Updating the firmware to MIUI 10 could bring old Xiaomi smartphones back to life by adding modern features and improving performance.This version of the shell, released in 2018, became a landmark for the brand - it brought full-screen gestures, responsive interface and optimization for weak devices. However, in 2026, official support for MIUI 10 has long since ceased, which complicates the upgrade process.
Three main ways are relevant today: through the built-in updater (if the servers still give the files), manual installation via Recovery or Fastboot, and the use of custom firmware based on MIUI 10. Each method has its pitfalls, from data loss to the risk of “bricking” the device. In this article, we will analyze all options with current realities, including bypassing locks and recovering from failed attempts.
It is worth warning right away: if your Xiaomi originally ran on MIUI 11/12+, rollback to version 10 is officially impossible without unlocking the bootloader. And for models newer than Redmi Note 7 (2019), MIUI 10 firmware was not released at all. Check the compatibility of your device in the table below before you start manipulating.
1. Checking the compatibility of the device with MIUI 10
Not all Xiaomi smartphones supported MIUI 10, and for some models, the update is only available through manual installation. Below is a list of devices for which there are official and informal builds:
| Series of devices | Models with official MIUI 10 | Models with custom ports |
|---|---|---|
| Mi | Mi 6, Mi 8, Mi 8 SE, Mi 8 Lite, Mi 9 SE, Mi MIX 2/2S | Mi 9, Mi 9T, Mi A2 |
| Redmi | Redmi Note 5/5 Pro, Redmi 6/6A, Redmi S2, Redmi Y2 | Redmi Note 7, Redmi 7 |
| POCO | POCO F1 | POCO X3, POCO M2 Pro |
| Others | Mi Max 3, Mi Pad 4 | Black Shark, Black Shark Helo |
To check the current firmware version, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI. If it says 9.x or lower, update is possible. Versions 11.x and higher will require unlocking the bootloader and possible data loss.
⚠️ Warning: MediaTek processor devices (e.g., Redmi 6A or Redmi Note 5A) do not support rollback from MIUI 11+ to MIUI 10 without fully flashing through the SP Flash Tool.
If your model is not in the table, check for custom firmware on the Xiaomi.EU or XDA Developers forums. For example, there are unofficial MIUI 10 ports for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, but they require an unlocked bootloader and may contain bugs.
2.Preparation for Update: Backup and Unblocking
Before any firmware manipulations, be sure to back up your data. Even an official update via OTA can result in a reset, and manual firmware almost always erases user files.
List of critical data to save:
- 📱 Contacts (export to.vcf via Contacts → Management → Export)
- 📸 Photos and videos (copy to PC or Google Cloud Photos)
- 🔑 Passwords and tokens (use Xiaomi Cloud or third-party managers)
- 🎮 Game Save (check for cloud backup in game settings)
- 📱 IMEI and serial number (write them down from a sticker under the lid or via the code *#06#)
Manual firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, which takes up to 72 hours and requires the Mi Account to be linked to the device.
- Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi account.
- Activate the OEM Unlock option in Settings → For developers (if there is no item, tap 7 times on the MIUI version to unlock the developer mode).
- Download Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the program.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power) and follow the tool’s instructions.
⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, Anti-Rollback protection is activated on Qualcomm processor devices (e.g., Redmi Note 7).This means you won’t be able to install firmware older than the one on the phone originally. Check the version of Anti-Rollback in Fastboot command: fastboot getvar anti If the value is greater than 3, rollback to MIUI 10 is locked at the hardware level.
☑️ Checklist before firmware
3 Method 1: Update via Built-in Update (OTA)
The safest method is to use the standard OTA (Over-The-Air) mechanism, which is suitable if:
- 📲 Your device officially supported MIUI 10.
- 🔄 The current firmware version is not newer than MIUI 10.3.
- 🌐 Xiaomi servers are still giving away update files (unlikely in 2026 for most regions).
Step-by-step:
- Connect to Wi-Fi (update "over the air" does not work via mobile Internet).
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select Service Pack.
- If servers are available, the system will find the current version of MIUI 10. Otherwise, download the.zip file from the official website (links below) and select it manually.
- Confirm the installation and wait for the restart (it will take 10-15 minutes).
Official links to MIUI 10 firmware (archive):
- 🌍 Global ROM (for international versions)
- 🇨🇳 China ROM (requires Chinese account Mi)
- 🇪🇺 Xiaomi.EU (Multilingual builds)
💡
If the updater says "Update not found", try changing the region to Settings → Additional → Region to "India" or "Indonesia". Sometimes this helps bypass regional restrictions.
In 2026, most of the links to MIUI 10 are removed from Xiaomi's official servers.If you haven't found firmware for your model, go to manual methods (sections 4 and 5).
Method 2: Manual update via Recovery
If OTA- update is not available, you can install MIUI 10 through Recovery, which does not require unlocking the bootloader, but only works on devices without Anti-Rollback protection.
Tools required:
- 📱 Smartphone with a charge of >60%
- 💻 Computer with installed drivers ADB
- 🔗 Firmware in.zip format (e.g. miui_MI8Global_V10.2.1.0.OEAMIFH_20190426.0000.00_8.1_global_1234567890.zip)
- 🔧 15 Seconds ADB Installer for Windows
Step-by-step:
- Download the MIUI 10 firmware for your model (see Section 3) and rename the file to update.zip.
- Move the file to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
- Turn off the device and go to Recovery: For most models: Press Volume Up + Power. For POCO F1: Volume Down + Power.
Recovery
Install update.zip to System
→ ConfirmReboot to System
⚠️ Warning: If the phone has been getting stuck on the MI logo for longer than 10 minutes after the reboot, reset via Recovery (Wipe Data → Wipe All Data).This will delete all user data, but often solves the boot problem.
What if Recovery doesn’t see update.zip?
5. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for experienced)
Fastboot is the most reliable method for installing MIUI 10, but requires an unlocked bootloader and command line knowledge, suitable for devices where the Recovery method did not work or the firmware “flyed”.
What you need:
- 🖥️ PC with Windows/Linux and installed ADB/Fastboot
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged)
- 📦 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (e.g. ginkgo_global_images_V10.3.8.0.PCOMIXM_20191028.0000.00_9.0_global_1234567890.tgz)
- 🔧 Mi Flash Tool (for Windows) or fastboot in the terminal (for Linux/Mac)
Instructions for Windows:
- Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI10\).
- Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
- In the program, click Select and specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
- Select Clean All (complete cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after you have firmware).
- Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).
For Linux/Mac, use the commands in the terminal:
# Going to the folder with firmware
cd ~/Downloads/miui_fastboot/
Starting the firmware (replace the file name!)
sudo ./flash_all.sh💡
Clean All and Lock will block the bootloader after you have firmware, and only use it if you are sure you will not change the firmware again!
If the process is interrupted with an anti version down error, your device has Anti-Rollback protection.
- 🔧 Try flashing a newer version of MIUI 10 (e.g. V10.3.8.0 instead of V10.2.1.0).
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader and use custom recavers (TWRP).
- 📱 Buy a box EDL (e.g., Deep Flash Cable) for emergency firmware.
6. Solving problems after the update
Even a successful MIUI 10 installation can lead to bugs, and here are the typical problems and solutions:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone does not turn on after the firmware | Damaged boot partition or incompatible firmware | Swipe through Fastboot with Clean All tick |
| Constant reboots (bootloop) | Conflict with user data | Reset your settings via Recovery (Wipe Data) |
| No network or SIM-map not defined | Disparity between modem version | Switch only modem and fsg sections through Fastboot |
| Google services are not working | Installed Chinese version of MIUI | Install Google Installer or flash Global ROM |
| Fast battery discharge | Background processes after update | Calibrate the battery (discharge to 0%, charge to 100% without interruptions) |
If Google services are missing after the update, download Google Installer and install it manually. Models with a MediaTek processor (such as Redmi 6A) may need to run through the SP Flash Tool with the Format All + Download tick.
⚠️ Warning: On Dynamic Partition devices (introduced in MIUI 11), rollback to MIUI 10 will result in loss of the userdata partition. You can't recover the data after that - you need a complete reset.
1. Dial ##4636##.
2. Go to Phone Information → Settings.
3. Turn on Radio off, then Radio on again.
If it doesn’t work, swipe the nvram partition through the Fastboot.-->
7.Alternatives: MIUI 10-based casting firmware
If the official MIUI 10 isn’t available for your model, consider custom builds. These often contain bug fixes and additional features, but may be less stable.
Popular projects:
- 🌐 Xiaomi.EU is a multilingual firmware with weekly updates. Supports Mi 8, POCO F1, Redmi Note 5.
- 🔧 XDA Developers are ports for informal devices (e.g., MIUI 10 for the Redmi Note 8 Pro).
- 🛡️ MIUI Pro — Optimized builds with remote bloatware (extra applications).
Installation of custom firmware requires:
- Unlocked bootloader.
- Installed TWRP Recovery (instructions are available on twrp.me).
- Firmware in.zip format (e.g. xiaomi.eu_multi_MI8_V10.3.1.0.OEAMIXM_v10-9.zip).
Step-by-step:
- Download firmware and TWRP for your model.
- Install TWRP via Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.0_9-0-dipper.img fastboot boot twrp-3.6.0_9-0-dipper.img
- In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache
- Install the firmware through Install → Select Zip.
- After installation, swipe Magisk (if root is needed) and restart.
Custom firmware can contain pre-installed apps for donat to developers. Check forum reviews and scan files for viruses before installing.