How to update the phone Xiaomi: all ways + error solving

Updating the firmware on Xiaomi smartphones is a procedure that can both improve the device and lead to serious problems if you do something wrong. In 2026, the company continues to release monthly security patches and major updates to MIUI (and for flagships — and HyperOS), but not all users know how to install them correctly. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of updating, including hidden features, nuances for different models and what to do if something went wrong.

It’s important to understand that the upgrade process depends on the firmware version, regional software (Global, China, EEA), bootloader status, and even the processor model (Qualcomm or Mediatek). For example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with Dimensity 1080, the update via Fastboot requires different commands than on the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. We will take all these points into account to make the instruction suitable for most of the brand’s devices.

If you've never manually updated Xiaomi, start with the automatic method through the settings. Power users will need the Recovery and Fastboot sections, as well as a table decrypting errors that may occur during the process. Don't miss the update block through MIUI bootloader - this is the only official way to get the firmware before it comes through the air.

1.Preparing the phone for an update: 5 mandatory steps

Before you start the upgrade, make sure your Xiaomi is ready for the procedure. Neglect of preparation is the main reason for the "bricking" of devices.

• 🔋 Charge the battery to minimum. 60% (optimally — 80-100%). When discharged during the update via Recovery, the phone may stop turning on.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network. Update "over the air" (OTA) Weighs 1.5 to 4GB – Mobile traffic is not suitable.
• 📁 Free up at least 5GB of internal memory. The firmware is unpacked into a temporary folder, and if there is not enough space, the process will be interrupted.
• 🔐 Make sure that your phone doesn’t have any important data that is not saved, and 10% of the time you update, you reset your settings (especially when you upgrade to a new version of Android).
• 🛠️ Check the model and current firmware version in Settings → It's a phone, and it's useful if you need to download files manually.

For devices with an unlocked bootloader (for example, after installing custom TWRP), the additional step is to back up through the Nandroid Backup. This will save data if the update goes wrong. If you don't know if the bootloader is unlocked, check this: turn off the phone, press Volume down + Power - if the Fastboot menu shows up with the inscription Device is UNLOCKED, then the loader is open.

⚠️ Note: On phones with Mediatek (e.g. Redmi) 10C, Poco M5) Updating via Fastboot could lead to loss IMEI. Before the procedure, save it through the engineering menu (#3646633##).

Check the battery power (60%+)

Connect to Wi-Fi

Free up 5+ GB of memory

Keeping important data

Record the model and version of MIUI

Make sure you have a stable diet (do not update during a thunderstorm!)

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Method 2: Automatic Update through Settings (OTA)

The easiest and safest method is to upgrade to the Over-The-Air, which is suitable for 90% of users and does not require technical skills.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Slip on the item System Update (on some firmware - Update MIUI).
3. Click Check Updates. If the update is available, the Download button will appear.
4. After download, click Set and wait for the reboot.

Newer versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS may have a Smart Update option that allows you to install updates in the background without a full reboot. However, this mode sometimes works unstable: Xiaomi 13T users complain that after such an update, the sound disappears in the dynamics. If you notice glitches, make a full reboot (Power → Reboot).

Rate of occurrence OTA-updates depending on:

• 🌍 Firmware regions: Global and EEA Updates are received later than China (sometimes on the Internet). 1-2 month).
• 📱 Phone models: flagships (Xiaomi 14, Mix Fold 3) are updated first, budget (Redmi) A2) — last.
• 👥 Beta Programs: If you participate, updates arrive earlier, but may contain bugs.

⚠️ Attention: If after OTA-Update phone is stuck on the logo MI longer 10 - Don't panic. Give him more. 15-20 Minutes (on weak processors such as Snapdragon) 480 If nothing has changed after this period, go to the error solving section.

Only when the notification comes

I check manually once a month.

I only provide critical updates.

Never update.

I use custom firmware.-->

Method 2: Update via Recovery (for power users)

If the automatic update doesn't work (for example, due to a Couldn't verify update error), you can install the firmware via Recovery, which is suitable for devices with a locked bootloader and does not require a computer.

• 📱 Xiaomi phone with charge >60%.
• 💾 Official firmware in.zip format (you can download it on the official website).
• 🔌 Cable OTG (if you use a flash drive).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your model (for example, for Poco X5 Pro, select a file marked vayu in the name). Rename it to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory or on a flash drive.
2. Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Select the language (if you have this option) from the menu, then Install update.zip to System.
4. Confirm the installation and wait until it is completed (usually 5-15 minutes).
5. After restarting, perform a cache reset (Wipe Cache) if the phone is unstable.

An important nuance: the firmware must be the same version as the current one (for example, switching from MIUI 14.0.3 to 14.0.5). If you try to install an older version (downgrade), you get an error. For a radical change of version (for example, from MIUI to HyperOS), you will need a Fastboot.

Method 3: Update via Fastboot (for advanced)

Fastboot is the most reliable, but also the most complex, and it's suitable if:

• 🔄 We need to move on to another version. MIUI (For example, from China to Global).
• 🛠️ The phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo.
• 🆕 You need to install HyperOS on a device that has not officially received it.

The procedure will require:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (download from Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for Windows) or fastboot in the terminal (for Windows) Linux/Mac).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your computer. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
4. Run the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All (total clean) or Clean All and Lock (cleaning) mode. + Use the last option if you want to return to official status.
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

For Linux/Mac, use the commands in the terminal:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: On phones from Mediatek (Redmi) 9A, Poco M4 Pro) after the firmware is run through Fastboot, the network may disappear, and the file will be re-firmed. modem.img Fastboot Flash Modem modem.img.

1. Use an older version of the utility (for example, 2018).

2. In the settings of the program tick Advanced → Force update.

3. Swipe the phone through fastboot manually, skipping the signature check (fastboot oem edl → flash through EDL Mode).

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5. Method 4: Update via MIUI bootloader (Early Access)

MIUI bootloader is the only official way to get the firmware before it comes on OTA. It's an app from Xiaomi that lets you download the firmware for your model and install it manually.

• ⏳ Updates appear on 1-2 weeks before OTA.
• 🔄 You can select a specific version (for example, roll back to the previous one if the new one is unstable).
• 🌍 Firmware available for different regions (Global, China, EEA, India).

How to use:

1. Download MIUI bootloader from Google Play.
2. Open the app and select your model (e.g. Xiaomi 12T Pro → diting).
3. In the firmware list, find the latest one (sort by date). Note the Type column, which indicates the firmware type (Stable or Beta).
4. Download the file and move it to the root of the phone’s memory (as in the Recovery method).
5. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update, tap three dots in the upper right corner and select Select a firmware file.

Important point: if you download firmware for another region (for example, China instead of Global), after installation, you can:

• 🗣️ Disappear some languages (including Russian).
• 📵 Stop working Google services (on Chinese firmware).
• 📡 The chasm of support for some LTE-Range (Relevant to Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ Russia).

💡

MIUI bootloader shows firmware only for officially supported models. If your phone is not listed (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 9), use alternative sources like Xiaomi Firmware Updater or SourceForge.

6. Solving Errors When Updating Xiaomi

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can get errors, and we've collected the most common and corrective methods:

If there are glitches after the update (for example, the battery quickly goes down or the camera does not work), try:

1. Reset the settings to factory (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).
2. Clear the cache through Recovery (Wipe Cache).
3. Reverse to the previous firmware version (if you saved a backup copy).

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS phones (e.g. Xiaomi 14), a factory reset after the upgrade may result in loss of Mi Account data (photos, notes, contacts.

7. Frequent questions after update

Even a successful update can bring surprises, and here are the answers to the most popular questions: