Xiaomi smartphones regularly receive firmware updates MIUI, However, not all users know how to properly update the device, especially if the automatic update does not work or if a beta version is required. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update Xiaomi, including official and alternative methods, and also tell you how to avoid typical mistakes.
It is important to understand that the upgrade process may vary depending on the phone model, regional firmware, and current version. MIUI. For example, for flagships like Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+ More updates are available than for budget models such as Poco M6. It is also worth considering that some devices are no longer supported by the manufacturer - their firmware ceases to update after 2-3 years from the date of release.
If youβve never manually updated Xiaomi, donβt worry: weβll detail every step, including preparing your phone, choosing the right firmware version, and solving any problems, and for experienced users, weβll provide advanced methods like upgrading via fastboot or using the Mi Flash Tool.
1. Verification of the current version MIUI and availability of updates
Before you start updating, you need to know which version MIUI installed on your phone, and if there are new builds for it, this will help to avoid installing incompatible firmware or re-updating.
To check the version:
- Open the settings on your phone.
- Go to the About Phone (or About Device) section.
- Click on Version. MIUI Several times until you see the caption βYouβre a developer!β (this will open the hidden settings, but not necessarily for an update).
- Remember or write down the current version (for example, MIUI 14.0.5 Global).
Check the availability of updates:
- π Go to Settings. β The phone. β Updating the system.
- π₯ Click Check Updates β the phone will connect to Xiaomi servers and show the available versions.
- π If there is an update, the system will offer to download it (usually the weight of the file is from 1.5 to 3 GB).
π‘
If the phone doesn't find updates, try connecting to another Wi-Fi network or using mobile internet. Sometimes Xiaomi servers are blocked by providers.
If the automatic update doesnβt work, it could mean:
- π« Your model is no longer supported (e.g. Redmi) 5A or Mi A1 No updates after 2022).
- π You have a regional firmware installed (e.g. China) ROM), for which updates are issued later.
- π The phone is blocked by the operator (for example, devices from MTS or Beeline can receive updates with a delay).
2. Method 1: Update via phone settings (recommended method)
The easiest and safest way to upgrade Xiaomi is to use the built-in update feature in the settings, which is suitable for most users and does not require additional knowledge.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your phone to a stable Wi-Fi network (updating via mobile internet can lead to additional costs).
- The battery charge should be at least 50% (better 80-100%).
- Go to Settings β About the phone β System update.
- Click Check Updates and wait for the check to be completed.
- If the update is available, click Download (the file will be downloaded in the background).
- After downloading, click Install β the phone will restart and start installing (this will take 5-15 minutes).
Charge your phone to 80%|
Connect to Wi-Fi|
Free up 3-5 GB of memory|
Close all applications |
Shut down. VPN (if used)-->
If after installation the phone hangs on the logo for a long time MI (For more than 20 minutes, don't panic, it's normal for the first launches after the update, but if the freeze lasts more than an hour, there may have been an error:
β οΈ Warning: If the phone doesn't turn on after the upgrade, try pressing the power button for 10-15 seconds to force a reboot. If this doesn't help, you'll need to flash it over fastboot (see section 5).
Advantages of this method:
- β Does not require technical knowledge.
- β Stores all data and settings.
- β Minimum risk of error.
Disadvantages:
- β Updates may be delayed (especially for regional firmware).
- β There is no way to choose a specific version. MIUI.
Method 2: Update via Mi PC Suite (for Windows)
If the phone does not find updates through the settings, you can use the official software from Xiaomi β Mi PC Suite. This method is useful if you:
- π΅ The phone is not connected to the internet.
- π Updating through settings is constantly failing.
- π₯οΈ You prefer to control the process from a computer.
Instructions for updating through Mi PC Suite:
- Download and install Mi PC Suite from the official website.
- Connect your phone to your computer through the original USB-cable (use the port) USB 2.0 if USB 3.0 is not working).
- Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings β About Phone β MIUI Version (click 7 times) β Additional β For developers β Debugging over USB).
- Run the Mi PC Suite and wait for the program to identify the device.
- Go to the Update tab and click Check Updates.
- If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions (usually a phone confirmation is required).
Important nuances:
- π Use the back. USB-Computer port (front ports may not provide stable connection).
- π‘οΈ Disable the antivirus during the update β it can block the work of Mi PC Suite.
- π‘ If the program canβt see the phone, try reinstalling the driver via the Mi Flash Tool.
Through phone settings |
Through Mi PC Suite|
Manually (via Recovery)|
Through fastboot.|
I'm not updating at all.-->
Mi PC Suite often helps in cases where the phone can not download the update due to network errors or lack of memory:
| Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|
| Suitable for devices with damaged screen (control from PC). | It requires the installation of additional software. |
| Can restore the phone after a failed update. | Not always finding the latest versions. MIUI. |
| It stores user data. | It only works on Windows. |
Method 3: Manual update via Recovery (for power users)
If the automatic update is not available, and Mi PC Suite doesn't work, you can manually install firmware through Recovery Mode, which requires more action, but gives you control over the process.
What you need:
- π± Phone with a charge of at least 70%.
- πΎ Official firmware in.zip format (downloaded from Xiaomi website).
- π USB-Cable or memory card (if Recovery does not see internal memory).
Step-by-step:
- Download the correct firmware version for your model (for example, for Redmi Note). 12 Pro, choose. ingres_global). The file should be called something like that: miui_INGRESGlobal_V14.0.4.0.TMOMIXM_....
- Move the.zip file to the root directory of the phoneβs internal memory (not to folders!).
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the buttons Volume up + Power before the Mi logo (this is the launch of Recovery Mode).
- From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
- Go to Install update.zip to System (or similar).
- Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
- After you complete the process, select Reboot to System.
What if Recovery doesnβt see the update file?
Important: Not all versions of Recovery support firmware installation. on some phones (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) There may be a locked bootloader and you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool to update.
Warnings:
β οΈ Note: If you choose the wrong firmware (e.g. China) ROM Instead of Global, the phone may stop supporting Russian or mobile communications. Always check the model code (ingres, taoyao, rubens, etc.) before downloading.
5. Method 4: Update via Fastboot (for advanced users)
The fastboot method is the most reliable, but also the most complex, and it's suitable if:
- π§ The phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo.
- π¦ You need to install a clean firmware (for example, after resetting).
- π You need to unlock the loader before the firmware.
What you need:
- π₯οΈ Computer with Windows and installed Xiaomi drivers.
- π Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
- π¦ Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for fastboot (downloaded from the official website).
- π οΈ Related: Mi Flash Tool, ADB & Fastboot Tools.
Instructions:
- Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder on your computer (for example, C:\MIUI\).
- Turn off the phone and press the volume down. + Food to enter fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-ushank will appear).
- Connect the phone to the computer.
- Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
- Select Clean All mode (deletes all data) or Save user data (save files).
- Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).
- After successful firmware, the phone will restart automatically.
Commands for manual updates via fastboot (if the Mi Flash Tool doesn't work):
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img
fastboot rebootThis method guarantees the installation of firmware even on βbricksβ (defaulting phones), but has risks:
- π¨ If you do the wrong thing, your phone can turn into a brick".
- π An unlocked bootloader is required (on new models, this takes up to 720 hours of waiting time).
- π΅ All data will be deleted (unless you use Save user data).
π‘
Updating through fastboot is the only way to bring back a phone that doesnβt turn on after a failed firmware, but it requires unlocking the bootloader and erasing the data completely.
6. Solving problems after the update
Even if the update is successful, there are sometimes errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone will not turn on after the update | Incompatible firmware or installation failure | Check it out via fastboot or recovery |
| Constant reboots (bootloop) | Damaged system files | Reset your settings via Recovery (Wipe Data) |
| No mobile network after the update | A firmware for another region has been installed | Switch the correct version (Global, EEA, Russia) |
| Fast battery discharge | Optimization after the update is not completed | Wait for 2-3 charging cycles or reset the cache |
If after the update the phone began to slow down:
- π§Ή Clean the cache in Recovery (Wipe Cache).
- π Restart the device 2-3 times (system optimized after update).
- π± Reset the settings to factory (Settings) β Additionally. β Recovery and discharge).
If the data is missing (photos, contacts):
- π Check the folder. MIUI/backup/AllBackup β Sometimes the system backs up copies.
- βοΈ Restore from the Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled).
- πΎ Use data recovery software (e.g. DiskDigger or Recuva).
7.How to roll back the update MIUI, If the new version is not working well
If after the update the phone became worse to work (for example, there were lags, overheating or errors), you can return the previous version. MIUI. But it's not always possible:
- β You can roll back if you have a backup (TWRP backup).
- β It is impossible to roll back on the old version of Android (for example, from Android 14 to Android 13).
- β οΈ A rollback can result in a phone lock if the firmware is incompatible with the current version of the bootloader.
Instructions for rollback:
- Download the old version MIUI For your model from the official website.
- Install firmware via Recovery or fastboot (as described in sections 4 and 5).
- If your phone is locked, use the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option.
An alternative way is to reset to factory settings:
- Go to Settings β Additional β Recovery and Reset.
- Select Reset and confirm the action.
- After restarting, the phone will return to the state of βout of the boxβ, but the version MIUI remain.
If you are not sure about your actions, it is best to wait for the next update, which can fix the errors of the current version.