How to upgrade Xiaomi to MIUI 12: all ways and life hacks

Upgrading to MIUI 12 isn’t just a change in the firmware version, it’s a dramatic improvement in the interface, performance and functionality of your Xiaomi smartphone. Even if your device doesn’t officially support this version, there are legal ways to get fresh chips, from responsive themes to improved multitasking. But before you jump into the process, it’s worth getting to the nuances — not all models can work correctly with MIUI 12, and improper actions can lead to a loss of warranty or “bricking” the device.

In this article, we will discuss all current methods of updating: from the standard to the standard. OTA It's a hand-held firmware through Fastboot and custom recavers, and we'll focus on the preparation of the device, which is often ignored, although it's critical for a successful upgrade. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO s MIUI 12 And the kickback instructions if something goes wrong, and let's start with the simplest one, which is checking the current firmware version and the availability of the update.

1. Verification of the current version of MIUI and compatibility with MIUI 12

Before you try to upgrade, make sure your device officially supports MIUI 12 or at least has unofficial ports.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Scroll to MIUI version – the current firmware is listed here (e.g. MIUI 11.0.8.0 Global).
3. Remember the code name of the model (for example, raphael for Redmi K20 Pro) – it is useful for searching custom firmware.

Compare your model with the official list of supported devices, below is the compatibility table for popular Xiaomi smartphones (data is up to 2026):

⚠️ Note: If your model is marked as “Partially” or “No”, try to install the MIUI 12 through official channels will lead to an error, in which case you will need to unlock the bootloader and install custom firmware — more about this in section 4.

2.Preparing the smartphone for the update: 5 mandatory steps

Even if your device supports MIUI 12, improper preparation can cause disruptions, from data loss to complete phone failure.

Battery charge ≥ 60%|Backup of data (photos, contacts, SMS)|Liberation. ≥ 3 GB of memory|Disabling antiviruses and VPN|Connect to stable Wi-Fi (not mobile internet)-->

1. Backup. The update can erase user data, especially when you switch from MIUI 10 to MIUI 12. Use built-in backup (Settings → Additional → Backup) or third-party tools like Swift Backup (requires root).

• 📱 Contacts and call log (export to.vcf)
• 📸 Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud)
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi (Settings) → Wi-Fi → Save networks)
• 🎮 Save games (use Google Play Games or Helium)

2. Memory Free. MIUI 12 requires at least 3GB of free space to install. Remove unnecessary apps, clear the cache (Settings → Storage → Clear), and transfer media files to a memory card or PC.

System Integrity Check: If you have previously experimented with root rights or modified system files, the update may result in an error.

• 🔧 Restore stock Recovery via Fastboot:
• 🔄 Make reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting) if there have been major changes.

Method 1: Update via OTA (the safest method)

If your model officially supports MIUI 12, the easiest way is to upgrade to an over-the-air (OTA) update, which saves all the data and settings, but requires a stable Internet connection.

Instructions:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi (update via mobile network may be interrupted).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Check Updates. If MIUI 12 is available, a notification will appear with the Download button.
4. After download, click Set and wait for the reboot (it will take 10-20 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the update is not available but you are confident in supporting your model, try it:

• 🌐 Change the firmware region through Settings → Additionally. → Region (e.g. from Russia to Global).
• 🔄 Restart the phone and repeat the check.
• 📥 Download the full service package manually from en.miui.com and install it through Select the update file in the menu OTA.

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OTA-The update is only suitable for officially supported models if the system offers a transition to the MIUI 12, but after installation, the phone is stuck on the logo, which means the firmware is damaged.

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery (for experienced)

If OTA is not available, but you have found an official service pack for your model (a file with the.zip extension), it can be installed via stock recap, which is suitable for devices that theoretically support MIUI 12 but do not receive it by air.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the correct firmware version for your region (Global/EEA/China) from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory (not in folders!).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
4. Select Install update.zip (control – volume buttons for navigation, power for selection).
5. After installation, select Reboot.

⚠️ Warning: If after the reboot the phone is stuck on the logo MIUI After 10 minutes, the firmware is not suitable for your model or damaged:

1.Put Volume Down + Power down for 10 seconds for a forced reboot. 2. If the phone doesn't turn on, you'll need firmware through Fastboot (section 5). 3. Don't try to re-install the same firmware - this could exacerbate the problem.

Where to download the correct firmware?

• 🔗 Official source: en.miui.com (select Stable, not Developer!).
• 🔗 Alternative: Xiaomi Firmware Updater (there are archival versions).
• 🔍 Check the hash file (MD5) After downloading - this is a guarantee that the firmware is not damaged.

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If you downloaded firmware for another region (for example, Chinese instead of global), after the update, Google services may disappear. To return them, install the Google Apps package (GApps) through custom recavities.

5. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for advanced users)

If the previous methods didn't work, you'll have to use Fastboot to run the firmware, which is suitable for:

• 📱 Devices that do not receive OTA-update.
• 🔧 Recovery of the phone after a failed upgrade.
• 🔓 Installation of custom firmware (for example, xiaomi.eu).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot.
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if you install custom firmware).

Instructions:

1. Download and unpack the firmware into a folder on your computer (e.g., C:\MIUI12).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect the phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue.
4. Run firmware: For Windows (in the firmware folder): flash_all.bat For Linux/Mac: chmod +x flash_all.sh./flash_all.sh

Wait until the phone is finished (the phone will reboot automatically).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot firmware erases all data (including internal memory!).If you need to save files, pre-extract the memory card and make a backup to your PC.

6. Method 4: Install custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu)

If there is no official MIUI 12 for your model, but you are willing to sacrifice the warranty, you can install custom firmware from the community (e.g. xiaomi.eu or LineageOS), which requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a customized Recovery (TWRP).

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🆕 More recent versions of Android and MIUI, What Xiaomi offers.
• 🗑️ Absence of Bloatware (unnecessary preinstalled applications).
• 🔧 Additional settings and performance tweaks.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• 🔋 Possible battery or stability problems.
• 📱 Some functions (such as Widevine) L1 for Netflix HD) may not work.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Register at en.miui.com/unlock and get permission (may take up to 72 hours). download the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions.

Set TWRP:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img

Sweep through the custom firmware:

• Download xiaomi.eu or other firmware (for example, from SourceForge).
• Transfer the file to your phone and install it via TWRP → Install.
• Make sure to make Wipe → Format Data (otherwise the system will not boot!).

⚠️ Attention: Castom firmware often contains bugs. Check forum reviews before installing (e.g., forum reviews, XDA Also note that some banking applications (e.g. Sberbank Online) may block work on unofficial firmware.

7 Solve problems after upgrading to MIUI 12

Even if the update is successful, you may encounter bugs, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If after the update the phone began to slow down:

• 🧹 Clear the cache in Recovery (Wipe) → Wipe Cache).
• 🔄 Turn off animations in Settings → Additionally. → For developers (enable developer mode by clicking 7 times on the Version) MIUI).
• 📵 Remove unnecessary apps through Settings → Annexes.

⚠️ Note: If photos or contacts are missing after the update, but there is no backup, try to restore data using programs like DiskDigger or Recuva. The chances are higher if you did not write new files on top of the deleted ones.

8.Return from MIUI 12 to the previous version

If you don't like the new firmware or cause critical bugs, you can go back to MIUI 11 or earlier, but there are nuances to this process.

Method 1: Fastboot (recommended)

1. Download the full firmware package of the desired version (for example, MIUI 11) from the official website.
2. Unpack it and launch it. flash_all.bat (sectionally 5).
3. If an anti-rollback error occurs, your model has rollback protection, in which case only firmware through EDL Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account) will help.

Method 2: TWRP (if installed)

1. Download the archive with firmware (.zip) for your model.
2. Download to TWRP and select Install.
3. Before installing, make Wipe → Format Data (otherwise, failures are possible).

⚠️ Warning: A rollback to an earlier version may block the phone due to the anti-rollback mechanism. Before the procedure, check if your model supports downgrade, on forums like 4PDA.

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A rollback to the previous version of MIUI often results in data loss. If you plan to return to the old firmware, back up in advance - it will be impossible to recover data after a downgrade.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi upgrade to MIUI 12