How To: Xiaomi Hongmi / Redmi Note 3 (SnapDragon/Qualcomm) – Flash Chinese Rom to Global Rom – Locked Bootloader – Mac OSX / Linux Ubuntu / Windows via Virtualbox

I recently purchased a Redmi Note 3 (SnapDragon/Qualcomm) in China and wanted to Flash from a Chinese Rom to Global Rom. I quickly learnt that because of the Locked Bootloader you can not simply Flash from a Chinese Rom to a Global Rom.

Being a Mac OSX only user it took me alot of reasearch and trail and error to get the Redmi Flashed via Windows 7 on Virtualbox. I also did not want to unlock the Bootloader, but I did finally get it working.

Here is a guide on How to Flash your Redmi Note 3 (SnapDragon Qualcomm Edition) from a Chinese Rom to a Global Rom WITHOUT unlocking the Bootloader:

Step 1 – Download and install Virtualbox + Windows 7 32 Bit:

Virtualbox: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Virtualbox Windows 7 Image: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/tools/vms/#downloads

Step 2 – Setup Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack on Virtualbox

1. STOP the Virtualbox Image – as in SHUT IT DOWN
2. Download virtual extension pack for your virtualbox version.
3. Install it using virtualbox main window preferences. (Not in an individual virtual machine window. i.e open virtualbox main window > File > Preferences > Extensions)
4. Add the downloaded extension.
5. Go to your virtual machine settings > USB > enable USB 2.0 (EHCI) Controller.
6. Restart the virtual machine.

Step 3 – Turn on USB Debugging on your Redmi Note 3 

1. Follow this Link: http://dieskim.me/2015/04/19/how-to-xiaomi-miui-v6-enable-developer-options-and-turn-on-and-usb-debugging/

Step 4 – Connect to your Mac or Linux Machine and put Hongmi / Redmi Note 3 into Download Mode / edl mode

If you dont already have ADB installed on your Mac / Linux follow this guide:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/31374085/installing-adb-on-mac-os-x

Type these Commands

adb devices

And then if you see that your device is detected run:

adb reboot edl

You Phone will now enter Download Mode – It will have a black Screen and the Red Led will be flashing.

Step 5: Mount the Redmi Note 3 in Download Mode / Edl Mode with the Windows Virtualbox

• Add the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 as a USB Device Filter for the VirtualBox Image
• Open VirtualBox
• Select the Virtual Machine – Windows 7

• Click on SETTINGS
• Navigate to Ports
• Select USB
• Click on the little USB + button
• Add Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

ALSO CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE USB 2.0 (ECHI) Controller Enabled

Step 6: Install Xiaomi Mi Flash

• 32-Bit Windows – Use the Beta Version of MI Flash From here – http://en.miui.com/thread-281979-1-1.html
• 64-Bit Windows – http://en.miui.com/forum.php?mod=attachment&aid=NjM5NDE0fDg0MDMxMTFkfDE0NjIwMjQyNzN8MTQzMzA4OTg3fDI3MjM3Ng%3D%3D
• You might also need to download and TRY to install the 64-Bit version to get the drivers (I am not sure) – to be safe just download both and TRY to install – the 64-Bit Version will fail but might install the drivers

Step 7 – Getting the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 Drivers installed

• Plug out the Redmi Note 3
• Turn the phone back on to Normal mode by – HOLDING DOWN the Power Button until it turns on
• Plug the Redmi Note 3 back in
• The Redmi Note 3 will mount on the Host Side / MAC OSX Side
• Use ADB as in Step 4 Redmi Note 3 back into Download Mode / EDL Mode
• The Redmi Note 3 will now mount on the Windows Side

On the Windows Virtualbox:

• Open Device Manager and Phone will be detected as QHUSB_BULK.

• Choose Browse My Computer for Driver Software
• Select the Driver in the Xiaomi Folder. Most users will find it in: 

C:\Program Files\Xiaomi\MiPhone\Qualcomm\Driver

• Choose Install this Driver Software anyway.
• Wait until driver installation is successful.
• You should now see that the Driver has been installed Successfully and you can see added in Ports as Qualcomm HS-USB
• 

Step 7: Download and Unzip the Fastboot Rom for the Redmi Note 3 

• Make sure you are still on the Windows 7 Virtual Machine
• The ROM Link will start with “Redmi Note 3 Qualcomm”
• Download Link: http://en.miui.com/a-234.html
• Unzip the Rom using 7Zip or something simular

Step 8: Flash your Redmi Note 3 with the Global Fastboot Rom Using MiFlash

• Still on the Windows 7 Virtual Machine
• Open MiFlash
• Click on Browse and Select the ROM Folder you extracted in Step 7

• Click REFRESH – You should now see your Redmi Note 3 showing up on the list of devices

• Select FLASH ALL / CLEAN ALL
• Click FLASH
• WAIT for Flashing to Complete – this takes a LONG TIME – watch the progress

• Remove the cable from your Redmi Note 3
• Keep Power Button pressed until it Vibrates
• The Device will start and start setting up it can take up to 10 Minutes.

Now you will have a Xiaomi Hongmi / Redmi Note 3 (SnapDragon/Qualcomm), Flashed from a Chinese Rom to Global Rom without UnLocking the Bootloader

Enjoy