Let's take a look back at an absolute legend, the phone that defined the budget market in 2016: the Xiaomi Redmi 3S / 3X (codename `land`). This device was a phenomenon. In Nigeria, it was the ultimate all-rounder, packing a premium metal body, a massive 4100 mAh battery that could withstand any power cut, and a reliable Snapdragon 430 into a compact, durable package. It was, for many, the perfect smartphone.
In 2025, this classic device has long since reached its end of life. Its official software journey concluded years ago with MIUI 10, based on the ancient Android 6.0 Marshmallow. This guide is a tribute to this budget legend, providing the tools for hobbyists and long-time owners to restore it. A clean firmware flash is the best way to revive its incredible battery life, unbrick it, and, most importantly, prepare it for a new life with modern, lightweight custom ROMs.
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Redmi 3S / 3X
For a classic like `land`, flashing is about restoration and unlocking its true potential.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: land)
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 10 Stock ROM (Fastboot Mode)
This is the universal unbricking tool and the foundational first step for all `land` owners.
➡ Your phone will reboot into a perfectly clean, official MIUI 10 system.
Method 2: Installing a Custom Recovery (TWRP)
This is the gateway to the `land`'s amazing second life with modern, lightweight Android.
➡ With TWRP installed, you can now explore the huge library of custom ROMs on forums like XDA and bring modern, secure Android to your classic device.
FAQs
Q1: Why was the Redmi 3S a legend in Nigeria?
It was the perfect phone for its time. It felt expensive with its metal body but was very affordable. The battery could last two or three days, even with the unreliable power situation, and it was strong enough to handle anything. It was the phone everybody trusted and recommended.
Q2: Is the Redmi 3S safe to use in 2025?
On its stock software, no. It is very insecure. However, its huge custom ROM community means you can install modern, patched versions of Android. With a recent custom ROM, it can be made much safer for light, modern use.
Q3: Can I get newer Android versions on this phone?
Not officially. But the `land` has a fantastic and long-lasting custom ROM community thanks to its popularity. You can find many unofficial builds of newer Android versions, which is the best way to keep this classic phone going.
Q4: What's the difference between the Redmi 3S and 3X?
They were minor variations. The Redmi 3X had a slightly different design on the metal back, but the internal hardware like the processor, battery, and camera were identical. They both use the same `land` firmware.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
In 2025, this classic device has long since reached its end of life. Its official software journey concluded years ago with MIUI 10, based on the ancient Android 6.0 Marshmallow. This guide is a tribute to this budget legend, providing the tools for hobbyists and long-time owners to restore it. A clean firmware flash is the best way to revive its incredible battery life, unbrick it, and, most importantly, prepare it for a new life with modern, lightweight custom ROMs.
- ✔ A tribute to the legendary, ultra-durable budget king
- ✔ Download links for the final official MIUI 10 (Android 6.0) firmware
- ✔ A guide to its incredible custom ROM scene for a more modern experience
- ✔ All the essential tools and drivers to revive this vintage device
- ✔ Device-specific troubleshooting for common `land` issues
Why You Might Need to Flash Your Redmi 3S / 3X
For a classic like `land`, flashing is about restoration and unlocking its true potential.
- Unlock Its Massive Custom ROM Potential (Primary Reason) → This is the best reason to own a `land` today. Its huge developer community has kept it alive with modern, secure versions of Android. Flashing the latest stock firmware is the essential first step.
- Unbrick a Bricked Device → The universal recovery tool for a phone that has been tinkered with for almost a decade.
- Restore Its Legendary Battery Life → A clean flash is the best way to optimize the Snapdragon 430 and 4100 mAh battery combination for maximum, multi-day endurance.
- Fix Lag and Slowness in MIUI 10 → A clean installation of the final official software will make the stock experience as smooth as it can possibly be.
- Install a Clean, Ad-Free MIUI (Xiaomi.eu) → The best choice for a pure MIUI experience without the bloatware.
Quick Device Overview (Codename: land)
- Model: Xiaomi Redmi 3S / 3X
- Release Year: 2016
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 430
- Display: 5.0” HD IPS LCD
- Battery: 4100 mAh
- Key Feature: The perfect all-rounder, massive battery, metal body, huge custom ROM support
- OS at Launch: MIUI 7/8 on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
- Final Official OS: MIUI 10.2 on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow (End of Life)
- Codename: land
SECURITY WARNING & LEGACY NOTICE: The Redmi 3S is running critically outdated software (Android 6.0) and is not secure for online use with personal data. Its best and safest use today is with a modern, community-built custom ROM which can provide newer security patches.
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) | Required to flash custom ROMs like Xiaomi.eu. | TWRP for Land (QPST ZIP) |
| Fastboot ROM (China) | Official MIUI 10.2 (Android 6.0) | V10.2.2.0.MALCNXM |
| Fastboot ROM (Global) | Official MIUI 10.2 (Android 6.0) | V10.2.2.0.MALMIXM |
| Xiaomi.eu ROM (Custom) | Clean MIUI 10.1 (Android 6.0) | V10.1.1.0.MALCNFI |
Flashing Methods
Method 1: Flashing Official MIUI 10 Stock ROM (Fastboot Mode)
This is the universal unbricking tool and the foundational first step for all `land` 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 3S. 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 10 system.
Method 2: Installing a Custom Recovery (TWRP)
This is the gateway to the `land`'s amazing second life with modern, lightweight Android.
- Unlock Bootloader: Ensure your bootloader is unlocked.
- Flash TWRP: Extract the downloaded TWRP `.zip` file. It often contains an installer script. Boot your phone into Fastboot mode and run the installer. If it only contains an `.img` file, flash it with the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp_filename.img
- Boot into Recovery: After flashing, hold Power + Volume Up while the phone reboots to enter the newly installed TWRP.
➡ With TWRP installed, you can now explore the huge library of custom ROMs on forums like XDA and bring modern, secure Android to your classic device.
FAQs
Q1: Why was the Redmi 3S a legend in Nigeria?
It was the perfect phone for its time. It felt expensive with its metal body but was very affordable. The battery could last two or three days, even with the unreliable power situation, and it was strong enough to handle anything. It was the phone everybody trusted and recommended.
Q2: Is the Redmi 3S safe to use in 2025?
On its stock software, no. It is very insecure. However, its huge custom ROM community means you can install modern, patched versions of Android. With a recent custom ROM, it can be made much safer for light, modern use.
Q3: Can I get newer Android versions on this phone?
Not officially. But the `land` has a fantastic and long-lasting custom ROM community thanks to its popularity. You can find many unofficial builds of newer Android versions, which is the best way to keep this classic phone going.
Q4: What's the difference between the Redmi 3S and 3X?
They were minor variations. The Redmi 3X had a slightly different design on the metal back, but the internal hardware like the processor, battery, and camera were identical. They both use the same `land` firmware.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
- Fingerprint Sensor Not Working on Custom ROMs: This is a classic issue for `land`. Many custom ROMs, especially AOSP-based ones, require the official MIUI firmware to be installed first. If your fingerprint sensor isn't detected, the fix is to use Method 1 to flash the latest official MIUI 10 ROM. This installs the correct proprietary drivers. Then, you can re-flash your custom ROM.
- 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.
- "Can't read from port" error in Mi Flash Tool: A frequent error with older devices on modern PCs. It's almost always a driver issue. 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 many years, it can also point to a hardware failure of the eMMC (internal storage) chip.