How to upgrade Xiaomi smartphone to MIUI 13: all the ways and nuances

Upgrading to MIUI 13 isn’t just a change in the firmware version, it’s a significant improvement in the performance, security and functionality of your Xiaomi smartphone. The new shell brings optimized power consumption, accelerated interface animation and enhanced privacy. However, the upgrade process can raise questions even for experienced users: where to download the firmware, how to avoid errors and what to do if the device does not see the new version?

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update to MIUI 13 - from the standard OTA-Updating to manual firmware via Fastboot or Recovery, with special attention to device preparation, model compatibility and solving typical problems. Importantly, the instructions are adapted to the firmware of 2026, taking into account the latest changes in Xiaomi's policy to distribute updates.

1. Device compatibility: which Xiaomi supports MIUI 13

Not all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones can upgrade to MIUI 13.The company officially supports only devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon 6-series and higher processors released after 2019. Below is a full list of models for which the update is available:

• 📱 Xiaomi 11/11T/11 Lite (all modifications)
• 📱 Redmi Note 10/10 Pro/10S/11/11 Pro
• 📱 POCO F3/F3 GT/X3 Pro/X4 Pro
• 📱 Mi 10/10T/10 Lite (Global Versions Only)
• 📱 Redmi K40/K40 Pro/K50

Exceptions: Some models for the Chinese market (with the CN suffix) may not receive global firmware. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro China is not compatible with MIUI 13 Global. To check your version, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

⚠️ Note: If your model is not listed, but you see a notification to update before MIUI 13 may be fake software. Check the source of the firmware through the official Xiaomi website.

2. Preparation of the smartphone for the update

Before installing MIUI 13, several critical steps must be taken, and neglecting them can lead to data loss, device freeze, or even a "brick" (complete failure).

• 📲 Save your contacts to your Google Account or export them to a.vcf file.
• 📷 Transfer photos and videos to your PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 🔑 Write down your application passwords (use Google Password Manager or KeePass).
• 📱 Make sure there is enough space on the device: a minimum of 3GB of free space is required to upgrade.

Then check the battery power, which should be at least 60%. If you upgrade through Recovery, connect the device to charge during the process.

• 🔒 Locking the bootloader (if you plan to manually firmware).
• 🛡️ Antivirus – it can interrupt the download of files.
• 📶 VPN — Some Xiaomi servers block connections via proxy.

Battery charge > 60% | Data backup created | Free space > 3 GB| VPN and antivirus disabled | Compatibility model checked-->

Important: If you use custom Recovery (like TWRP), return to stock before upgrading, otherwise you risk an Error 7 error when installing.

Method 1: Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and safest method is automatic updates over the Internet. Xiaomi distributes MIUI in 13 waves, so even if your model is supported, the update may not come immediately.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Package.
3. If an update is available, download it (file weight ~2.5-3.5 GB).
4. After downloading, click Reboot and Update.

It takes 10 to 20 minutes. It reboots a few times, which is normal. Don't interrupt the process, even if the screen stays black for a long time.

⚠️ Note: If after the update, the smartphone stuck on the logo MI longer than 15 minutes, perform a hard reset (clip the power supply) + Volume up for 10 seconds. This won't delete the data, but it will restart the system.

If OTA-No update is coming, try it:

• 🌐 Change the region to India (sometimes updates appear earlier).
• 🔄 Restart the device and repeat the check.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes ISPs block Xiaomi servers).

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OTA-Update is the most reliable method, but it can take up to 2 months from the date of release for your model.

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery

If OTA is not available, but your model supports MIUI 13, you can manually install the firmware through Recovery Mode, which saves user data but requires the correct firmware file selection.

Step 1. Download the firmware.

• Go to the official website of Xiaomi Firmware.
• Select your model (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro).
• Download the file marked Recovery ROM (.zip extension).
• Check the checksum (MD5) of the file – it must match the one listed on the site.

Step 2. Transfer the file to your smartphone

Connect the device to your PC and copy the downloaded.zip to the root folder of internal memory (not in the folder!).

Step 3. Install the firmware

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery Mode.
3. Choose your language (if required).
4. Go to Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait until the completion (~10 minutes).

After the reboot, the device will be on MIUI 13, and if the Can't verify update error appears, then the firmware file is corrupted or not suitable for your model.

5. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for experienced)

Fastboot is the most reliable method for installing MIUI 13, but requires an unlocked bootloader and command line work. All data will be deleted, so backup is mandatory.

Requirements:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (instructions on the official website).
• 📦 Fastboot firmware ROM (file.tgz or.zip).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in the folder C:\miui13_fastboot.
2. Turn off your smartphone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect the device to the PC.
4. Open the command line in the firmware folder and execute: fastboot flash all (for Windows) or./flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
5. Wait until the process is completed (the process will take ~5-7 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If an anti-rollback error appears during firmware, it means you are trying to install an older version. MIUI, This requires firmware with the same or newer Anti-Rollback number.

After successful installation, the smartphone will restart and offer to perform the initial setup, as after purchase.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you may have problems, and the following are the most common errors when upgrading to MIUI 13 and how to fix them:

If after the update the device began to overheat or discharge quickly, follow the following steps:

1. Turn off Adaptive Brightness in the screen settings.
2. Clear the app cache in Settings → Apps → Application Management.
3. Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and networks → Resetting network settings.

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If mobile phone service is lost after the upgrade, check the APN settings. Often operators require manual settings (especially for 4G/5G).

7.Return from MIUI 13 to the previous version

If the new firmware is unstable, you can go back to MIUI 12.5 or earlier, but there are some nuances.

• 🔙 A rollback is only possible within 72 hours after the update (the system then blocks the downgrade).
• 🔓 An unlocked loader is required.
• ⚠️ All data will be deleted.

Instructions for rollback:

1. Download the desired version of MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5 Fastboot ROM).
2. Unpack it in a folder on your PC.
3. Log in to Fastboot Mode on your smartphone.
4. Run the command: fastboot flash all -w (key -w clears data).

If more than 3 days have passed, recoil is possible only after EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)