The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 (codename nitrogen), released in 2018, was the final and most powerful evolution of Xiaomi’s legendary series of phablets. It was built for users who craved a massive screen and marathon battery life, featuring a gigantic 6.9-inch display for an unparalleled media consumption experience. To power such a large screen, it was equipped with a colossal 5500 mAh battery that could easily last for days. Running on the efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset, the Mi Max 3 was the ultimate pocket cinema and productivity machine. This page provides the official fastboot ROMs for China, Global, and Russia, along with the popular Xiaomi.eu custom ROM, to help you restore or repair this unique device.
Important: You must verify your device codename is nitrogen. This firmware is for the Mi Max 3 only and is not compatible with its predecessor, the Mi Max 2 (oxygen), or any other Xiaomi model. Flashing the wrong firmware will hard brick your phone.
Quick Device Specs
- Device: Xiaomi Mi Max 3 (nitrogen)
- Release year: 2018
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 636
- Display: 6.9″ IPS LCD
- Battery: 5500 mAh, 18W fast charging
- Original MIUI: Android 8.1 (Oreo), MIUI 9
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 ROMs
| Region | Build | Android | Release Date | Download | Codename |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | V12.5.1.0.QEDCNXM | 10.0 | 2021-06-16 | Download | nitrogen |
| Global | V12.0.1.0.QEDMIXM | 10.0 | 2020-10-13 | Download | nitrogen |
| Russia | V12.0.1.0.QEDRUXM | 10.0 | 2020-10-12 | Download | nitrogen |
| Xiaomi.eu (Custom) | V12.5.1.0.QEDCNXM (Based) | 10.0 | — | Download | nitrogen |
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 are on the correct stock ROM for your specific region).
FAQs
Q1. Can I flash a Mi Max 2 (oxygen) ROM on my Mi Max 3?
No, absolutely not. The Mi Max 2 and Mi Max 3 use different chipsets (Snapdragon 625 vs 636), screen sizes, and cameras. Their firmwares are not interchangeable, and cross-flashing will brick your device.
Q2. What was the final official update for the Mi Max 3?
The Mi Max 3 launched with Android 8.1 Oreo and received its final major OS upgrade to Android 10. The MIUI 12.5 version for the China region was the last significant software update released for the device.
Q3. What was the main appeal of the Mi Max 3?
Its primary selling point was its enormous size. The huge 6.9-inch screen and massive 5500 mAh battery made it an unmatched device for watching videos, reading, and browsing the web for extended periods without needing a charger.
Q4. What is the TWRP file for?
TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom recovery. The .img file provided is for advanced users who wish to install custom ROMs (like the Xiaomi.eu ROM), create full system backups (nandroids), or gain root access. It is not required for flashing the official fastboot ROMs.
Troubleshooting
- Drivers: If your PC does not recognize the phone in fastboot mode, reinstall the Xiaomi USB drivers, run Mi Flash Tool as Administrator, or try a different USB port (USB 2.0 is often more stable).
- Fastboot errors:
- “error: not catch checkpoint” → This common error means you have selected the wrong folder. In Mi Flash Tool, be sure to select the parent folder that was created when you extracted the .tgz file, not the images folder inside it.
- “Anti rollback error” → You are attempting to flash an older firmware version than what is currently on the device. Xiaomi’s Anti-Rollback Protection (ARB) prevents this.
- 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.
