How to Update Android on Xiaomi Phone: All Ways + Problem Solving

Updating the firmware on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a way to get new features, but also a necessary measure for the security, stability and performance of the device. However, the process can seem complicated, especially if you encounter it for the first time. Unlike Google Pixel or Samsung, where updates come automatically, owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi sometimes have to update manually - due to regional restrictions, slow OTA adoption or the desire to move to a global/European version of MIUI.

In this article, we’ll break down all the current updates (including hidden ones), explain how to avoid bugs (like Error 7 or Mi logo hanging), and give you a checklist to prepare your device. And if you’re afraid of losing data, we have a separate backup section with step-by-step screenshots, starting with the simplest method.

1. Automatic Update through Settings (OTA)

The safest and most recommended way is to upgrade to an over-the-air (OTA) update, which is suitable for 90% of users and does not require technical skills.

1. Open the Settings menu → About the phone → System update.
2. Click the Check Updates button (if an update is available, a notification will appear).
3. Download the service pack (weighing is usually 1.5 to 3 GB).
4. After download, click Set and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone has been stuck on the Mi logo for more than 10 minutes after the update, don’t panic. MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) Wait another 15-20 minutes. If nothing has changed, see the section "What to do if the update is suspended".

Advantages of OTA:

• 🔄 All data and settings are stored.
• 🛡️ Minimum risk of “bricking” of the device.
• 📱 Suitable for beginners (no need to unlock the bootloader).

But there are limitations:

• ⏳ Updates come with a delay (sometimes up to 2-3 months after release).
• 🌍 Regional firmware (for example, for Russia) may not receive all security patches.
• 🔒 You can’t go back to the previous version without a complete reset.

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Automatic updates via OTA are the best choice for most users, but if you want to get fresh firmware right after release, you’ll have to use manual methods.

2 Manual update via Recovery (for experienced)

If OTA is not available (for example, due to a change in region or remote firmware), you can install the update manually through stock Recovery, which saves user data, but requires caution.

You'll need:

• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with a battery charge of at least 60%.
• 💻 Computer (or other phone) to download firmware.
• 🔗 Official.zip service package (download only from Xiaomi official website).

Instructions:

1. Download the correct firmware version for your model (e.g. Redmi Note) 11 Pro+ 5G → veux_global...). Don't confuse the region! Global firmware is global, European - eea, Chinese - cn.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Select the language (if you have a choice), then go to Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait until the completion (usually 5-15 minutes).

Download the firmware from the official website

Check the phone’s model and region

Charge the battery to 60%+

Create a backup copy of the data

Rename the file to update.zip-->

⚠️ If you see E: Footer is wrong or E: Signature verification failed, you can see that if you have a fault:

• The firmware file is corrupted (download it).
• You downloaded firmware for another model or region.
• You have customized recovery (for example) installed, TWRP), non-official ZIP-file.

3. Update via Fastboot (for advanced)

The Fastboot method is used when:

• 🔄 You need to reflash the phone from scratch (for example, after a failure).
• 🌐 Go from Chinese firmware (CN) global (Global/EEA).
• ⚡ Restore a "brick" device (if it is somehow determined by a computer).

This method will require:

• 💻 Computer with Mi Flash Tool drivers installed and ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (download from Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if you are running the unofficial version).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MiFlash\proshivka).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your computer and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. In the program, click Select, specify the path to the firmware folder, then select Clean All mode (erase everything) or Save User Data (save files).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-20 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool is a critical partition flashing error, it is not allowed:

• You have a bootloader blocked (you need to unlock it through the official Xiaomi tool).
• You are trying to flash firmware older than the current version (backward rolling is forbidden).
• Uses an informal tool assembly (download only from the Xiaomi website).

4. How to check firmware compatibility with your model

One of the most common mistakes when upgrading is installing firmware from another model, which can lead to a phone "brick" (completely inoperable) and to avoid this, follow the rules:

Step 1: Find out the exact model of your phone.

• Go to Settings → About the phone → Model.
• Or look at the box/check (e.g., the Redmi Note 10 Pro may be codenamed sweet).
• Use the command in ADB: adb shell getprop ro.product.model

Step 2: Confirm the code name with the firmware base.

Step 3: Check out the MIUI and Android version.

• Current version: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (e.g. MIUI 14.0.5 Global).
• The new firmware must be the same or newer version of Android (for example, with Android 12 you can upgrade to Android 13, but not vice versa).

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If you are not sure about compatibility, use the Xiaomi Firmware Updater tool – it will automatically select the correct firmware by model and region.

5. Backup before Updating

Updating via Fastboot or resetting to factory settings deletes all data on the phone, including photos, messages and apps. OTA-In the event of an update, there is a risk of information loss due to a failure.

Methods of data retention:

• 🖥️ Mi Cloud: synchronizes contacts, notes, photos and SMS. Included in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud. 5GB is free.
• 💾 Local Copy: Use the built-in reservation in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. Save settings and some applications.
• 📱 Third-party apps: Swift Backup (for apps and data) Google Photos (for photos and videos). SMS Backup & Restore for messages and calls).
• 💻 Manual copying: connect your phone to your computer and copy folders DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp and others.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using TWRP for the backup, remember:

• Backup via custom Recovery is not always restored on a new firmware (especially if the Android version has changed).
• Encrypted data (e.g., in /data) may not be restored without the correct password.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:

If the phone stops turning on after an unsuccessful update:

1. Try going to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Power) and flashing stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
2. If Fastboot doesn’t work, try EDL mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable).
3. In extreme cases, contact the service center (but this may cancel the warranty).

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90% of update errors are due to incorrect firmware or insufficient battery power. Always check the code name of the device and download files only from official sources.

7. How to roll back to the previous version of MIUI

Sometimes after the update, there are bugs: the battery quickly goes down, the interface slows down or some functions do not work, in such cases, you can try to roll back to the previous version, but there are nuances:

⚠️ Attention:

• A rollback to an older version of Android (for example, from 13 to 12) is possible only through a full reset (Clean All in the Mi Flash Tool).
• A rollback to the older version of MIUI (within the same Android version) is sometimes possible through Recovery, but can cause errors.
• On some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T), the rollback is blocked by the Anti-Rollback policy.

Instructions for rollback:

1. Download the desired version of the firmware from the official website.
2. If the rollback is within the same Android version (e.g. MIUI 14.0.5 → MIUI 14.0.3), try installing it via Recovery (see Section 2).
3. If you roll back to another version of Android (like Android 13 → Android 12), then swipe through the Fastboot with a full reset (Clean All).
4. After rollback, reset settings to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions