Let's take a look back at the phone that arguably started it all, the original Xiaomi Redmi 3 (codename `ido`) from 2016. This was a revolutionary device. It was one of the first truly budget phones to feature a premium full metal body and a massive 4100 mAh battery, a combination that was unheard of at its price. In places like Nigeria, it was a game-changer, building the reputation for quality and endurance that would make Xiaomi a household name.
In 2025, the Redmi 3 is a true vintage classic. Its official software support ended a lifetime ago with MIUI 9.6, based on the ancient Android 5.1 Lollipop. This guide is a restoration manual for the hobbyists and collectors who want to revive this piece of smartphone history. A clean firmware flash is the only way to unbrick the device, restore its functionality for offline tasks, and prepare it for a second life with a lightweight custom ROM.
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Redmi 3
For a vintage device like `ido`, flashing is about preservation and giving it a new purpose.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: ido)
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the final official firmware to serve as your recovery tool and the stable base for all future customization.
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Flashing Official MIUI 9.6 Stock ROM (Fastboot Mode)
This is the universal unbricking tool and the foundational first step for all `ido` owners.
➡ Your phone will reboot into a perfectly clean, official MIUI 9.6 system.
Method 2: Installing a Custom Recovery (TWRP)
This is the gateway to the `ido`'s amazing second life with modern, lightweight Android.
➡ With TWRP installed, you can now explore the massive library of custom ROMs on forums like XDA and bring newer, more secure versions of Android to your classic device.
FAQs
Q1: Why was the Redmi 3 a big deal in Nigeria back in its day?
It was one of the very first phones that proved you didn't have to spend a lot of money to get a premium phone. The metal body felt solid like an iPhone, and the battery would last forever, even when NEPA took light. It built a lot of trust for the Xiaomi brand among early adopters.
Q2: Is the Redmi 3 safe to use in 2025?
On its stock software, absolutely not. It is a major security risk. However, with a modern, lightweight custom ROM (like a recent version of LineageOS) which receives security patches from the community, it can be made much safer for very light use.
Q3: What's the difference between the Redmi 3 (`ido`) and the Redmi 3S (`land`)?
The Redmi 3S was the successor released a few months later. The main upgrades were the processor (moving from the Snapdragon 616 in the `ido` to the more power-efficient Snapdragon 430 in the `land`) and the addition of a fingerprint scanner, which the original `ido` did not have.
Q4: Can I get newer Android versions on this phone?
Not officially. But the `ido` has a surprisingly strong and long-lasting custom ROM community. You can find many unofficial builds of newer Android versions (even up to Android 10 or 11 in some cases), which is the best way to keep this classic phone functional.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
In 2025, the Redmi 3 is a true vintage classic. Its official software support ended a lifetime ago with MIUI 9.6, based on the ancient Android 5.1 Lollipop. This guide is a restoration manual for the hobbyists and collectors who want to revive this piece of smartphone history. A clean firmware flash is the only way to unbrick the device, restore its functionality for offline tasks, and prepare it for a second life with a lightweight custom ROM.
- ✔ A tribute to the original metal budget king that started a dynasty
- ✔ Download links for the final official MIUI 9.6 (Android 5.1) firmware
- ✔ A guide to its surprisingly strong custom ROM scene for a more modern experience
- ✔ All the essential tools and drivers to revive this vintage device
- ✔ Step-by-step instructions to unbrick and restore your Redmi 3
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Redmi 3
For a vintage device like `ido`, flashing is about preservation and giving it a new purpose.
- Prepare for a Second Life with Custom ROMs → This is the best way to keep the `ido` usable. Flashing the latest stock firmware is the essential first step before you can install a newer, more secure version of Android from the developer community.
- Unbrick a Bricked or Bootlooping Device → The definitive guide to recovering a Redmi 3 that is stuck on the Mi logo or completely unresponsive.
- Restore Its Famous Battery Life → A clean flash can bring the phone's endurance closer to its original, impressive state by removing years of software clutter.
- Perform a Full "Factory" Restore → To wipe all old personal data and preserve the phone in its final official software condition for a collection.
- Install a Clean MIUI (Xiaomi.eu) → An option for a debloated version of the classic MIUI 9 experience.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: ido)
- Model: Xiaomi Redmi 3
- Release Year: 2016
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 616
- Display: 5.0” HD IPS LCD
- Battery: 4100 mAh
- Key Feature: The first mainstream metal-body Redmi with a huge battery
- OS at Launch: MIUI 7 on Android 5.1 Lollipop
- Final Official OS: MIUI 9.6 on Android 5.1 Lollipop (End of Life)
- Codename: ido
SECURITY WARNING & VINTAGE DEVICE NOTICE: The Redmi 3 is running critically outdated software (Android 5.1) and is a major security risk for any online activity. It should not be used with personal accounts or for browsing. Its true value today is as a collector's item or as a platform for modern, community-built custom ROMs.
Required Tools & Downloads
Download the final official firmware to serve as your recovery tool and the stable base for all future customization.
| Tool / File | Purpose / OS Version | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Flash Tool | For flashing official Fastboot ROMs. | Download Latest Version |
| Xiaomi USB Drivers | Ensures your PC can communicate with your phone. | Driver Pack |
| Mi Unlock Tool | Required to unlock the bootloader. | Official Unlock Page |
| Custom Recovery (TWRP) | The gateway to all custom ROMs. | Official TWRP for Ido |
| Fastboot ROM (China) | Official MIUI 9.6 (Android 5.1) | V9.6.1.0.LAICNFD |
| Fastboot ROM (Global) | Official MIUI 9.6 (Android 5.1) | V9.6.2.0.LAIMIFD |
| Xiaomi.eu ROM (Custom) | Clean MIUI 9.5 (Android 5.1) | V9.5.2.0.LAICNFA |
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Flashing Official MIUI 9.6 Stock ROM (Fastboot Mode)
This is the universal unbricking tool and the foundational first step for all `ido` owners.
- Unlock Bootloader: Your device's bootloader must be unlocked. Use the official Mi Unlock Tool. This will erase your data.
- Boot into Fastboot Mode: Power off your Redmi 3. Press and hold Power + Volume Down until the Fastboot logo appears.
- Extract Firmware: On your PC, extract the downloaded `.tgz` Fastboot ROM twice until you have a folder with an `images` directory.
- Launch Mi Flash Tool: Open the tool as an administrator. Click "select" and choose the extracted firmware folder.
- Connect Device & Flash: Connect your phone to the PC, click "refresh", ensure "clean all" is selected at the bottom, and click "flash".
➡ Your phone will reboot into a perfectly clean, official MIUI 9.6 system.
Method 2: Installing a Custom Recovery (TWRP)
This is the gateway to the `ido`'s amazing second life with modern, lightweight Android.
- Unlock Bootloader: Ensure your bootloader is unlocked.
- Boot into Fastboot Mode: Power off the phone and boot into Fastboot by holding Power + Volume Down.
- Flash TWRP: Download the official TWRP `.img` file for `ido`. Flash it using the command:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-ido.img - Boot into Recovery: After flashing, hold Power + Volume Down and select "Recovery" from the Fastboot menu, or hold Power + Volume Up from a powered-off state.
➡ With TWRP installed, you can now explore the massive library of custom ROMs on forums like XDA and bring newer, more secure versions of Android to your classic device.
FAQs
Q1: Why was the Redmi 3 a big deal in Nigeria back in its day?
It was one of the very first phones that proved you didn't have to spend a lot of money to get a premium phone. The metal body felt solid like an iPhone, and the battery would last forever, even when NEPA took light. It built a lot of trust for the Xiaomi brand among early adopters.
Q2: Is the Redmi 3 safe to use in 2025?
On its stock software, absolutely not. It is a major security risk. However, with a modern, lightweight custom ROM (like a recent version of LineageOS) which receives security patches from the community, it can be made much safer for very light use.
Q3: What's the difference between the Redmi 3 (`ido`) and the Redmi 3S (`land`)?
The Redmi 3S was the successor released a few months later. The main upgrades were the processor (moving from the Snapdragon 616 in the `ido` to the more power-efficient Snapdragon 430 in the `land`) and the addition of a fingerprint scanner, which the original `ido` did not have.
Q4: Can I get newer Android versions on this phone?
Not officially. But the `ido` has a surprisingly strong and long-lasting custom ROM community. You can find many unofficial builds of newer Android versions (even up to Android 10 or 11 in some cases), which is the best way to keep this classic phone functional.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
- Dead Hard Brick (EDL Mode): If your phone is completely dead and only shows up as "Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008" on a PC, it is in a hard brick state (EDL mode). Recovery is possible but very advanced. It requires forcing the phone into EDL mode, often by shorting two "test points" on the motherboard, and then flashing the Fastboot ROM with Mi Flash Tool.
- Overheating: The Snapdragon 616 chipset was known to run hotter than its successors. The phone getting warm during charging or heavy use is somewhat normal. A clean flash can help if rogue background processes are causing an extra thermal load.
- "Can't read from port" error in Mi Flash Tool: A classic error for older devices. It's almost always a driver issue on modern PCs. The solution is to reinstall drivers, restart the PC, use a USB 2.0 port instead of 3.0, and run Mi Flash Tool as an administrator.
- Mi Flash Tool "sahara" or "xbl" error: This is a common error on very old Qualcomm devices. It can indicate a bad USB connection, but after nearly a decade, it can also point to a hardware failure of the eMMC (internal storage) chip.