How to properly update Xiaomi: all the ways for smartphones, TV and gadgets

Why Xiaomi Updates Are Important and When to Install

Software updates for Xiaomi devices are not just a marketing move, but a critical process that affects the performance, security and functionality of your gadget. Each new version of MIUI or HyperOS brings vulnerability patches, power optimization, support for new features (such as AOD for budget models), and even camera improvements through updated image processing algorithms.

But how do you know it's time to update? First, watch for notifications of available updates in the status bar. Second, check Settings → About Phone → Update every 1-2 weeks - sometimes updates come in waves and don't come automatically. Third, if you notice a slowdown, overheating or fast battery discharge, it can be a signal that the current firmware needs fixes. For example, in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ after upgrading to HyperOS 1.0.5, many users reported an increase in battery life by 15-20%.

However, not all updates are equally useful. There are times when a new version of the software makes critical bugs in the NFC or Bluetooth module (as it was with the Poco F5 in April 2026), so always read the reviews on the 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums before installing it, this will save you hours of rollback to the previous version.

Preparing the device for the update: 5 mandatory steps

Before you click the Update button, make sure your device is ready for the procedure.Neglecting preparation can lead to a blink (total inoperability) or data loss. Here is a checklist to help avoid problems:

Battery charge ≥ 50% (for smartphones) or network connection (for TV)

Free up ≥ 3 GB of memory (for global firmware) or ≥ 5 GB (for Chinese versions)

Disable VPNs and proxy servers (they can block Xiaomi servers)

Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup

Remember the current version of the software (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI/HyperOS)

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Pay special attention to the backup item. Xiaomi has a built-in backup tool, but it doesn't save:

• 🔐 Data from some banking applications (e.g. Sberbank Online or Tinkoff)
• 📱 Settings ADB root rights (if activated)
• 🎮 Save games (use Google Play Games or Mi Cloud separately)

For devices with an unlocked bootloader, it is recommended to return it to locked state before upgrading, unless you plan to install custom firmware, this will reduce the risk of conflicts when installing official updates.

fastboot oem device-info

Smartphone (Redmi, Poco, Xiaomi)

TV (Mi TV, Redmi TV)

Smart watches or bracelets (Mi Band, Watch)

Router (Mi Router, AiOT)

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Method 1: Air-to-air update (OTA) is the easiest method

The OTA (Over-The-Air) method is a standard way to get updates that doesn't require a PC connection or manual file download, and it's suitable for 90% of users and takes no more than 10-15 minutes.

1. Connect your device to a stable Wi-Fi network (updating via mobile internet may result in additional tariffs).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update (for TV: Settings → About TV → Software Update).
3. Click "Check Updates." If the update is available, the Download button will appear.
4. After download, click "Install" and confirm the reboot.

Important: if you have a Chinese version of the firmware (for example, V14.0.3.0.TMCCNXM), piece OTA-Updates will only come to the China region to move to global firmware (Global or Global). EEA), You will need to use the Mi Flash Tool.

The process is similar for Xiaomi TV, but there is a caveat: if the TV is connected to the Internet via cable rather than Wi-Fi, the update can take longer to load due to speed limits in some models (for example, Mi TV 4S 55), in which case it will help to connect via 5 GHz Wi-Fi or manually download the firmware to the flash drive.

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery – if OTA doesn’t work

If automatic updates are not available or if an error (such as “Cannot verify update”) is detected, you can install the firmware manually via a recavator, a method that is suitable for smartphones and requires you to download an official.zip file from Xiaomi’s website.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official website: 🌍 Global version: https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index 🇨🇳 Chinese version: https://new.c.mi.com/cn/miuidownload/index 🇪🇺 European (EEA): https://new.c.mi.com/eea/miuidownload/index

update.zip

root-folder

Download

MIUI

Recovery

• For most smartphones: Power + Volume up
• For Poco F4/F5: Power + Volume Down
• From the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice), then Install update.zip to System.
• Confirm the installation and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).

💡

Manually updating via Recovery or USB is the only way to flash a device if it doesn’t turn on normally (for example, after a failed OTA).

Method 3: Firmware via Mi Flash Tool for power users

This method is used when:

• 🔄 You need to switch from Chinese firmware to global (or vice versa)
• 🛠️ The device is "bricked" (not turned on, stuck on fastboot)
• 📉 Reverse to the previous version is required MIUI/HyperOS

To run through the Mi Flash Tool, you will need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (MacOS tool does not work on the machine)
• 🔌 Cable USB (It is preferable to be original, as cheap cables can cause errors)
• 📄 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (download only from official sources!)
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if you are running the unofficial version)
• Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process can take 5-10 minutes).

💡

If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error "critical partition flashing is not allowed", it means that your Mi Account is not tied to the device. Solution: log in to the Mi Unlock Tool and try again.

For Xiaomi. TV The firmware through the Mi Flash Tool is not used - instead, the method is used through the ADB service-oriented USB-Port (special cable required).

Update of Xiaomi smart watches and bracelets

The Mi Watch and Mi Band fitness bracelets also receive firmware updates, but the process is different from smartphones.

• 📱 Updates come via the Mi Fitness app (for Mi Band) or Xiaomi Wear (for Mi Watch).
• 🔋 Make sure the device charge is ≥ 30%, otherwise the update will not start.
• 📶 Watch/bracelet must be connected to phone via Bluetooth (Wi-Fi not used).
• ⏳ The process takes 3-5 minutes, do not disable the connection during the update!

Instructions for Mi Band 7/8:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app and go to the section of your bracelet.
2. Stick to three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select the firmware update.
3. If the update is available, click Download and Install.
4. Wait until the bracelet is finished and it will reboot automatically.

For the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Mi Watch S3, the process is similar, but updates can weigh up to 50-100 MB (versus 1-5 MB for bracelets).

⚠️ Warning: If the progress indicator in the application does not move for more than 10 minutes, reset the clock (press the power button for 15 seconds) and try again.

Frequent update errors and how to fix them

Even when you follow the instructions, you're going to get some errors, and we've collected some of the most common problems and solutions.

If your device doesn't turn on after a failed update (black screen, flashing LED, vibration without image), don't panic. In 80% of cases, it can be restored:

1. Try logging into Fastboot (Power + Volume Down) and flashing through the Mi Flash Tool.
2. If Fastboot isn’t available, try EDL mode (requires a special cable or box).
3. For Xiaomi TV with a "brick" use the combination Power + Menu + Volume Down (hold 10 seconds).

⚠️ Note: If the screen reads "This" after the update MIUI “version cannot be installed on this device” means you’re trying to install firmware from another model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro instead of Redmi Note 12 Pro).+). Check the exact model name in the documentation or on the box!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions