How to Update Xiaomi Robot Vacuum to the Latest Firmware: Unlocking New Features

Why updating the firmware of the Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner is not just an “upgrade”, but a necessity

Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners (including the Mi Robot Vacuum, Viomi V3, Dreame D9, and others) receive firmware updates at least 2-3 times a year. But most users don’t even realize that their device runs on outdated software, losing critical improvements from optimizing cleaning algorithms to supporting voice assistants (Alice, Google Assistant).

In this article, step-by-step instructions for all upgrade methods (via the application, manually via USB, using ADB), a model compatibility table, as well as unique data on hidden features that only appear in the latest firmware (for example, support for multi-storey maps for Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro). If your vacuum cleaner suddenly becomes less or ignores commands from the application, there is a 90% chance that the outdated software is a problem.

Before you start: Updating the firmware is not a “mandatory procedure” but a conscious choice. In some cases (for example, when using custom firmware), upgrading can lead to loss of functionality. So the first step is to check the current version of the software and analyze what the new firmware will give.

How to check the current version of the firmware and whether you need a new one

Before updating, you need to know which firmware is installed on your robot vacuum cleaner, which will help avoid unnecessary risks: for example, if you already have the latest version, re-updating can lead to failures.

Methods of checking the software version:

• 📱 Through the Mi Home app: Open the device card → Settings (⚙️) → About the device → The firmware version. The number will be in format. X.XX.XXXX (for example, 3.5.8_0042).
• 🔊 Voice query: tell the robot "Firmware Version" (works on models with support for Yandex Alice or XiaoAI).
• 🖥️ Through ADB (For advanced users: connect to the robot over Wi-Fi and execute the command: adb shell getprop ro.build.version.incremental

Now compare your version with the latest official.

If your version is older than the table, an update is recommended, but there are nuances: for example, for Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro, firmware 3.6.9 requires a mandatory reset after installation, otherwise there may be glitch cards.

Method 1: Automatically update via the Mi Home app (the most secure method)

This is the standard method that works for 90% of users, benefits: no technical skills, minimal crash risks, all settings are saved, but only works with a stable Internet connection and if Xiaomi has not withdrawn support for your model.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Mi Home app and select your robot vacuum cleaner.
2. Go to Settings (⚙️) → About the device → Firmware update.
3. If a new version is available, click Update. Make sure the robot is connected to Wi-Fi and charged at least 50%.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (usually 10-20 minutes) and the robot will restart automatically.

What if the Update button is inactive or not available?

• 🔄 Reboot the robot: Hold the power button for 10 seconds, then try again.
• 🌍 Change region to Mi Home: sometimes updates arrive earlier in China or Europe.
• 📶 Check Wi-Fi connection: robot should be on the same network as phone. Use 2.4 GHz (not 5 GHz!).

Charge the robot at least 50% |

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz) |

Close all background apps on your phone |

Make sure that the right device model is selected in Mi Home-->

⚠️ Note: If the robot gives an Update failed (1002) error during the update, it means that the Xiaomi server is temporarily unavailable. Retry in 1-2 hours. If the error 1005 is a problem in the device's memory, you need to reset to factory settings.

Method 2: Manual USB Update (for power users)

This method is needed if the automatic update does not work (for example, due to regional restrictions) or you want to install a beta version of the firmware with new features. However, there are risks: an incorrectly selected firmware file can “brick” the device.

What you need:

• 💾 USB-format-storage FAT32 (32GB).
• 📄 Firmware file in.pkg format for your model (you can download it on miuirom.org or 4PDA).
• 🔌 Charger – the robot must be connected to the network during the process.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware and rename the file to miio_update.pkg (Important! without spaces and Cyrillic).
2. Copy the file to the root USB-storage device (not in the folder!).
3. Turn off the robot, insert the flash drive into the port (usually located under the cover for the dust collector).
4. Hold the power and home button (if any) at the same time for 5-7 seconds until you hear the beep.
5. The robot will automatically start the update. Don't take the USB off or turn off the power!

The process will take 15-30 minutes, and a successful update will confirm the voice message and the flashing green indicator.

⚠️ Attention: On Dreame models D9/D10 manually updated through USB All maps of the premises are reset. Pre-save screenshots of the maps in the application or export them through the app. ADB (Command: Adb pull /sdcard/miio/map/).

Method 3: Update through ADB (for enthusiasts and developers)

This method is suitable if you want to install custom firmware (like Valetudo for full control without the Xiaomi cloud) or roll back to the previous version.

What do you need?

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and established ADB-driver.
• 📡 Robot and computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔓 Developer mode enabled on the robot (activated via the Mi Home app in device settings).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect to the robot on ADB: adb connect [IP-robot address IP You can use the router or the adb device command).
2. Download the firmware in.zip format and place it in the folder with ADB.
3. Start Update: Adb sideload firmware.zip
4. Wait until the robot is finished (it will restart several times).

To install Valetudo (alternative software without the Xiaomi cloud) use the command:

adb shell wget -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Hypfer/Valetudo/master/install.sh | sh

adb pull /system/ system_backup/

This will help restore the device in case of failure.-->

Hidden features that appear after the update

Manufacturers rarely advertise all the innovations in firmware, and here is a list of hidden features that are activated after an update on popular models:

For example, in firmware 3.6.9 for Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro, it became possible to save up to 5 floor maps (previously there were only 3).

1. Remove all saved cards in the app.
2. Run the robot on each floor in turn.
3. In the Maps menu, the option to Add a new floor will appear.

💡

After upgrading to the latest firmware, check the Experimental Features section in the Mi Home app settings. There may be options that are not documented in the official instructions (for example, Turbo Mode for wet cleaning on Viomi V3).

Frequent update errors and how to fix them

Even when following instructions, there may be failures, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

If the robot after the unsuccessful update does not turn on or hangs on the screensaver, try:

1. Hold the power button for 20 seconds to force a reboot.
2. If it doesn’t help, make emergency recovery through ADB: adb shell recovery --wipe_data (This will reset all settings, but will maintain the working capacity).
3. For the Viomi and Dreame models, a combination of buttons can help: Hold Power + Home for 15 seconds.

⚠️ If after the update, the robot became less orientable in space (for example, “loses” furniture on the map), this may be due to a change in algorithms. SLAM (In this case, retraining the map will help: delete all saved maps in the application and let the robot scan the room again.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Updating Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaners