Have you ever noticed that Xiaomi smartphone or Mi TV TV So the problem is, you download the update, and then it disappears, or you want to manually install the firmware, but you can't find the downloaded file, and the problem is that the system hides the update folders from the user, and it's not always obvious where to look. OTA-packets or bootloader cache. In this article, we'll go into detail:
- where exactly are the update files stored on smartphones (MIUI and HyperOS), TVs and tablets Xiaomi;
How to access hidden folders without root rights
What to do if the update is suspended during the download or installation phase;
How to manually clean the update cache if the system insists on downloading the same package.
Spoiler: file paths vary depending on the device type and firmware version. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 with HyperOS, the OTA folder will be in one place, and on the Mi TV Q2, the folder will be in another place.
1. Where are the updates stored on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI/HyperOS)
On smartphones and tablets Xiaomi update files are divided into two types:
- 📥 Loaded OTA-Packages – full or incremental firmware that the system downloads before installation.
- 🔄 Update cache – temporary files that are created during the check or installation of firmware.
The main folder where the downloaded updates are stored is:
/sdcard/MIUI/ota/Or for HyperOS devices (starting in 2023):
/sdcard/HyperOS/ota/Inside you will find files with the.zip extension and the names of the type:
- miui_HMK40_HMK40INGLOBAL_V14.0.1.0.TKHCNXM_... — firmware;
- update_HMK40_14.0.1.0-14.0.2.0.zip — incremental renewal.
If the MIUI or HyperOS folder is not in the root directory, check the hidden files in the file manager (turn on the display of hidden folders in the settings). On some models (for example, POCO F5), the path may look like /sdcard/download/rom/.
⚠️ Warning: Do not rename or move files in the ota folder, which may crash the next automatic update. If you need to save firmware for manual installation, copy it elsewhere.
2. Update folders on Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV, Redmi TV)
On Xiaomi TVs, the logic of storing updates is different from smartphones, where firmware files are stored in two places:
- The main folder with OTA: /storage/emulated/0/Download/upgrade/ Here are the files. update.zip or miui_tv_{model}_ota.zip. For example, for Mi TV Q1E name miui_tv_q1e_ota_v1234.zip.
- bootloader cache: /cache/recovery/ This is where the system unpacks temporary files before installing, and this folder is only accessible via ADB or root permissions.
Xiaomi TV feature: if the update is downloaded but not installed, the file can be automatically deleted after 24-48 hours. To avoid this, copy it to another place (for example, to a flash drive) immediately after downloading.
On new models (2023-2026), such as the Xiaomi TV A Pro or Redmi Smart TV X, the path can be changed to:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.xiaomi.mitv.upgrade/files/3. How to find hidden folders without root rights
By default, Xiaomi’s file manager doesn’t show system folders, including those where updates are stored.
Use a root-enabled file manager (such as FX File Explorer)
Enable the display of hidden files in the settings of the standard manager
Connect to the device through ADB and use the ls command /sdcard/MIUI/
Use the PC and Mi program PC Suite to view the file system-->
If you prefer to work through ADB, follow the following commands:
adb shell
su
ls /sdcard/MIUI/ota/# for smartphones
ls /storage/emulated/0/Download/upgrade/# for TVFor Windows users, you can use a Explorer with the hidden files display enabled (the View tab → Hidden Items). When connecting your smartphone over USB, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
⚠️ Note: Some firmware (especially Chinese versions) MIUI) Access to the Ota folder can be blocked even through the ADB. In this case, only unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights will help.
4.What to do if the update is suspended or not installed
If the system downloaded an update but it doesn’t install (it hung in the Preparing for an Update or Checking for a Package stage), the problem may be a corrupted file or cache.
- Cleaning up the update cache: 🧹 Delete all files in the folder /sdcard/MIUI/ota/ or /storage/emulated/0/Download/upgrade/. 🔄 Reset the device. 📥 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and start the check again.
Manual firmware installation:
- 📎 Download the full firmware package for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
- 📁 Put the file in the folder. /sdcard/download/rom/ (Create it if it's not there).
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update system, click on three dots in the upper right corner and select "Select firmware file».
If the update does not go through, check:
- 🔋 Battery charge (must be at least 50%);
- 📶 Internet connection stability (better to use Wi-Fi);
- 🛠️ Free space (requires a minimum of 2-3 GB on the system partition).
What happens if you delete the Ota folder?
5. How to disable automatic download of updates
If you are annoyed that Xiaomi is constantly downloading updates in the background (especially on limited traffic), you can turn this feature off.
| Firmware version | Path in settings | Action. |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12–14 | Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Settings | Disable “Automatic Booting via Mobile Data” and “Auto Update” |
| HyperOS 1.0+ | Settings → The phone. → Update of the PO → ⚙️ → Auto-update | Select “Never” or “Only on Wi-Fi” |
| Mi TV (all versions) | Settings → About the device → Software Update → Update settings | Turn off "Automatic Check" |
On some devices (e.g. Redmi 10 or POCO M4 Pro) these settings may be hidden. ADB-team:
adb shell settings put global auto_update_enabled 0Important: on Xiaomi TVs, disabling automatic updates can lead to problems with the operation of services (for example, Mi Home or built-in Google Play), it is recommended to check the updates manually at least once every 2-3 months.
6. How to save firmware for manual installation
If you want to have a backup of your firmware (for example, to roll back or install on another device), follow this instruction:
- Find the update file: /sdcard/MIUI/ota/ or /sdcard/download/rom/. On TV: /storage/emulated/0/Download/upgrade/.
- Copy it on a PC or flash drive: Use MTP-regime ADB pull: adb pull /sdcard/MIUI/ota/miui_HM2013011EEAGLOBAL_V14.0.1.0.TJCEUXM.zip C:\Xiaomi\ROM\
Check the integrity of the file:
- Compare. MD5-hash with official on Xiaomi website.
To install the stored firmware:
- 📱 On your smartphone: use Recovery mode (press Power) + Vol+ when enabled) and select Install update.zip.
- 📺 On TV: put the file in /storage/emulated/0/Download/upgrade/, Then go to Settings. → About the device → Update of the PO → Manually install.
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If you're a frequent firmware experimenter, create a backup folder on your PC for each model: Xiaomi\ROM\Redmi_Note_11\, Xiaomi\ROM\Mi_TV_A2_43\. This will save time when you roll back.
7. Frequent errors and their solutions
When working with updates on Xiaomi, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| “I was unable to verify the update.” | Damaged update.zip file or lack of space | Delete the file from the Ota folder and download it again. |
| "Update not supported" | Firmware region mismatch (e.g., trying to install Global on the Chinese model) | Download the firmware for your region from the official website |
| “Installation interrupted” by 25% or 50% | Conflict with custom recavery (TWRP) or modified firmware | Return stock recavators via Fastboot or use the Mi Flash Tool |
| The TV does not see the update.zip file on the flash drive | Incorrect file system (NTFS not supported) | Format the flash drive in FAT32 and try again |
If none of these methods worked, try resetting to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset).Be sure to back up your data before doing so!
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Always check that your custom firmware is compatible with your model before installing it. For example, the firmware for the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G (veux) will not work for the Redmi Note 11 Pro 4G (peux) – this will lead to a “brick” of the device.