Today we present a small guide to recover from a Brick or similar the Xiaomi Mi Box, a team from which you have our Review available and that includes Android TV as an operating system. This procedure can make a unBrick if out device is damaged or with serious errors in the boot system.
- These procedures are with a last resort, AndroidPCtv.com is not responsible for the results.
- If it does not work for you, we recommend use your store’s warranty.
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BASIC RESTORATION XIAOMI MI BOX / MI BOX S
In this case we do not need any type of tool to revive our Xiaomi Mi Box or Mi Box S, just follow a few simple steps, remember that this procedure is exclusively for the exact version of your Xiaomi Mi Box, read the full post before doing anything.
- Android for Mi Box 3 (MDZ-16-AA Chinese) download updates fromĀ HERE
- Android TV 6/7/8 for Mi Box 3 (MDZ-16-AB International) download update from HERE, HERE, HERE orĀ HERE
- Android TV 9 for Mi Box S (MDZ-22-AB) download update the Firmware Version Beta 3
- !!! NEVER DO DOWNGRADE ANDROID VERSIONS !!! Using this method
- Rename the firmware “.zip” that we download to update.zip and copy it to a USB flash drive formatted as FAT32.
- OPTIONAL if the updates is not detected:
With a text editor we create a TXT file without extension called xiaomi_update with the following line of text:
–update_package=/udisk/update.zip–wipe_data - Copy it to the pendrive where we have the firmware and insert it into the USB port of the Mi Box.
- We will enter the recovery mode of Xiaomi Mi Box, for this we disconnect it from the mains, then we take out the battery from the remote control and reinsert it while holding the BACK and OK buttons on the remote control very close to the TV -Box. With the two buttons pressed we connect the Mi Box to the power grid.
- When you see the Android doll on the screen, we release the 2 buttons of the remote control and wait without touching anything 5-10 minutes until the system is rebooted with the system recovered.
FULL RECOVERY XIAOMI MI BOX / MI BOX S
This method downgrades and completely restores the Xiaomi Mi Box 3 (MDZ-16-AA) or Mi Box S (MDZ-22-AB), to carry out the process you have to open the TV-Box, so the responsibility and loss warranty is up to you. This is the only system to revive this hardware from a total brick.
Requirements
- Lever or guitar pick to open the TV-Box case.
- USB Type-A to USB Type-A cable for flashing.
Open Xiaomi Mi Box S (MDZ-22-AB), locate bridge and flash
- Download the Recovery firmware for Xiaomi Mi Box S (MDZ-22-AB) – Downgrade Android TV 8.1
- Disassemble the plastic casing by prying in the perimeter.
- Disassemble the metal cover on the base plate by prying in the perimeter.
- The bridge to enter flash mode is made between the orange dot on the board and the metal frame, use a clip o metal wire.
- Follow the steps in the manual Update for Amlogic Box with method 1-B with .IMG file, use tool 2.0.9
- Mark the checkbox:
– NORMAL ERASE - DO NOT check the Checkbox:
– ERASE BOOTLOADER (or we will delete DRM certificates) - Load .IMG file and press START.
- Do the bridge connection with a clip or metal wire, isolate your fingers with plastic if is possible.
- Keep the bridge between the two points and connect the Mi Box to our PC with the USB cable (this power up the box).
- A chime will sound and the device will be detected, you can now disconnect the bridge.
- The flash will start and we will wait until it finishes at 100%.
Open Xiaomi Mi Box 3 (MDZ-16-AA), locate bridge and flash
- Download the Recovery firmware for Xiaomi Mi Box 3 (MDZ-16-AA) – Chinese Android
- Disassemble the plastic casing by prying in the perimeter.
- The bridge to enter flash mode is made between the two points next to the metal protection.
- Follow the steps in the manual Update for Amlogic Box with method 1-B with .IMG file, use tool 2.0.9
- Mark the checkbox:
– ERASE ALL - DO NOT check the Checkbox:
– ERASE BOOTLOADER (or we will delete DRM certificates) - Load .IMG file and press START.
- Do the bridge connection with a clip or metal wire, isolate your fingers with plastic if is possible.
- Keep the bridge between the two points and connect the Mi Box to our PC with the USB cable (this power up the box).
- A chime will sound and the device will be detected, you can now disconnect the bridge.
- The flash will start and we will wait until it finishes at 100%.
Terrific guide. Thanks a lot. Unfortunately I am struggling with the following: MDZ-16-AA, v1.4.32 stock Android 5.1.1 Goal: upgrade to latest android with international google TV I tried every single tutorial on the internet but I cannot get to root this device (tried KingRoot.apk + KingoRoot via ADB both fail, KingRoot rejects right away, Kingo stuck at 36% āverifying rootā) I failed downgrading to 1.3: update.zip and xiaomi_update on a fat32 device (tried 3 different, freshly formatted, I tried xiaomi_update with a single line, 2 lines, with – and ā with and without wipe flag. I cannot get it to… Read more Ā»
Hi. You need to use the full recovery method opening the box.
I was hoping to avoid this. Could you guide me which version i have to flash and how to get from there to the latest android + apple tv? I only have recovery roms with google tv v1.
alguem encontrou alguma formade de recuperar os certificados drm?
hi I’ve done the method for the mi box s [ the android 8.1 ] it goes right true without any errors. when i plug it in to the tv it does not go further then the logo.if i boot into recovery it says can’t mount cache.any advice please.Thanks
Hey!
Can I flash back the Oreo fw with this method after the Pie update on a MDZ-16-AB?
No, only Xiaomi Mi Box 3 (MDZ-16-AA) or Mi Box S (MDZ-22-AB).
Hi,
When I import the Android 8.1 image I have the message:
Parse burning image fail
I have Mi box S, trying to unbrick my device..
i didnt found the second bridge connection on my device which you shown above (green chip last image where you circled with pink.. ive found only one on my devide..)
what should i do then..
my device displaying nothing.. please help
You have one version with no unbrick method, contact with your store.
if you deleted the certificates,i know a way to download them back on the box. I revived my box!
Is impossible to restore certificates once they have been deleted.
hi can you please share your method. Shukran
I have a MDZ-16-AA (compare to MDZ-16-AB=international version). Trying to restore it to āFirmware Version r454ā, or āFirmware Version Once-8.0-2167ā, I always get āSecure check failed. (Not Match) Installation abortedā. It looks that these firmwares are only for āMDZ-16-ABā hardware. Is it true and how to fix?
Try with this:
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=138561
for restore using burning tool
https://mega.nz/#!NRNQxR4a!dIS8PFHzCPGbwxTpbHdgnbyvy789w_NhvAUrJFVlJpg
Thank you Kim. But it didn’t help. I flashed one of those firmware “MDZ-16-AA (Update 1.3.106-1.5.1).rar”, it is just regular Xiaomi Chinese version firmware, no youtube, no chromecasting, not an Android TV.
What I want is to flash Android TV 8.0 onto MDZ-16-AA. I am hoping somewhere in āFirmware Version Once-8.0-2167ā can be modified, to eliminate “āSecure check failed“
I also followed one earlier method: downgrade to 1.3.106; root it; Overwrite REC to TWEP; then use TWEP to load a backuped Android TV V1. I made it. But the problem is the Android TV V1 is too old, chromecast and Netflix cannot work, and no way to upgrade V1 to V6, nor V8. In last several days, I got brick several times and then flashed the box back to Chinese version firmwave 1.3.106.
im receiving this error [0x10105002]Romcode/Initialize DDR/Read initialize status/USB Control setup error after 2% of progress.
any idea what to do to fix this?
Try another pc.
where can i find the bridge location for MDZ-16-AB??
No idea, sorry.
If your box is dead you don’t lose nothing testing different points.
Send me an email to show you a photo with the bridge location
Mine stopped at 98% with the following error, any idea how to complete it? Thanks.
[00:15:16 445][HUB1-5][Err]–usb_reap_async_nocancel Try 2 time! ret=-116 Timeout= 30
, usbReadFile len 512 to read, ret=-116 error_msg=libusb0-dll:err [_usb_reap_async] timeout error
[00:15:16 514][HUB1-5][Err]–[0x30405006]UBOOT/Partition system/Verify patition/Timeout error
[00:15:16 514][HUB1-5][Inf]–Close device handle 0x0000046c
Try in other PC with other USB port.
I’ve managed to make it work. Need to use version 2.0.9. The latest version doesn’t work. However, after it boots up, I found that the USB port is not working anymore. Any idea why?
No idea. Do a factory reset after the restore.
Hi – I accidentally chose Erase all option and looks like all the keys are wiped.
Any chance of restoring the keys back?
The box was successfully downgraded from 9 to 8.1 but no wifi and bluetooth. Mac address etc all initialized!!
No, sorry.
Does that mean it will be of no use now? It loads up the Android 8.1 well though.
You can use it, but is not possible to restoring the keys.
Do you know how to connect to wifi and bluetooth remote in order to use it?
Just pair it and go.
But it doesnāt pair to any bluetooth device including the remote and cannot detect wifi networks.
Connect a mouse an try to use for control the device and setup.
Thatās what I did and am able to control that ways. But as I said it doesnāt connect to wifi and without that itās pretty much useless!
I have the same problem.
did you solve the problem.
Anyone tried on model MDZ-16-AB ?
My Mi Box 3 EE mdz-18-aa stuck in boot loop after tried to update firmware. Please help
We don’t have the firmware to restore this version. Sorry.
does this procedure stop working on netflix?
No.
after I performed this complete recovery process, netflix does not work and the error appears (ui-800-3) and it does not come out of this have any solution?
Do you UNCHECK the Erase bootloader option as we explain in the tutorial?
I believe that the first time I tried I did not deselect the option. has reversion?
if I redo the process again unchecking the ERASE BOOTLOADER option is it possible to work normally again?
No, DRM has gone.
You only can use now Netflix in SD+ quality with the mobile apk, needs a mouse and sideload launcher.
https://androidpctv.com/netflix-device-compatible-version-root-bootloader-fix/
Hello, so, I don’t understand. How do I get my PC to recognize my Mi Box. I opened it up but I don’t know what you mean by connecting and bridging the 2 dots? How do I do that? Also, my USB is a 3.0 USB A to USB A. Please help, thanks!
Hi. Use a clip o metal wire to connect this two dots.
No poblem if you have USB 3.0, you can try.
Quisiera recuperar Mi Box S y encontrĆ© este tutorial con gran alegrĆa por mi parte. Pero …. maldito pero ….
Todas las operaciones hay que hacerlas con el dispositivo desconectado de la red?
Porque en ningĆŗn momento se habla de ello y recuerdo que con las anteriores tvbox cuando habĆa que manipularlas se nos avisaba de desconectarlas y luego de introducir el famoso palillo era el momento de conectar a la red.
Gracias por la atención y el trabajo que os tomais.
Aqui lo tienes en espaƱol:
https://androidpc.es/xiaomi-mi-box-recuperar-brick-downgrade/
Al conectar el cable USB al PC se enciende el Box, no hace falta el adaptador de red, coge la energia del USB.
not working on my mi 3 the recovery settings
i have android oreo 8.0 and cannot enter recovery mode what is the isse
Then contact with you store, open a claim.
No solution if you can access to the recovery.
Did update now box constaly just reboots and can’t enter recovery mode what do I do
If the problem is after the official update use the warranty with your shop.
Call to the support center.
Why not?
NEVER MAKE THE DESCENDENCE OF ANDROID 9 to ANDROID 8 or 6!
You can brick the box and is impossible to recover it.
Nooooooooo
hm…
would anyone have something for the mi tv stick?
mine is in infinite loop on the first screen with the mi logo in black
does not enter the recovery menu with the back and enter keys
all of this after an update
Contact with your store and demand a new unit.