Develop Bugs

Rollback Protection

I understand that with thins new update it becomes impossible to downgrade to previous versions of MIUI but how about custom roms like lineage? Or installing twrp and magisk? There is a lot of info scattered but i would like to get some answers and update OP with something like a FAQ of do and Do not to make it easier for everybody
*Work in Progress*
-Miui 10
- From 8.7.10 onward flashing TWRP is impossible but booting into TWRP is possible from Fastboot using "fastboot boot recovery.img"
- There is one report of a successful Treble Lineage Flash ( take it with a grain of salt )

Tyrany said:
I understand that with thins new update it becomes impossible to downgrade to previous versions of MIUI but how about custom roms like lineage? Or installing twrp and magisk? There is a lot of info scattered but i would like to get some answers and update OP with something like a FAQ of do and Do not to make it easier for everybody
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes we need to know if possible flash custom roms or not. If yes the anti rollback isnt a big deal.

I updated to latest global beta.......now i cant flash twrp recovery now because of this anti rollback.

in my expiriance with LG G4 with antirollback. i could flash any custom rom aosp laos. just stock rom from LG i could not . qfuse will blow and brick phone.. this was only on LG firmware stock roms. not sure if its the same in xiaomi.

TWRP can be installed
Im currently on Miui 10 8.7.12 global beta
I have TWRP 3.2.1 installed along with magisk 16.0 :good:
Everything works fine
Have no intention of going back to previous builds

00r3 said:
Im currently on Miui 10 8.7.12 global beta
I have TWRP 3.2.1 installed along with magisk 16.0 :good:
Everything works fine
Have no intention of going back to previous builds
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you install before or after updating?

Installed it after as twrp was replaced by stock.
After rooting it works fine

Anti roll back is already in moto phones. Only problem is rollback to stock only you can flash 8.1 to 7.1 custom ROMs. Even in stock you can skip bootloader files and flash to rollback with upgraded bootloader. Its new to xiaomi.

So Anti-rollback is no big deal because we can install TWRP + custom roms then? Some people say no (they can't, with little to no evidence) and others say yes (with decent evidence). Do we know what's up, I read comments telling it's basically 50:50. Is it device dependant, or do we need some exploits in terms of drivers/software usage etc? Thanks for your reply!

I'm also searching whether we can install custom rom or not ?

My RN5 AI came with stable MIUI 9.5.22.0. When I tried to install TWRP, to begin the process of flashing RR, I got the anti-rollback message and TWRP install failed.

You can install custom recovery and roms. Method here: Everything About Anti Roll-back .

ToXiTe said:
You can install custom recovery and roms. Method here: Everything About Anti Roll-back .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link is down!

MarvinMe said:
So Anti-rollback is no big deal because we can install TWRP + custom roms then? Some people say no (they can't, with little to no evidence) and others say yes (with decent evidence). Do we know what's up, I read comments telling it's basically 50:50. Is it device dependant, or do we need some exploits in terms of drivers/software usage etc? Thanks for your reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
we can install it, i did on 8.7.12. using redwolf.
also will be falshing custom roms tomorrow. so its just few extra precaustions. otherwise it business as usual

Kapiljhajhria said:
we can install it, i did on 8.7.12. using redwolf.
also will be falshing custom roms tomorrow. so its just few extra precaustions. otherwise it business as usual
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you check the version of anti-rollback via fastboot (fastboot getvar anti)?
What was your method of flashing? Minimal adb and fastboot flash recovery redwolf.img and then boot into it, or just booting into it and flashing redwolf.img from the recovery itself? Did you use lazyflasher afterwards, or is it even necessay with redwolf? Which version of Redwolf did you use?
Thanks for your effort and sorry for all of these questions, I really hope we can help the community out. Plz tell then if you succeed in flashing a custom rom

MarvinMe said:
Link is down!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, wrong link. Updated

ToXiTe said:
Sorry, wrong link. Updated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So nothing has changed regarding flashing recovery and custom roms? I mean, people managed to flash twrp/redwolf the normal way --> doing the same with custom roms. I don't think we have a problem here but still this new implementation makes me nervous...
Edit: huh, no just flashing the antibypass image before doing the twrp in case you are on anti rollback > 3. Just with "fastboot getvar anti" the version, if you are on 3 you are good, if you are on 4 use the method the link I guess...

MarvinMe said:
Did you check the version of anti-rollback via fastboot (fastboot getvar anti)?
What was your method of flashing? Minimal adb and fastboot flash recovery redwolf.img and then boot into it, or just booting into it and flashing redwolf.img from the recovery itself? Did you use lazyflasher afterwards, or is it even necessay with redwolf? Which version of Redwolf did you use?
Thanks for your effort and sorry for all of these questions, I really hope we can help the community out. Plz tell then if you succeed in flashing a custom rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/re...warning-update-to-recent-miui-builds-t3814895

Need to know some things before unlocking bootloader

Okay basically, I am new to this phone. I'm keen to unlock bootloader and flash custom ROMs, but I read some things that I don't really understand. Will I be able to return from a Custom Rom to a stock one, since there is Anti-Rollback? Is it true that some ROMs can relock my bootloader and if so, how can I notice?
If there is a thread with all this kind of answers or if you could answer me here directly I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks!

Lemon476 said:
Okay basically, I am new to this phone. I'm keen to unlock bootloader and flash custom ROMs, but I read some things that I don't really understand. Will I be able to return from a Custom Rom to a stock one, since there is Anti-Rollback? Is it true that some ROMs can relock my bootloader and if so, how can I notice?
If there is a thread with all this kind of answers or if you could answer me here directly I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1st question is YES. you can return to stock miui. and viceversa. first you need to check your ARB version.
turn off phone and enter fastboot mode. by pressing power vol down.
then connect usb. and open cmd and run this command
fastboot getvar anti
it should say 3 or 4... if you in ARB4 then all you have to do is flash miui 9.5 9.6.4.0 or latest miui 10 stable 1.0
if you wish to stay on ARB3 then flash miui 9.5 9.5.17.0 and miui 10 only cersion 8.7.5 beta.. or learn to flash rom without firmware theres guides.
theres 2 types of roms. recovery and fastboot. recovery rom you can flash using the miui buily in updater using the 3 dots and selecting data package. and theres fastboot rom wich is 2.5GB and its not a zip but format .TGR wich you only need to unzipped. then use mi flash tools this is the best way to go back with a clean installation of rom. like if you have software issues. also in miflash tools in the window at the bottom it has 3 options clean installation. then keep data and CLEAN AND RELOCK thats how you relock you bootloader.

Hardbricked mi Max 3

I ****ed up.
I was coming from miui weekly eu version, I wanted to flash a GSI image. I did in twrp, GSI pixel experience arm a only. Didn't boot further till mi logo. So fastboot flashed miui10 stable and booted till setup screen. Boot asked for a password after GSI boot. So I wanted to try a different GSI and reflashed. Didn't work also. Again fastboot flashed miui10, this time I forgot to unselect 'format and lock' didnt saw that. Now it won't boot in system and twrp, and also can't unlock bootloader anymore with mi unlocked as my phone is somehow not linked to my account anymore.
What am I supposed to do now?

Roykooiman said:
I ****ed up.
I was coming from miui weekly eu version, I wanted to flash a GSI image. I did in twrp, GSI pixel experience arm a only. Didn't boot further till mi logo. So fastboot flashed miui10 stable and booted till setup screen. Boot asked for a password after GSI boot. So I wanted to try a different GSI and reflashed. Didn't work also. Again fastboot flashed miui10, this time I forgot to unselect 'format and lock' didnt saw that. Now it won't boot in system and twrp, and also can't unlock bootloader anymore with mi unlocked as my phone is somehow not linked to my account anymore.
What am I supposed to do now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you tried to flash recovery? Cuz if you unlocked it with official way I think it can be used also why u install again with miflash via fastboot? With recovery its safe...

Oops

xmixmaster said:
Did you tried to flash recovery? Cuz if you unlocked it with official way I think it can be used also why u install again with miflash via fastboot? With recovery its safe...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I tried flashing custom recovery. Says it can't flash it as my bootloader is not unlocked. Did the fastboot flash again because I wanted to do a deep clean flash again. But forgot to unselect the lock button. Now its locked and only booting in standard miui recovery and fastboot.

Roykooiman said:
I ****ed up.
I was coming from miui weekly eu version, I wanted to flash a GSI image. I did in twrp, GSI pixel experience arm a only. Didn't boot further till mi logo. So fastboot flashed miui10 stable and booted till setup screen. Boot asked for a password after GSI boot. So I wanted to try a different GSI and reflashed. Didn't work also. Again fastboot flashed miui10, this time I forgot to unselect 'format and lock' didnt saw that. Now it won't boot in system and twrp, and also can't unlock bootloader anymore with mi unlocked as my phone is somehow not linked to my account anymore.
What am I supposed to do now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Roykooiman said:
Yes I tried flashing custom recovery. Says it can't flash it as my bootloader is not unlocked. Did the fastboot flash again because I wanted to do a deep clean flash again. But forgot to unselect the lock button. Now its locked and only booting in standard miui recovery and fastboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Misuite I had fixed one time the mi max 3 that I sold but don't remember how exactly cuz I used like everything but worked with 1 program from mi tomorrow I will be back home I will try to find it

Roykooiman said:
Yes I tried flashing custom recovery. Says it can't flash it as my bootloader is not unlocked. Did the fastboot flash again because I wanted to do a deep clean flash again. But forgot to unselect the lock button. Now its locked and only booting in standard miui recovery and fastboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why did you keep using fastboot to flash stock most of these need xiaomi.eu ROM as a base which can be flashed via twrp whatever version you use and it's because you chose flash all and lock hence your stuck now as can't unlock bootloader. I just recovered mine from ARB EDL brick as invought it cheap in that state. You need to flash a stock version version that's suitable to get stock working then attach your account in settings so bootloader unlock can work. My model was Chinese so I needed flash Chinese stock and started again. If your phone was originally Chinese start there then unlock the bootloader etc.
---------- Post added at 08:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 AM ----------
shingers5 said:
Why did you keep using fastboot to flash stock most of these need xiaomi.eu ROM as a base which can be flashed via twrp whatever version you use and it's because you chose flash all and lock hence your stuck now as can't unlock bootloader. I just recovered mine from ARB EDL brick as invought it cheap in that state. You need to flash a stock version version that's suitable to get stock working then attach your account in settings so bootloader unlock can work. My model was Chinese so I needed flash Chinese stock and started again. If your phone was originally Chinese start there then unlock the bootloader etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In a nutshell flash and lock with stock version for phone as if Chinese flash and lock won't work with a global stock ROM. Flash a Chinese stock to get back into system and start over again

shingers5 said:
Why did you keep using fastboot to flash stock most of these need xiaomi.eu ROM as a base which can be flashed via twrp whatever version you use and it's because you chose flash all and lock hence your stuck now as can't unlock bootloader. I just recovered mine from ARB EDL brick as invought it cheap in that state. You need to flash a stock version version that's suitable to get stock working then attach your account in settings so bootloader unlock can work. My model was Chinese so I needed flash Chinese stock and started again. If your phone was originally Chinese start there then unlock the bootloader etc.
---------- Post added at 08:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 AM ----------
In a nutshell flash and lock with stock version for phone as if Chinese flash and lock won't work with a global stock ROM. Flash a Chinese stock to get back into system and start over again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is Chinese version. Will try flashing the Chinese rom. Just with fastboot I guess?

Roykooiman said:
Yes it is Chinese version. Will try flashing the Chinese rom. Just with fastboot I guess?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes flash the latest official Chinese not global stock using mi flash tool as that will get your phone back up and running on stock. Then add your account in settings so bootloader unlock can see it. Enable dev setting tick OEM unlock and add account. Unlock your boot loader and your back again mate. If you could have unlocked your boot loader the global would boot but not while it's locked.
1. Flash latest CN firmware
2. Add account in settings after set up
3. Try bootloader unlock again should not have to wait if unlocked before
4. Flash twrp and keep copy of xiaomi.eu ROM on your micro SD card as that's all you need to flash in recovery to return to stock. It's flashed via recovery without errors

shingers5 said:
Yes flash the latest official Chinese not global stock using mi flash tool as that will get your phone back up and running on stock. Then add your account in settings so bootloader unlock can see it. Enable dev setting tick OEM unlock and add account. Unlock your boot loader and your back again mate. If you could have unlocked your boot loader the global would boot but not while it's locked.
1. Flash latest CN firmware
2. Add account in settings after set up
3. Try bootloader unlock again should not have to wait if unlocked before
4. Flash twrp and keep copy of xiaomi.eu ROM on your micro SD card as that's all you need to flash in recovery to return to stock. It's flashed via recovery without errors
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tried flashing "nitrogen_images_V10.0.6.0.OEDCNFH_20181019.0000.00_8.1_cn" with fastboot and it instantly gives me an error: "Erase boot error".
What must I do now?

Roykooiman said:
Just tried flashing "nitrogen_images_V10.0.6.0.OEDCNFH_20181019.0000.00_8.1_cn" with fastboot and it instantly gives me an error: "Erase boot error".
What must I do now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use Mi Flash tool mate should be fine
flash a more recent chinese rom on android 9 mate as thats 8.1

shingers5 said:
use Mi Flash tool mate should be fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did with Mi flash tool. Will try a newer versoin of miflash tool just in case.

shingers5 said:
use Mi Flash tool mate should be fine
flash a more recent chinese rom on android 9 mate as thats 8.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried both versions. Same error. :crying:

Roykooiman said:
Tried both versions. Same error. :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try newer version of Chinese ROm as will flash. No reason why it wouldn't as that the stock version for phone

shingers5 said:
Try newer version of Chinese ROm as will flash. No reason why it wouldn't as that the stock version for phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the newest version of chinese rom: "nitrogen_images_V10.2.1.0.PEDCNXM_20190214.0000.00_9.0_cn". Same error. It simply can't flash it as my bootloader is locked......

Anyone who can fix this hard brick gets $10 worth of Bitcoin or Ethereum from me.

Hmmm, if you bootloader can be unlocked. I can help you because I hard-bricked my phone because of the Anti Rollback by flashing an earlier version of global pie beta over the current one (10.2.1.0). I had someone from the s-unlock website unbrick my device for me because my Mi account had no authorization to finish the Mi Flash process. So instead, the tech guy used his authorized mi account to bypass the Mi Flash install remotely on my computer to make my phone work again.

Wmateria said:
Hmmm, if you bootloader can be unlocked. I can help you because I hard-bricked my phone because of the Anti Rollback by flashing an earlier version of global pie beta over the current one (10.2.1.0). I had someone from the s-unlock website unbrick my device for me because my Mi account had no authorization to finish the Mi Flash process. So instead, the tech guy used his authorized mi account to bypass the Mi Flash install remotely on my computer to make my phone work again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My account is verified but I am not signed into it on my phone as I can not boot into system.

Basically you need to flash the latest version of the Chinese stock miui but I haven't seen any tool that does that while bootloader is locked. You won't be able to unless you have bootloader unlocked. It bootloader gets unlocked phone will boot normal but your account should still been linked as phone was signed into it previously. Strange that it won't recognise your account when using the bootloader unlock tool

shingers5 said:
Basically you need to flash the latest version of the Chinese stock miui but I haven't seen any tool that does that while bootloader is locked. You won't be able to unless you have bootloader unlocked. It bootloader gets unlocked phone will boot normal but your account should still been linked as phone was signed into it previously. Strange that it won't recognise your account when using the bootloader unlock tool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the problem. I was booted into system but skipped the option for logging into my mi account as it was only to get past the unlock screen. Then did the clean flash again but then with the flash all and lock then I couldn't boot into system anymore. I'm seriously in trouble now, I loved this phone. Thankfully I still have a Mi A1 which I use now but it kinda sucks tho.

I guess its the end for this device.
I cant boot into system. I cant flash TWRP as my bootloader is locked (Token verify failed).
Getting error while flashing with fastboot: https://imgur.com/a/VAa7R9o
Mi Max 3 was a good one, RIP

Go back to Stock ROM from Custom ROM (Help)

Hello you beautiful people ,
I recently purchased a Redmi Note 5 AI and i want to unlock the bootloader and flash a custom ROM since i'm not happy with MIUI, i have read about ARB and i'm fully aware that i can't flash an older MIUI ROM with a lower ARB than what i previously had.
But what's absolutely confusing me is if i decide to change my mind, how do i go back to Stock Everything (ROM, Recovery, Bootloader) basically and be able to receive OTA's from Xiaomi normally again? (I tried to search the forums to find an answer but i couldn't find anything so please don't tell me to check the forums).

Download fastboot ROM and flash it using MiFlash software
For more info visit en.miui.com/a-234.html

SunilSuni said:
Download fastboot ROM and flash it using MiFlash software
For more info visit en.miui.com/a-234.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doing that will lock the bootloader and bring back the stock recovery as well, and i'm able to get OTA updates again?

ZozaTermina3or said:
Doing that will lock the bootloader and bring back the stock recovery as well, and i'm able to get OTA updates again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will get option to lock the bootloader or keep the bootloader unlocked
Yes this method will bring stock recovery and you will get OTA updates.
You have to download global ROM to flash it on global variant device
Or China ROM to flash it on Chinese variant device

SunilSuni said:
You will get option to lock the bootloader or keep the bootloader unlocked
Yes this method will bring stock recovery and you will get OTA updates.
You have to download global ROM to flash it on global variant device
Or China ROM to flash it on Chinese variant device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh thank you so much ^^, sorry i keep asking way too many questions, but where do i get the option to lock the bootloader again? and if i'm on miui 10.2.20 before custom ROM, i can flash the same MIUI ROM i was on or an older one as long as it has the same ARB value?
and is there a guide on how to flash ROMS and recoveries, because i am extremely confused >.<

ZozaTermina3or said:
Ahh thank you so much ^^, sorry i keep asking way too many questions, but where do i get the option to lock the bootloader again? and if i'm on miui 10.2.20 before custom ROM, i can flash the same MIUI ROM i was on or an older one as long as it has the same ARB value?
and is there a guide on how to flash ROMS and recoveries, because i am extremely confused >.<
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In MiFlash software. Select clean_all and lock option to lock the bootloader
Yes you can flash 10.2.2 or any older ROM wich has ARB value 4 (you can flash any ROM between 9.5.19 to 10.2.2)

SunilSuni said:
In MiFlash software. Select clean_all and lock option to lock the bootloader
Yes you can flash 10.2.2 or any older ROM wich has ARB value 4 (you can flash any ROM between 9.5.19 to 10.2.2)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much sir, You are a life saver
I can flash the Custom ROM without any worries now ^^

Recovery Vs Fastboot ROM

Hello guys how u doing...
My question is what is the difference between Fastboot And Recovery ROM in terms of what files they have.
I know Recovery ROM can be flashed by recovey and fastboot is used when phone's recovery in not accessible.
If i am on android 9 (MIUI 11.0.3.0) and i want to downgrade to oreo (9.5.19) can i flash this 9.5.19 recovery ROM directly via custom recovery or Use mi flash tool.Please tell me the reason why u choose either method

Sidgup1998 said:
Hello guys how u doing...
My question is what is the difference between Fastboot And Recovery ROM in terms of what files they have.
I know Recovery ROM can be flashed by recovey and fastboot is used when phone's recovery in not accessible.
If i am on android 9 (MIUI 11.0.3.0) and i want to downgrade to oreo (9.5.19) can i flash this 9.5.19 recovery ROM directly via custom recovery or Use mi flash tool.Please tell me the reason why u choose either method
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For upgrade/reflash/downgrade MIUI always use fastboot ROM and chose clean install. Custom recovery is better for rooted devices OTA MIUI update and for custom ROM's. And if you gonna play with ROM's be smart and unlock bootloader for easy fix if something goes wrong aka (un)bricking device.
Good luck
Sent from my unknown using XDA Labs

I'd be interested in this question too. Is there any difference in what those versions contain?
Fastboot ROMs are much bigger usually, like double the size. Is this only due to the recovery versions beeing compressed (better), or do the fastboot versions contain additional data?