Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 (hermes) Firmware Flash File Download [Stock ROM]
Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 (codename hermes) was a sensational budget phone in its heyday, powered by a Mediatek Helio X10 processor that offered flagship-level performance at an incredible price. If your device is now struggling with severe battery drain, random reboots, or persistent overheating, a clean flash of the stock ROM can often restore stability. This page provides the final official MIUI fastboot ROMs for China and Global variants, a optimized Xiaomi.eu ROM, and a compatible TWRP recovery.
Critical Note: The Redmi Note 2 (hermes) is infamous for its poor battery life and overheating issues, often exacerbated by faulty software or corrupted calibration data. Flashing the stock ROM can help recalibrate the battery and manage thermal performance. Always confirm your codename is hermes.
Quick Device Specs
- Device: Redmi Note 2 (hermes)
- Release year: 2015
- Chipset: Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10
- Display: 5.5″ IPS LCD, 1080p
- Battery: 3060 mAh (Removable)
- Original OS: Android 5.0, MIUI 6
- Final Official MIUI: MIUI 9 (Android 5.0 Lollipop)
Required Downloads
| File / Tool | Download Link |
|---|---|
| SP Flash Tool | Download Latest Version |
| Mediatek VCOM Drivers | Download Drivers (Essential) |
| Mi Unlock Tool | Official Page |
Firmware & Tools
| Type | Build / Version | Android | Release Date | Download | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China Stable (CN) | V9.6.1.0.LHMCNFD | 5.0 (Lollipop) | 2018-06-19 | Download | ~1.1 GB |
| Global Stable | V9.6.3.0.LHMMIFD | 5.0 (Lollipop) | 2018-08-01 | Download | ~1.1 GB |
| Xiaomi.eu (Custom) | V9.2.3.0.LHMCNEK | 5.0 (Lollipop) | — | Download | ~700 MB |
| TWRP Recovery | 3.2.1 (wzsx150) | — | — | Download | ~12 MB |
How to Flash using SP Flash Tool
- Install Mediatek VCOM Preloader Drivers: Disable driver signature enforcement on Windows to install these drivers. This is the most common point of failure.
- Extract the Firmware: Extract the downloaded .tgz file, then extract the resulting .tar file to get a folder with the ROM files (
system.img,boot.img, etc.). - Open SP Flash Tool: Load the
scatter.txtfile from the extracted ROM folder. - Select Download Mode: For a completely clean install, choose “Format All + Download”. Warning: This erases everything. Use “Download Only” for a less invasive flash.
- Power off your phone. Click “Download” in SP Flash Tool, then connect your phone to the PC via USB. The tool should detect it and begin flashing.
- Wait for the green circle indicating success. Disconnect and power on the device. The first boot may take 5-10 minutes.
FAQs
Q1. Why does my Redmi Note 2 battery drain so quickly and overheat?
This is the most well-known hardware flaw of the Redmi Note 2. The Mediatek Helio X10 chipset was notorious for poor power efficiency and thermal management. While a clean software flash can help by removing background drain and recalibrating the battery, the issue is fundamentally hardware-related. Replacing the aging battery can provide some improvement.
Q2. My device shows “Baseband: Unknown” and has no IMEI. How can I fix it?
This indicates a corrupted NVRAM partition, which stores your device’s unique modem calibration data (IMEI, WiFi MAC). Fixing it requires restoring a backup of your original NVRAM made before the problem occurred. Without a backup, the process is complex and involves using tools like Maui META or SN Write Tool with a valid database file, which is difficult to source.
Q3. Can I upgrade the Android version on the Redmi Note 2?
Officially, no. The device was stuck on Android 5.0. There were community efforts to port Android 6.0 and 7.0, but these were often plagued by the same baseband, camera, and overheating issues. The device’s development community is now dormant. The provided Xiaomi.eu ROM is the most stable and optimized option available.
Q4. SP Flash Tool doesn’t detect my phone. What should I do?
This is almost always a driver issue.
- Ensure the phone is completely powered off.
- Install the Mediatek Preloader VCOM drivers correctly (disabling driver signature enforcement is key).
- Try a different USB cable and a USB 2.0 port.
- If the phone is bricked and unresponsive, you may need to open the back cover (it’s removable) and use the “test point method” on the motherboard to force it into BROM mode.
Troubleshooting (Hermes-Specific)
- “BROM ERROR : S-CHIP HASH DOES NOT MATCH THE SETTINGS! (5069)”: You are attempting to flash a firmware for a different device (e.g., a Qualcomm-based Redmi Note). You must use firmware only for the Redmi Note 2 (hermes).
- Phone stuck on boot logo after flash: First, try a factory reset from Stock Recovery (Volume Up + Power). If that fails, re-flash using SP Flash Tool with the “Format All + Download” option to ensure a clean slate.
- Phone is completely dead (No charge LED): This is a hard brick. The battery may be deeply discharged. Remove the back cover, take the battery out for 30 seconds, then reinsert it and try connecting to SP Flash Tool again. If still dead, the test point method is required.
- Persistent overheating during/after flash: This is primarily a hardware limitation. Ensure you are using the original charger and cable. Avoid using the phone while charging. If the problem is severe, consider replacing the battery, as old batteries can exacerbate heat issues.
- IMEI is 0 or invalid: This is NVRAM corruption. The only reliable fix is to restore a backup from your specific device. Generic IMEI writing tools often fail or provide only a temporary fix on this model.
