Android 11 on Xiaomi: a full guide to new features and optimizations in 2026

Why Android 11 is still relevant for Xiaomi

Released in September 2020, Android 11 was one of the most stable versions of Google’s operating system. But even 4 years after its release, it remains a popular firmware among Xiaomi smartphone owners – for good reason. First, many budget and mid-budget models (such as the Redmi Note 9 Pro or POCO X3 NFC) received the last major update to Android 11. Second, this version became the “golden middle ground” between modern chips and optimization for weak iron.

In this article, we’re not just going to list the official changes from Google, but we’re going to reveal how Xiaomi adapted Android. 11 under-shell MIUI, What hidden settings have appeared, and why some users still refuse to upgrade to Android 12/13. You will also learn how to manually flash Android. 11 on unofficially supported devices and what to do if after the update the smartphone began to “brake».

Spoiler: If you own Xiaomi Mi 10 or Redmi K30 Pro, you can activate the One-Time Permissions mode for applications after reading it, which is not available in newer versions of MIUI. And for owners of older models (for example, Mi 9T), we have prepared instructions for optimizing performance after the update.

Which Xiaomi models officially support Android 11?

The list of devices that received Android 11 depends on the series and region, for example, the global versions (Global ROM) have been updated longer than the Chinese (China ROM).

⚠️ Note: If your model is not listed, but you want to install Android 11, you can use custom firmware (for example, LineageOS 18.1 or Pixel Experience.

Before updating, check the current version of MIUI in the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version. If Android 10 is listed there, but the model is in the table above, then the update is available through Settings → System Update.

Top.-5 New features of Android 11 You might have missed Xiaomi (which you might have missed)

Google announced Android 11 with a focus on privacy and notification management, but Xiaomi added its "chips" to MIUI.

• 🔒 One-Time Permissions: You can now give applications access to geolocation, microphone or camera for only one session. Once the program is closed, access is automatically reset. → Annexes → Permits → Special access.
• 📱 Notification Bubbles: An alternative to floating windows (like Facebook Messenger) works with Telegram, WhatsApp and other messengers. → Notifications → Bubbles.
• 🔄 Automatic permission reset: If an application has been unused for a long time, the system will prompt it to revoke all permissions, which protects against sleeper programs that collect data in the background.
• 🎵 Media management in the notification panel: you can now quickly switch audio output (for example, from speakers to Mi True Wireless Earbuds) directly from the notification curtain without opening the application.
• 🔋 Battery optimization for gaming: Game Turbo has a Battery mode that limits the game’s performance FPS It's a game that reduces the charge. POCO X3 and other gaming smartphones.

💡 Hidden chip: Android 11 on Xiaomi can disable advertising in MIUI No root rights. Go to Settings for that. → Memory. → Clean, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Disable recommendations." This will remove banners from the settings menu and file manager.

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If after upgrading to Android 11 missing app icons on the desktop, try resetting the launcher settings: pinch the empty space on the screen → “Home screen settings” → “Reset settings”.

How to upgrade Xiaomi to Android 11: step-by-step instructions

If your device officially supports Android 11, the update will come via OTA (over the air), but sometimes the update will get stuck or come with a delay, in which case you can force the check to run:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → For developers.
4. Activate the system update option via reset (if any).
5. Go to Settings → System Update and click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Update Package”.

If OTA-Update is not available, but your model is in the list of supported, you can install firmware manually:

Download the official firmware from the site [en.miui.com](https://en.miui.com/download.html)|Check the battery charge (minimum) 60%)|Create a backup copy in Settings → Additionally. → Backup|Disable screen lock (PIN/password) at the time of updating-->

⚠️ Note: When manually running through Fastboot or Recovery, there is a risk of data loss. If you have a bootloader unlocked, use the command:

fastboot flash all [name file firmware].zip

For models with a locked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 9S) only the method through Recovery is suitable:

1. Rename the downloaded firmware file in update.zip.
2. Put it at the root of your internal memory.
3. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip and confirm the installation.

Problems After Upgrading to Android 11 and Their Solutions

Even official firmware sometimes brings bugs, and here are the most common issues on Xiaomi after the Android 11 update and how to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If after upgrading to Android 11, banking applications (such as Sberbank or Tinkoff) stopped working, the problem may be in the failure of the SafetyNet certification. Check status through the SafetyNet Test app (available on Google Play:

1. Disable Magisk (if installed).
2. Reset the settings of Google Play Services in Settings → Apps.
3. Install Universal SafetyNet Fix (Magisk required)

For owners of Xiaomi Mi A3 (which ran on “pure” Android One), switching to MIUI with Android 11 may seem uncomfortable, in which case we recommend rolling back to Android 10 or installing custom firmware like Havoc-OS.

Hidden settings and chips MIUI on Android 11

Xiaomi has added some undocumented features to Android 11 that are not advertised in the official changelog.

• 🔍 Ultra Battery Saver: activates at 5% charge and disables all background processes except calls and SMS. Included in Settings → Battery → Energy saving regime.
• 📶 Compulsory incorporation VoLTE/VoWiFi: If the operator is communicating through voice 4G, but it does not activate automatically, enter the dialer code ##86583## and select VoLTE Provisioning.
• 🎮 Hidden 90Hz game mode: on some models (e.g., on some models, POCO X3) You can unlock 90Hz in games, even if they are not officially supported).
• 📁 Password for hidden folders: in the file manager MIUI You can create a folder with a password that won't be visible in the gallery. → Internal memory and select “Create a hidden folder».

💡 Lifehack for Photographers: In the Cell MIUI Android 11 has a hidden mode Pro Video with manual settings ISO To activate it, open the camera, swipe left to the end and hold it for 3 seconds on the video».

For experimentation lovers, Android 11 on Xiaomi can turn off the animations to speed up the interface.

1. Activate the developer mode (7 taps according to the MIUI version).
2. Go to the Developers and install:
3. The scale of window animation → Off.
4. The scale of the transition animation → off.
5. Duration of the animator → Off.

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Hidden MIUI settings often depend on the firmware region, for example, in China ROM, features are available that are not available in the Global ROM (for example, advanced gestures or an alternative launcher).

Android 11 vs Android 12 on Xiaomi: Which is better in 2026?

Many Xiaomi users face a choice: upgrade to Android 12/13 or stay on Android 11.

🔹 When to Stay on Android 11:

• You have a budget smartphone (like the Redmi 9A or POCO M3).
• Maximum autonomy is important (Android 11 is more economical by 10-15%).
• You use unofficial modifications (such as GCam or ViPER4Android) that may not work on newer versions.

🔹 When to upgrade to Android 12+:

• Your smartphone is on a Snapdragon 8xx or Dimensity (like the Xiaomi 11T Pro).
• New design features are important (e.g. adaptive colors in Material You).
• You play modern games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) that are optimized for new versions of Android.

💬 Expert opinion: If your smartphone is released before 2021, Android 11 is often the last stable version. For example, on the Redmi Note 9 Pro, many users roll back from the previous version. MIUI 14 (Android 12) back on MIUI 12.5 (Android 11) due to performance issues.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Android 11 on Xiaomi