How to update Android on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways and solutions to problems

Why is it important to update your firmware on Xiaomi?

Update the operating system on Xiaomi, Redmi or smartphones POCO — It's not just a way to get new features, it's a critical procedure for the safety, stability and performance of the device. MIUI Or Android can fix vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and optimize the hardware. MIUI 14 and newer significantly improved energy efficiency, which extends the battery life on the 15-20% compared to previous assemblies.

But not all updates are equally useful. Some users experience problems after an upgrade, from minor bugs to complete device failure. This is especially true for models with unofficial firmware or unlocked bootloader. In this article, we will discuss all official and alternative ways to update, and learn how to avoid typical errors.

It is important to understand the difference between an update MIUI (Xiaomi shells and Android (base OS).For example, your Redmi Note 11 may get a fresh version MIUI, But you can still stay on Android 12 unless the manufacturer has released a platform update. That's normal, and it doesn't mean your device is outdated.

Preparing the smartphone for update

Before you start an update, there are a few critical steps that need to be taken: neglecting them can lead to data loss, disruption, or even a build-up of the device, starting with the most obvious but often ignored item: backup.

Backup all the important data: contacts, photos, messages and applications.

• 📱 Built-in Mi Cloud (available in Settings) → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud)
• 💾 Local backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup
• 🖥️ Third-party services like Google Drive or a computer with Mi PC Suite

Pay special attention to the free space on the device. OTA (airborne) minimum requirement 1.5-2 GB of free space in the main memory. If there is not enough space, the system may interrupt the process or not offer an update at all. → Warehouse.

⚠️ Note: If you use root rights or custom recovery (e.g., root rights, TWRP), Official updates can lead to loss of root or even locking the device, in such cases, it is recommended to use alternative methods of updating through Fastboot or custom firmware.

Also make sure that:

• 🔋 The battery charge is at least 50% (optimally — 80-100%)
• 🌐 Internet connection stable (preferably via Wi-Fi, not mobile data)
• 🔌 Cable USB (If you update via PC, original and serviceable

Check the current version of the firmware|Create a backup copy of the data|Free up at least 2 GB of memory|Charge the phone to 80%+|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi-->

Method 1: Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and most recommended way to update is through the built-in system. OTA (It's a good fit for 90 percent of users and it doesn't require any special skills. Here's how it works:

1. Open the settings on your Xiaomi.

2 Go to About Phone (may be called About Device or Phone Information).

3.Tap on System Update (or MIUI Update).

4. Click Check Updates. The system will automatically find available updates.

5. If the update is available, click Download and after the download is complete, Install.

The installation process will take 5-15 It's important not to interrupt this process or force the phone to turn off. In some cases, the system can "hang" on the logo. MI on 5-10 Minutes are normal if they don’t last longer. 20 minute.

⚠️ Note: If, after updating, through OTA the device has begun to overheat, discharge quickly or spontaneously reboot, this may indicate an incorrect installation of the firmware. In this case, it is recommended to reset to the factory settings through the Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge.

Some users face a situation where an update does not come automatically, despite its official release.

• 📡 Regional restrictions (firmware is released first for China, then for the global version)
• 🔄 Lag on Xiaomi servers (update can reach devices during the course of the day) 1-2 week-long)
• 📱 Modified firmware (if you have previously installed customized firmware) ROM, OTA may not work)

Only when the notification comes|I check manually once a month.|Only if there are critical bugs|Never update.|Another option-->

Method 2: Update through Recovery

If the update is OTA It's not available or it's always going to fail, you can manually install the firmware through Recovery mode, and it's a method that's suitable for official firmware and requires minimal technical skills:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Miui Download website.

Stable – stable firmware for everyday use

Developer – weekly builds with new features but possible bugs

Fastboot - firmware for installation via PC (not suitable for Recovery)

2. Rename the downloaded file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders like Download or the phone’s internal memory). DCIM).

3. Turn off your phone and press the button combination to log in to Recovery:

- For most models: Volume up + Nutrition

- For some older devices: Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition

4.In the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese) then:

1. Choose Install. update.zip to System (or similar item)
2. Confirm installation
3. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes)
4. Select Reboot to System to Reboot

If the E:footer is wrong error occurs in the process, it means that the firmware file is corrupted or not intended for your model. Download the file again and try again.

Method 3: Update via Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot updates are the most reliable, but also the most complex, and are suitable for cases where:

• 📱 The device does not turn on or is stuck on the logo
• 🔄 OTA Recovery updates are not working
• 🔧 You need to flash the device from scratch (for example, after resetting)

For this method you will need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (or Mac/Linux fixed ADB-driver)
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable
• 📦 Official Fastboot Firmware from Xiaomi Website
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (you can download it on the official website)

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Unpack the archive with Fastboot firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\miui_fastboot).
3. Turn off the phone and press the volume down. + Power to enter Fastboot mode. Connect the device to the PC.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. Press Refresh – the program must detect your device.
6. Select firmware mode: Clean all – clean (recommended for serious failures) Clean all and lock – clean + Save user data bootloader locks – saving user data (not always stable)

Flash

⚠️ Note: Fastboot’s Clean all and lock option will block your device’s bootloader, meaning you won’t be able to install custom firmware or get root rights without Xiaomi’s official unlocker. Use this mode only if you are confident in your actions.

If an anti rollback error appears during the firmware process, it means you are trying to install an older firmware version than the one already on the device. Xiaomi blocks such actions to prevent security problems. MIUI.

💡

Before you use Fastboot, disable the antivirus on your computer, which can block firmware files as suspicious, and it is also recommended to temporarily disable the Windows firewall.

Solving Common Errors in Updating

Even when following instructions, users often encounter errors, and consider the most common problems and solutions:

Error "Cannot verify update"

This error appears when you try to install firmware through Recovery if:

• 📄 The firmware file is corrupted (download it again)
• 🔄 The firmware is for another model (check the code name of the device)
• 🔒 The device has an unlocked bootloader, but the firmware is official (use Fastboot)

2.The device got stuck on the logo MI post-refresh

If the phone does not load for more than 20 minutes:

• 🔄 Try to force reboot the device (clip the power on the 10-15 seconds)
• 📱 Go to Recovery and select Wipe Data → Wipe all data (this will erase all data!)
• 🖥️ If it doesn’t work, run the device through Fastboot.

3. There is not enough room for an update

If the system says "Not enough memory":

• 🗑️ Free up space by removing unnecessary files or apps
• 📁 Transfer photos and videos to your computer or cloud
• 📦 Use it. SD-card (if supported) for data storage
• 🔄 Try upgrading via PC (Fastboot method doesn’t require free space on your phone)

4. Connection error to the update servers

If the phone can't check for updates:

• 🌐 Check your internet connection (better to use Wi-Fi)
• 🔧 Reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings
• 📅 Check the date and time on the device (incorrect settings can block access to servers)
• 📡 Try connecting through VPN (Sometimes it helps with regional restrictions)

💡

If none of the methods worked, check to see if support for your model is withdrawn. Xiaomi is stopping releasing updates for older devices 3-4 In this case, the only option is to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

Update for devices with unlocked bootloader

If you previously unlocked the bootloader on your Xiaomi, the upgrade process will be different. OTA-Updates may not work or cause errors, and you have a few options:

1.Installation through custom Recovery (TWRP)

If you are established TWRP or other custom recovery:

1. Download firmware in.zip format (for example, from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website)
2. Boot in. TWRP (usually up + Nutrition)
3. Select Install and specify the path to the firmware file
4. Wipe the cache (Wipe) → Dalvik / ART Cache)
5. Reset the device

2. Firmware through Fastboot with unlocked bootloader

If you want to stay on the official firmware, but with the bootloader unlocked:

• Download Fastboot firmware for your model
• Use the Mi Flash Tool, but select Clean All Mode (not Clean All and Lock!)
• After the firmware loader will remain unlocked

Installation of custom firmware

If the official updates are no longer coming out for your model, you can install custom firmware based on Android, for example:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary applications
• 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel features
• 📱 Havoc-OS or Paranoid Android – firmware with advanced settings

⚠️ Note: Installation of custom firmware may lead to loss of warranty, inoperability of some functions (for example, NFC security issues, and before installing, be sure to check the firmware compatibility with your model on forums like XDA Developers or 4PDA.

To install custom firmware, you will need:

1. Unlocked loader
2. Established custom recovery (TWRP, OrangeFox)
3. Download firmware and GApps (Google Apps if not included in firmware)
4. Backup of the current firmware (in case of rollback)

How to Reverse Update if Something Goes Wrong

If the device gets worse after the upgrade — it slows down, overheats, or discharges quickly — you can try to roll back to the previous version of the firmware.

1.Recoil through Recovery

If you have an old firmware file saved (update.zip), You can install it through Recovery just like the new update, but it only works if you can install it through Recovery:

• 🔒 bootloader locked
• 📅 Old firmware does not violate the Anti-Rollback policy (protection against rollback on older versions)

2.Rollback through Fastboot

A more reliable way is to flash the old version through Fastboot:

1. Download the desired version of the firmware from the official website
2. Use the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode
3. Please note that all data will be deleted.

3. Reset to factory settings

If the problems are caused not by the firmware itself, but by data conflicts, resetting:

Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting. This will delete all user data, but save the current firmware version.

⚠️ Note: On anti-Rollback devices (most models after 2018), a rollback to the old firmware version can lead to hard-brick, a complete device failure that can only be fixed with the help of an authorized Xiaomi service center. Before rolling back, be sure to check the list of models with Anti-Rollback on the manufacturer's website.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi update