Android 10 vs Android 11 on Xiaomi Redmi: 12 key differences to know before the update

Why Android 10 and 11 are important for Redmi owners

If you're a Xiaomi Redmi owner based on Android 10 and you're thinking about moving to Android 11, this article will help you make a smart decision, because operating system updates on Xiaomi devices are not just a change in number, but a radical change in the way your smartphone works, especially if you're talking about the budget and mid-budget Redmi models, where every megabyte of RAM and CPU stroke counts.

On the one hand, Android 11 brings welcome innovations: improved notifications, app permission control, and optimization for foldable devices (yes, even if your Redmi doesn’t add up). MIUI Often encountered bugs after major updates, and some features may work slower due to the additional shell layer. In this article, we will discuss the unique features of Android 11 specifically for Xiaomi Redmi smartphones that are not mentioned in the general reviews of Google.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi adapts standard Android to its needs, so even official updates can behave unpredictable. For example, on the Redmi Note 9 Pro after upgrading to Android 11, some users complained about increased battery consumption, while on the Redmi, some users complained about increased battery consumption, while on the Redmi. K30 The same firmware was stable, and why it was, and how to check the compatibility of your model, read on.

1.System Requirements: Why Not All Redmis Will Get Android 11

The first thing to know is that Android 11 is not supported on all Xiaomi Redmi devices.The company has an update policy, according to which budget models receive only one major OS upgrade.

• 📱 Redmi 8/8A (2019 - stayed on Android 10 forever.
• 📱 Redmi Note 8 Pro – received Android 11, but with a delay of 6 months.
• 📱 Redmi 9/9A/9C — Android update 11 It was done, but with a reduced function.
• 📱 Redmi K30 Pro is one of the first to get a stable version.

To check if your model supports Android 11, go to Settings → The phone. → Update: If there is no offer to upgrade, then your Redmi will not receive new versions of the OS. The alternative is to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and cancels the warranty.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 7) will not work after upgrading to Android 11. NFC. It's a famous bug. MIUI 12.5, which Xiaomi never fixed.

If your smartphone is on the supported list but the update doesn’t come, try:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi (updates via mobile Internet are often blocked).
2. Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → All applications → Update of the PO.
3. Manually download firmware from the site en.miui.com (choose the version for your model!).

Interface and MIUI: What has changed visually?

The most notable difference between Android 11 Android 10 Xiaomi Redmi is an updated shell MIUI 12/12.5. Google made changes to the core OS, but Xiaomi redesigned them to its own standards:

One of the most controversial changes was the control of the media player in the notification panel. In Android 11, it became floating — it can be moved around the screen or folded into a small widget. On Redmi, this works unstable, for example, on the Redmi Note. 9S Player sometimes disappears after screen lock.

Another innovation is Bubbles for instant messengers, which in theory should make multitasking easier, but in practice, many users are not. MIUI complain that bubbles interfere and accidentally open. → Special facilities → Notification bubbles.

3. Performance and battery: Is Redmi getting slower

The main fear of users when updating is the brakes and increased battery consumption, and unfortunately, some Redmi models have justified these fears.

• ⚡ Speed: On smartphones with 4GB of RAM (like Redmi 9), Android 11 may run slower due to background MIUI, That eats up to 1.2GB of memory out of the box. 6.+ GB of RAM (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) the difference is not noticeable.
• 🔋 Battery: In the first versions MIUI 12.5 on Android 11 was a bug with background consumption of the Android System (up to 20% overnight) fixed in updates after May 2022.
• 🎮 Android 11 has added Game Turbo 4.0, but in practice FPS into PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact hasn’t grown, but it’s possible to limit notifications while playing.

To check how the update affected your Redmi, use:

1. Performance test in AnTuTu Benchmark (compare the results before and after).
2. Battery monitoring in Settings → Battery → Battery usage (note the Android System item).
3. Temperature check through AIDA64 (normal - up to 40°C to the plain).

⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone started to warm up after upgrading to Android 11, try turning off Adaptive Brightness and Auto Sync in the settings. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this solved the problem of overheating in 70% of cases.

Disable unnecessary system applications|Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse|Set a background limit for social networks|Reboot your phone (hold the power button for 10 seconds)|Check for updates in Settings → Updating the system-->

4.Security and Permits: What has changed for users

Android 11 has revolutionized permissions, one of the most useful innovations for Redmi owners, where apps can only request access once (like geolocation or microphone) rather than permanently, especially for Xiaomi, where many system services (Mi Browser, GetApps) collect data in the background.

Key changes in safety:

• 🔒 "Only during use" permissions: The app loses access to the camera/microphone as soon as you close it. works even for WhatsApp and TikTok.
• 📁 Scoped Storage: Applications are no longer free to read files /storage/emulated/0/. This makes it difficult for file managers (for example, ES Explorer has stopped seeing some folders).
• 🔄 Reset permissions: If the application has not been used for a long time, the system automatically resets its permissions (configured in Settings). → Annexes → Special access).

On Xiaomi Redmi, these changes are subject to reservations, such as system applications (Mi Video, Mi Music) ignoring the new permission rules to restrict their access:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Press Permissions and manually disable unnecessary permissions (such as Camera or Contacts).

Important: Some functions MIUI (So, for example, Second Space or App Lock require full access to the device, and if you turn off their permissions, those services will stop working.

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To see which apps have recently requested permissions, go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Permit manager → Permit log: It shows all the camera, microphone and geolocation calls in the last 24 hours.

5 New Android 11 features that Android 10 doesn’t have

Android 11 has added some exclusive features that are not backported to Android 10. on Xiaomi Redmi, they work with the features in mind. MIUI:

One of the most useful things is "Separate Notifications by Importance," and you can now configure messages from WhatsApp or SberBank to always appear on top of other notifications.

1. Press the notification from the desired application.
2. Select Set as a Priority.
3. Turn on the option to show on top of other notifications.

Another hidden innovation is improved stylus support. Even if your Redmi doesn’t have a built-in pen (like the Mi Note 10 Lite), you can connect the Xiaomi Smart Pen via Bluetooth and use gestures for screenshots or notes.

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Redmi with Android 11 has the ability to set up a double-click on the back (for example, for a screenshot or camera launch), a feature that is not available in Android 10 even with the latest updates. MIUI.

Problems and bugs: what to expect after the update

Unfortunately, Android 11 on Xiaomi Redmi has not been without problems, and here are the most common bugs reported by users:

• 📵 Problems with the mobile network: Redmi Note 9 after the update, the signal disappears 4G (discharged APN In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN)).
• 🔊 Sound distortions: Wheezing appears in headphones via Bluetooth or speaker (especially noticeable in Spotify). MIUI.
• 📸 Camera brakes: On Redmi K30 video-shot 4K It's a rollback to the old version of the Camera app.
• 🔋 Fast discharge: On some devices (e.g. Redmi) 9T) battery 4-5 hours due to the process com.xiaomi.xmsf (Xiaomi synchronization service).

If you encounter bugs after the update, try:

1. Reset network settings: Settings → System system → Additionally. → Resetting the network.
2. Clear the partition cache: Go to Recovery (turn off the phone, then pinch Power) + Volume up) and select Wipe Cache.
3. If the bugs are critical, you can return Android 10 via the Mi Flash Tool, but this will erase all data.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 8T After the update to Android 11 stops working OTG (It's a known bug. It's a flash drive. MIUI 12.5.3, which Xiaomi promised to fix, but the patch never released.

If you don’t want to take risks, before updating:

Make a backup copy in Settings → Additionally. → Backup|Charge your phone to 50% or more|Connect to Wi-Fi (update weighs) ~2GB)|Delete unnecessary files (need to be removed) ~3 GB of free space)|Shut down. VPN (may interrupt the loading)-->

7.How to upgrade from Android 10 to Android 11 to Xiaomi Redmi

If your Redmi model supports Android 11, there are three ways to upgrade:

Method 1: Through settings (recommended)

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, download it (wifi and at least 20% charge required).
4. After downloading, click Reboot and Update.

Method 2: Manually through Recovery

If OTA-update doesn't come:

1. Download the firmware for your model from en.miui.com (choose Stable, not Developer!).
2. Put the.zip file in the root of the phone’s memory (not in the folder!).
3. Go to Recovery (turn off the phone, then pinch the power) + Loudness up).
4. Select Install update.zip and confirm the installation.

Method 3: Through Fastboot (for experienced)

If the first two methods do not work:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool and.tgz firmware for your model.
2. Unpack the archive and start Mi Flash.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
4. Select the firmware folder and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: When updating via Fastboot, all data will be deleted! pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or Xiaomi Cloud.

If the phone is stuck on the Redmi logo after the upgrade, don't panic. 10-15 The first download after the upgrade can take a long time. 20 Just try to go to Recovery and make Wipe Data (this will erase all data!).

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If the update is interrupted and the phone does not turn on, try to go to Fastboot (clip the Power). + Volume down) and repeat the firmware. 90% of the time, it solves the problem.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Android 10 and 11 Xiaomi Redmi