Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 3S, released in 2016, remains a popular device due to its reliability and autonomy, however, official support from the manufacturer for this model has long been discontinued. Users are often faced with the question of how to get a more recent version of the operating system when standard notifications in the update menu no longer arrive. The answer lies in understanding the architecture of the MIUI firmware and the available methods for manually installing update packages.
The process of upgrading the software on this device has its own severe limitations due to the age of the Snapdragon 430 hardware platform. You will not be able to install the official versions of Android 10 or 11 through standard means, since Xiaomi has closed the update branch at the level of Android 6.0 Marshmallow with the MIUI 9 shell or 8. However, there are workarounds that allow you to refresh the interface, fix security errors and improve the performance of the gadget.
In this material we will analyze in detail all the legal and advanced ways to change the software version. We will look at both a standard over-the-air update and more complex methods using the recovery menu and third-party builds. It is important to approach the matter responsibly, since incorrect actions can turn the phone into a “brick.”
Official capabilities and limitations of the platform
The first thing the owner needs to understand Redmi 3S is that the official line of updates for this model has been completed. The latest stable version distributed by the company is MIUI 9 based on Android 6.0. Attempts to find a button in the settings to switch to Android 7 or 8 are doomed to failure if you are using stock firmware from the manufacturer.
Nevertheless, even within the same version of Android, security patches and bug fixes may be released. If your smartphone hasn't received an update in a while, you may have missed the final packages, which can still be installed manually. This will stabilize the system and close known vulnerabilities.
⚠️ Attention: Official support for Xiaomi Redmi 3S has been discontinued. Any updates above version MIUI 9 are only possible through the installation of custom firmware, which requires unlocking the bootloader.
To check the current version and the presence of hidden updates, you need to go to the menu Settings → About phone → MIUI version. Clicking on the system logo will start checking the servers. If the server returns an empty response, this means that there are no new official packages for your region and version of the bootloader.
Before any manipulations with the firmware, be sure to make a complete backup of your contacts and photos to cloud storage or to your computer, as the process may lead to complete deletion of data.
Preparing the device for the update procedure
Regardless of the method chosen, there are a number of critical preparatory steps. Ignoring these steps is the most common cause of failure and data loss. First of all, make sure that the battery charge is at least 60-70%. The process of writing data to the phone's memory is energy-consuming, and a sudden power outage in the middle of writing a system partition can fatally disrupt the file structure.
The second important aspect is freeing up space in the internal memory. Even if you update over the air, the system requires space to unpack the archive and temporary files. It is recommended to have at least 2-3 GB free. Delete unnecessary application caches, old downloads and transfer media files to a memory card or PC.
- 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 70% and connect the original cable during the process.
- 💾 Free up at least 3 GB of free space in the internal storage of the device.
- 📂 Save all important data to external media, since a complete reset is possible.
It is also worth checking the integrity of the device itself. If the screen is cracked or the touchscreen is intermittent, the risk that you will not be able to confirm an action on the lock screen during a reboot increases exponentially. In such cases, it is better to first eliminate hardware faults.
☑️ Ready for firmware
Local update method via Recovery
If automatic update does not work, the most reliable way to install official firmware is the local update method. It allows you to manually “feed” the system an update archive downloaded from the official website. This method is safer than using third-party utilities, as it uses Xiaomi's built-in signature verification mechanism.
First, you will need to download the firmware file in the format .zip (Recovery ROM) corresponding to your region (Global, Russia, China). Important: you cannot flash the global version into Chinese and vice versa without additional manipulations, as this will lead to a verification error. The file must be placed in the root of the internal memory or in a folder downloaded_rom.
Next, activate the hidden menu. Go to Settings → About phone → MIUI version and click on the MIUI logo icon several times (usually 7-10 times) until the pop-up message "Additional features enabled" appears. After that, click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen and select Select firmware file.
| Firmware type | File extension | Installation method | Saving data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery ROM | .zip | Through the update menu | Yes (usually) |
| Fastboot ROM | .tgz | Via Mi Flash on PC | No (full reset) |
| OTA Update | automatic | By air | Yes |
After selecting the file, the system will check the compatibility. If everything went well, click the Updatebutton. The phone will reboot into Recovery mode and begin the installation process. The screen may go off and on - this is normal. Do not interrupt the process, even if it seems stuck on the logo.
What to do if the error "Can't verify update" appears?
This error means that you are trying to install firmware from a different region (for example, Chinese to Global) or the version is too old/new for the current bootloader. Solution: use the method with a complete data reset via Fastboot or change the region in the settings (if possible).
Installation via Fastboot mode and PC
A more advanced and radical method involves using a computer and utility Mi Flash Tool. This method is necessary if the phone does not boot, is stuck on the logo (bootloop) or if you want to change the firmware region (for example, switch from CN to Global). To do this, you will need a firmware file in the format .tgz (Fastboot ROM).
You will need to install the ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer. Without them, the PC will not see the smartphone in bootloader mode. After unpacking the archive with the firmware on the computer, switch the phone to Fastboot mode by simultaneously pressing the Volume Down and Power buttons on the switched off device. A characteristic image of a hare repairing a robot will appear on the screen.
Run Mi Flash Tool as administrator. Press the Refreshbutton for the app to detect the connected device (it will be displayed as a serial number). Select the path to the unpacked folder with the firmware. At the bottom of the window, it is important to select the firmware mode: clean all (full cleaning) or save user data (attempt to save data, does not always work when changing region).
⚠️ Attention: When using the "clean all" mode, all data from the phone will be permanently deleted. Make sure you have an up-to-date backup before clicking the Flash button.
Click the button Flash and wait for the process to complete. A green bar in the status means success. The phone will automatically reboot. The initial boot after such a procedure can take up to 10-15 minutes, as the system optimizes applications.
Using Fastboot ROM is the only way to officially change the device region (for example, from China to Global), but this is always accompanied by complete deletion of user data.
Unlocking the bootloader and custom firmware
If you want to get an Android version higher than 6.0 on Redmi 3S, the official methods are powerless. The only way is to unlock the bootloader (Unlock Bootloader) and install a custom recovery (TWRP), after which it becomes possible to install unofficial assemblies (Custom ROM), such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Resurrection Remix.
The unlocking process requires submitting an application on the official Xiaomi website and waiting from 3 to 15 days. After permission is obtained, the utility Mi Unlock Toolis used. This action will void the warranty (although this is no longer relevant for the older model) and erases all data from the device. Without an unlocked bootloader, installing third-party images is impossible.
- 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader allows you to install any versions of Android available for the Snapdragon 430 processor.
- 🛠 Installing TWRP Recovery allows you to make full system backups (Nandroid) and install mods.
- ⚡ Custom kernels can significantly improve battery life and gaming performance.
It is worth considering that custom firmware may have bugs: broken VoLTE, problems with the camera or unstable Bluetooth. For Redmi 3S, the developer community is still active, and you can find stable builds based on Android 9 or 10 that will run faster than stock MIUI.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Unforeseen difficulties may arise during the update process. One of the most common is a signature verification error during a local update. This often happens if you try to roll back to an older firmware version (downgrade). The MIUI security system blocks such an operation. The solution may be a complete reset via the Recovery menu before attempting installation.
Another common problem is “bricked” after unsuccessful firmware. If your phone won't turn on or respond to buttons, try entering Emergency Download (EDL) mode. For Redmi 3S, this often requires disassembling the case and closing special contacts on the board, or using a special authorized account for flashing the firmware through test mode.
If after the update the phone runs slowly or discharges quickly, it is recommended to perform a factory reset (Wipe Data/Factory Reset) through the Recovery menu. This is necessary to clear old caches and configs that may conflict with the new version of the system. A clean installation always works more stable.
⚠️ Attention: Recovery menu interfaces and feature sets may differ depending on the MIUI version. If you are not sure of your actions, check the current guides on specialized forums (4PDA, XDA), since the details of the procedures may change.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to update Redmi 3S to Android 11 officially?
No, official support for the device has ended on Android 6.0 with the MIUI 9 shell. Getting Android 11 is only possible through installing custom firmware (Custom ROM) after unlocking the bootloader.
What to do if the phone is stuck on the logo after the update?
Try to do a hard reboot by holding down the power button 10-15 seconds. If it doesn’t help, go to Recovery mode (Volume Up + Power) and follow item Wipe Data / Factory Reset. This will delete the data, but restore the system's functionality.
Do you need to unlock the bootloader to install the official global firmware?
No, to install official firmware (even with changing the region from China to Global), unlocking the bootloader is not required. It is enough to use the Fastboot mode and the Mi Flash utility with the "Clean All" option selected.
Is it safe to install firmware from aggregator sites?
Download firmware only from trusted resources, such as the official website miui.com or authoritative forums. Files from random sites may contain malicious code or be damaged, which will damage the device.