The Xiaomi Mi A3 (codename laurel_sprout), launched in 2019, was the final and perhaps most premium device in Xiaomi’s popular Android One series. It blended Xiaomi’s high-quality hardware with Google’s pure software vision, offering users the best of both worlds. The device was praised for its premium glass-and-metal construction, a vibrant Super AMOLED display with an in-display fingerprint scanner, and a versatile 48MP triple camera. Powered by the Snapdragon 665 chipset, its main draw was the clean, bloatware-free experience of stock Android, with updates managed directly by Google. This page provides the official fastboot ROM to help you unbrick your device, restore it to factory condition, or recover from a problematic OTA update.
Important: This firmware is for the Android One Mi A3 (laurel_sprout) only. It is not MIUI. Attempting to flash MIUI ROMs from its Chinese counterpart (the Mi CC9e) or any other device will hard-brick your phone.
Quick Device Specs
- Device: Xiaomi Mi A3 (laurel_sprout)
- Release year: 2019
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665
- Display: 6.09″ Super AMOLED (HD+)
- Battery: 4030 mAh, 18W fast charging
- Original OS: Android 9 (Pie) – Android One
Required Downloads
| File / Tool | Download Link |
|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Flash Tool | Download Latest Version |
| Xiaomi USB Drivers | Included with Mi Flash Tool |
| Bootloader Unlock Tool | Official Mi Unlock Page |
Fastboot ROM (Android One)
| Region | Build | Android | Release Date | Download | Codename |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global (Android One) | V10.3.13.0.PFQMIXM | 9.0 | 2020-01-15 | Download | laurel_sprout |
How to Flash
For a step-by-step process, drivers, and troubleshooting, read our Ultimate Mi Flash Guide.
- Boot into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down).
- Extract the firmware (.tgz file) and select the main folder containing the
/imagesdirectory in Mi Flash Tool. - Select clean all for a safe installation (avoid clean all and lock unless you want to return to a fully stock, locked state).
FAQs
Q1. What does “Android One” mean for the Mi A3?
Android One is a program for devices running a pure version of Android, without manufacturer skins like MIUI. This means the Mi A3 has a clean, stock interface and received software updates directly from Google, ensuring a bloatware-free experience.
Q2. Can I flash a MIUI ROM on my Mi A3?
No. The Mi A3 (laurel_sprout) has a different partition layout and software structure than its Chinese MIUI counterpart, the Mi CC9e (laurus). Attempting to flash a MIUI ROM on an Android One Mi A3 will almost certainly result in a hard brick.
Q3. My Mi A3 was bricked by an official OTA update. Can this ROM fix it?
Yes. The Mi A3 unfortunately had a history of buggy official Over-The-Air (OTA) updates. Flashing this full fastboot ROM is the standard and most effective method for recovering a device bricked by a failed OTA update.
Q4. Why does the Mi A3 have an AMOLED screen but only a 720p (HD+) resolution?
This was a design choice by Xiaomi to balance features and cost. They prioritized the superior colors and contrast of an AMOLED panel and included a modern in-display fingerprint scanner but opted for a lower HD+ resolution to keep the phone affordable.
Troubleshooting
- Drivers: If your PC doesn’t recognize the phone, try reinstalling the Xiaomi USB drivers, using a different USB port (USB 2.0 is often more stable), and running Mi Flash Tool as an administrator.
- Fastboot errors:
- “error: not catch checkpoint” → This common error means you have selected the wrong folder. In Mi Flash Tool, select the main extracted folder, not the images sub-folder.
- Device locks after flash → If you use the “clean all and lock” option, your bootloader will be re-locked. You will need to unlock it again if you plan to install custom ROMs in the future.
- EDL mode: For a hard-bricked phone that won’t enter fastboot, EDL mode is the last resort. It requires using hardware test points and is recommended for advanced users only.
