How to upgrade the system on Xiaomi: all the ways for smartphones, TV and routers

Updating the firmware on Xiaomi devices is a key process for stable operation, security and access to new features, but not all users know how to perform this procedure correctly without the risk of bricking the gadget. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update for smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Mi), Mi TVs TV Mi Router routers, including hidden nuances that are not written in the official instructions.

From automatic updates "over the air" (OTA) Before you manually firmware through Fastboot or Recovery, you will learn which method is right for your device, how to avoid errors and what to do if the update is suspended.+ year of release, where standard methods may not work.

Important: The update procedure differs depending on the type of device and version MIUI/HyperOS. For example, Xiaomi TVs TV A2 2023 years require binding to the account Mi Account before firmware, and smartphones on HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi) 14) Supports new update package format (.tz).

1.Preparing the device for the update: 5 mandatory steps

Before you start updating, you need to perform basic steps that will reduce the risk of failures. Skipping at least one item can lead to data loss or inability to complete the firmware.

• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 60% for smartphones/tablets. For TVs and routers, ensure uninterrupted power supply (UPS welcome).
• 📡 A stable Internet connection is for OTA-Updates should be at least 5 Mbps. When manually download files only from official sources.
• 📱 Backup – Save contacts, photos and settings through Settings → The phone. → Backup or Mi Cloud backup.
• 🔐 Account Untied – If you plan to flash your device through Fastboot, temporarily delete Mi Account in your security settings.
• 🛠️ Model Check – Find out the exact version of the device in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G It has a ruby index, and Mi. TV P1 — l43m7-ra.

For devices with an unlocked bootloader, check the lock status with the command:

fastboot oem device-info

If you see Device unlocked: true, you can stitch custom firmware in the answer, otherwise you will need to officially unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi devices from 2023 to 2026 (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or POCO F5) unlocking the bootloader resets all data, including internal memory (userdata!

Method 1: Automatic Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and most recommended method is to update via the settings menu, which is suitable for 90% of users if:

• 📲 The device is officially supported (not custom firmware).
• 🌍 The firmware region is the same as your country (e.g, EEA Europe).
• 🔄 No root rights or modifications to system files.

Instructions for smartphones:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, download it (the package weight is usually 1.5-3 GB).
4. After download, click Set and wait for the reboot.

For Mi TVs, the way is different:

1. Go to Settings → About TV → Software Update.
2. Select the Update over the network.
3. Confirm the installation and do not turn off the TV for 10-15 minutes.

If the update is not found, your device may be in a staged rollout, in which case you can try:

• 🔄 Restart the device and check for updates again.
• 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes) IP-address affects availability OTA).
• ⏳ Wait 1-2 weeks – Xiaomi sends updates in batches.

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If your smartphone is on HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14), but the update does not come, try changing the firmware region through Settings. → Additionally. → Region. Sometimes it speeds up the reception. OTA.

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery

If automatic updates are not available or are frozen, you can manually install firmware through Recovery mode.

• 📱 Smartphones with official firmware (without root rights).
• 📺 Mi TVs TV (required USB-storage FAT32).
• 📶 Mi Router routers (via web interface).

Step-by-step instructions for smartphones:

1. Download the full firmware package (not incremental!) for your model from en.miui.com. The file name should end in.zip.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of internal memory.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip to System (Management – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
5. Wait for completion (the screen will show the inscription Success) and restart the device.

For Mi TVs:

1. Download the firmware for your model (for example, l55m7-5ar_international_...) official website.
2. Unpack. ZIP-archive and copy the file update.zip flash-drive (FAT32).
3. Put the flash drive in. USB-TV port, go to Settings → On TV. → Update of the PO → Local Update.
4. Select a file and confirm the installation. Don't remove the flash drive until the TV restarts.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi TVs TV Q2 (2026) local updates require you to enter the password from the Mi Account associated with the device. If you forget the password, reset it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

Download the firmware from the official website

Check the device model (e.g, redmi_note_12_pro)

Rename the file to update.zip

Charge the device >50%

Disable antivirus (can block firmware files)

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

The Fastboot method is used when:

• 🔧 We need to restore the "brick" device.
• 📦 You need to flash the full factory firmware (for example, after a failed update).
• 🔓 The bootloader is unlocked (required for most models).

You'll need to get the firmware:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (download from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for Windows) or fastboot in the terminal (Linux/macOS).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MiFlash\rom).
2. Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a rabbit in a hat will appear on the screen).
3. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
5. Select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Locking bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

For Linux/macOS Use commands in the terminal:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash recovery recovery.img




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra), Fastboot firmware may require authorization through Mi Account, even if the bootloader is unlocked. If you see an anti-rollback error, you are trying to flash an older version of the software, which is prohibited.

5. Features of the update for different devices Xiaomi

The upgrade process can vary dramatically depending on the type of device, and let’s look at the key nuances for each category.

5.1. Smartphones and tablets (MIUI/HyperOS)

On devices with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14, POCO F6) New rules emerge:

• 🔄 Recoil on the old version is possible only within 3 days after the update.
• 🔒 bootloader lock automatically activates after Fastboot firmware is installed if you select Clean all and lock option.
• 📦 The firmware format has changed: instead of.zip,.tz files are used (for the purpose of the application). OTA) and.img (for Fastboot).

Mi TVs TV (2018–2026)

Updating TVs has its pitfalls:

• 📺 Models of Mi TV Q1E (2023) and later require binding binding to Mi Account for local updates.
• 🔌 When you're firmware through USB ports should not be used USB 3.0 (only 2.0).
• 🎯 The firmware is not compatible between different regions, like the European version (EEA) Don't get on Chinese TV.

5.3 Mi Router routers

Updating routers is easier, but there are nuances:

• 📶 For the Mi Router 4A Gigabit and the newer update can only be installed through the official Mi WiFi app.
• 🔄 When the firmware fails, the router automatically rolls back to the previous version (Safe Mode function).
• 🔧 Manual firmware via web interface (192.168.31.1) requires a file with the.bin extension.

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On devices with HyperOS (2026) you can not flash the firmware from MIUI And vice versa. This will lead to an anti-rollback error.> and a possible brik.

6. Frequent update errors and how to fix them

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have a failure, and we'll look at some of the most common mistakes and how to fix them.

6.1. "Couldn't verify update" error (Can't check the update)

Causes and solutions:

• 📁 Damaged firmware file – download the package again and check the checksum (MD5).
• 🔄 Version mismatches – try flashing the full package (full) ROM), not incremental.
• 🔒 Blocked bootloader - unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool.

6.2 The device got stuck on the Mi logo after the update

Possible action:

• 🔋 Wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes the first download takes a long time.
• 🔄 Hold the Loud up. + Power for 10 seconds for forced reboot.
• 🛠️ If it doesn’t work, run the device through Fastboot (see section 4).

Anti-rollback error (prohibition of rollback)

This error occurs when you try to flash an older version of the software than the one installed today.

• 📥 Find a new firmware (the same or newer than the current one).
• 🔧 Use special patches (such as Anti-Rollback Bypass), but it’s risky.
• 🏭 Contact the service center – some models (for example, Redmi) K50) Requires an official reset of the rollback counter.

6.4 The TV can't see the firmware file on the flash drive

Check it out.

• 📁 The format of the flash drive is just FAT32 (NTFS unsupported).
• 📄 The file name must be update.zip (spaceless).
• 🔌 Port port USB — Use the rear port (on some models, the front ones do not read the flash drives).

⚠️ Note: If you have failed to update the TV Mi TV If you stop turning on (red light flashes), don't try to flash it again. This could be a sign of damage to your eMMC memory.

7.How to roll back an update if the new version is not working well

If after the update there are bugs (for example, the battery quickly goes down or the camera is malfunctioning), you can return the previous version of the software.

• ⏳ HyperOS can only roll back 72 hours after the update.
• 🔒 On devices with a blocked bootloader, rollback is prohibited (there will be an anti-rollback error).
• 📱 Smartphones require full firmware (full) ROM) previous version.

Instructions for rollback for smartphones:

1. Download the full firmware of the desired version from the official website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the memory.
3. Enter Recovery (Loudness Up + Nutrition).
4. Select Install update.zip to System.
5. After rebooting, reset settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Reset).

For Mi TVs, TV Recoiling is possible only through the service center, as the local update blocks the installation of old versions.

⚠️ Attention: Recoil on MIUI 12 and below with HyperOS will result in data loss in the section /data (Pre-backup with Mi Cloud or Adb Backup.

8.Security and Optimization Tips After Update

After a successful update, it is recommended to perform several actions to ensure that the device works stably:

• 🔄 Reboot the device 2-3 times – this helps to “stabilize” system processes.
• 🧹 Clear the cache through Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🔒 Check the permissions for apps – sometimes they are reset once they are updated.
• 📡 Update apps via Google Play or Mi App Store.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions.

For Mi TVs, TV post-refresh:

• 🎯 Autoconfigure the channels (Settings) → Channels → Search engine).
• 🔊 Check the sound settings – Dolby Audio settings are sometimes reset.
• 📺 Update apps (Netflix, YouTube) via Mi TV App Store.

If after the update the device began to warm up or discharge quickly, try:

1. Turn off Adaptive Brightness in the screen settings.
2. Limit application background activity (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start).
3. Reset your settings to factory (Warning: Delete all data!).

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After upgrading to HyperOS, some features (such as Game Turbo or Second Space) may disappear. → Additionally. → Special facilities.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions