Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Mediatek / codename hennessy) was a significant release, featuring a powerful Mediatek Helio X10 chipset and a sleek metal body. It is crucial to distinguish this Mediatek version from the more common Qualcomm Snapdragon version (kenzo/kate). If your device is stuck in a bootloop, has forgotten its IMEI, or is plagued by persistent software glitches, flashing the correct stock firmware is your solution. This guide provides official ROMs for China and Global variants and the necessary TWRP recovery.
Critical Warning: The Redmi Note 3 Mediatek (hennessy) is completely different from the Redmi Note 3 Qualcomm (kenzo/kate). Flashing the wrong ROM will hard brick your device beyond easy repair. Always confirm your codename is hennessy.
Quick Device Specs
- Device: Redmi Note 3 (Mediatek) (hennessy)
- Release year: 2015
- Chipset: Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10
- Display: 5.5″ IPS LCD, 1080p
- Battery: 4050 mAh
- Original OS: Android 5.0, MIUI 7
- Final Official MIUI: MIUI 10 (Android 6.0 Marshmallow)
Required Downloads
| File / Tool | Download Link |
|---|---|
| SP Flash Tool | Download Latest Version |
| Mediatek VCOM Drivers | Download Drivers (Essential) |
| Mi Unlock Tool | Official Page (For Bootloader) |
Firmware & Tools
| Type | Build / Version | Android | Release Date | Download | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China Stable (Lollipop) | V7.0.22.0.LHNCNCJ | 5.0 (Lollipop) | 2015-12-09 | Download | ~1.1 GB |
| China Stable (Marshmallow) | V8.1.3.0.LHNCNDI | 6.0 (Marshmallow) | 2016-12-07 | Download | ~1.3 GB |
| Global Stable (Marshmallow) | V10.2.1.0.MHOMIXM | 6.0 (Marshmallow) | 2019-01-14 | Download | ~1.4 GB |
| TWRP Recovery (Official) | 3.7.0_9-0 | — | — | Download | ~15 MB |
How to Flash using SP Flash Tool
- Install Mediatek VCOM Preloader Drivers: This is the most critical step. You must disable driver signature enforcement on Windows 10/11 to install these drivers successfully.
- Extract the Firmware: Extract the downloaded ZIP file to get a folder containing the ROM files (e.g., `boot.img`, `system.img`).
- Open SP Flash Tool: Load the `scatter.txt` file from the extracted ROM folder into the tool.
- Select Download Mode: For a clean install, select “Format All + Download”. WARNING: This will erase all data, including internal storage. For a safer option, use “Download Only”.
- Power off your phone completely. Click “Download” in SP Flash Tool, then connect your phone to the PC via USB. The tool should detect it and begin flashing automatically.
- Wait for the flashing process to complete. A green circle indicates success. Disconnect your phone and power it on.
FAQs
Q1. My Redmi Note 3 has no IMEI/baseband after a flash. How can I fix it?
This is the most common and serious issue on the Mediatek ‘hennessy’. It means your NVRAM partition is corrupted, which stores unique device data like IMEI and WiFi MAC address. Fixing it requires restoring a backup of your original NVRAM made before the problem occurred. Without a backup, you need to use tools like Maui META or SN Write Tool with a valid MP0B_001 file, which is extremely difficult.
Q2. What is the difference between the Mediatek and Snapdragon versions?
They are entirely different phones with different hardware:
- Mediatek (hennessy): MT6795 Helio X10, no fingerprint sensor.
- Qualcomm (kenzo/kate): Snapdragon 650, has a fingerprint sensor.
They share no common parts or firmware. Flashing a kenzo ROM on a hennessy device will cause a permanent hard brick.
- Q3. SP Flash Tool doesn’t detect my phone. What’s wrong?
This is almost always a driver issue. - Ensure the phone is 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 completely dead, you may need to open it and use the “test point method” to force it into BROM mode for detection.
Q4. Can I install a custom ROM on the Mediatek version?
Development was very limited compared to the Snapdragon version due to Mediatek’s closed-source nature and the prevalent IMEI issues. While some older custom ROMs like CyanogenMod 13 exist, they often suffer from instability and the risk of IMEI loss. It is generally recommended to stay on the official stock ROM for stability.
Troubleshooting (Hennessy-Specific)
- “BROM ERROR : S-CHIP HASH DOES NOT MATCH THE SETTINGS! (5069)”: This error confirms you are trying to flash a firmware for the wrong device (e.g., a Qualcomm-based ROM). You must use firmware only for the Mediatek ‘hennessy’.
- Phone stuck on boot logo after flash: First, try booting into Stock Recovery (Volume Up + Power) and performing a wipe data/factory reset and wipe cache. If that fails, re-flash using SP Flash Tool with the “Format All + Download” option.
- Phone is completely dead (No signs of life): This is a hard brick, common on Mediatek devices. Recovery is usually possible by using SP Flash Tool in “BROM mode”. This requires opening the phone and shorting specific test points on the motherboard to force the chip into a pre-loader state, allowing SP Flash Tool to detect and flash it.
- IMEI is 0 or invalid: As mentioned, this is an NVRAM corruption. The only reliable fix is to restore a previous backup from your specific device. Writing a new IMEI without a backup is complex and often requires authorized software.
- DRAM Fail Error in SP Flash Tool: This indicates a severe hardware communication issue, often stemming from a poor connection between the phone and PC, or a deeply corrupted pre-loader. Try different cables, ports, and the test point method. In rare cases, it can indicate actual hardware failure.
