The Xiaomi Mi Pad 3 (codename cappuccino), released in 2017, continued the legacy of its predecessors with a sleek, full metal unibody and a stunning high-resolution 7.9-inch Retina display. Marking a return to MediaTek processors, it was powered by the formidable hexa-core MT8176 chipset, offering a smooth experience for productivity and entertainment. The tablet was also equipped with a large 6600 mAh battery. As a China-exclusive device, it never received an official Global ROM. The firmware provided here is an official China Stable ROM, perfect for unbricking a dead device or restoring it to its original factory software using the SP Flash Tool.
Important: This firmware is only for the Mi Pad 3 (cappuccino) and requires SP Flash Tool. It is not compatible with the Intel-based Mi Pad 2 (cappu) or any other model. Using the wrong tool or firmware will brick your device.
Quick Device Specs
- Device: Xiaomi Mi Pad 3 (cappuccino)
- Release year: 2017
- Chipset: MediaTek MT8176
- Display: 7.9″ IPS LCD (2048 x 1536 resolution)
- Battery: 6600 mAh
- Original MIUI: Android 7.0 (Nougat), MIUI 8
Required Downloads
| File / Tool | Download Link |
|---|---|
| SP Flash Tool | Download Latest Version |
| MediaTek VCOM USB Drivers | Download Drivers |
SP Flash Tool ROM
| Region | Build | Android | Release Date | Download | Codename |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | V8.2.9.0.NCICNEB | 7.0 | 2017-06-26 | Download | cappuccino |
How to Flash (SP Flash Tool)
This is a quick checklist for this device. For a complete tutorial on installing drivers, flashing, and troubleshooting, please read our master guide:
Read Our Ultimate Guide to SP Flash Tool
Disclaimer: This process is for MediaTek devices and is different from standard Xiaomi flashing. Proceed with caution.
- Install the MediaTek VCOM drivers on your PC. You may need to disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows.
- Extract the firmware .zip and the SP Flash Tool .zip into separate folders.
- Run
flash_tool.exefrom the SP Flash Tool folder. - Click on the “Scatter-loading File” button and navigate to the firmware folder to select the
MT8176_Android_scatter.txtfile. - Ensure the dropdown menu is set to Download Only.
- Power off your Mi Pad 3 completely.
- Click the green Download button in SP Flash Tool, then immediately connect your powered-off tablet to the PC with a USB cable. The flashing process will start automatically.
FAQs
Q1. Why does this tablet use SP Flash Tool instead of Mi Flash Tool?
The Mi Pad 3 is powered by a MediaTek (MTK) chipset. SP Flash Tool is the standard application for flashing MediaTek devices, whereas Mi Flash Tool is designed for Xiaomi devices with Qualcomm chipsets. They are not interchangeable.
Q2. Was there an official Global ROM for the Mi Pad 3?
No. The Mi Pad 3 was sold exclusively in Mainland China and never had an official Global ROM version. This firmware is the China Stable ROM, which does not include Google Play Services or multiple languages.
Q3. My tablet is hard bricked and won’t turn on. Can this method fix it?
SP Flash Tool is a powerful utility for recovering bricked MediaTek devices. If the brick is due to a software issue, this method has a high chance of success. Your PC must be able to detect the device when you connect it for the process to start.
Q4. Can I use this firmware on a Mi Pad 2 (cappu)?
No, absolutely not. The Mi Pad 2 uses an Intel processor and has completely different hardware and firmware. Attempting to flash this ROM on a Mi Pad 2 will fail and will brick the device.
Troubleshooting
- Drivers: The most common issue is the PC not detecting the device. Ensure MediaTek VCOM drivers are installed correctly. If you have issues, try reinstalling them after disabling Windows Driver Signature Enforcement.
- SP Flash Tool Errors:
- BROM ERROR → This can be caused by using the wrong ROM, a bad USB connection, or incorrect drivers. Ensure you have the correct cappuccino firmware and are using a good USB cable and port.
- The tool doesn’t react after clicking “Download” → Make sure the tablet is completely powered off before connecting it. If it still doesn’t work, try holding the Volume Down button while connecting the USB cable to force detection.
- Stuck in a bootloop after flashing: If the tablet boots but gets stuck on the Mi logo, try booting into recovery (Power + Volume Up) and performing a factory reset (Wipe Data).
