Closed beta versions of Xiaomi firmware are a chance to try out new MIUI features before anyone else, but with one caveat: the manufacturer does not guarantee stability. These builds are designed for testing by internal developers and selected users, but enthusiasts often find ways to access them. In this article, we will discuss how to legally and illegally install closed beta on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones, what risks this carries, and what to do if after the upgrade the device stopped working.
It’s important to understand that Closed Betas differ from Public Betas in that they haven’t been fully tested for hardware compatibility. For example, the build for Xiaomi 13 Ultra may lack Leica camera support, and the Redmi K60 Pro may not work properly with the 5G module. However, for power users, this is the only way to test hidden MIUI 15 features before the official release or get early access to security updates.
Before you start, check:
- 📱 Device model: Not all smartphones support closed beta versions (see the list of compatible models below).
- 🔓 Bootloader status: Most devices will need unlocking, which resets all data.
- 📡 Firmware region: Chinese (CN) Global (Global) Versions MIUI have different closed beta branches.
1.Official way: how to access Xiaomi’s closed beta
The safest method is to join the Mi Pilot program (formerly Mi Beta Team), but since 2023 Xiaomi has tightened the selection process, with only users with high community rankings and no rules breaking being placed in the closed beta.
1. Register on the official Mi Pilot website (requires a Mi Account account with a linked phone number).
2. Complete the questionnaire, specifying the device model, experience in the beta test and why you should be selected.
3. Wait for approval (may take a week to a month) If you're accepted, an invitation will come to the post office with installation instructions.
⚠️ Note: Once you install a closed beta via Mi Pilot, you will not be able to return to stable firmware without a full Fastboot reset. MIUI.
If you are not approved, there are alternative ways to:
- 🔄 Try to re-apply in 2-3 months (priority is given to users with activity in the forums Xiaomi).
- 🤝 Find it in telegram chat or on 4PDA users who are already participating in the program and can share a link to the firmware (risky!).
- 📥 Use informal methods (see next section), but be prepared to block your Mi Account.
2. Informal installation: risks and step-by-step instructions
If the official path is not available, you can manually install the closed beta via Fastboot or Recovery, a method suitable for power users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and working with the command line.
- 🚫 Blocking Mi Account for Using Pirate Firmware.
- 🔋 Loss of warranty (if the device is warranty, Xiaomi may refuse repairs).
- 💥 "Brick" device when a firmware error (for example, if a version not for your model is selected).
Step-by-step (on the example of Xiaomi 12T Pro):
Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, applications)
Make sure that the battery charge is > 50%
Download the correct firmware version (for example, 23.12.12 Closed Beta)
Install the Mi Flash Tool and ADB drivers
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- Unlock Bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool. It will take 7-15 days (a mandatory wait!).
- Download the closed beta firmware from a trusted source (for example, from Xiaomi Firmware Updater or the MIUI Updates Tracker Telegram channel). Pay attention to the model code: # Model code examples: Xiaomi 13 Pro = "nuwa" Redmi Note 12 Pro+ = "ruby" POCO F5 = "marble"
- Transfer the device to Fastboot mode (turn off the smartphone, then press Power + Vol−).
- Connect your phone to your PC and launch the Mi Flash Tool. Select the downloaded firmware file (usually in.tgz format) and press Flash.
- Wait until it's finished (the process will take 5-10 minutes). USB-cable, even if the program is 99%!
⚠️ Note: If after firmware the device is stuck on the logo MI, Try to re-flash it or use the XiaomiTool tool V2 repair.
3. Compatible models: which Xiaomi can install a closed beta
Not all Xiaomi devices support closed betas, usually including flagship models and some mid-range devices, and the following is the current list for 2026 (for China and the global region):
| Series | Models (code name) | Support for Closed Beta | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14 | Xiaomi 14 (hopex), 14 Pro (houji) | ✅ Yes. | For the Chinese Region (CN) only |
| Xiaomi 13 | 13 (fuxi), 13 Pro (nuwa), 13 Ultra (isis) | ✅ Yes. | Closed beta for 13 Ultra often contains camera bugs |
| Redmi K60 | K60 (mondrian), K60 Pro (rembrandt), K60 Ultra (pissarro) | ✅ Yes. | K60 Ultra may have problems with 120W charging |
| POCO F5 | F5 (marble), F5 Pro (marble_pro) | ⚠️ Partially. | For the Indian/Global Region Only |
| Redmi Note 12 | Note 12 Pro+ (ruby), Note 12 Turbo (marble) | ❌ No. | Only public beta versions are supported. |
If your model is not listed, it doesn’t mean there are no closed builds for it. Sometimes firmware appears informally via Xiaomi EU or modified versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI Pro or SuperROM), but such builds often contain spyware or unstable patches.
How to find out the code name of your Xiaomi?
4.Retracement from closed beta to stable firmware
You can return to the official firmware after a closed beta, but the process depends on how you installed it:
- 🔄 If you were swiped through Mi Pilot, wait for the stable version to come out and update via Settings. → Updating the system.
- 📥 If you installed manually through Fastboot, you will need a complete flashing with data cleaning (clean all in the Mi Flash Tool).
Step-by-step:
- Download the latest stable firmware for your model with Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
- Unpack the archive and place the firmware folder in the root of the disk C:\ (for example, C:\miui_HOPEXGlobal_V14.0.3.0.TMBMIXM_...).
- Launch the Mi Flash Tool, connect your phone in Fastboot mode, and select the clean all option (this will delete all data!).
- Press Flash and wait until it is completed.
⚠️ Warning: After rolling back on stable firmware, you may need to re-unblock Bootloader if you installed the closed beta informally.In some cases, Xiaomi blocks the ability to unlock for 30 days.
5. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Even experienced users have trouble installing closed betas, and these are the most common bugs and ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Cann't verify device in Mi Flash Tool | Wrong drivers or unblocked Bootloader | Install drivers manually through Device Manager or re-unlock |
| The device does not turn on after firmware | Incompatible firmware version or interrupted process | Re-sweep with the clean all option or use it EDL-Regime (Authorized Account Required) |
| Anti-rollback error | Trying to install an older version of MIUI | Find firmware with the same or newer Anti-rollback number (e.g. ARB 4 → ARB 5) |
| No network after the update | Firmware region mismatch (e.g., CN on a global device) | Sweat the modem module from the original firmware through Fastboot |
If you encounter an error that is not in the table, check the firmware logs in the Mi Flash Tool (file) flash_log.txt) Or ask a question in the forums. XDA Developers or 4PDA, pointed:
- 📱 Exact device model and code name.
- 🔗 Reference to downloaded firmware.
- 📝 Full text of the error (screenshot or log).
💡
If your IMEI is missing after the firmware, restore it with the QCN Rebuilder tool or contact the service center. Do not use IMEI generators - this is illegal and can lead to a network lock!
6. Alternatives to closed beta: public beta and custom firmware
If the risks of closed beta scare you, consider alternatives:
1.Public Betas of MIUI
The official betas for all users are released every 1-2 months. They are more stable than closed ones, but contain fewer new features. You can install them through Settings → System Update → Three Points → Select an update package (you need to download the.zip file in advance).
2. Custom firmware
Projects like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi EU offer modified versions of MIUI with advanced settings. For example, Xiaomi EU removes Chinese services and adds themes from MIUI 15 even to older devices, minus the lack of official support and possible hardware bugs (for example, the broken NFC on the Redmi Note 11).
3.Closed Beta port to unofficial devices
Some developers adapt closed builds for unaccompanied models (such as the POCO X3 Pro or Redmi 10), often containing critical bugs, but allowing you to test new features, you can search for them on XDA or in telegram chats like MIUI Romings.
💡
Public betas are the best balance between novelty and stability, and they are pre-tested and less likely to cause a device to "brick."
7 Security: How not to lose data and block your account
Installing a closed beta is always a trade-off between novelty and risk, to minimize the loss of:
- 🔐 Backup: Use Mi Mover or Swift Backup (with root rights) to save apps and settings. Cloud backups (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) may not recover in beta!
- 🛡️ Account protection: Do not share Mi Account data with outsiders – Xiaomi may block it for “illegal” use of firmware.
- 📡 Network and SIM-map: Before the firmware, remove SIM-Disconnect from Wi-Fi and prevent automatic activation of services that may conflict with the beta version.
- 🔋 Charging: Switch the device with the charger connected (preferably original). A voltage drop during the process can cause damage. EMMC-memory.
If you notice suspicious activity after installing a closed beta (such as unknown applications in the process list or increased traffic consumption), immediately:
- Shut down the internet.
- Check your device for viruses through Malwarebytes.
- Reset to factory settings.