky often block the antivirus). ADB).
- 📋 Check if the debugging is on USB in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers).
⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool gives a critical partition flashing is not allowed after installing the drivers, it means that your Mi Account is not tied to the device.
Drivers for specific Xiaomi models
Some Xiaomi models require special drivers because of their unique chipsets or firmware, and here are the features for popular lines:
- 📱 Redmi Note 12 / POCO X5: Use the Snapdragon chipset 4 Gen 1/7 Gen 1. Fastboot drivers are standard, but for EDL You may need a Qualcomm Driver Pack.
- 📱 Xiaomi 13/14: flagships on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3. The latest version of the Mi Flash Tool is relevant for them (2023.12.15 or newer).
- 📱 Redmi A2 / POCO C55: Budget models on Helio G36. MediaTek drivers may be required for mode BROM (analogue EDL).
- 📱 Xiaomi Pad 6: tablets often conflict with drivers MTP. The solution is to install Google USB Driver via Android SDK.
For models on MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 10A or POCO M4) may be required:
- Download MediaTek USB Driver.
- Install LibUSB-Win32 for working with utilities like SP Flash Tool.
- Disable Driver Signature Enforcement (as described above).
How to find out the chipset of your Xiaomi?
Alternative ways to install drivers
If the official methods didn’t work, try these options:
- 🖥️ Universal. ADB-Drivers: Download Google USB Driver and install them through Device Manager. Suitable for most Android models.
- 🔧 15 Seconds ADB Installer: utility from XDA Developers who automatically install ADB, Fastboot and drivers. Download here.
- 📦 DriverPack Solution: Russian utility for automatic driver search. Suitable if other methods have not worked (but be careful with download sources!).
For experienced users:
If you're working with EDL and standard drivers are not suitable, you can manually add device identifiers (VID/PID) file android_winusb.inf:
- Open Device Manager, find Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
- Right-click. → Properties → Information → Equipment ID. Copy lines of type USB\VID_05C6&PID_9008.
- Open the file. android_winusb.inf (from the driver folder in Notepad.
- Add the copied ones. VID/PID sectionally [Google.NTx86] or [Google.NTamd64].
- Save the file and install the driver manually.
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If none of the methods worked, check if the controller is disabled. USB into BIOS your PC. Come in. BIOS (usually Del F2 when downloading) and make sure that the parameters USB Configuration or XHCI Handoff included.
Checking the operability of drivers
To make sure that the drivers are installed correctly, you can in several ways:
Method 1: Through Device Manager
Open the Device Manager and check:
- 📱 In mode. MTP: The device should be displayed as Xiaomi [Model] in the Portable Devices section.
- 🔓 Fastboot: Must have Android Bootloader Interface in Android Device.
- 🛠️ In mode. EDL: Look for Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 in Ports (COM and LPT).
Method 2: Through the Command Line
Open the Command Prompt (Win + R → cmd) and type:
adb devicesIf the device is identified, you'll see its serial number.
fastboot devicesMethod 3: Using the Mi Flash Tool
Run the Mi Flash Tool and connect your phone in Fastboot mode. If Device connected appears at the bottom of the window, the drivers work.
⚠️ Note: If fastboot devices returns an empty list, but the phone is determined in Device Manager, try disabling and enabling Debugging again USB Sometimes it helps to reconnect the cable.