The Xiaomi Redmi 3 / 3 Pro (codename ido), launched in 2016, was a landmark device in the budget segment. It revolutionized expectations for affordable phones with its premium metal construction, a massive 4100 mAh battery, and the capable Snapdragon 616 chipset. The Pro model further pushed boundaries by being one of the first budget devices to feature a fingerprint scanner. For owners looking to restore their phone, fix a bootloop, or flash a clean stock MIUI, this page provides the official fastboot ROMs.
Important: This is one of the most crucial warnings for any Xiaomi device. You must confirm your device is a Redmi 3/3 Pro (ido). Do NOT flash this on a Redmi Note 3 (kenzo). They are completely different phones, and flashing the wrong firmware will result in a hard brick.
Quick Device Specs
- Device: Xiaomi Redmi 3 / 3 Pro (ido)
- Release year: 2016
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 616
- Display: 5.0″ IPS LCD, HD
- Battery: 4100 mAh
- Original MIUI: Android 5.1 (Lollipop), MIUI 7
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 | V7.1.1.0.LHPCNCK | 5.1 | 2015-12-21 | Download | ido |
| Global | V9.6.2.0.LAIMIFD | 5.1 | 2018-08-13 | Download | ido |
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 or .zip file) and select the main folder with the
/imagesdirectory in Mi Flash Tool. - Select clean all for a safe installation (avoid clean all and lock unless you intend to relock the bootloader with the correct stock ROM).
FAQs
Q1. What’s the difference between Redmi 3, Redmi 3 Pro, and Redmi 3 Prime?
These are all variants of the same device and share the ido codename, meaning they use the same firmware. The base Redmi 3 had 2GB/16GB, while the Pro/Prime versions added a fingerprint scanner and upgraded the configuration to 3GB/32GB.
Q2. Can I flash this ROM on my Redmi Note 3 (kenzo)?
NO. This is the single most common mistake that bricks these devices. The Redmi Note 3 (kenzo) is a larger phone with a completely different Snapdragon 650 processor. Flashing an ido firmware on a kenzo device will hard brick it. Always verify your phone model in settings before downloading.
Q3. Why are these ROMs based on Android 5.1 Lollipop?
The Redmi 3 series launched with Android 5.1 and did not receive any official Android version upgrades from Xiaomi. Although it received MIUI updates up to MIUI 9, the core Android system remained Lollipop.
Q4. Which ROM should I choose? The China or Global version?
For most users outside of mainland China, the Global ROM (V9.6.2.0.LAIMIFD) is the correct choice. It is newer, includes Google Play Services, and supports multiple languages. The China ROM is much older and lacks these features.
Troubleshooting
- Drivers: If your PC doesn’t recognize the device, ensure the Xiaomi drivers are properly installed. On older systems, you may need to disable Windows Driver Signature Enforcement.
- Fastboot errors:
- “error: not catch checkpoint” → You have selected the wrong folder in Mi Flash Tool. Be sure to select the parent folder that contains the images directory, not the images folder itself.
- Old Devices: If the latest Mi Flash Tool gives an error, try using an older version (e.g., from 2016-2018), as they sometimes have better compatibility with older devices like the Redmi 3.
- EDL mode: If your phone is hard bricked and cannot enter fastboot, you may need to flash in EDL mode (Emergency Download Mode). This is an advanced method requiring test points and is not recommended for beginners.
