What happens if you upgrade your Xiaomi device: risks, benefits and hidden nuances

You saw a notice about a new firmware for your Xiaomi and wondered: should you upgrade? This question worries millions of users – from owners of budget Redmi to flagship Mi. TV or POCO. Updates promise bug fixes, new features and improved performance, but in practice, things can go wrong: from sudden interface glitches to complete device failure.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what exactly happens to your device before, during and after an upgrade, which Xiaomi models are most likely to encounter problems, and how to minimize the risks. You will learn why some users refuse to update fundamentally, while others, on the contrary, chase after each new version. MIUI We’ll also reveal the hidden mechanism behind the gray updates that Xiaomi sometimes distributes without warning – and how it can affect your device.

1. What exactly changes in the device after the update?

A firmware update is not just a patch for the system, but a deep interference with the operation of the device, depending on the type of update (major or minor), changes can affect:

• 🔄 Core: Updates to processor, graphics accelerator and other chip drivers that can speed up work, cause overheating or lag.
• 📱 Interface. MIUI/HyperOS: menu design changes, new gestures are added, old settings disappear (for example, in the menu). MIUI 14 Remove a separate menu of topics).
• 🔒 Security: Vulnerabilities are closed, but sometimes new patches conflict with root rights or third-party firmware.
• 🎮 Performance: Optimized battery consumption, but on weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A) New versions can be more difficult to follow.

For example, after upgrading to HyperOS 1.0 on Xiaomi 13 Pro, users noted improved smoothness of animations, but at the same time complained about problems with Bluetooth – the headphones began to turn off every 10 minutes. TV P1 After the firmware lost support for some streaming services due to changes in the DRM-protection.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi often releases updates in waves: first, the firmware reaches the end of the spectrum. 1-2% Users (test group), then before 10-50%, If you see an update before most, you automatically become a beta tester with all the risks.

2.The benefits of updating: when it really needs to

Despite the risks, there are situations where an update is required:

1. Critical security vulnerabilities, for example, in 2023, MIUI 12.5 found a flaw that allows remote access to files via Bluetooth. Xiaomi released a patch in 3 days – such updates can not be ignored.
2. Support for new standards. Without firmware, your Redmi Note 11 won't be able to work with networks 5G SA or connect to Wi-Fi 6E.
3. Fixing fatal bugs. TV Q2 post-update MIUI TV 3.0 stopped working HDMI-Ports - a month later came out Fix.

The updates also bring hidden improvements that Xiaomi doesn’t always report.

To check what changes the update will bring, look at the official change log. MIUI (for smartphones) or the Mi update page TV. Please note the “Known issues” section – if it lists problems with your model, it’s best to wait for the next patch.

💡

Before updating, check the reviews about the new firmware on the forums 4PDA It's called XDA-Developers, and users often share screenshots of bugs before they're released.

3. Risks and typical problems after the update

According to statistics of service centers, 15-20% The problems with the appeals are the consequences of the failed updates:

• 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge: new versions MIUI often optimized for fresh processors (e.g. Snapdragon) 8 Gen 2), But on older chips (Snapdragon) 660 Redmi Note 7) start to eat energy in 1.5-2 faster.
• 📵 Communication problems: after updating to MIUI 13. POCO X3 Pro loses support for VoLTE on some carriers.
• 🖥️ Artifacts on the screen: on the Mi 11 Ultra after the firmware appeared green stripes when scrolling – was to blame a bug in the display driver.
• 🔊 Sound distortions: in Mi TV Q1 After the update, the bass at low frequencies disappeared due to changes in the EQ-setting.

It is especially dangerous to upgrade devices that are already discontinued, such as the Redmi 5 Plus after upgrading to a new product. MIUI 12 began to accidentally reboot due to a lack of RAM (in the new version increased the size of system processes). Xiaomi in such cases rarely releases fixes – it is easier to buy a new device.

⚠️ Note: If your device has an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware installed (such as LineageOS), upgrade through OTA This can lead to a blink (completely inoperable). In this case, only flash through fastboot with complete data cleaning.

4.How to properly prepare for the update

To minimize the risks, follow this checklist:

Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup

Connect to charging (the battery must be charged at least 50%)

Connect to stable Wi-Fi (not mobile internet!)

Close all background applications (especially launchers like Nova)

Check the vacant space (at least) 2-3 GB on the system partition)-->

For Mi TVs, additionally:

• 📺 Turn it off. USB-Devices (flash drives, keyboards) to avoid conflicts.
• 🔌 If you update through USB, use a format flash drive FAT32 with the firmware file in the root (the name must match the model, for example, mi_tv_p1_20260315.zip).

If you update your smartphone with root rights:

1. Remove Magisk or other modifications through TWRP.
2. Return the stock core (if you used custom).
3. Turn off the Xposed Framework (if installed).

For Mi Router routers:

⚠️ Note: Do not update your firmware through the Mi WiFi mobile application if the router is connected to the network via PPPoE. Use only the web interface at 192.168.31.1, otherwise you may reset your provider settings.

5. Step-by-step instructions: how to upgrade safely

The upgrade method depends on the type of device, and let's look at each option:

📱 Smartphones and tablets (MIUI/HyperOS)

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If the update is available, click Download (file weight is usually 1.5-3 GB).
3. After downloading, select Reboot and install.
4. Wait until it is finished (it will take time). 5-15 minutes, the screen will flash).

If the update does not come automatically, you can install it manually:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official website (choose Russia or Global region).
2. Place the file in the root of the phone’s memory (name should be in format) miui_[Model [VERSION].zip).
3. In the update menu, click on three dots. → Select a firmware file.

📺 Mi TVs TV

There are three ways:

1. By air (OTA): Settings → On TV. → Updating the system.
2. Through USB: Download the firmware from Xiaomi website (select your model exactly!). ZIP-archive and copy the file update.zip Put the flash drive in. TV, Go to Settings. → On TV. → Local Update.

Through Recovery.

1. Download the firmware for Recovery (file with the extension.img).


2 Place it on the flash drive, renaming it mi_tv_recovery.img.




3. Insert the flash drive into the TV turned off, press Power + Volume up on the remote.

📶 Mi Router routers

Update only through the web interface:

1. Connect to the router via cable or Wi-Fi.
2. Open it in your browser. 192.168.31.1 (default login/password: admin/admin).
3. Go to the firmware update → Verification of updates.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and do not turn off power 5-10 minute.
5. For TVs: Turn off the network for 5 minutes, then hold power on the remote for 30 seconds. USB Recovery (instructions in spoiler above).

📶 Router does not give away the Internet after the update

A common problem is resetting the provider.

1. Connect to the router via cable.
2. Open 192.168.31.1 and check the Internet section → Type of connection.
3. If it's dynamic. IP, a must be PPPoE – enter the login / password from the provider again.
4. If it doesn’t help, reset with the Reset button (hold 10 seconds) and set up the router from scratch.

Instructions for smartphones:

1. Download the desired firmware version from the official website (choose Stable, not Developer).
2. Unpack. ZIP-archive and place the file flash_all.bat to the folder with the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down).
4. Connect to your PC, launch the Mi Flash Tool, and select the Clean All option (this will delete all data!).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

For TVs:

1. Download the old firmware (see forums like this). 4PDA — The official website only stores the latest versions).
2. Place the update.zip file on the flash drive.
3. Put the flash drive in. TV, Go to Settings. → On TV. → Local Update.
4. Confirm the rollback — TV It will reboot and return to the old version.

Important: on some models (e.g. Mi) TV Q2) After the rollback, access to Netflix or Disney may be lost+ due to changes in certificates DRM. This will only help if you wait for a new update.

8. Alternative methods of updating: when OTA doesn't work

If your device doesn’t receive updates over the air (for example, due to regional restrictions), there are workarounds:

🌍 Change of the firmware region

Some updates come out earlier in one region and later in another, to get firmware faster:

1. On your smartphone, go to Settings → Additionally. → Region and choose India or Europe.
2. Restart the device and check for updates.
3. After the update, return your region.

For TVs:

1. Download firmware for another region (for example, India instead of Russia).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and run through Local Update.
3. Please note that some local services (such as Wink or MEGO) may be missing.

🛠️ Manual update through ADB

For advanced users:

1. Install ADB on PC (download from https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools).


2. Connect your phone to a PC with USB debugging enabled (Settings → Developers → USB debugging).




3. Download the firmware in.zip format and place it in the folder with adb.




4. Follow the commands:




adb reboot recovery




(Select Apply Update from ADB in recovery)




adb sideload [name file].zip

This method works even if OTA-The update does not come, but requires an unlocked bootloader on some models.

🔧 Firmware through TWRP (custom-fix)

If you are using informal firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience), update as follows:

1. Download the new firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).
2. Reboot to TWRP (Nutrition + Volume Up).
3. Backup of the current system (Backup) → System + Data).
4. Wipe out the Dalvik, Cache, System sections.
5. Install a new firmware, then GApps.
6. Reboot.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through TWRP On devices with Dynamic Partition (e.g. Xiaomi 12) it can cause data loss in the userdata section!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi updates