Install a custom recovery like TWRP Flashing your Android device is practically mandatory if you want to get the most out of it, but it's also one of those operations where it's very easy to mess things up and end up with annoying errors, bootloops, or even a bricked device. In the case of some Xiaomi phones, especially those that come with MIUI, flashing failures are quite common if you don't follow a very specific set of steps.
In this guide you will find an explanation Detailed and step-by-step instructions on how to install TWRP without errors using exactly the techniques that give the best results in practice. We'll see why the typical message appears. “Install update.zip failed / update.zip signature verification failed”What is its relationship with global ROMs and official signatures, what changes Xiaomi has made to the bootloader, and two different methods to achieve your goal: one doing everything from the mobile with Flashify and another from the computer using Mi PC Suite and Windroid Universal Toolkit.
Before we begin: Xiaomi changes, bootloader, and recommended ROMs
Xiaomi introduced an important security measure: The bootloader lock in their official ROMs starting from the Chinese developer version 6.1.14This means that if you update to that version or later versions that maintain that locking system, you will encounter many more obstacles when installing a custom recovery like TWRP or flashing certain ROMs.
To avoid unnecessary problems, the most sensible thing to do is Do not install the Chinese developer ROM 6.1.14 or later versions that include this lockInstead, it's preferable to use older versions, usually accessible from the "Older Versions" section of official websites or specialized forums. These previous versions still allow you to work with the bootloader without as many restrictions.
The other major source of problems lies in the Global ROMs downloaded from en.miui.comIn many models, it has been found that installing a global ROM of this type makes flashing TWRP or any other ROM without an official signature very difficult. This is the source of the infamous error: “Install update.zip failed / update.zip signature verification failed”, which appears when you try to install a package from MIUI recovery and the signature does not match what the system considers valid.
The idea, therefore, is to rely on official Chinese ROMs with factory root permissions or on PC tools that allow bypass the limitations of the stock recovery and directly write the TWRP recoveryBelow are two proven methods: one from the phone itself, using Flashify, and another from the computer, following the procedure used in forums such as en.miui.com and tested by several users.
Method 1: Install TWRP using only your mobile device and Flashify
This first method is very convenient because You don't need to use a PCEverything is done from the Android device itself. However, there are very clear conditions: you need a ROM that already comes with Root access enabled, as are the China Developer ROMs prior to version 6.1.14Typical global ROMs usually come without root access by default, so Flashify might not work correctly on them.
It's recommended to use an older build from the Chinese developer branch. A classic example that has been used in many tutorials is version 5.10.29 from Chinese developer ROMThis ROM meets the requirements of being pre-bootloader locked and having integrated root access. You can download these types of ROMs from official repositories or specialized threads, always ensuring that the version is clearly earlier than 6.1.14.
Once you have the right Chinese developer ROM, the first step is to Copy the ROM file to your phone's storage and rename it to update.zipIt's important that the name is exactly that, because the MIUI updater looks for it in that format. Then, from within your installed ROM, access the updates app, which is usually located in the tools folder (Tools / Updates).
Within the MIUI update app, tap the three-dot icon located in the top right corner of the screen. There you will find the option to Select update packageUse that function to browse your phone's storage until you locate the update.zip file you previously renamed and select it to begin the installation process. Official Chinese ROMs don't usually cause the signature error, as they are recognized by the system.
After installation and reboot, your phone should boot with the new Chinese developer ROM. To use Flashify, you need to verify that you actually have active root permissions on the systemIn MIUI, this is managed from the Security app. Go to Security, then to the Permissions section, and from the settings icon at the top, enable the permissions managerThat's where you control which applications can or cannot have root access.
Now it's time to prepare the recovery file. Download the TWRP compressed package in ZIP format and, using a file manager, Extract the file with the .img extension which contains the actual recovery image. This .img file is what you'll need to copy to your device's internal storage or SD card, making sure to remember the exact location, as Flashify will require you to locate it later. Many tutorials link to forum threads like HTCMania, where the TWRP version compatible with each model is kept up-to-date.
Now you need to install the Flashify app. Since the latest compatible version isn't always available on Google Play, it's quite common to use repositories like APKMirror to download previous versions of the app that have been tested and work correctly in these cases. Keep in mind that when installing an APK from outside the store, you must go into your device's settings, then to Security and enable unknown sourcesso that the system allows the installation.
For Flashify to work properly, in addition to root permissions, it is usually recommended to have the following enabled: USB debugging mode within Android's developer options. Although the process runs on the phone itself, this debugging facilitates command handling and ADB communication if needed. You can activate the option by going to Settings, scrolling to "About phone," and tapping the build number several times until the developer options appear.
Once you have the Flashify app installed, open it and Grant root permissions when the system prompts you to do so.If no window appears requesting authorization, go back to the MIUI Security app, enter the permissions manager, and make sure Flashify has root access enabled. Without this step, the app will not be able to write the recovery to the corresponding partition.
In the Flashify interface, select the flash option "Recovery image"This is because what you have is a TWRP .img file, not a ZIP package for MIUI recovery. The application itself will allow you to browse your device's file system to locate the .img file you copied earlier. It's important to use Flashify's built-in file explorer, because many users have reported that the file doesn't appear or has problems with the MIUI file explorer, while it displays correctly in Flashify.
Once you've selected the TWRP .img file, confirm the flash. The application will write the new recovery image to the corresponding partition and, when finished, will ask if you want to flash it. reboot directly into recovery modeAccept, and your phone should now boot into TWRP. Keep in mind that the free version of Flashify limits you to three flashes per day, so it's advisable to carefully review the entire process before confirming each flash to avoid wasting attempts.
During the first boot of TWRP, a purple screen related to mounting the /system partitionThis screen asks if you want to allow the recovery to modify the system partition (mount system partition). In this specific context, it's usually best to swipe to accept, as this allows TWRP to apply certain changes that facilitate a successful system reboot. If you don't swipe, tapping "Reboot" might prevent the phone from booting correctly, requiring you to remove the battery or force a power cycle.
It is also relatively common for TWRP to display an orange warning related to installing root from within recoveryIn the case of these Xiaomi devices with MIUI and a Chinese developer ROM, it's best to select "NO" when asked if you want to root from TWRP, because you already have root access managed by the ROM and the Security app. This avoids duplicates and potential conflicts with permission management.
Some users have reported that, after flashing TWRP with Flashify, the device kept booting repeatedly into the My original recovery when they tried to reboot. In situations like this, it's highly recommended to prepare the custom ROM you want to install and flash it. immediately after writing TWRPwithout restarting the system in between. This way, TWRP applies the necessary settings to prevent the system from restoring the factory recovery over the previous state.
Another solution to this problem is to access the file explorer from TWRP or use an ADB shell to navigate to the path /system/etc/ and locate the file called install-recovery.shRenaming that file to something like install-recovery.bak prevents the system from automatically flashing the original recovery every time it boots. TWRP, when you install a ROM from its environment, usually handles something similar, but it's good to know this technique just in case.
Method 2: Install TWRP from your PC using My PC Suite and Windroid Universal Toolkit
The second procedure uses a computer to install the recovery, which can be useful if you're already on a non-rooted ROM or if the Flashify method gives you too many errors. It's based on Use the official Xiaomi drivers and a program called Windroid Universal Toolkit, which automates much of the flashing process via fastboot. It was taken from tutorials published on en.miui.com and verified by various users.
The first step in this method is to download and install We PC Suite on your computer. This official Xiaomi tool includes the necessary drivers for Windows to properly recognize the brand's devices and allow the use of ADB and fastboot without complications. You can get Mi PC Suite from the official Xiaomi website, by following the URL provided in the tutorials, or by searching for the most up-to-date installer compatible with your version of Windows.
Once Mi PC Suite is installed, it is important to enable it on your mobile device. USB debugging within developer optionsJust like in the previous method, connect your phone to your computer using a good quality USB cable and wait for Windows to detect the device and complete the driver installation. If My Computer Suite opens a window or shows the phone connected, it's a good sign that the connection is working.
With the drivers already prepared, download and run Windroid Universal ToolkitThe first time you launch it, the program will likely tell you that it needs to install or update certain additional ADB drivers. Accept the installation so the toolkit can communicate correctly with your phone. These drivers, in combination with those from Mi PC Suite, are what will allow Windroid to send the fastboot commands necessary to write the recovery.
When you launch Windroid Universal Toolkit, the software will attempt to detect the connected device. Its interface will display a list of compatible brands and models; you should find yours among them. Redmi Note 2 (or other models for which the tutorial is prepared). Select the correct terminal so that the toolkit can download the specific version of TWRP and adjust the fastboot commands according to the device.
Within the main menu of Windroid there is usually a button or section called Flash TWRPWhen you press it, the program will download the TWRP recovery image specified by the toolkit developer (usually from an official link or a trusted repository) and then ask if you want to proceed with flashing. Confirm with Yes to start the process. Although in some cases the program may display an error message during the writing phase, several users have reported that by persisting and repeating the operation, the phone enters fastboot mode and the recovery is successfully installed.
If Mi PC Suite doesn't detect the phone or Windows doesn't recognize the device properly, one alternative is to try with MiFlashAnother official Xiaomi tool for flashing via fastboot is MiFlash. While the method described in the threads on en.miui.com focuses on Mi PC Suite and Windroid, having MiFlash installed can help resolve driver and communication issues. Many tutorial screenshots show both applications as supporting tools to ensure the PC recognizes the phone without problems.
Once Windroid has finished the TWRP flashing process, try Reboot the device directly into recovery mode You can boot into TWRP from the program itself or using the corresponding key combination (usually volume and power). When you enter TWRP for the first time, you'll see the same warning screens as in the previous method: confirmation of mounting the /system partition and a possible root installation warning.
As before, the advisable thing to do is slide to allow mounting of /system This will allow TWRP to apply the necessary modifications, and you should select NO when asked if you want to install root from recovery. If you plan to flash a custom ROM, it's a good idea to do so in the same session, as soon as you enter TWRP, so that the recovery is preserved and the system doesn't try to restore the original Mi-Recovery using the scripts included in /system/etc.
It is worth remembering that, although Windroid Universal Toolkit is designed to simplify the user experience as much as possible, Apparent errors during flashing do not always mean that the process has failed.There are reports from users who encountered errors with the program repeatedly, but their phones still managed to enter fastboot mode and successfully install TWRP. Therefore, if you run into a problem, it's worth repeating the attempt a couple of times before giving up.
Extra tips for maintaining TWRP and avoiding recurring errors
After installing TWRP, one of the most frustrating problems is that, upon rebooting, the system reloads the Xiaomi's standard Mi-Recovery...as if you hadn't done anything. This is usually due to a script called install-recovery.sh located in /system/etc that runs on every boot and reinstalls the official recovery. That's why many users recommend that, once you boot into TWRP for the first time, you immediately flash a custom ROM that already includes mechanisms to disable that script.
If for whatever reason you don't want to install a new ROM immediately, you can resort to the manual solution mentioned earlier: use a file explorer with root access or a terminal To do this, go to /system/etc and rename install-recovery.sh to something like install-recovery.bak. This will stop the script from running and prevent your custom recovery from being overwritten. Keep in mind that any modification to /system carries some risk, so it's important to back up the original file in case you need to restore it.
Another key recommendation concerns starting ROMs and updates. Whenever possible, try to work on Official Chinese developer ROMs prior to the 6.1.14 bootloader lockThese ROMs are designed with integrated root access and allow for greater flexibility in these processes. However, avoid installing global ROMs that have proven problematic when flashing recoveries or unsigned packages, as they almost always result in signature verification errors or process crashes.
The famous message “update.zip signature verification failed” The error message appearing in MIUI recovery is a clear sign that the system doesn't recognize the package as valid. Unlike TWRP, which offers much more freedom to install any compatible ZIP file, Xiaomi's stock recovery is deeply tied to the... official signatures of their ROMsThat's why a large part of this guide revolves around first installing TWRP, and from there making the rest of the modifications, custom ROMs and kernels without depending on the limitations of Mi-Recovery.
Don't forget that in both the Flashify method and the PC method, it is essential to respect a series of basic preliminary steps: sufficient battery charge (Ideally above 60%), back up your important data, and verify that the downloaded files (ROMs, recoveries, tools) correspond exactly to your device model. A small oversight at this point can result in a soft brick that can only be recovered by reflashing with MiFlash or similar tools.
Finally, it is worth emphasizing the role of the community: many of the methods described here have been Tested and refined by users on forums like HTCMania and en.miui.comwho have provided solutions to specific problems (such as Windroid errors, Mi-Recovery restores, or the need to rename scripts in /system). Relying on their experiences and carefully reading the support threads can save you hours of trial and error and, above all, unnecessary frustration.
Taking all these details into account—the correct choice of base ROM, bootloader management, the use of Flashify or PC tools like Mi PC Suite and Windroid, and the little tricks to prevent the system from restoring the original recovery—it's perfectly possible. Install TWRP without errors and keep it stable on your Xiaomi., leaving the way clear to flash custom ROMs, kernels and all kinds of mods with much more peace of mind.
