How to Upgrade Xiaomi Mi A1: A Complete Firmware Guide

The Xiaomi Mi A1, also known as Tissot, became a legendary device thanks to its entry into the Android One program.This ensured a clean operating system without unnecessary MIUI add-ons and timely security updates. However, official support for the device ended on Android 10, and many users still wonder whether the update is still valid for this model or the process is already completed.

The process of installing a new version of software may be required not only to get fresh features, but also to fix critical vulnerabilities in the system. If your phone has stopped receiving notifications about the availability of an update “over the air”, this does not mean that the path to the new version is closed. There are proven methods of manual installation that allow you to update the software even when the automatic mechanism does not work.

Before you start any action with system files, you need to be clear about the risks. Wrong firmware can lead to data loss or, in the worst case, turn the device into a brick. So carefully study all the steps, prepare the necessary tools and make sure that the battery is at least 60%. In this article, we will discuss both standard and advanced ways to update.

Official status of updates and Android version

Official support for the Xiaomi Mi A1 under the Android One program ended in September 2019, with Android 10 (Q) as the final official version of the operating system with a security patch level from September 2019. Google guaranteed two years of major OS updates and three years of security updates for devices in this lineup, and Xiaomi fulfilled these obligations in full.

Many users mistakenly believe that the lack of new versions means that you can’t upgrade at all.In fact, if your device has an earlier version, such as Android 8 or 9, upgrading to the “dozens” is still possible and necessary for compatibility with modern applications. Banks and many services gradually stop supporting older versions of Android, making updating critical.

It's worth noting that after the end of official support, enthusiasts continue to produce custom firmware, but these are not official and require unlocking the bootloader. We will focus on returning the device to the latest stable official version or updating it with standard methods if the device is not updated. OTA-update didn't come.

⚠️ Trying to find and install Android 11 or 12 official methods on Xiaomi Mi A1 Any instructions promising this lead to unofficial builds, which could disrupt banking applications and functions. NFC.

To check the current version of the software, go to the settings menu. Find the System section, then select Additional and click System Update. This shows the current build and status of the update check. If the phone tells you that the system is current but the version below Android 10, the update may have come incorrect or the server check didn't pass.

Preparation of the smartphone for the update procedure

Quality preparation is 90% of the success of the entire operation. Ignoring the preparatory phase often leads to data write errors or loss of important information. The first step should always be to create a full backup. Although an air update usually saves data, manual installation through Recovery may require a complete reset.

Use Google’s built-in tools to sync contacts, calendar and photos. For a deeper backup, you can use the Recover and Reset feature in your system settings, saving data to an external drive or to the cloud. Also remember to unplug your Google account if you plan to manipulate the bootloader, although this is not required for a standard update.

Special attention should be paid to free space. Even if the update file weighs 1.5 GB, the system requires space to unpack it and temporary files. It is recommended to have 4-5 GB free. If memory is scarce, delete the cache of heavy applications such as Telegram or Instagram, or temporarily transfer media files to your computer.

Connection stability is also key when loading packets: Don't rely on mobile internet as large files can get downloaded with errors. Use a reliable Wi-Fi network. Close all working applications before you start to free up RAM and reduce the load on the processor.

Method 1: Update through Settings (OTA)

The easiest and safest way to upgrade to the Xiaomi Mi A1 is to use the built-in OTA (Over-The-Air) mechanism, which requires no computer or special knowledge. The system itself checks for a new version on the server and suggests installing it. Usually, notifications come gradually, covering users in waves.

To initiate manual verification, open Settings, scroll down to System and select System Update. Click on "Check for Updates." If the server responds that the new version is available, you'll see the Download and Install button. The process will go automatically: the phone will download the package, check its integrity and restart it for installation.

In some cases, automatic verification may not work due to the system application data caching. Try clearing the System Update cache. Go to Settings → Apps → Show all applications, find System Update (or System Update), select Memory and click Clear Cache.

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If OTA-It doesn't come long, try changing the region in your phone settings. Sometimes different geographic areas releases with different latency.

During installation, the screen may go out, and the Android logo will appear with a progress indicator. At this point, you should absolutely not interrupt the power. If the battery sits down while flashing the system partition, recovery will take a long time and require the use of the Fastboot. Wait for the desktop to fully load.

Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery (Local Update)

If the automatic update does not work, you can use the local installation method. ZIP-Firmware archive for Xiaomi Mi A1 (Tissot) from a trusted source, such as the official Xiaomi forum or a proven firmware archive. Make sure you download the Recovery version, not the Fastboot (which is designed for PC).

Once you download your firmware file (usually with the.zip extension and weighs about 1-1.5GB), copy it to the root of your phone's internal memory. Don't put it in folders, just in the main storage. Then go to Settings → System → System Update. Click three dots in the top right corner of the screen and select Choose update package.

The system will open the file manager. Find the previously copied file manager. ZIP-The phone will check the integrity of the package, if the file is suitable for your model and the version is newer than the current one, a confirmation button will appear, and after clicking, the verification and installation process will begin, which takes 5 to 15 minutes.

This method is convenient because it allows you to upgrade even if Google servers do not “see” your device due to regional restrictions or a rollout failure. The main thing is to download firmware strictly for the model MDE6S (Global) or MDG6S (China), depending on your version of the phone. Flashing the global version to Chinese can lead to problems with LTE frequencies.

Recovery from errors and failures

Even if you follow all the rules, the process can go wrong. A common problem is "bootloop" when the phone constantly reboots without reaching the desktop. If this happens after a failed update, first try to enter Recovery mode. To do this, turn off the phone and press the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously.

In the Recovery menu (which looks minimal on Android One), select the Wipe data/factory reset button with volume buttons. Confirm the power button. This will delete all data and settings, but often allows the system to boot again. If this does not help, you will need to flash through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.

⚠️ Warning: Wipe Data will destroy all photos, contacts and files on the internal drive.If you don't have a backup, try the "Wipe cache partition" option first if it's available in your backup.

Another common error is "Error 7" or a message of manual incompatibility, which means you're trying to install firmware designed for a different version of the bootloader or region, for example, you can't roll China ROM over the Global without completely cleaning and unlocking, in which case only a complete stock reflash helps.

If the phone is no longer responsive to presses and is not turning on (black screen), try connecting it to the charger for 30-40 minutes. Sometimes a deep discharge during the upgrade block the onset. If after 40 minutes there is no reaction, press the power button for 15-20 seconds for a forced reboot.

Should I install custom firmware?

As official support for the Xiaomi Mi A1 ended on Android 10, many users are considering installing custom firmware (Custom ROM) like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.This allows for more recent versions of Android, all the way up to Android 12 or 13, and fresh security patches.

However, this step requires unlocking the bootloader, which automatically erases all data from the device and can disrupt the operation of some banking applications (Google Pay/Samsung Pay can stop working without additional manipulations with SafetyNet/Play Integrity).

If you’re not a power user and you’re critically interested in the stability of your phone as a primary device, it’s best to stay on the latest official Android 10.This version still supports most current apps and works on Tissot most optimized. The hardware of the smartphone is already older, and heavy modern shells can slow it down.

For those who decided to experiment, before installing custom firmware, be sure to study the profile branches on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forum. There are current instructions for unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool and installing a custom TWRP Recovery. Without TWRP, installing custom systems is impossible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The official update to Android 10 is the limit for the Xiaomi Mi A1. Further upgrade is possible only through the installation of custom firmware, which requires unlocking the bootloader and carries certain risks.