Xiaomi’s smartphone is a complex ecosystem where the stability of the work depends on the relevance of the installed software. Users often face a situation when the favorite social network stops opening, the banking service requires a new version, or the games start to fly out within minutes of launch. In most cases, the root of the problem lies in the outdated code of the application, which no longer meets the requirements of servers or the Android operating system.
The upgrade process on Redmi and POCO devices may differ from standard procedures on other gadgets due to deep customization of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS. The system has its own content stores and specific energy saving settings that can block the background load of data. Understanding these nuances allows you to avoid errors and quickly return the functionality of the device.
In this guide, we will discuss all available ways to update software, from standard methods through official directories to advanced manual installation options. You will learn how to configure automatic updates so as not to waste time on routine actions, and what to do if the installation process stalls or ends in error. Proper version management is the key to the safety and performance of your device.
Automatic updates via Google Play Store
The most common and safe way to get new versions of programs is to use the official Google Play store. By default, the system is configured to automatically download updates, however, this process is often blocked by power saving settings or no Wi-Fi connection. To check the status, you need to open the Play Store app and go to the user profile by clicking on the avatar in the upper right corner of the screen.
In the menu that opens, select App and Device Management, then go to the Update tab, which displays the full list of programs that have been released for the new versions. If the list is empty, then all applications are relevant. To force the process to start, you can click Update all or select a specific application for point installation.
It is important to check the auto-update settings so that the system works correctly in the background. Go to Settings (the gear icon in the profile) and find the Preferences section, then App Auto Update. There are three options available here: only via Wi-Fi, through any network or disallow. To save traffic, it is recommended to choose the upgrade only over Wi-Fi, but if mobile Internet is unlimited, you can allow work over the cellular network.
☑️ Checking the settings of Google Play
It is worth considering that the shell MIUI It has an aggressive policy of closing the background processes. If the applications are not automatically updated, although the setting is enabled, it is possible that the system "kills" the process of the Play Store. → Annexes → All applications → Google Play Store and in the AutoRun section allow the service to work, as well as remove restrictions in the Save battery by selecting the option No restrictions.
Update via the built-in Mi GetApps store
Xiaomi smartphone owners often ignore the built-in GetApps directory (formerly known as Mi Market), although it is a priority for a number of system components and optimizations.Some services, especially regional or preinstalled by the manufacturer, may not be updated through Google Play, requiring the intervention of the company's home store.
To work with this tool, look for an icon called GetApps on your desktop or in the Tools folder. At the bottom of the screen is the Moi tab, which displays the Update button in the upper right corner. Here you can see the list of pending updates and the history of recently installed programs. This store is especially important for users who use devices released for the Chinese market or want to access exclusive themes and widgets.
⚠️ Note: When updating system components through GetApps (such as a system plugin or security services), do not interrupt the process. Unlike conventional games, critical system modules can temporarily block the device interface during installation.
Users are often confronted with intrusive suggestions to install recommended apps in this store. To avoid rubbish, you should be careful when pressing buttons. The interface may contain banner ads that visually resemble update buttons. Always make sure that you click on the Update button next to the name of a particular application, and not on a bright picture with a proposal to download a new game.
Why does GetApps require additional permissions?
Hand-mounted APK-third-party files
Sometimes there is a situation when the application is removed from official stores or the new version is not yet available in your region, and you need to download it urgently. APK-This method requires more care, since you take responsibility for the security of the code you install.
The first step is to find a reliable source. It is recommended to use trusted repositories such as APKMirror or APKPure that verify the digital signatures of developers. Once the file is downloaded to a browser or file manager, Android will issue a security alert. Go to settings and allow installation from unknown sources for the specific application through which the file is downloaded (for example, for Chrome or Mi Browser).
The installation process is as follows:
- 📥 Download the current one. APK-file.
- 📂 Open the file manager and find the downloaded file in the Download pack.
- 🔐 Allow installation from unknown sources in the pop-up window.
- ✅ Click the Install button and wait for the process to be completed.
When manually installed, it is important to monitor the Android version and the processor architecture. Modern Xiaomi devices usually require arm64-v8a versions. Installing an incorrect architecture will lead to a parsing error. It is also worth remembering that when installed on top of the old version, the user data is usually stored, but when the version is downgraded (downgrade), you will need a complete reset of the application data.
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Use the APKUpdater app to automatically search for new versions of installed programs on third-party resources. APK-file.
Solving loading and installation problems
Even with a stable Internet, the update process can freeze at the “Waiting to Download” or “Download” stage. Often the reason lies in the crowded cache of the app store. To clean, you need to go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find Google Play Store and select Memory. There you should click the “Clean and choose Clear all (or Clear data) button. This will not delete your applications, but reset the store settings.
Another common problem is the lack of space: MIUI requires a buffer zone to decompress installation files. If the memory is more than 90% full, the download may not start at all, it is recommended to free up at least 1-2 GB of space by removing unnecessary videos or using the built-in Cleanup utility.
If the error persists, try to delete updates to the Google Play service itself. Search the Google Play Services menu and click Remove Updates from the bottom menu (or through three dots). Once the reboot is complete, the system will download the current version of the service itself, which often solves the account sync problems.
| Type of error | Probable cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| 403 error | Conflict of accounts or region | Leave all accounts, leave one, clear the cache |
| The loading is hanging. | An unstable DNS or network | Change DNS to 8.8.8.8 or switch to Wi-Fi/4G |
| Not enough space. | The memory section is overflowing | Delete files in the DCIM folder or messenger cache |
| Syntactic error | Incompatibility of APK file | Download version for another processor architecture |
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In 80% of cases, download errors are solved by simply cleaning the cache data of the Google Play Store app and Google Play services.
Updates only for Wi-Fi
Mobile traffic can be limited, so it’s important to set up download options correctly. In global versions of Xiaomi firmware, the default is often a restriction on downloading applications larger than 50 MB over the mobile network. However, for full control, it’s better to force Wi-Fi priority.
In the Google Play Store settings (Preferences section), select App Auto Update and set the value Only via Wi-Fi. This ensures that the background update of heavy games or navigators will not "eat" your Internet package. Similar settings are present in the GetApps store in the profile settings section.
There is also a hidden setting in the engineering menu or through ADB that allows you to change the file size limit for downloading over the mobile network, but it is safer for the average user to use standard restrictions. If you urgently need to update the application while out of Wi-Fi, you can temporarily change the setting to Any Network, launch the update, and then immediately return the restriction back.
Updating system components and drivers
Xiaomi smartphones not only receive app updates, but also modular system updates through the Google Play System Update. These patches affect security components, media codecs and Bluetooth drivers. Check their availability in the Settings menu → About Phone → Android Update (the path may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
System plugins are worth special attention. Unlike regular applications, they are updated in the background and often do not appear in the general list. If you notice strange interface behavior or battery discharge, check the About Me section in the phone settings and click on the MIUI/HyperOS version several times to make sure that the system does not expect a critical patch to be installed.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to remove system applications with the names "Security", "Services & Feedback" or "MIUI Daemon, even if they take up space, their removal or forced rollback of the version can lead to unstable operation of the entire smartphone.
For advanced users, a way to update system components through the Project Mainline platform is available, which allows you to update key Android modules regardless of the firmware version. You can check status in the Google Play security settings. If the module requires an update, it will boot automatically when you connect to Wi-Fi and charge the device.