MiFlashPro

Xiaomi phones can be flashed in different ways. The most popular option is flashing through Fastboot using Mi Flash. But you can also use a more advanced utility MiFlashPro, which differs significantly from the standard version. Today we will review this program and tell you how to use it to install new firmware on your smartphone.

Why do we need this program?

Mi Flash Pro is a tool for flashing mobile devices, Xiaomi and Redmi. The user can:

  • Install a newer version of the shell. For example, switch from MIUI 10 to MIUI 11.
  • Reflash to the Global Version of the phone, designed for the Chinese market (be careful, there is a risk of “bricking”).
  • Experiment with localized firmwares (Indian, Indonesian) or custom ones.
  • Repair the “brick” or bring the device out of the boot loop.
  • Return to the previous build (anti-rollback is possible).

Benefits of the PRO version

Mi Flash Pro has advanced functionality and will appeal to experienced users. The program can flash phones on Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek processors. Regular Mi Flash works only with Snapdragon.

The next plus is the built-in firmware database. You can download the ROM right away in the program. The utility downloads files from the official MIUI website. And, of course, a huge advantage is the ability to flash with a locked bootloader through the stock recovers.

The program has a very useful option to restore access to your smartphone if you lose your Pattern Lock or password.

How to install MiFlashPro

Let’s proceed to download and install MiFlashPro. Using the program is quite easy, but we do not recommend getting into action if you are a novice and poorly versed in technology.

The instructions are for information purposes only. The editorial staff is not responsible for the consequences of reflashing.

Downloading

All versions of MiFlash Pro are available there, + there are installation files of drivers for Qualcomm Snapdragon and MTK. There will also be a link to the finished archive along the way.

Note that the latest version of the program may not work correctly. If you notice any problems or errors, download an older version of MiFlash.

Configuring

Now let’s install the program and do the initial setup.

  1. Find the installation file with the “exe extension and double-click to run it.
  2. Specify the installation location and click “Next”. Make sure that the path does not contain prohibited characters.
  3. Once again, click NextInstall. When the installation is complete, click on the button Finish.
  4. Run the utility. You will immediately see an offer to upgrade to the latest version. Accept or decline it. In the next window, specify the region.
  5. In the upper right corner, click on the line Sign in and go to your Mi account if you do not have an account, register.

Once the installation and setup of MiFleshPro are complete, review the tabs and further reflashing.

Tabs

There are only English versions in different sources. That is why users who do not speak English will have to understand the interface intuitively.

Home

This section is not of any particular technological interest. It simply provides general information, which, once read, will make it easier for the user to flash the device.

In the field “Select device” it is necessary to choose the phone and get acquainted with the appeared data, such as the name of the model, the processor, and the code name. The “Recommended” line is the most interesting, where the program advises the best way to flash a certain model. The utility will automatically detect the device if the smartphone is connected to the computer.

At the bottom there are key combinations for switching to Fastboot and Recovery mode, as well as a note for MTK processors.

Recovery

Here you can flash your smartphone through the stock firmware with the locked boot loader. It’s a very convenient option for most users. Also, with the help of the recovery, you can complete the device’s reset, which will be relevant in case of a forgotten password and graphic key.

Not sure how to flash your phone in TWRP Recovery? Check our article on this topic.

SP Flash

Flash tab designed for flashing MTK-based smartphones. There is a program of the same name on the Internet that you can download separately, but it’s better to install Mi-Flash Pro, which works with MTK and Snapdragon. SP Flash is an official tool from Xiaomi developers that flashes old and new MediaTek models without any problems.

Mi Flash

You can install the new shell on Xiaomi phones and tablets with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor in this item. For this procedure, you must put the device into Fastboot or EDL mode and connect it to your computer.

Manage devices

This is the device manager, where you can view all the connections. This tab is no different from a similar item in the Windows settings.

ROM packages

From this section, you can download the firmware for any Xiaomi smartphone. This is very convenient because you do not need to search for the official site or forum. Global, Indian, and European versions are available.

History

Here all made processes and detailed information, such as phone model, number, time, reflash type, etc., are displayed. There is no particular use for this tab. It is just an archive with all the operations.

Flashing Xiaomi via Mi Flash Pro

At this point, you will learn how to flash your Xiaomi and Redmi phones through Mi Flash Pro using different tabs. Be careful, reread each command, and remember that we are not responsible for the consequences. Only experienced users are recommended to do reflashing.

Via Recovery

  1. First, download the firmware archive at ROM Packages. Type the name of the model and download the shell. Make sure that the file fits the flashing method – Recovery or Fastboot. If this download method doesn’t work, you can download the firmware from the official MIUI website using the standard method.
  2. Place the archive on the system disk in a folder with a short name in Latin, for example, Android.
  3. Switching the phone to recovery mode. To do this, turn it off, and after a few seconds, press the power and volume up buttons. When the logo appears, release the power key and hold the rocker switch until the recovery menu appears.
  4. The menu should initially appear in English. On MIUI 11, it is Mi Recovery 3.0.
  5. Next, go down to Connect with MiAssistant using the mechanical keys on the side. To confirm, press the power button.
  6. An image of the phone and a disconnected wire will appear. Now you can connect the smartphone to the computer through the USB0 port.
  7. Open the program and go to Recovery. You may need to reauthorize the Mi account. You will see its NAME at the top if the computer detects the smartphone. The utility doesn’t recognize the connected device. Then you don’t have the right drivers installed. Install ADB Drivers manually. A video on this topic will help you.
  8. Click on the triple dot and specify the path to the previously downloaded archive. The firmware detection will start. When the green check mark Verified successfully appears, click on the white button Flash.
  9. The flashing process will start, and you can watch it in real-time. The process is observed in real-time. Please don’t turn off/reboot your smartphone or PC until firmware installs, and disconnect the phone from the PC. The mobile device can spontaneously reboot several times. This is normal.
  10. Disconnect the smartphone only after the program’s message “Flash successfully” appears. The operating system will start loading, and the phone will start up. The first startup after reflashing may take a little longer than usual.

Via SP Flash

This option is suitable for MediaTek-based phones. There’s no need to download a separate SP Flash Tool since MiFlashPro works with MTK and Snapdragon. The procedure can be performed with a locked bootloader.

  1. Download the archive with the firmware, which is designed for Fastboot. Carefully make sure that the file fits your model. It is recommended to download from the program, official website or XDA forum.
  2. Unpack the archive to the system drive in a folder with a short Latin name.
  3. Run the program and go to the tab SP Flash. In the top left corner, click on Options and open the ” Download ” section. Check the boxes USB Checksum and Storage Checksum.
  4. Go back to the first screen of the tab. The line Download-Agentis usually detected automatically, so touch is not necessary. Let’s go down to the inscription Scatter-loading File“: use the built-in explorer to set the path to the firmware, go to the folder images and choose the file “Android_scatter”. A little lower set Download only.
  5. At the bottom will pop up a lot of files with checkmarks. Uncheck only the item “Preloader”.
  6. Then we turn off the smartphone and click on the big green arrow “Download” in the program. Press the volume down button on the smartphone and connect the device to the computer via a USB cable.
  7. At the bottom will appear a red bar, which should reach 100%. All the while holding the volume rocker. Release it only when the yellow bar appears. Please wait until it reaches the end and a green checkmark appears. This will mean successful flashing. After that, disconnect the device from the PC and turn it on yourself.

If you see the error instead of the red bar, it means that MiFlash Pro does not see the phone. The reason is in the lack of drivers. Download drivers from XDA and install them the standard way. Also don’t forget to enable USB debugging on your smartphone.

Via Mi Flash

Here you already need an unlocked bootloader. Read this article to activate the bootloader correctly. We also have detailed instructions on how to flash your phone using MiFlash (via Fastboot mode). Below will only be basic information. Look for all the details in the full article.

  1. Install all drivers required (if not installed automatically), and turn off verification of drivers’ digital signatures in Windows settings.
  2. Download the firmware archive specially designed for Fastboot operations. The archive must have the extension .tgz. You can download the file in MiFlash Pro (tab ROM packages). If you can’t download the firmware, go to the official website and download the archive.
  3. The drive creates a folder with a short name in Latin, for example, flash, and unpack the archive contents there.
  4. Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode by pressing the power and volume down buttons. You will hear a vibration click, and on the black screen, you will see a hare in earflaps repairing the Android robot.
  5. Connect the mobile device to the computer through the factory cable. Use a USB0 connector only, as errors often occur with 3.0.
  6. Launch MiFlash Pro and go to Mi Flash section.
  7. Press “Refresh” to make the program detect the connected devices. If the synchronization between your computer and smartphone is successful, in the “device field, you will see a line with the phone code. Otherwise, you will need to install the missing drivers.
  8. Then click “Select”, and, using the built-in explorer specify the path to the firmware (which should be located on the system drive in a separate folder).
  9. At the bottom, specify the parameters of cleaning. “Cleanall deleting all user data; “Save user data ” – saving data on the device; “Clean all and lock ” – cleaning the phone and locking the bootloader. The best choice is “Clean all”. Don’t forget to make a backup before that.
  10. When all items are checked, press Flash. The flashing of the device will start and normally takes 10-15 minutes. As in the case with Recovery, in this time period, any actions with the device are prohibited. The smartphone on the new version MIUI will start by itself. You only need to disconnect it from the computer.

Restore access to the phone via Mi Flash Pro

The operation will be carried out through the Recovery mode. Root rights and an unlocked bootloader are not needed.

  1. Repeat steps 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 from “Through Recovery”.
  2. When the program detects the smartphone, press the button with the red text Wipe user data or Wipe Google ID + User data. In the first case, all the user data will be erased. In the second case – the Google account and data will be deleted.
  3. All information from the phone will disappear, and the system should no longer require a password, picture key, or fingerprint when logging in. The device will start up as a brand-new device with the original setup.
  4. If restoring access is the only goal, disconnect the smartphone from the computer and start using it. If you still need to reflash it, read the sub-item on that.

FAQ

Should I lock the bootloader after flashing via Fastboot?

If you have a Chinese version of the smartphone flashing to the global, you should by no means block bootloader. Otherwise, the device will brick up. In all other cases, it is up to you to deactivate the bootloader. But remember that an unlocked bootloader reduces the smartphone’s security to a minimum, and payment services such as Android Pay will not work.

Smartphone won’t turn on, will reflashing make it work again?

The phone should start after installing the firmware if a system failure caused the problem. In case of mechanical damage, flashing the device to a new version is useless.

We told you how to use MiFlash Pro. We hope this sample review will be helpful when you’re in trouble. And what method of flashing your phone – write in the comments!

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

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