Updating the firmware on Xiaomi Redmi is not just a way to get new features, but also a necessary measure for security, stability and battery optimization. However, many users face problems from endless boot to a brick after a failed firmware. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update (including hidden ones), explain how to avoid typical errors, and give a checklist to prepare the device.
It's important to understand that the upgrade process differs depending on the model (Redmi Note 12 Pro+ vs Redmi 9A), the MIUI version (Global, Chinese, EEA) and even the region of purchase. We took these nuances into account and collected universal instructions that will suit most devices in the line. If your smartphone is locked or has custom Recovery, we have separate recommendations.
1. Preparing the smartphone for the update: 5 mandatory steps
Before you start upgrading, make sure your device is ready for the procedure.Neglect of preparation is the main cause of failure.
Critical parameters for verification:
- 🔋 Battery charge at least 60%. 100% is required when upgrading via Recovery, as the process can take up to 30 minutes.
- 📶 Stable Internet connection. To load firmware with weight 2-3 GB via mobile network will require unlimited tariff.
- 📁 Free space: minimum 5GB on the internal drive, the firmware is unpacked into a temporary folder.
- 🔒 Backup: An update can reset settings or delete data in rare cases (especially when upgrading to a new version of Android).
- 🛠️ Disable antivirus software: Software like Avast or 360 Security can block the installation of official files. MIUI.
Charge your phone to 80%|
Connect to Wi-Fi|
Free up 5+GB of memory |
Make a backup in Mi Cloud|
Disable VPN and antiviruses
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Pay special attention to the MIUI version. To find out the current firmware, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If your device is on Chinese firmware (with the ending of.CN), an update through a global server may block some features (for example, Google Services).
⚠️ Note: On devices with unlocked bootloader (bootloader) update via OTA Before the procedure, check the lock status of the command fastboot oem device-info in Fastboot mode.
2. Method 1: Air Update (OTA) is the easiest method
OTA (Over-The-Air) is a standard upgrade method that does not require a PC connection, suitable for 90% of users, but has limitations:
- ✅ It only works for incremental updates (e.g., with a MIUI 14 on MIUI 14.0.5).
- ❌ It does not allow you to jump through the version (c). MIUI 13 on MIUI 15).
- ⚠️ It may not be possible to show new firmware for a long time due to regional restrictions.
Step-by-step:
- Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click on the icon"⋯" (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Download the latest version.
- If an update is found, click Download (file weight is usually 1.5-3 GB).
- After downloading, select Install and confirm the reboot.
The device will reboot to Recovery and automatically install the firmware. The process takes 5-15 minutes. If after the reboot the notification "Update not installed", then it means:
- 🔹 The firmware file is corrupted (reboot and try again).
- 🔹 There was no space on the disk (free up the memory).
- 🔹 You have custom Recovery (manual installation required).
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If the update doesn’t come long, try changing the region in the settings: Settings → Additional → Region. Select India – there are often updates earlier.
Method 2: Manual update via Recovery – if OTA does not work
This method is suitable if:
- 📱 OTA-Update: No more than a month.
- 🔄 We need to revert to the previous version.
- 🔧 The device after a failed update stuck on the logo Mi.
Important: This method requires the official firmware in.zip format for your model, and you can download it from MIUI Downloads (select the Recovery ROM version).
Instructions:
- Download the firmware and rename the file to update.zip (required!).
- Move the file to the root folder of internal memory (not to folders!).
- Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
- From the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have an option), then: Install update.zip to System One → Select update.zip → Confirm installation
- After you complete the process, select Reboot to System.
| Model Redmi | Combination for entering Recovery | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | Volume up + Nutrition | In the new Recovery models in Chinese, look for the character. |
| Redmi 9/9A/9C | Volume up + Nutrition (hold 10 seconds) | You may need to confirm via Mi Account. |
| POCO X3/X4 | Volume up + Nutrition | Recovery has a "Wipe & Reset" option - not to be confused with installation! |
| Redmi K40/K50 | Volume up + Nutrition (let go when vibrating) | Supports A/B section – Update without data loss. |
⚠️ Warning: If after installation via Recovery, the phone is stuck on boot for longer than 20 minutes, do not force it to turn it off - this can damage the system partitions.
OTA (by air)|
Recovery (manual installation)|
Fastboot (via PC) |
Never update |
Another way.
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Method 3: Update via Fastboot for power users
This method requires a computer and is used in cases of:
- 🔧 The device is not turned on (soft-brick).
- 🔄 You need to refashion from one global version to another (for example, with the EEA on IN).
- 🛡️ You need to unlock the loader before the firmware.
Tools required:
- 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (For the Mi Flash Tool).
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
- 📦 Firmware in.tgz format (download on the official website, section Fastboot) ROM).
- 🛠️ Utilities: Mi Flash Tool, drivers Qualcomm/MTK (processor-dependent).
Step-by-step:
- Unpack the firmware.tgz in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\ROM\redmi_note12_pro).
- Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
- Connect the device to a PC. Install drivers if Windows doesn't recognize the device.
- Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
- At the bottom, select firmware mode: Clean all – complete cleanup (data will be deleted); Clean all and lock – clean + lock the bootloader; Save user data – data storage (does not always work).
Flash
What to do if the Mi Flash Tool is in error?
Once the firmware is successful, the device will automatically restart. It can take up to 10 minutes to start the first run, which is normal. If the screen stays black for longer than 30 minutes, try flashing it back with the Clean all option.
5. Typical update errors and their solutions
Even when following the instructions, users face problems, and we have collected the TOP-5 errors and ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "No update installed" | A damaged file or lack of memory | Reboot your phone, download the firmware again, free up 5+ GB of memory |
| Hanging on the Mi logo | Version conflict or installation failure | Log in to Recovery and re-install update.zip |
| "Cannot verify update" | The firmware is not for your model | Check the model name in Settings → About the phone and download the correct version |
| Mistake 7 in TWRP | Incompatibility of custom recovery | Install official Recovery or run through Fastboot |
| "Mi Account locked" | Device tied to account after reset | Enter the Xiaomi account to which the phone is linked |
If your device after a failed update does not turn on at all (hard-brick), you will need firmware through the EDL-This method is more complicated and requires an authorized Xiaomi account to be unlocked.
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90% Update errors are caused by a mismatch between the firmware version and the device model. Always check the name of the firmware file - it should contain the code of your model (for example, the code of your firmware file, ingres_global For the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G).
6. How to roll back to the previous version MIUI
Sometimes newer versions of MIUI are worse than the old ones, with bugs, a processor warming up, or useful features missing, and you can return the previous firmware, but with reservations:
- ✅ Allowed rollback within one version of Android (for example, with the MIUI 14.0.5 at MIUI 14.0.2).
- ❌ Prohibited rollback on the old version of Android (from Android 13 to Android 12) – this will lead to an anti-rollback error and brick.
Instructions for rollback:
- Download the required firmware version (Recovery ROM only) from MIUI Downloads.
- Rename the file to update.zip and transfer it to the root of the memory.
- Log in to Recovery and select Install update.zip.
- Confirm the installation and wait for the reboot.
If the phone needs to reset after rollback, run Wipe data in Recovery. The data will be deleted, but the device will work.
⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) K50, POCO F4) lapse 5G It's driver-related, and in those cases, it's better to wait for fixes in new updates.
7 How to speed up the receipt OTA-update
If you don't want to wait for the update to reach your region, you can force it.
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Press 10 times on the icon"⋯" (three dots) in the upper right corner until the message "Additional functions included" appears".
- Return to the update menu and click on the icon"⋯" → Choose Update Package.
- If the update is available, the system will download it in a forced manner.
Another way is to change the region:
- 🌍 Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Region.
- Choose India or Russia, where updates are often released earlier.
- Restart your phone and check for updates.
If these methods don’t work, only manual installation through Recovery or waiting for an official release remains.