How to Upgrade Xiaomi: Complete Instructions for All Devices (2026)

Updating firmware on Xiaomi devices is a key process for improving performance, fixing bugs and adding new features. However, many users face challenges ranging from lack of notifications about available updates to installation errors. This article will help you figure out how to properly update Mi TVs, Redmi/POCO smartphones, Mi Routers and other Xiaomi ecosystem gadgets, avoiding typical problems.

We will look at all the current ways: automatic updates over the Internet, manual installation via Recovery or Fastboot, as well as features for devices with a locked bootloader. Special attention will be paid to devices older than 2020, which may require special actions to update due to changes in Xiaomi's policy to support older models. If your gadget "hangs" on the logo after a failed update, here you will find a solution.

1. Preparation of the device for updating

Before you start an update, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to data loss, device blinking, or firmware malfunction.

• 📱 Smartphones: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Remember the current firmware (for example, MIUI 14.0.5 Global).
• 📺 Televisions: Open Settings → The device → About the device → Look for a Patchrom 2.0.123 line of form.
• 📶 Routers: in the web interface (192.168.31.1) check the Status section → Firmware version.

Next, make sure that:

• 🔋 Battery charge (for smartphones) or uninterruptible power (for TV/routers) at least 50%. For TVs, connect a power source via UPS if there are power surges in your region.
• 🌐 Internet connection stable (preferably via cable for TV/routers). On smartphones, turn off mobile data and use only Wi-Fi.
• 📁 Release at least 3–5 GB of memory on the device. For Mi TVs. TV 4S/5X may be required before 8 GB due to the features of the section /cache.

Check the current version of the software

Charge the device to 50%+

Free up 3-5 GB of memory

Connect a stable Wi-Fi (or cable)

Disable VPN/proxy (can block Xiaomi servers)

Backup of important data

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Important for smartphone owners: If you use custom Recovery (like TWRP), return to stock before upgrading. Otherwise, you risk Error 7 error when installing the official firmware.

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img


fastboot boot recovery.img

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If your Xiaomi smartphone doesn’t see updates through Settings, try changing the region in your Mi Account. For example, for Redmi Note 10, updates for the global version (Global) may come later than for the European version (EEA).

2. Modes of updating: which one to choose?

There are three main methods of updating Xiaomi devices, each of which is suitable for different situations. The choice depends on the model of the device, its condition and your experience.

For most users, automatic update (OTA) is the best option, but if your device:

• 🚫 Not getting update notifications for more than 3 months;
• 🔄 Stuck on the logo after a failed update;
• 🔒 Has a locked boot loader (checked by the command fastboot oem device-info);

For example, for POCO F3 smartphones with a locked bootloader, the only option is to run through the Mi Flash Tool.

Automatic (through Settings)

Manual through Recovery

Fastboot Firmware (MI Flash)

Local Update with USB

I'm not updating at all.-->

3. Step-by-step instruction: Update via Settings (OTA)

This is the easiest and safest way to go, and it's suitable for 90% of users. The instruction is universal for smartphones, TVs and some Xiaomi smart devices.

1. Connect your device to a stable Wi-Fi network (for TVs, it is better to use an Ethernet cable).
2. Open the update menu: 📱 Smartphones: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system. 📺 TVs: Settings → About the device → Update of the PO. 📶 Routers: in the web interface (192.168.31.1) select Firmware Update.

Click Check Updates. If the update is available, the system will prompt you to download it. For Xiaomi smartphones, the file size is usually 1.5-3 GB, for TVs, 500 MB-1.2 GB.

After download, click Set and wait for the restart. Don't turn off the power - the process can take up to 15-20 minutes (for Mi TV Q2 TVs - up to 30 minutes).

OTA errors and their solutions:

• 🚨 I was unable to download the update. → Check the date and time on the device (should be current). For TVs, reset your network settings.
• 🚨 Lack of memory → Free up space or use manual updates through Recovery.
• 🚨 Update not certified → Your device may have other regional firmware (e.g., Chinese on the global version.

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If the device is slower after the OTA update, reset the cache to Recovery (does not delete data!). To do this, when booting, press Power + Volume up and select Wipe Cache Partition.

4 Manual update via Recovery (for smartphones and TV)

This method is suitable if automatic updates are not available or there are errors, for example, for Redmi 9A smartphones with MIUI 12.5 firmware that do not receive OTA on MIUI 13.

• 📄 Official firmware in.zip format (download only from the official Xiaomi website).
• 📁 For TVs — USB-file-storage FAT32.
• 🔧 For smartphones – unlocked bootloader (if the firmware is not Fastboot).

Instructions for smartphones:

1. Download the firmware for your model (for example, redmi_note_10_global_images_...) and rename the file to update.zip.
2. Move the file to the root folder of internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip to System (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power).
5. After installation, select Reboot to System.

Instructions for Mi TV TVs:

1. Download the firmware for your model (for example, mibox3_ota_20260515.zip) official website.
2. Unpack the archive and copy the file update.zip on USB-storage device (required) FAT32!).
3. Insert the flash drive into the USB 2.0 port of the TV (usually located on the side).
4. Go to Settings → About Device → Local Update and select a file.
5. Confirm the installation and wait for the restart (it can take up to 10-15 minutes).

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For Mi TV 4A/4C older than 2019, disable Auto Update in Settings before local update, otherwise the system can automatically roll back the firmware to the previous version.

Warnings:

⚠️ Please do not use firmware from third-party sources (e.g, 4PDA or XDA), If you're not sure what they're from, there were cases in 2023 where custom firmware was used to make them look like a scalable device. POCO X3 contain malware masquerading as system updates.

⚠️ Attention, if your TV is Mi TV When you manually update it, it gives you a No command error or it's loaded into Recovery, so it's not a good firmware for your model. ADB (instruction in section 6).

5. Update via Fastboot (MI Flash Tool) for smartphones

This method is required in extreme cases:

• 🔧 The device is not switched on (brick);
• 🔒 The loader is locked, and OTA idle;
• 📉 You need to downgrade the firmware version (downgrade).

For Xiaomi, this process is more complicated than for other brands, due to the binding to the Mi Account.

• 💻 Windows computer (for Mi Flash Tool);
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original);
• 📄 Fastboot firmware (file.tgz or.zip);
• 🔑 Unlocked bootloader (unless previously unlocked).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers.
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
3. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
4. Connect the device to your PC and launch the Mi Flash Tool. Press Select and specify the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom, select the mode: Clean all – complete cleanup (loss of data); Clean all and lock – clean + lock bootloader (only for official firmware!); Save user data – data storage (not always working).

Press Flash and wait until the end (usually 5-10 minutes).

Common mistakes and decisions:

• 🚨 Mi Flash: "Couldn't find device" → Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select Android Bootloader Interface).
• 🚨 "Flash is not done" → Try another one. USB-port or cable.
• 🚨 "Anti-rollback check" → Your firmware is older than the current one.