Xiaomi firmware – important information! Self-firmware for Xiaomi phones, smartphones and tablets Now you can work with the firmware

Since September 2018, the Chinese company has strengthened the protection of its smartphones by introducing some changes to its security policy. We ask our readers to familiarize themselves with this information, as it concerns the firmware of Xiaomi smartphones.

Let us recall that the first steps were: an anti-rollback mechanism, which prohibits downgrading the MIUI version and increasing the bootloader unlock time. Now the company plans to completely block the ability to install the global version of the firmware (Global ROM) on .

Xiaomi firmware – new rules!

At the beginning of the month, a message appeared on the official English-language forum in which one of the administrators published an important message for all users of the Mi community.

The report indicates that Xiaomi phones released for the Chinese market will no longer support the MIUI Global ROM. And accordingly, (marked “Global Version” on the box) they will no longer support the Chinese version of the MIUI China ROM firmware.

For clarity of information, we attach the original message.

This message also recommends buying Xiaomi smartphones only through official sales channels and double checking the system information before updating the system. In turn, the MIUI team thanks users for their understanding.

The reasons for such innovations?

Xiaomi continues to grow and develop, capturing more and more markets around the world every year. The Asian giant has already conquered India and many Asian countries, now continuing its expansion into European countries.

Given that China is the largest smartphone market in the world, large OEMs have the privilege of being among the first to try new technologies. In addition, Chinese versions of smartphones are often cheaper than their global counterparts.

Smartphones, tablets and other gadgets are extremely popular in the mobile technology market. Unscrupulous sellers take advantage of this, in some cases misleading buyers. For example, when they claim that they are selling a “global” version of a Chinese Xiaomi device, when in fact a global version of the phone does not yet exist.

Also, this is unpleasant news for users who are used to buying and ordering phones directly from China. The likelihood is increasing that a seller on Aliexpress can sell a phone that, after an update, will turn into a “brick.”

Now let’s look at smartphones for which these restrictions will apply in the future. The list itself was published by the developer of the XiaoMiTool utility, who analyzed the software and discovered the code responsible for blocking installations outside the region.

If the bootloader is locked, the system checks whether the phone version matches the firmware version. When the region does not match, an error message appears.

List of Xiaomi devices with MIUI restrictions outside the region:

• ("wayne");
• (“dipper”);
• (“sirius”);
• ("ursa");
• Mi 8 Lite (“platina”);
• Mi 8 Pro (“equuleus”);
• MIUI 10 Global Russia, or unlock the bootloader and install global firmware.

  Dear readers, we will monitor the further situation and promptly inform you about all updates and innovations regarding firmware for Xiaomi smartphones.

From time to time we want something new, but the firmware version does not allow us to receive constant updates “over the air”. In this case, FastBoot mode comes to the rescue, which allows you to install any suitable firmware using a personal computer. How to flash a Xiaomi smartphone via Fastboot mode?

The first thing you need to do is make sure that your smartphone's bootloader is unlocked and has permission to flash it.

After this, download the firmware that is suitable for your smartphone (they can be found on specialized sites) and the MiFlash application.

Firmware instructions

Installing MiFlash

• Unpack MiFlash into a folder whose address contains only numbers and Latin characters (For example: C:\MiFlash).
• Unpack the firmware into a folder whose address contains only numbers and Latin characters.
• Launch the MiFlash application.

Preparing for firmware

First of all, in the MiFlash program, click on the “Select” button, select the path to the downloaded firmware and click on the “OK” button.

After that, click on the Refresh button in the upper right corner of the program.

If the folder was selected correctly, the id, device, progress and elapse fields will be filled in the application table.

• check that at the bottom of the program there is “save user data” item selected. This will allow you to reflash your smartphone without losing user data. The “clean all” mode will delete all your data, and “clean all and lock” will not only completely clean the smartphone, but also lock the bootloader.
• put the smartphone into FastBoot mode. To do this, turn it off and turn it on again by holding the volume down button and the power button. Without releasing the keys, wait until the “FastBoot” message appears.
• Using a USB cable, connect the smartphone to the computer and in the MiFlash program click on the “Flash” button.

The flashing process will begin, which may last several minutes. Its status can be observed in the progress field of the main MiFlash program window.

At this moment, you should not disconnect your smartphone from the computer, as this may lead to undesirable consequences.

We wait until “success” appears in the result field and disconnect the cable from the mobile device.

Now all that remains is to turn on the smartphone and check its functionality. The first launch of the new firmware may take several minutes, as it will take some time to initially configure the operating system.

To ensure that your third generation Xiaomi Redmi smartphone (including the Note 3 model) always works at the maximum level of performance, you need to keep track of the latest changes in the software for it. It is optimal if the Xiaomi Redmi 3 has the latest firmware installed, and it can be updated over the air. If the phone has stopped updating, you need to personally monitor the firmware update for it.

With the advent of new firmware for Xiaomi Redmi 3, you will need to download and install it. But you need to be careful, because the quality of its work will directly depend on how you flash your smartphone. For example, many of those who independently reflashed a Xiaomi gadget like the unofficial Russian firmware for Xiaomi Redmi 3, which makes some additions to the main package of functionality. True, you must be sure that you downloaded high-quality firmware and followed all the rules for installing it. Otherwise, even if you install the original program, you risk damaging your phone.

In any case, no matter what firmware you decide to install, even the nominally best program is downloaded and installed under your responsibility. Neither the manufacturer nor the software developer are responsible for the further operation of the gadget.

Today we will talk about how to properly flash a Xiaomi Redmi 3. Follow these recommendations, and the result will most likely be good.

Download MiFlash

To install any new firmware, you must first download the program to your computer. Only after this do we download the version of the software you have chosen for your phone onto the same computer.

You can download the global version of the firmware on the official website. If you want to install a Russian-language modified version, then check that the addition in the form of the Russian language is the only difference from the official version of the software. A simple principle works here: the more changes, the greater the chance of bugs occurring during system operation.

Firmware replacement always takes place in the bootloader mode (Download Mode), which is what you need to put your phone into before starting work. Switching to bootloader mode is usually done by holding down the volume up button when turning on the gadget. There you will see inscriptions, mostly in Chinese, but Download is also in English, like fastboot.

Give gifts

Firmware installation

Next, you will need to connect your smartphone to your computer via a USB cable. The device should be detected in the MiFlash program. As a rule, the system does not see it right away, so click “Update” in the program window. If everything is successful and the phone is recognized by the system, we begin to flash it. For this:

• We indicate in MiFlash the path to the downloaded firmware;
• Press the “Flash” button;
• We are waiting for the new software to be installed.

When the procedure is completed, reboot the gadget. If everything went well, you will see that the firmware has changed on Xiaomi Redmi 3, and you need to install the initial user settings.

Now you know how to flash Xiaomi Redmi 3 and how to update outdated software. But you must adhere to the following recommendations to avoid unpleasant consequences:

• You can reinstall the firmware an unlimited number of times, even more than three in a year, but make sure that it differs minimally from the official one;
• The third generation of Xiaomi smartphones, including the Note model, often has a locked bootloader. If this prevents you from making changes to the system, submit an unlock request on the official Mi website;
• Before installing new firmware, be sure to copy all personal data from your phone to a safe place, because it will be deleted;
• Sometimes the phone software file may not load, and the main reason is that the computer does not recognize the smartphone correctly. He can only see the gadget as an information storage device, and not a phone. So change the connection type and everything will work out.

With all their advantages in terms of the quality of the hardware components used and assembly, as well as innovations in the MIUI software solution, smartphones produced by Xiaomi may require the user to flash or restore them. The official and, perhaps, the easiest way to flash Xiaomi devices is to use the manufacturer’s proprietary program - MiFlash.

Firmware for Xiaomi smartphones via MiFlash

Even a brand new Xiaomi smartphone may not satisfy its owner due to an inappropriate MIUI firmware version installed by the manufacturer or seller. In this case, you need to change the software by using MiFlash - this is actually the most correct and safe way. It is only important to strictly follow the instructions and pay close attention to the preparatory procedures and the process itself.

The examples described below use one of the most popular Xiaomi models - the Redmi 3 smartphone with an NOT unlocked bootloader. It is worth noting that the procedure for installing official firmware via MiFlash is generally the same for all devices of the brand that are built on the basis Qualcomm processors(almost all modern models, with rare exceptions). Therefore, the following can be applied when installing software on a wide range of Xiaomi models.

Preparation

Before moving on to the firmware procedure, it is necessary to carry out some manipulations related primarily to obtaining and preparing firmware files, as well as pairing the device and PC.

Installing MiFlash and drivers

Since the firmware method in question is official, the MiFlash application can be obtained on the device manufacturer’s website.

1. Download the latest version of the program from the official website by link from the review article:

2. Install MiFlash. The installation procedure is completely standard and does not cause any problems. You just need to run the installation package

and follow the installer's instructions.

3. Drivers for Xiaomi devices are installed along with the application. If you encounter any problems with drivers, you can use the instructions from the article: Installing drivers for Android firmware

Firmware download

All the latest versions of official firmware for Xiaomi devices are available for download on the manufacturer’s official website in the “ Downloads».

To install the software via MiFlash, you will need a special fastboot firmware containing image files for writing to the smartphone’s memory sections. This is a file in *.tgz format, the download link for which is “hidden” in the depths of the Xiaomi website. In order not to bother the user with searching for the required firmware, a link to the download page is provided below.

2. The page contains links to download two types of firmware: “ China"(does not contain Russian localization) and " Global"(needed by us), which in turn are divided into types - " Stable" And " Developer».

• « Stable"-firmware is an official solution intended for the end consumer and recommended by the manufacturer for use.
• Firmware " Developer"contains experimental functions that do not always work stably, but is also widely used.

3. Click on the name containing the name “ Latest Global Stable Version Fastboot File Download" - this is the most correct solution in most cases. After clicking, the download of the desired archive begins automatically.

4. Once the download is complete, the firmware must be unpacked using any available archiver into a separate folder. A regular one will do for this purpose. WinRar.

Transferring the device to Download mode

To flash firmware via MiFlash, the device must be in a special mode - “ Download».

In fact, there are several ways to switch to the mode required for installing software. Let's look at the standard method recommended for use by the manufacturer.

1. Turn off the smartphone. If the shutdown is carried out through the Android menu, after the screen goes dark, you need to wait another 15-30 seconds to be completely sure that the device has turned off completely.

2. With the device turned off, press the “ Volume+", then, holding it down, the " Nutrition».

3. When the “ MI", release the " Nutrition", and the button " Volume+»Hold until a menu screen appears with a choice of boot modes.

4. Press the button " download" The smartphone screen will go dark and it will stop showing any signs of life. This is a normal situation that should not cause concern to the user, the smartphone is already in “ Download».

5. To check the correct pairing mode between the smartphone and PC, you can refer to “ Device Manager» Windows. After connecting the smartphone in " Download" to the USB port in the " section Ports (COM and LPT)"Device Manager should show " Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (COM**)».

Firmware procedure via MiFlash

So, the preparatory procedures are completed, let’s move on to writing data to the smartphone’s memory sections.

1. Launch MiFlash and press the button “ Select" to indicate to the program the path containing the firmware files.

2. In the window that opens, select the folder with the unpacked firmware and click the “ OK».

3. Connect the smartphone, switched to the appropriate mode, to the USB port and press the “” button in the program refresh" This button is used to identify the connected device in MiFlash.

4. At the bottom of the window there is a firmware mode switch, select the one you need:

• « clean all"- firmware with preliminary clearing of partitions from user data. It is considered an ideal option, but it deletes all information from the smartphone;
• « save user data"- firmware with saving user data. The mode saves information in the smartphone’s memory, but does not protect the user from errors when operating the software in the future. In general, applicable for installing updates;
• « clean all and lock"- complete clearing of smartphone memory partitions and locking the bootloader. Essentially, bringing the device to “ factory» condition.

5. Everything is ready to begin the process of writing data to the device’s memory. Press the button " flash».

6. Watch the progress bar fill up. The procedure can last up to 10-15 minutes.

7. The firmware is considered complete after it appears in the “ result» inscriptions « success"on a green background.

8. Disconnect the smartphone from the USB port and turn it on by long pressing the “ Nutrition" The power button must be held until the " MI» on the device screen. The first launch takes quite a long time, you should be patient.

This is how Xiaomi smartphones are flashed using the generally excellent MiFlash program. I would like to note that the considered tool allows in many cases not only to update the official software of the Xiaomi device, but also provides an effective way to restore even seemingly completely non-functional devices.

Detailed instructions for installing official firmware on Xiaomi Mi4c (Libra) via the MiFlash application. Suitable for restoring a smartphone from a “bricked” state that occurred as a result of the bootloader being locked. This guide will also be useful for rolling back to firmware with an unlocked bootloader.

Drivers and programs

Attention!

Installation instructions

Create a folder in the root of the C:\ drive named " Android».

Disable driver authentication.
Windows 7
When turning on the computer, after loading the BIOS, you must press the key F8. In the menu that appears " Additional download options" choose " Disabling mandatory driver signing" This method may not work the first time, so you should repeat the action or open a command prompt as an administrator and enter two commands:
« bcdedit.exe /set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS»
« bcdedit.exe /set TESTSIGNING ON»
Windows 8
You need to press a keyboard shortcut Win+I, hold down the key Shift and select "". When you turn on the computer, select " Diagnostics» > « Extra options» > « Boot Options» > « Reboot" When loading, select the “mode” by pressing the key F7.
Windows 10
You need to hold down the key Shift and select menu " Start" > "". After downloading, select " Troubleshooting» > « Extra options» > « Boot Options» > « Reboot" Then select " Disable mandatory driver signature verification", pressing the key F7.

Download the official firmware (for example, for developers with an unlocked bootloader) and unpack the archive into any folder.
It is recommended to use the folder path without Cyrillic characters. For example, " C:\Android\firmware_name».

Launch the MiFlash utility, click the " Next" to install drivers, agree to the installation of all drivers, wait for the installation to complete, and then click the " End» to close the window.


Put your phone into Fastboot mode.
To do this, you need to turn off the device and turn it on while holding down the Volume Down key. A hare wearing a hat with earflaps should appear on the screen.


Connect your phone to your computer via a USB cable.
It is recommended to use an original or good quality cable, as well as the USB 2.0 port located on the motherboard (for PC).

Open the command line and go to the created Android folder with the command “ cd c:\Android\"(commands are written without quotes).

Make sure that the computer finds the device in Fastboot mode.
To do this you need to enter the command “ fastboot devices" If the response is “ xxxxxxx fastboot" means the phone is connected correctly. If “waiting for device” or nothing at all is displayed, you need to check the status of the USB connection or reinstall the drivers.

Reboot the phone into EDL (Emergency Download Mode) using the command “ fastboot oem edl"or "fastboot oem reboot-edl".
IN " Device Manager» the new device should be displayed Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 in the category " Ports (COM and LPT)».

Launch the MiFlash utility. Then press the button " Refresh", then " Browse..."and specify the path to the folder with the firmware. At the bottom of the screen select " Flash all except storage" to save files in the device memory or " Flash all" to format the internal memory and press the " Flash" The firmware installation process will begin.

After the operation is completed, the phone should reboot itself.
If this does not happen, you must enter “ fastboot oem reboot-edl»or hold down the Power button for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears. The cable can now be disconnected. After a couple of minutes, the device will boot and be ready for further work.

If the smartphone does not boot for a long time and does not exit EDL mode, you must:

Copy

List of instructions for Xiaomi Mi 4c