The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 MediaTek (codename hennessy), launched in 2015, was a revolutionary device in the Redmi series. It marked a significant leap in design and performance, being the first Redmi Note with a premium all-metal body and the first to feature a fingerprint scanner. Powered by the octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 chipset, it delivered flagship-level speed at a budget-friendly price. For owners of this classic device, this page provides the official China and Global Fastboot ROMs and the official TWRP custom recovery, which are essential for restoring the phone or exploring custom software.
Important: This firmware is ONLY for the original MediaTek version of the Redmi Note 3 (hennessy). It is critically important that you do not flash this on the later Snapdragon version (kenzo/kate). They are completely different phones, and flashing the wrong firmware will result in a permanent hard brick.
Quick Device Specs
- Device: Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (MediaTek) (hennessy)
- Release year: 2015
- Chipset: MediaTek Helio X10 MT6795
- Display: 5.5″ IPS LCD
- Battery: 4000 mAh
- Original MIUI: Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop), MIUI 7
Required Downloads
As a MediaTek device, the Redmi Note 3 (hennessy) requires specific tools for flashing.
| File / Tool | Download Link |
|---|---|
| SP Flash Tool | Download Latest Version |
| MediaTek VCOM USB Drivers | Download Drivers |
| Bootloader Unlock Tool | Official Mi Unlock Page |
Official ROMs & Custom Recovery
| Region | Build | Android | Type | Download | Codename |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China (For 3GB/32GB) | V7.0.22.0.LHNCNCJ | 5.0 | Official SP Flash ROM | Download | hennessy |
| China | V8.1.3.0.LHNCNDI | 5.0 | Official SP Flash ROM | Download | hennessy |
| Global | V10.2.1.0.MHOMIXM | 6.0 | Official SP Flash ROM | Download | hennessy |
| TWRP (Official) | 3.7.0_9-0 | — | Custom Recovery | Download | hennessy |
How to Flash Official ROM (SP Flash Tool)
Use this method to unbrick your phone or restore official MIUI firmware.
- Install the MediaTek VCOM drivers on your PC. You may need to disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows.
- Extract the firmware .zip file and the SP Flash Tool .zip file into separate folders.
- Run
flash_tool.exefrom the SP Flash Tool folder. - Click the “Scatter-loading File” button and select the
MT6795_Android_scatter.txtfile from the extracted firmware folder. - Ensure the dropdown menu is set to Download Only.
- Power off your phone completely.
- Click the green Download button in SP Flash Tool, then connect your powered-off phone to the PC with a USB cable. The flashing process will start automatically.
How to Install TWRP & Its Purpose
Use this method if you want to install custom ROMs, root your phone, or create full backups.
What is TWRP? TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a powerful custom recovery that replaces your phone’s basic stock recovery. It is the essential tool needed to perform advanced modifications, such as installing community-developed ROMs (like LineageOS), gaining root access with Magisk, or creating complete system backups (known as Nandroids).
Disclaimer: This is an advanced process. Proceed at your own risk.
- Unlock the Bootloader: This is a mandatory first step. Use the official Mi Unlock Tool.
- Flash TWRP:
- Boot your phone into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down) and connect it to your PC.
- Using ADB & Fastboot tools on your PC, flash the downloaded twrp-3.7.0_9-0-hennessy.img file with the command:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-hennessy.img
- Boot into TWRP: After flashing, immediately boot into recovery by holding Power + Volume Up to prevent the stock ROM from overwriting it.
Device-Specific Troubleshooting for Redmi Note 3 (hennessy)
The MediaTek Redmi Note 3 is a powerful device but requires careful handling during flashing.
- CRITICAL: MTK vs. Snapdragon: This is the most important point. This guide is for the MediaTek Helio X10 (hennessy) version. The more common Redmi Note 3 Pro has a Snapdragon 650 (kenzo/kate). Their tools and ROMs are completely different. Using Mi Flash Tool on a hennessy or SP Flash Tool on a kenzo will result in a hard brick.
- Locked Bootloader Flashing Issues: Many older hennessy devices came with a locked bootloader that was difficult to unlock. Attempting to flash with SP Flash Tool on a locked bootloader can fail or cause a brick. It is highly recommended to unlock the bootloader officially before attempting any flash.
- SP Flash Tool Errors (BROM ERROR): This common error can be caused by incorrect VCOM drivers, a bad USB cable/port, or trying to flash on a locked bootloader. Ensure drivers are installed correctly (you may need to disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows) and that your bootloader is unlocked.
- “Dead Recovery” ROM: The “Dead Recovery” file listed is a specialized, low-level unbrick ROM. It should be used as a last resort in SP Flash Tool if the phone is completely unresponsive and not detected by the PC normally. It is for the 3GB/32GB variant only.
FAQs
Q1. How can I be 100% sure I have the MediaTek (hennessy) version?
The easiest way is to check the back of the phone box for the processor name. If it says “Helio X10” or “MT6795”, you have a hennessy. If it says “Snapdragon 650”, you have a kenzo. Do not proceed if you are unsure.
Q2. Why is there a Global ROM for a MediaTek device?
While the hennessy was primarily for China, a Global version was briefly sold in some regions like Taiwan before the Snapdragon version became the worldwide standard. The Global ROM provided is the official software for that specific variant.
Q3. What was the final official update for the MediaTek Redmi Note 3?
The device launched with Android 5.0 Lollipop and received its final major OS upgrade to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, as seen in the Global ROM. The final MIUI version was MIUI 10.
