Important Note: Flashing firmware involves a great deal of risks. If you don’t follow the exact process, you may lose all your data, corrupt your system, or even brick your device to a state where it won’t boot up anymore. So you must follow every step closely. Before proceeding to the flashing process make sure to back up all your important data to avoid losing files, apps, or settings.

Prerequisites:

You can see this useful link here to check before proceeding to the flashing process to ensure you are not missing anything important. Here’s what needs to be done first:

Charge Your Device:

• Before you start, make sure your device has a full battery charge. At least a 50% charge is recommended, but for extra security, leaving the charge in during the complete flashing process is recommended. Flashing the firmware is a power-hungry process, and if midway through your device goes down, it can cause serious damage to the operating system.
• Download the required Drivers & Tools:
• Getting Tools and Drivers To Communicate with your Xiaomi Redmi A2 The Firmware Flashing Without these, communication between your device and the SP Flash Tool may not work smoothly.

SP Flash Tool:

To flash the firmware onto your device, you need to use this program. You can get the SP Flash Tool from here. Moreover, you need to get the latest version that will support your device and the latest formats of firmware.

MTK USB Drivers:

Since your Redmi A2 is powered by MediaTek chipset, you need MTK USB drivers for your computer to recognize your device. These drivers will ensure the flashing tool communicates with your device correctly. You can obtain the drivers from the official site or trusted forums. After the installation, you will need to reboot the computer so that the drivers are fully incorporated into your computer.

Redmi A2 Stock Firmware:

This is the stock firmware that you’ll flash to your device. It is important to note that you should download the correct firmware for your Redmi A2 model because flashing the wrong firmware could permanently harm your device. Always download firmware from reliable sources like official Xiaomi forums or trusted Android community websites like XDA Developers.

Flashing Process:

Once you have your tools and firmware prepped, let us launch the flashing process. Observe the following steps  for the right procedure:

Install MTK USB Drivers:

• MTK USB Drivers are very vital for the communication between your Redmi A2 and your PC. These drivers enable your PC to recognize and communicate with the MediaTek chipset that powers your device. The process is generally very simple — you can install the drivers by running the installer you downloaded. During installation, restart your PC to properly load the drivers into your system.

Download and Extract the Firmware:

• The next thing you need to do after downloading the correct stock firmware for your Redmi A2 is to extract the stock firmware to a directory on your computer. Extract the. Using programs like WinRAR or 7-Zip. Zip or. Rar file you downloaded. So, please keep all the extracted files in a folder that can be easily reachable on your computer as you will have to browse the folder while flashing.

Launch SP Flash Tool:

• Once you have extracted the required files, it’s time to work with the SP Flash Tool. Go to the directory where the SP Flash Tool files have been extracted and locate the flash_tool file exe. Right-click, and click on Run as Administrator This confirms, that SP Flash Tool has permission to access the system to communicate with your device.

Load the Scatter File:

• After the SP Flash Tool opens, select the “Scatter-loading” button. The scatter file is a textual file that the firmware includes and it carries essential data on your device’s partition layout. The SP Flash Tool needs this file to determine the correct location on your device’s storage for each firmware component.

After extracting the firmware, go to the directory you extracted it from and look for a file with the. Scatter extension to load in there. Txt. The name would be sth like MTxxxx_Android_scatter (the scatter file). Txt (the “X” will differ depending on your device’s chipset). Choose this document then it will get opened in the SP Flash Tool.

Configure Flashing Options:

• Once you load the scatter file, you will see a list of partitions (system, boot, recovery) on the SP Flash Tool Interface.

You have the choice of which partitions you want to flash. Select all partitions you want to update or reinstall. Usually, the System and Recovery options can be ticked to install the entire firmware, but remember to ensure that you don’t flash unnecessary partitions as it can lead you to problems.

And then, select the flashing mode. The available modes are:

Download Only: This option is the most commonly used when flashing stock ROMs and should be selected for most users.

Firmware Upgrade — This mode can be used when you are upgrading from one official firmware version to another.

Format All + Download: The mode should be used only if you face major problems on your device (boot loop, for example) because it will erase all user data on the device.

Connect Your Device:

• With the software installed, it is time to connect your device. Step 1: Turn off your Redmi A2.

Power it down, then with the Volume Down (or other specific button combo required by your device) held, plug your device into the computer via a USB cable. The device will automatically enter Download mode or Flashing Mode, and SP Flash Tool will be able to detect it.

Start the Flashing Process:

• Once in download mode and with your device connected to the computer, hit the Download button in the SP Flash Tool to start the flashing process.

You will not want to disconnect your device at this step, as that might result in your device being bricked.

Completion:

• When the flashing is done successfully, a green “Download OK” message should pop up on the SP Flash Tool interface, which means the firmware has been flashed successfully.
• You can now disconnect your device from the computer. Press and hold the Power button to turn it on.

First Boot and Reboot:

• Flash, the first boot takes a bit longer than usual. That is because your device is setting up and configuring the system for you to be able to use it. Your device should now be booted and you should see the stock ROM set up.

Important Notes:

MTK-Based Device Common Problem Guide: Because of variance between the firmware and the tool versions, however, some steps will slightly differ depending on the variant of SP Flash Tool or the firmware you are working with. Make sure you read and follow instructions, as some tools may not be compatible with certain firmware.

Always Follow Official Docs: Most importantly, always check the official docs for your device as it can save you a lot of trouble while flashing. The steps needed might vary slightly depending on the model of your device.

Disclaimer: This guide was created to assist you in flashing your device, however flashing firmware carries certain risks. We will not be liable if any harm occurs during the process including but not limited to bricking devices or loss of data. Always back up any important data and only proceed with caution.