Update MIUI on Xiaomi: official ways and solutions

Updating the operating system on Xiaomi smartphones is a key process for getting new features, fixing security vulnerabilities and improving performance. However, not all users know how to properly upgrade MIUI to avoid errors or even “bricking” the device. In this article, we will discuss all official upgrade methods, from automatic OTA to manual firmware through Fastboot, and also explain how to prepare the smartphone and what to do if the update is suspended.

It’s important to understand that the upgrade process depends on the device model, current MIUI version and regional firmware. For example, for Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 12, the instructions will be similar, but may differ in nuances in the interface. We focus on universal steps that will suit most of the brand’s devices released after 2018. If your smartphone is older, check firmware compatibility on the official website.

1. How to check the current version of MIUI and the availability of updates

Before you start updating, make sure your device supports the new firmware version.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Scroll down to the MIUI Version block, where the current firmware (e.g. MIUI 14.0.5 Global) is displayed.
3. Click on the line with the version several times to activate the developer mode (optional, but useful for manual firmware).

To check the availability of updates:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Click "Check Updates" - the system will contact Xiaomi servers and show the available packages.
• ⚠️ If the update is not available, it is possible that your model is removed from the list of supported devices (relevant for devices older than 4 years).

Pay attention to the type of firmware:

• Global is the international version for most regions.
• China (CN) is a Chinese firmware without Google services (requires manual installation of GApps).
• EEA is the European version of GDPR.
• Stable/Beta is a stable or test branch (beta may contain bugs).

⚠️ Attention: Installation of firmware of non-conforming region (e.g, CN on a device with Global, which may result in loss of functionality of the mobile network or Google services).

Method 1: Automatic Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and safest method is to upgrade by air" (OTA, It's suitable for most users and doesn't require technical skills:

1. Connect your device to a stable Wi-Fi network (updating via mobile internet can lead to additional costs).
2. Make sure your battery is above 50% (80 percent recommended for devices with a battery capacity of less than 4,000 mAh).
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. If the update is available, click "Download" and wait for the download to complete.
5. After downloading, the system will offer to install the update - confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

The installation process will take 5 to 15 minutes. The device will reboot several times -- don't interrupt the process, even if the screen stays black for a long time. OTA-packet MIUI — 1.5 to 3 GB.

Battery charge > 50%|Wi-Fi connection|Release. ≥ 5 GB memory|Shut down. VPN/proxy|Close background annexes-->

⚠️ Warning: If after the update, the smartphone began to warm or discharge quickly, reset the cache in Recovery (clip the power supply). + Volume up when downloading, select "Wipe Cache" This will delete temporary files without losing data.

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery

If OTA-Update is unavailable or gives an error, you can install firmware manually through Recovery Mode.This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and requires pre-loading the official service pack.

Steps for manual installation:

1. Download the correct firmware version from the official Xiaomi Firmware website. Select the device model, region and the latest stable version (file with the.zip extension).
2. Transfer the downloaded file to the root directory of the smartphone’s internal memory (not to folders!). Rename the file for convenience, such as update.zip.
3. Turn off the device and press the button combination to log in to Recovery: For most models: Power + Volume up. For POCO and some Redmi: Power + Volume down.

In the Recovery menu, select the language (if available) then:

Install update.zip to System One


(or "Install Update")

Confirm the installation and wait for the process to be completed (about 10-20 minutes).

Once installed successfully, the device will automatically restart. If the error "Couldn't verify update package" appears, check:

• 🔹 Integrity of the downloaded file (compare hash amount) MD5 formal).
• 🔹 File name correctness (must not contain Cyrillic or spaces).
• 🔹 Compatibility of firmware with your model (for example, firmware for Redmi Note 11 is not suitable for Note 11 Pro).

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

Fastboot is the most reliable method for recovering brick-and-brick devices or installing firmware from scratch, but requires a PC and minimal command-line knowledge.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).
• 📄 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for your model.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
2. Install Xiaomi drivers (if Windows doesn’t find them automatically, download Mi USB Driver).
3. Turn off your smartphone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the buttons Power + Volume down for 10 seconds (there will be a hare in a hat-eared hat on the screen)
4. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, click "Select" and specify the path to the firmware folder. Then click "Refresh" - your smartphone should appear in the list of devices.
6. Select firmware mode: Clean All – complete clean (removes all data); Clean All and Lock – clean + lock the bootloader (for sale of the device); Save User Data – saving user data (does not always work stably).

Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot firmware with Clean All option deletes all data, including photos and messages. pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or Google Account.

5. Solving common problems when updating

Even when following instructions, users encounter errors, and let's look at typical scenarios and how to fix them.

5.1 Update hung on MI logo

If after installing the firmware, the device does not load beyond the logo (so-called "bootloop"):

• 🔋 Wait 30 to 40 minutes – sometimes the first download takes a long time.
• 🔄 Try to go to Recovery and run Wipe Cache.
• 🛠️ If it doesn’t work, swipe the device over the Fastboot with the Clean All option.

Error "Cannot verify update"

This error occurs when you try to install unofficial or corrupted firmware.

• 🔍 Check the integrity of the file (compare the hash amount) MD5 formal).
• 📥 Download the firmware again from the official source.
• 🔄 Rename the file to update.zip (free of spaces and special symbols).

5.3 Loss of mobile network after update

If after the upgrade the cellular signal disappeared:

• 📶 Go to Settings. → SIM-Maps and mobile networks and select the operator manually.
• 🔄 Perform a reset of network settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.
• 🛠️ If the problem persists, run the modem module through Fastboot (requires a separate file). non-hlos.bin).

adb shell pm trim-caches 256

This will remove the cache of all applications without compromising the data.-->

6.How to roll back the MIUI update

If the new version of MIUI is unstable, you can return the previous firmware. However, Xiaomi blocks the rollback to the old versions through the Anti-Rollback mechanism.

Permissible rollback scenarios:

• 🔙 72 hours after the update (some models allow you to cancel) OTA-Update through Settings → Updating the system → Settings (⚙) → Remove the update).
• 🔄 If you have saved a backup copy through Mi Cloud or TWRP, You can restore it (but it is not a firmware rollback, but a data return).

For a full kickback:

1. Find the old firmware version on forums (e.g. XDA Developers or 4PDA).
2. Make sure that its Anti-Rollback number is not lower than the current one (checked via Fastboot by the fastboot getvar anti command).
3. Fastboot with a full clean (Clean All)

⚠️ Attention: Retracement to the version with a lower Anti-Rollback number will lead to a lockdown of the bootloader and the need to contact the service center.

7. Where to Download Official Firmware for Xiaomi

To avoid installing fake or modified firmware, download files only from official sources:

When downloading, pay attention to:

• 📌 Device model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro) 5G Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G — firmware).
• 🌍 Region (Global, EEA, China, India).
• 🔢 Android version (MIUI 14 can run on Android 12 or 13 depending on the model).

💡

Never install firmware from unofficial sources (such as torrents or file sharing sites) and the risk of getting a virus or corrupted firmware is extremely high.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi update