Update Xiaomi to Android 12: official and unofficial ways

Upgrading the operating system to Android 12 on Xiaomi smartphones will give you access to new features of the MIUI 13/14 interface, improved performance and enhanced security. However, the process may vary depending on the device model, region and current firmware version. Not all Xiaomi phones officially support Android 12 — some remained on Android 11 or received an update only in beta testing.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of updating: from the standard OTA-Update via settings to manually install firmware via Fastboot or Recovery. Particular attention will be paid to Xiaomi models that have never received Android 12 officially, but can be updated through custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience). You will also learn how to avoid common mistakes, such as hanging on your logo. MI loss of data.

If your smartphone hasn't received an update over the air in a long time, it doesn't mean that the path to Android 12 is closed, but the key is to properly assess the risks and prepare the device. Let's start by checking compatibility.

1. Which Xiaomi models officially support Android 12?

Xiaomi has released Android 12 for most flagship and mid-range models starting in 2019-2020, but some devices have received an update with a delay or only in selected regions.

• 📱 Flagship series: Mi 11 (All modifications), Mi 10 (including Mi 10T/10T Pro), Mi 9 Pro 5G, Black Shark 4/4 Pro.
• 📱 Mid-segment: Redmi Note 10 Pro/Pro Max, Redmi Note 9 Pro/9S, POCO F3/F3 GT, POCO X3 Pro.
• 📱 Budget models: Redmi 9/9A/9C (Only in certain regions), POCO M3 (limited support).
• ⚠️ Exceptions: Mi A3, Mi 9 Lite, Redmi Note 8/8T — These models will never get Android. 12 officially.

To find out if the update is available for your device, check it in the database of the official Xiaomi website.Please note: even if the model is on the list, the update can come with a delay of up to 3-6 months after the global release.

2. Preparation of the smartphone for the update

Before installing Android 12, several critical steps must be taken, and neglecting them can lead to data loss, device blinking, or system malfunction after an update.

Battery charge ≥ 60%|Backup copies (photos, contacts) are saved, SMS)|Released. ≥ 5GB of memory|Disabled. VPN proxy|Connecting to a stable Wi-Fi-->

Pay special attention to backup. Even if the update is airborne (OTA), there is a risk of failure.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Choose Local Backup or Xiaomi Cloud (if you have a Mi Account).
3. Make sure that you save contacts, SMS, Wi-Fi settings and applications.

If you plan to manually firmware through Fastboot, additionally:

• 🔧 Install the drivers. ADB/Fastboot on PC (download from Android Studio website).
• 🔧 Unlock the Bootloader bootloader (instruction below).
• 🔧 Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.

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If you have a bootloader unlocked but haven’t updated in a while, install the latest version of MIUI on Android 11 first, and then upgrade to Android 12.

Method 1: Update by Air (OTA)

The easiest and most secure method is to automatically update through settings, which is suitable for devices that officially support Android 12 and receive the update. OTA-Here's how to do it:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the icon"⋮" (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Update Package.
3. If an update is available, download it (the file weight is usually 1.5-3 GB).
4. After downloading, click Reboot and install.

It takes 10 to 20 minutes. It reboots a few times, which is normal. Don't interrupt the update, even if the screen stays black for a long time.

If after the update, the smartphone began to slow down or discharge quickly, reset the cache:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation).
4. Confirm the action and restart.

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery

If OTA-Update is not available, but your model officially supports Android 12, you can install firmware manually through Recovery. This method does not require unlocking the bootloader, but is only suitable for official firmware.

First, download the correct firmware file from Xiaomi's site.Look for the version marked Recovery. ROM (Not Fastboot! for example, for Redmi Note 10 Pro, it could be a file of a kind. vayu_global_images_V13.0.4.0.SKFMIXM_20221010.0000.00_12.0_global.zip.

Download the firmware for your model|Rename the file to update.zip|Transfer to the root of internal memory|Check the checksum (MD5)-->

Follow the instructions:

1. Copy the update.zip file to the root directory of internal memory (not to the folder!).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click on the icon"⋮" → Select the update file.
4. Please specify the path to update.zip and confirm the installation.
5. After the restart, wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 30 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If after updating through Recovery smartphone stuck on the logo MI, Try flashing your device over Fastboot again or resetting it to factory settings (Wipe data in Recovery!

5. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for power users)

This method is suitable if:

• 🔄 Your model doesn't get it. OTA-Updates but supports Android 12.
• 🔄 You want to install a global firmware instead of a regional firmware.
• 🔄 Previous attempts at updates ended in error.

To run through Fastboot, you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 🔓 Unlocked Bootloader (instruction below).
• 📄 Official Fastboot firmware ROM for your model.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the downloaded archive with firmware in a folder on the PC (for example, C:\Xiaomi\fastboot_rom).
2. Turn off your smartphone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect the device to the PC and launch the file flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
4. Wait for the process to be completed (about 10-15 minutes) and the smartphone will reboot automatically.

If you have an anti-rollback error during firmware, you are trying to install an older firmware version than the one already on your device, in which case only a full reset via the Mi Flash Tool with a clean all option will help.

6. Method 4: Castom firmware (Android 12 for unsupported models)

If your Xiaomi hasn’t received Android 12 officially, but hardware specifications allow (for example, Snapdragon 660/710/730), you can install custom firmware.

• 📱 LineageOS 19 (Pure Android 12 without shell) MIUI).
• 📱 Pixel Experience (like the Google Pixel interface).
• 📱 ArrowOS or HavocOS (Extended Customization Settings).

Installation of custom firmware requires:

1. Unlocked Bootloader.
2. Installed custom Recovery (e.g. TWRP)
3. Full backup of the current system (Nandroid Backup in TWRP).

Example of LineageOS 19 installation:

1. Download firmware and GApps (Google services) from the LineageOS website.
2. Download to TWRP (Power button + Volume up).
3. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
4. Install the firmware, then GApps, and restart.

⚠️ Note: Castom firmware may contain bugs, such as non-functioning NFC or encryption. Check the forum reviews before you install them. XDA Developers for your model.

7. Common errors and their solution

When upgrading to Android 12, Xiaomi users often face some problems, and the table below shows the most common errors and ways to fix them:

If the data (photos, contacts) is lost after the update, restore it from the backup.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Select the last copy and click Restore.
3. Confirm the data recovery (may take up to 10 minutes).

8. rollback to the previous version of Android

If Android 12 is unstable, you can go back to Android 11.

• ⏳ Some models have anti-Rollback protection that blocks rollbacks.
• 🔄 You can only go back to that version. MIUI, which was previously established.
• ⚠️ All data will be deleted (backup required!).

Instructions for rollback:

1. Download Android 11 firmware for your model (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
2. Unpack the archive and launch it. flash_all.bat fastboot.
3. If you have an anti-rollback error, use the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all and lock option (this will block the bootloader!).

After the rollback, you may need to re-unblock the Bootloader if you have previously done it.

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Before rolling back on Android 11, check if your model supports this procedure. For example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro, rollback is possible, and on the Mi 11 - not due to Anti-Rollback 4 protection.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi upgrade to Android 12