Telegram

I NEED A CUSTOM ROM FOR REDMI 13C

I Need a Custom ROM for Redmi 13C: The Ultimate Guide to Reviving Your Device

We understand the immense frustration that comes with a device that was once responsive and reliable, now becoming buggy, laggy, and essentially unusable due to poor software updates. The Redmi 13C, while a capable budget-friendly smartphone, is not immune to the bloatware, background processes, and optimization issues that can plague stock MIUI. When a factory reset fails to resolve these deep-seated performance issues, the community-driven world of custom ROMs emerges as the definitive solution. We have compiled this comprehensive guide to walk you through every step of liberating your Redmi 13C from its stock limitations, injecting new life into its hardware, and transforming it into a powerful, personalized, and smooth-running device.

This article is your one-stop resource for understanding the custom ROM landscape for the Redmi 13C (codename: gagarin and gagarin_in). We will cover the prerequisites, the critical process of unlocking your bootloader, the installation of a custom recovery, and the flashing of a new ROM. Our goal is to provide you with the expert knowledge required to perform this procedure safely and successfully.

Understanding the Custom ROM Landscape for Redmi 13C

Before embarking on the journey of flashing a new ROM, it is crucial to understand what this entails and which options are available for your specific device model. A custom ROM is essentially a custom-built version of the Android operating system. It replaces the manufacturer’s stock software with a clean, often more performant, and feature-rich alternative built by the Android development community.

Why Stock MIUI Becomes Buggy and Unusable

The core reason your Redmi 13C feels “messed up” after updates lies in the nature of manufacturer skins like MIUI.

The Benefits of Switching to a Custom ROM

Flashing a custom ROM on your Redmi 13C offers a multitude of advantages that directly address the issues you are facing:

Identifying Your Redmi 13C Codename

This is a non-negotiable step. Flashing software meant for a different device, even a different variant of the same model, can brick your phone permanently. The Redmi 13C has two primary variants:

You must identify your exact model before downloading any files. You can check this by going to Settings > About Phone. The model number will typically be “23124RN87G” for the global version or “23124RN87I” for the Indian version. Ensure you download ROMs, recoveries, and other files specifically designated for your codename.

Phase 1: Critical Prerequisites and Data Backup

We cannot stress this enough: The process of unlocking your bootloader and flashing custom software will completely wipe all data on your device. This includes your photos, messages, apps, and accounts. Proceeding without a backup is not an option.

What You Will Need

  1. A Windows PC: While some steps can be performed on Linux or macOS, the official Mi Unlock Tool is Windows-only.
  2. A USB Cable: A high-quality data cable is recommended to avoid connection issues.
  3. Your Redmi 13C: Ensure it has at least a 50% charge to prevent it from shutting down during a critical process.
  4. Patience: Some steps, like unlocking the bootloader, involve waiting periods.

Performing a Complete Backup

Phase 2: Unlocking the Bootloader on Your Redmi 13C

The bootloader is the first program that runs when your phone starts. It is locked by default to ensure that only official, signed software from Xiaomi can be loaded. To flash a custom ROM, you must unlock it.

Step 1: Enable Developer Options and Mi Unlock Status

  1. On your Redmi 13C, navigate to Settings > About Phone.
  2. Tap on the MIUI version repeatedly (about 7-10 times) until you see a message saying, “You are now a developer.”
  3. Now, go to Settings > Additional Settings > Developer Options.
  4. Scroll down and find Mi Unlock Status. Open it and agree to the terms. Here, you will see your device’s current unlock status.

Step 2: Bind Your Mi Account

This is a crucial step. You must bind your Mi Account to your device in the Developer Options.

  1. In the Developer Options, find and enable OEM unlocking and USB debugging.
  2. In Mi Unlock Status, tap the “Add account and device” button.
  3. Sign in with the same Mi Account you will use on the PC tool.
  4. Once successfully bound, you will see a confirmation message. This step is mandatory; without it, the unlock process will fail.

Step 3: Using the Mi Unlock Tool

  1. On your Windows PC, download the latest Mi Unlock Tool from the official Xiaomi website.
  2. Extract the downloaded file and run the miflash_unlock.exe application.
  3. Log in with the exact same Mi Account that you bound to your phone.
  4. Boot your Redmi 13C into Fastboot Mode. To do this, first power off the phone completely. Then, press and hold the Power button + Volume Down button simultaneously until you see the Fastboot rabbit mascot and the text “Fastboot”.
  5. Connect your phone to the PC using the USB cable. The Mi Unlock Tool should detect your device.
  6. Click the Unlock button. The tool will begin the verification process.
  7. If this is your first time unlocking, you will encounter a waiting period. This can range from 72 hours to 30 days, depending on your account’s history and activity. This is a security measure implemented by Xiaomi. You must wait for the specified duration and then try again.
  8. After the waiting period, repeat the process. The tool should now successfully unlock your bootloader. All data on your device will be wiped.

Phase 3: Installing a Custom Recovery (TWRP/OrangeFox)

With the bootloader unlocked, the next step is to replace the stock recovery environment with a custom one. We highly recommend OrangeFox Recovery Project or TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) for the Redmi 13C. A custom recovery allows you to flash custom ROMs, create full system backups, and manage your device at a deeper level.

Method: Flashing Recovery via Fastboot

  1. Download the custom recovery image file (.img) specifically for the Redmi 13C (gagarin/gagarin_in). Ensure you download it from a trusted source like the official TWRP website or the XDA Developers forum.
  2. Extract the Android Platform Tools (ADB and Fastboot) to a convenient folder on your PC.
  3. Boot your Redmi 13C into Fastboot Mode again (Power Off + Volume Down).
  4. Connect your phone to the PC.
  5. Open a command prompt or PowerShell window in the folder where you extracted the Platform Tools. You can do this by holding Shift and right-clicking in the folder, then selecting “Open PowerShell window here” or “Open command window here”.
  6. Verify the connection by typing the following command:
    fastboot devices
    If your device’s serial number appears, you are ready to proceed.
  7. To temporarily boot the recovery (for testing or if you prefer to flash it permanently later), use the command:
    fastboot boot twrp.img
    (Replace twrp.img with the actual filename of your recovery image).
  8. To permanently flash the recovery, use the command:
    fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
    Note: Flashing recovery to the recovery partition is generally safe. However, some devices require flashing to the boot partition instead. Be sure to follow instructions specific to the gagarin codename if provided by the ROM developer.

Phase 4: Downloading and Flashing Your New Custom ROM

This is the moment you have been preparing for. Now that you have an unlocked bootloader and a custom recovery, you can install your chosen custom ROM.

The availability of ROMs depends on the development community, but for a device like the Redmi 13C, you can typically expect to find:

Prerequisites: What to Download

  1. The Custom ROM ZIP File: Download the latest version of your chosen ROM for the gagarin/gagarin_in.
  2. GApps (Google Apps): Most custom ROMs do not come with Google services pre-installed due to licensing reasons. You will need to download a GApps package. Pico or Nano GApps are recommended for minimal footprint. Ensure the GApps version matches your Android version (e.g., if the ROM is Android 14, download Android 14 GApps).
  3. Optional: Magisk ZIP: If you wish to gain root access after flashing the ROM, download the latest Magisk installation ZIP.

The Flashing Procedure

  1. Reboot to Recovery: With your phone connected to the PC in Fastboot mode, use the command fastboot boot recovery.img to boot into your custom recovery (OrangeFox/TWRP).
  2. Create a Nandroid Backup (Highly Recommended): Before wiping anything, navigate to the Backup section in your recovery. Select Boot, System, Data, and Vendor partitions and swipe to back them up. This creates a complete snapshot of your current state. If anything goes wrong, you can restore this backup and be back where you started.
  3. Wipe the Device: Go to the Wipe section. Perform an Advanced Wipe. Select the following partitions and swipe to wipe them:
    • Dalvik / ART Cache
    • Cache
    • Data
    • System
    • Vendor
    • Note: Do NOT wipe the Internal Storage or MicroSD card, as this is where your ROM and GApps files are located.
  4. Flash the ROM ZIP: Navigate back to the main menu of your recovery. Select Install. Navigate to the location where you saved your custom ROM ZIP file (usually in the /sdcard folder). Tap on it and swipe to confirm the flash. The installation process will take a few minutes.
  5. Flash GApps (If Required): Immediately after the ROM installation is complete, and before you reboot the system, go back to Install again and flash your GApps ZIP file. Crucial: Some ROMs (like PixelOS) have an option during the ROM installation to include GApps. If you choose that, do not flash a separate GApps package.
  6. Flash Magisk (Optional): If you want root, flash the Magisk ZIP file now, again before rebooting.
  7. Wipe Cache/Dalvik: After all files are flashed, it is good practice to go to Wipe and select Wipe Cache/Dalvik. This does not delete your personal data but cleans up temporary files.
  8. Reboot System: Swipe to reboot your system. The first boot can take a significant amount of time (10-20 minutes). This is normal. The system is compiling apps and setting itself up for the first time.

Phase 5: Post-Installation Setup and Troubleshooting

Congratulations, you have successfully installed a custom ROM on your Redmi 13C. Your device should now boot into a fresh, clean, and highly responsive Android environment.

Initial Setup

Proceed through the Android setup wizard. Sign in with your Google account and restore your apps from the cloud. You can then transfer your backed-up photos and files back to your device.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Conclusion: Your Redmi 13C is Now Reborn

By following this guide, you have taken full control of your Redmi 13C. You have replaced the buggy, bloated, and inefficient stock MIUI with a powerful, custom-tailored operating system that prioritizes performance and user experience. The frustrations of a slow and unreliable device are now behind you. Your phone is no longer on the verge of being “dead”; it has been revitalized and is now capable of performing well beyond its original out-of-the-box state. We encourage you to explore the settings of your new ROM, discover its unique features, and become an active member of the community that made this incredible freedom possible. Enjoy your newly liberated device.

You also may like 〣〣
Explore More
Redirecting in 20 seconds...