How to upgrade Android to Xiaomi Redmi: official and alternative ways

Updating the operating system on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a key process for ensuring security, performance and access to new features. However, many users face difficulties, from the lack of notifications about new versions to installation errors. This article covers all current upgrade methods, from standard OTA to manual firmware via Fastboot or Recovery, taking into account the features of different generations of Redmi (from Redmi Note 5 to Redmi 13).

We’ll cover not only the basic steps, but also the nuances of how to check firmware compatibility with your model, what to do when you fail to “Couldn’t verify update”, how to save data before updating and why it’s sometimes better to wait for a stable version instead of a beta release, with particular attention to the problems that are common with devices with unlocked bootloader or custom firmware.

If your Redmi hasn’t received updates through Settings → Software Update in a long time, it doesn’t mean that support is stopped, it may be a problem in the region, MIUI version or developer settings, then step-by-step instructions for all scenarios.

1. Preparation of the smartphone for the update

Before you start the update process, it is critical to follow a few preliminary steps to minimize the risk of data loss or buildup of the device.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the lines MIUI version and Android version (e.g. MIUI 14.0.5 based on Android 13).
3. Write down or take a picture of this data – it will be necessary to choose the right firmware.

Next, make sure that:

• 🔋 Battery charge exceeds 60% (at hand firmware - at least 80%).
• 📶 Wi-Fi connection stable (for downloading files weighing 1.5-3 GB).
• 📱 On the internal drive free 5-10 GB of memory.
• 🔒 Reset Protection (if you plan to reset after the update).

Check the version. MIUI Android|Make a backup copy of the data|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi|Charge the battery to 80%+|Free up 10 GB of memory-->

Important for Redmi owners with an unlocked bootloader: If you have previously installed custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), return to the official MIUI before upgrading via OTA. Otherwise, you risk an error "Update package verification failed".

⚠️ Note: On devices with Global ROM (For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G) You can not install firmware for China ROM — It's gonna lead to loss. IMEI Check the region of your firmware in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (should be indicated "Global", "EEA" or "Russia").

Method 1: Automatic Update (OTA)

The simplest and most recommended method is the Over-The-Air update, which is suitable for 90% of users and does not require technical skills.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the icon "⋮" (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Update Package (if the button is inactive, skip this step).
3. Wait for the updates to be checked. If a new version is notified, click Download.
4. After booting, the system will suggest installing the update. Confirm the action and wait for the restart (it will take 5-15 minutes).

If the update is not available, the following reasons are possible:

• 🌍 Your region is not included in the first wave of distribution (for example, Redmi 10 in Russia often receives updates later than in India).
• 📵 The device is in the “gray zone” (bought in China, but used from Russia). SIM-card).
• 🔄 You have disabled automatic update checks in the developer settings.
• 🛑 Xiaomi has suspended the distribution due to bugs in the new version (so it was with the company). MIUI 13.0.4 for Redmi Note 8 Pro).

Only when notification arrives | Manually check once a month |Install beta |Never update |Only when critical bugs-->

If your Redmi is older than 2020 (like the Redmi 8 or Note 7) and does not receive the Redmi OTA-Updates over 6 months, check the support status on Xiaomi’s official website – it may have been moved to the End of Life category" (EOL) new versions MIUI It won't come out for her.

💡

If the update is too long to load, try changing it. DNS-server on 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) in Wi-Fi settings. this will speed up the download of files from Xiaomi servers.

Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery

If you don't have automatic updates available, but you're sure your model has a new firmware, you can manually install it through Recovery Mode, which saves user data, but requires caution.

Step 1: Download the correct firmware from the official Xiaomi website:

1. Go to the MIUI download page.
2. Select your model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G).
3. Download Recovery ROM (file with.zip extension).
4. Check the hash amount of the file (MD5) using the HashMyFiles utility – this will protect against downloading the damaged archive.

Step 2: Transfer the file to your phone:

• 📁 Place the archive in the root directory of internal memory (not in the folder!).
• 🔄 Rename the file for convenience (e.g., in update.zip).

Step 3: Install the firmware:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Choose a language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Install update.zip to System and confirm the installation.
5. After you complete the process, select Reboot to System.

* Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G updates are less frequent due to compatibility issues with the NFC module in new MIUI versions.

⚠️ Warning: If after the reboot the phone is stuck on the Redmi logo for more than 10 minutes, do not panic - wait for the completion of the optimization of applications (can take up to 30 minutes!

4. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for experienced)

This method is used if:

• 🔧 The device is not turned on (Soft Bricked).
• 🔄 We need to downgrade the version. MIUI.
• 📦 Complete reflashing is required with the removal of all data.

The work will require:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (Linux with fastboot and adb installed).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📄 Fastboot firmware ROM (file.tgz or.zip).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi_Flash\).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-out-of-the-box will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. The Device Manager should display Android Bootloader Interface.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. Select Clean All (complete clean) or Save User Data (less secure).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).

Critical errors and their solutions:

• 🚫 Fastboot: error: failed to load/verify boot images → Check the integrity of the firmware archive or try another one. USB-port.
• 🔌 Device not found → Install Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008 manually.
• 🔄 Hanging on 99% → Turn off the phone, pinch the power. + Volume up for 20 seconds, then repeat the firmware.

5. Solving common errors in the update

Even when following instructions, Redmi users often encounter problems, and let's look at common mistakes and how to fix them.

Error: "Couldn't verify update"

Reasons:

• 📦 A damaged firmware file (incomplete download or hash amount error).
• 🔒 Mismatch between firmware and device region (e.g. attempt to install China) ROM Globally).
• 🔧 Modified system files (root, custom recaveri).

Decision:

1. Download the firmware again, check the MD5.
2. Make sure the MIUI version matches the region of the device.
3. If the phone is rooted, return the stock recavator via fastboot flash recovery recovery.img.

Error: "Update package missing"

This error occurs if:

• 📁 The firmware file is not in the root directory.
• 🔠 The file name contains Cyrillic or special characters.
• 🗃️ Memory of the phone is encrypted (on some Redmi with Android 11)+).

Solution: Rename the file to update.zip, put it in the root of memory, and disable encryption in Settings → Security → Encryption.

Hanging on the logo after updating

If the phone does not load for more than 30 minutes:

1. Press Power + Volume up for 15-20 seconds for forced reboot.
2. If it doesn’t help, log in to Recovery and run Wipe Data (reset settings).
3. Redmi on MediaTek (e.g. Redmi 10C) may require flashing via the SP Flash Tool.

💡

If the update has lost sound, the camera is not working or the mobile network is missing, most likely, the firmware was installed for another modification of the device (for example, for the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G instead of the Redmi Note 11 Pro + 5G).

6. Update for devices with unlocked bootloader

If you previously unlocked the bootloader to install custom firmware, the upgrade process gets complicated. Xiaomi blocks OTA-Updates on such devices due to the risk of damage to system partitions.

Options for action:

• 🔄 Back to stock firmware: Download Fastboot ROM Unpack the archive and delete the file. flash_all_lock.bat (So you don't want to block the bootloader again. flash_all_except_storage.bat (retain).
• 📦 Install custom update: Download unofficial firmware (for example, MIUI EU Or Xiaomi.eu. Install through TWRP (Custom Recavers. Clean the cache. → Dalvik/ART Cache).

Important for Redmi owners with custom firmware: check the compatibility of the new version with your kernel and modifications before upgrading. For example, MIUI 14 firmware may not support the cores built for MIUI 13, which will lead to a cyclic restart (bootloop).

⚠️ Note: On devices with unlocked bootloader (Redmi) K50i, Redmi Note 12 Turbo, etc.) may reset status after update via Fastboot OEM Unlock in the developer settings. To return the ability to unlock, you will have to wait 7-15 days (the waiting period will reset).

7. How to roll back an update if the new version is unstable

Sometimes, newer versions of MIUI contain critical bugs: fast battery drain, overheating, camera problems, and in such cases, you can return the previous firmware, but with reservations:

Conditions for rollback:

• 📅 It has been no more than 30 days since the update (after that, the system can automatically clean the backup of the previous version).
• 🔒 The bootloader is not locked (some Redmis require re-unlocking after rollback).
• 📦 You have a backup of the data (rollback will reset all settings).