Xiaomi’s mobile operating system, called MIUI, receives regular updates that not only fix security bugs but also introduce new features. The MIUI 12 version has become a landmark for many users thanks to the introduction of privacy protection and updated interface design. However, automatic updates may not come to the device immediately or not appear on the menu at all due to regional features.
Smartphone owners often face a situation where there is no notification of a new firmware, although forums are already discussing a stable version. OTA-The Over-The-Air channel for your model or region has not yet been launched by the developers, and in this case, the wait may be delayed for weeks, but there is a way to speed up the process.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for moving to the current build, how to check the current version of the system, how to safely install the update manually through the recovery menu, and what to do if the process went wrong. It is important to understand that manual flashing requires care, since interrupting the process of writing data can lead to a software failure.
Preparing the smartphone for the installation of a new firmware
Before you start any manipulation of system files, you need to make sure that the device is ready to go. The first step is to back up all the important data. Although regular methods of updating usually save user information, backup is a mandatory precaution in case of unforeseen circumstances.
It is also critical to check the battery power: the process of loading and installing the service pack can take from 10 to 30 minutes, during which the phone will activate energy. If the battery runs out at the time of writing system partitions, this can damage the bootloader.
⚠️ Warning: Do not start the upgrade process if the battery level is below 60%. connect the device to the original charger throughout the procedure.
Make sure to free up space in the internal storage. The firmware file weighs between 2 and 4 gigabytes, and the system requires additional free space to unpack and install it, delete unnecessary videos, photos or transfer them to your computer.
- 📱 Backup your contacts and photos to Google’s cloud or computer.
- 🔋 Charge the smartphone battery to at least 60-70%.
- 💾 Release at least 5-6 GB of free memory in internal storage.
- 📶 Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection to download files.
Checking the current version and automatically updating
The easiest and safest way to get a new version of MIUI 12 is through a regular update mechanism, the system itself checks for new builds on the manufacturer's servers, but sometimes a forced request is required to initiate a check.
To do this, go to your device's settings menu. Find the About Phone section that displays the current version of the operating system. At the top of the screen, you'll see the MIUI logo or version number. You'll click on this logo or the Update Check button.
If the servers say that the new version is available, the screen will show a suggestion to download and install the package, in which case you only have to agree and wait for the process to be completed. If you see the message "No updates found", it means that for your region or a particular Xiaomi model, the update has not yet arrived by air.
Sometimes it helps to change your region in settings. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Region and select another country, such as India or Indonesia, where updates often come out earlier. After changing the region, repeat the check. Remember to return your region back after a successful update.
Manual installation of updates via Recovery (Method 1)
If the automatic search didn’t work, you can use the manual installation method, which requires you to download the official firmware package in Recovery format (file with the extension.zip) for your particular model, and it is important to download the stable version (Stable), not the beta version, if you want stable operation.
Once you download the file, put it in the root folder of your smartphone's internal memory. Don't hide it in deep directories, the system should find it easily. Then revisit the system update menu as described in the previous section.
Click on the MIUI logo (or three dots in the top right corner) several times in a row until the pop-up menu with additional options appears. Here you need to select Select a firmware file. The system will find the downloaded archive and prompt you to start updating.
☑️ Checklist before manual installation
⚠️ Note: The firmware file must be in.zip format. Do not unpack the archive or rename it, otherwise the system will not be able to recognize it.
Once confirmed, the system will restart and start the installation process. The screen may go out and light up, which is normal behavior. Don't touch the device until the desktop appears.
Update via Fastboot mode and computer
A more advanced method that often helps when built-in recovery doesn't see a file or gives an error. For this method, you'll need a computer with Windows operating system and ADB and Fastboot drivers installed. You'll also need to download the Mi Flash Tool utility or use the command line.
You must first unlock the bootloader if you plan to use full Fastboot images, but to update via Recovery in Fastboot mode, the bootloader can be left locked. Download the firmware file in Fastboot format (extension.tgz) and unpack it on your computer.
Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode. Turn off your phone, then press the power and volume buttons at the same time. When a hare appears on the screen repairing an android, connect the phone to your computer through a computer. USB-cable.
fastboot devicesType this command into the computer command line. If the drivers are installed correctly, you will see the serial number of the device. Then you can run the installation script, which is usually in the folder with the unpacked firmware (file). flash_all.bat This method completely rewrites the system partition, which guarantees a clean installation without errors.
| Parameter | Recovery ROM | Fastboot ROM |
|---|---|---|
| File extension | .zip | .tgz |
| The need for a PC | No. | Yes. |
| Data retention | Yeah (usually) | No (with full firmware) |
| Difficulty | Low. | Tall. |
| File size | 2-3GB | 3-4GB |
What if your computer doesn’t see your phone in Fastboot?
Decision errors in the update
The update process doesn't always go smoothly. Users may encounter an error called "Failed to Update" or "File corrupted." Often this is because the version you're trying to install is newer than the current one, but the firmware region doesn't match the region of the device, for example, you can't update the global version through a file for China without changing the region.
Another common problem is space shortage, and even if a file is loaded, the system needs a place to temporarily store and decompress it, clear the app cache or delete large files before trying again, and clear the updater's cache through the app menu also helps.
- 🚫 Infinite Reboot: If your phone is stuck on the logo after the upgrade, try logging in to Recovery and doing a data reset (Wipe Data).
In some cases, an antivirus or file manager may block the system updater from accessing the firmware file. Try temporarily disabling third-party memory cleanup applications or antiviruses.
💡
Use only official sources to download firmware, such as miui.com or the trusted resource miuiroms.com, to avoid infecting your device with malicious code.
Innovation and optimization after installation of MIUI 12
After the successful transition to MIUI 12, you will notice significant changes in visual style, new control design, live wallpaper and improved animation, and a special focus on the control center, which is now divided into two parts: notifications and switches.
The biggest change was Privacy Protection, and the new version of the OS introduced the Illuminator, which shows which apps are accessing the camera, microphone or geolocation in real time, and you can see the indicators in the corner of the screen when you're recording.
It also improves application windows, and now you can open up to 9 windows at a time in multitasking mode, which is especially convenient on tablets and smartphones with large screens, and the system is more responsive thanks to the optimization of the rendering engine.
💡
MIUI 12 brings not only a new design, but also fundamental changes in the security policy and work with personal data of the user.
It is recommended that after the first run, let the phone lie on the charge for about an hour, the system will perform background optimization of applications and indexing files to speed up work in the future.