How to Flash MIUI 8 Fastboot and Recovery ROM

Xiaomi has started rolling out MIUI 8 for all Xiaomi devices. The program has been started from Beta, Alpha, China Developer, Global Developer, eventually then China Stable and Global Stable. There are still many MIUI fans hesitating on updating their devices to run latest MIUI 8 ROM.

Especially when it comes to any non Global Stable build. But fear no more, installing MIUI 8 is actually piece of cake as long as you have an adventurous soul inside your heart. Simply follow one of these methods to install MIUI 8 either Fastboot or Recovery ROM on any of Xiaomi devices safely. The main objective of this guide is to do full MIUI 8 installation manually and is not from OTA Update mechanism.

Some important notes :

1. Although these methods are completely safe, there is always a possibility of “things” that will go wrong. Therefore, it is always better to firstly create backup of all your important data and files.
2. Updating to MIUI 8 from Recovery interface (Recovery method) is not fully compatible with some of Redmi MTK devices like Redmi Note 3 MTK and some devices with locked bootloader due to differences in the nature of Recovery interface.
3. If you want to update to either Global or China Developer ROM, then make sure you have latest MIUI 7 Global Stable ROM on your device.

METHOD #1 – MI RECOVERY

This method is perfect for devices having Mi Recovery v2.0.1 instead of the new ones. Let’s start..

Step 1 – Download any or latest version of MIUI 8 Recovery ROM. Remember that it has to have .zip extension. You can download it either directly into your phone or into your computer first then transfer it into your phone. Make sure you put the file in the root directory of your phone’s internal storage which is not inside any folder.

Step 2 – The file name should be very long in size and ending in .zip. Now you need to firstly rename that file to “update.zip” which you can do that either in File Manager or in your computer.

Step 3 – Now open up Updater app in your phone. The app is usually located in the Tools folder.

Step 4 – Tap on the three dots (…) at the top right-hand corner of the screen.

Step 5 – Now choose “Reboot to Recovery Mode” from the displayed options.

Step 6 – Your phone shall now reboot automatically into Mi Recovery.

Step 7 – Now go through these sequence : Choose Install Update.zip to System >> Answer Yes >> wait for the flashing process >> Complete >> Back >> Reboot into system. See screenshot pic below :

That’s it. Upon rebooting to normal mode, your will see MIUI 8 running on it.

METHOD #2 – MI UPDATER APP

This method makes use of Mi Updater app directly without having to reboot into recovery.

Step 1 – Download any or latest version of MIUI 8 Recovery ROM. Remember that it has to have .zip extension. You can download it either directly into your phone or into your computer first then transfer it into your phone. Make sure you put the file in the root directory of your phone’s internal storage which is not inside any folder.

Step 2 – The file name should be very long in size and ending in .zip. Now can firstly rename that file to “update.zip” or simply use it as it is without renaming but it would be too long.

Step 3 – Now open up Updater app in your phone. The app is usually located in the Tools folder.

Step 4 – Tap on the three dots (…) at the top right-hand corner of the screen.

Step 5 – Several options will appear. Next, tap on “Choose Update Package“.

Step 6 – Now locate the MIUI Recovery ROM .zip file you have downloaded before. Choose that file and then tap on the OK button to start flashing.

Step 7 – Mi Updater app will firstly verify the ROM package and then proceed with the flashing process. Once done, your phone should reboot automatically.

METHOD #3 – FASTBOOT

For some recent MIUI devices including Redmi Note 3, Redmi 3, Mi 5, Mi 4s, and Mi Max (and probably the next newer models) are shipped with locked bootloader. Therefore, you have to firstly unlock it if you have one of those device and want to flash, install, or reinstall MIUI 8 through Fastboot mode. Follow steps mentioned in our previous guide onhow to officially unlock bootloader using Mi Flash Unlock tool.

One more thing to bear in mind, it is recommended to update using Recovery method above while you can perform Fastboot method only if you really need to do so (in case of softbrick, bootloop, or just to fully reset your phone). Are you ready? Now let’s proceed with flashing MIUI 8 Fastboot ROM.

Step 1 – Download ADB USB Drivers or Mi PC Suite (just either one) and install it on your computer to make sure your computer can recognize and communicate with your phone properly.

Step 2 – Download latest Mi Flash tool and install it on your computer. However, you may also use the Mi Flash Beta version that features performance enhancements and easier flashing process.

Step 3 – Download any or latest MIUI 8 Fastboot ROM you want to install. Make sure the file is ending in .tgz extension and not .zip. Extract the ROM package using either WinRAR or 7Zip in your computer.

Step 4 – Enable Developer Options on your phone. Doing so is easy. Just go to Settings>>About phones >> tap on the MIUI Version 7 times. You can skip this step if you have it enabled previously.

Step 5 – Enable USB Debugging on your phone. Go to Settings >> Additional Settings>>Developer Options >> enable USB Debugging.

Step 6 – Reboot your phone into Fastboot mode. Turn your phone off completely first, and then press Volume Down (-) and Power buttons simultaneously until you have seen Mi Bunny Fastboot logo.

Step 7 – Now open up Mi Flash tool you have installed earlier.

Step 8 – Connect your phone into your computer using its USB cable.

Step 9 – Locate the extracted MIUI 8 Fastboot ROM. You can do that in two ways :

First method : In MiFlash, click on the “Browse” button >> locate the location of MIUI 8 ROM folder.

Second method : Open up Windows Explorer >> go to the folder of MIUI 8 ROM >> and copy the path from Windows Explorer to MiFlash (see the blue square line below).

Step 10 – Next, click the “Refresh” button and make sure the Mi Flash tool can recognize your device properly. Otherwise, it might be something wrong with installed USB drivers so you might have to reinstall it.

Step 11 – Finally, and if your device can be recognized properly, simply click the “Flash” button to start installing MIUI ROM onto your device. Just wait till the progress bar displayed is fully green. It indicates the flashing process completed.

There will be a case that you get error during flashing. The easiest workaround is to check whether you have copied the ROM path correctly or you may also try to choose “Flash All” or “Flash all except data and storage” option in the bottom.

Step 12 – Eventually, your device should now automatically reboot into normal mode. It usually takes longer time than usual but that’s normal.

Devices with unlocked bootloader will remain have their bootloader unlocked upon flashing. Those who want to re-lock bootloader need to flash a script named “flash_all_lock” which is included within the ROM package.

VERIFYING

Once your phone has been fully turned on, head over to Settings and About device. Make sure you have MIUI 8 displayed there.

Congratulation and enjoy! Go play around with some of top MIUI 8 features