How to upgrade MIUI to Xiaomi: official and alternative ways

Updating MIUI firmware on Xiaomi smartphones is a key process for improving performance, fixing bugs and getting new features. However, many users face challenges ranging from notifying them of available updates to installing errors. This article will help you understand all the nuances of the process, including device preparation, choosing how to update and solving typical problems.

It is important to understand that the MIUI upgrade process depends on the smartphone model, current firmware version and regional device variant (Global, China, EEA or India).We will look at official methods from Xiaomi, as well as alternative approaches for power users, including manual installation via Recovery or Fastboot.

If you've never updated your firmware yourself before, don't worry. Most operations are done automatically, and we've highlighted all the critical moments separately. For those who prefer manual control, we'll give you step-by-step instructions based on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS (a new shell from Xiaomi that replaces MIUI on some devices).

1. Preparation of the smartphone for the MIUI update

Before you start the update, you need to follow a few steps to avoid data loss or failures in the process. Even if you upgrade "over the air" (OTA), the preparation will take no more than 5 minutes, but saves hours to restore the system in case of an error.

The first thing to do is check the current version of MIUI. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Write down or take a picture of this information: you will need it to choose the right firmware when you manually install it.

• 📱 Device model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G or POCO F5)
• 🌍 Regional version (Global, China, Russia, etc.)
• 🔢 Assembly number (e.g, V14.0.4.0.TMORUXM)
• 📅 Compilation Date (shows how old your firmware is)

Next, make sure that the device has enough free space. Update "over the air" requires a minimum of 1.5-2 GB of free space, and for manual installation through Recovery - up to 4-5 GB (depending on the model). → Warehouse.

Record the current version MIUI device model|Free up at least 2 GB of memory|Connect to charging (minimum 50%)|Create a backup copy of important data|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network-->

⚠️ Note: If your device is unlocked via Mi Unlock Tool or has custom recavator (TWRP), formal updates OTA In this case, you will need to manual firmware through the Fastboot.

Method 1: Automatic Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and most recommended method is to upgrade through the built-in OTA (Over-The-Air) system, which is suitable for 90% of users and does not require technical skills, but there are nuances: sometimes updates come with a delay, and on some devices they have to be “pulled” manually.

To check for updates:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Package (if there is no such option, skip this step).
3. Wait until the check is completed. If the update is available, the Download button will appear.
4. After download, click Set and confirm the reboot.

If the system says “No Updates” but you know that your model has a new version, try the following:

• 🔄 Restart your device – sometimes it helps to push through the hidden update.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network or use mobile internet (on some devices, updates are blocked at the provider level).
• 🕒 Wait 2-3 days – Xiaomi often rolls out updates in waves.
• 🔧 Reset network settings in Settings → Connections → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.

Only when the notification appears|I check manually every 2-3 months.|I'm installing custom firmware.|Never update.|I don't know what my version is.-->

If the automatic update never appeared, but you are sure of the new version, you can try to force download OTA-package through services like the official Xiaomi site or Xiaomi Firmware Updater. The downloaded file should be placed in the root of internal memory and installed through Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three points → Select the service pack.

💡

Automatic OTA updates are the safest method, but their speed varies by region and device model. New smartphones (2023-2026) are getting faster updates than older models (until 2020).

Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery

If automatic updates are not available or you want to install a specific version of MIUI, you can use manual firmware through Recovery, a method that works for most devices other than those running HyperOS (they may require a Fastboot).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ The ability to choose any stable version of the firmware.
• ✅ No connection to regional restrictions.
• ✅ User data is stored (unless otherwise indicated).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It requires more action than OTA.
• ❌ Risk of "brick" with the wrong choice of firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the correct firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website. the file name must contain the code of your device (for example, the code of the device, toco_global_images... For the Redmi Note 10 Never use firmware from unofficial sources – this can lead to the device being blocked!
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory (not in folders!).
3. Turn off your smartphone and press the button combination to log in to Recovery: For most models: Volume up + Power. For some devices (e.g. POCO F3): Volume down + Power.

Recovery

Install update.zip to System

Confirm the installation and wait until it is completed (usually 5-15 minutes).

MIUI

⚠️ Note: If after installation via Recovery, the device stuck on the logo MIUI For more than 20 minutes, force it to restart (clip the power for 10-15 seconds). If the problem recurs, you will need firmware through Fastboot.

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

Fastboot is the most reliable way to flash Xiaomi, but it requires a computer and basic knowledge of working with ADB/Fastboot.

• 🔧 The device does not turn on or is stuck on the boot.
• 🔄 We need to move on. MIUI HyperOS or vice versa.
• 🚫 Automatic update and recovery are not working.

To run through Fastboot, you will need:

• 💻 Windows computer (or Linux/macOS driverless).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📦 Official firmware in.tgz or.zip format (download only from the official website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\miui_fastboot).
2. Install Xiaomi drivers (you can use Mi PC Suite or manually).
3. Turn off your smartphone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Volume down + Power before the rabbit appears in the hat-ear (Fastboot Mode).
4. Connect the device to your computer and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
6. Select firmware mode: Clean all - complete clean (deletes all data!), Save user data - save user files (not always working), Clean all and lock - clean + lock the bootloader (for official firmware).

Flash

Once the firmware is successful, the device will automatically restart. It can take up to 10 minutes to launch for the first time, which is normal. If the smartphone doesn't turn on for more than 20 minutes, repeat the clean-up process.

5.Typical Mistakes in Updating MIUI and Their Solutions

Even when following instructions, users often encounter errors, and we've collected the most common problems and solutions.

If your problem isn’t listed in the table, try the following generic steps:

1. Reset the device.
2. Check your internet connection (turn off VPN if you use it).
3. Free up space on the internal drive (minimum 3 GB).
4. Reset your network settings to Settings → Connections → Reset settings.
5. If nothing helps, go through the Fastboot with a full cleanup.

To upgrade to HyperOS:

1. Check if the firmware is available for your model on the download page (look for files marked OS1.0 in the title).
2. Download the full firmware package (usually weighing 3-4 GB).
3. Fastboot Clean all, as an over-the-air update from MIUI to HyperOS is not supported.

After installing HyperOS, you will notice changes in the interface:

• 🎨 New design of icons and animations.
• ⚡ Improved Memory and Background Process Management.
• 🔒 New privacy settings (e.g. blocking access to sensors for applications).

⚠️ Note: HyperOS devices may not be running some of the Magisk modules and custom cores. If you use root rights, wait for module updates from developers.

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

Sometimes, after updating, users encounter bugs or inconveniences of the new version, in which case you can try to roll back on the previous firmware, but there are important limitations:

• ⏳ Recoil time: Xiaomi blocks rollbacks to older versions 7-14 days after the release of new firmware (to prevent exploits).
• 🔒 Bootloader lock: On new devices (2022 and later), rollback may require unlocking the bootloader.
• 📱 Data loss: Recoiling almost always leads to resetting settings.

To roll back:

1. Download the desired version of the firmware from the firmware archive.
2. Go through the Fastboot with a clean all.
3. If the device does not turn on, try flashing through EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

On HyperOS devices, MIUI rollback is only possible through Fastboot and often requires additional unlock manipulations. If you are not sure about your skills, wait for fixes in new updates.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)