How to upgrade Xiaomi smartphone to Android 11: official and hidden ways

Upgrading the operating system to Android 11 on Xiaomi smartphones can significantly improve device performance, add new security features and expand customization. However, the upgrade process does not always go smoothly: some models receive an update via OTA automatically, others require manual installation, and others are not supported at all. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of updating, including hidden methods for devices that did not receive Android 11 through standard channels.

It is important to understand that the upgrade to Android 11 on Xiaomi is only possible for devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon 6xx/7xx/8xx series processors and Mediatek Helio G/P/X series, released no earlier than 2018. If your model is older or belongs to the budget segment (for example, Redmi 7A or Redmi 8), the chances of an official update are minimal. In such cases, only custom firmware will help, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and may deprive you of warranties.

Before you start the update, check the current version. MIUI Settings menu → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If your device is already working on MIUI 12.5+, Android 11 is now available (in the case of Android) MIUI 12.5 and later is the Android 11 kernel for most models. MIUI below 12.0 - read more.

Official method: Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and most secure method is to upgrade through the built-in OTA (Over-The-Air) system, which is suitable for devices that officially support Android 11 and have received an update from Xiaomi.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Click the “Check Updates” button and wait for the search to be completed.
• 📥 If the update is available, download it (Wi-Fi is recommended).
• 🔋 Make sure the battery is at least 50%, then click “Install».
• ⏳ Wait for the reboot (the process can take 10-20 minutes).

If the system says “No Updates” but you’re sure your model should support Android 11, try the following:

1. Switch to global or European firmware (if you have a Chinese or Indian version of MIUI). To do this, download the desired firmware from the Xiaomi Firmware website and install it through Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file.
2. Clear the update cache: go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points → Show system → System Update, then click Clear Cache and Clear Data.
3. Wait 1-2 weeks – sometimes updates roll out in stages.

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If after the update, the smartphone began to slow down, perform a cache reset in recovery: turn off the device, press Power + Volume up, select Wipe Cache, then restart.

2. List of Xiaomi models with Android 11 support

Not all Xiaomi devices have received an update to Android 11. Below is an up-to-date list of models that are available with official Android 11 firmware (MIUI 12.5 and later).If your model is not in the table, consider alternative methods (sections 3-5).

If your model is on the list but the update doesn't come, try changing the firmware region. For example, European firmware often gets updates earlier than global ones.

1. Download the necessary firmware from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root folder of the device.
3. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file.

Manual update via Recovery (for power users)

If OTA-Update is not available, but your model supports Android 11, you can install firmware manually through Recovery mode. This method is suitable for devices with a locked bootloader and does not require unlocking.

You'll need:

• 🔗 Official firmware in.zip format (download from the official website).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60%.
• 📁 Memory card or internal memory with at least 4 GB of free space.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your model (for example, miui_BLOCKNAME_GLOBAL_12.5.1.0.RJWMIXM_... For the Redmi Note 10).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and copy it to the root folder of internal memory.
3. Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
4. Select the language, then go to Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).
6. After the reboot, check the Android version in Settings → About Phone.

Download the correct version of the firmware for your model

Check integrity ZIP-file (not damaged)

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)

Charge your phone to at least 60%

Disable password/pattern lock protection (at the time of update)-->

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Manual installation via Recovery does not reset data, but if something goes wrong (such as an incorrect firmware), the device may stop booting, in which case you will need a full reset via Fastboot.

Update via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can flash the device through Fastboot, which is suitable for:

• 🔄 Devices with a damaged system (not loaded).
• 🔓 Models who don't get OTA Due to regional restrictions.
• 🛠️ Smartphones that require complete flashing (for example, after a failed update).

Note: the method requires a Mi Flash Tool and unlocked bootloader (for some models), without unlocking, you can flash only the official firmware for your region.

Instructions:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model (file with.tgz or.zip extension).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your computer (for example, C:\MiFlash\).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers.
4. Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-hushanka will appear).
5. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
6. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select, specify the firmware folder, then select Clean all (full clean) or Clean all and lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after firmware).
7. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

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If the Mi Flash Tool is producing an anti-rollback error, you are trying to flash an older version of the firmware than the one installed today. EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

Once the firmware is installed, the device will automatically restart. The first run can take up to 10 minutes — don't interrupt the process. If the phone has been stuck on the Xiaomi logo for longer than 20 minutes, reset via Recovery (Wipe Data).

5. Alternative methods: custom firmware

If your Xiaomi model doesn’t support Android 11 officially, but is technically capable of running it (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro with a Mediatek Helio G90T processor), you can install custom firmware.

• 📱 LineageOS 18.1 – pure Android 11 without shell MIUI.
• 🎨 Pixel Experience – firmware with an interface, like on Google Pixel.
• ⚡ Havoc-OS - customizable firmware with advanced settings.

To install custom firmware will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (can take up to 720 hours of waiting for new accounts).
2. Install TWRP Recovery (unofficial version for your model).
3. Download firmware and GApps (Google Services) from the XDA Developers website.
4. Perform a full reset (Wipe System/Data/Cache) before installation.

Example of installation via TWRP:

1. Load to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).


2.Tap Wipe → Advanced Wipe →Tag System, Data, Cache → Swipe to Wipe.




3. Return to the main menu, press Install → Select ZIP- firmware file.




4. After installing the firmware, repeat the step for GApps.




5.Reboot (the first launch can take 15-30 minutes).

6. Solving common errors during the update

When upgrading to Android 11, Xiaomi users often face problems, and the following are the ways to solve them:

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If your fingerprint or Face Unlock stops working after the update, delete the old data in Settings → Passwords and security and add them again.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔌 Are you using the original? USB-cable (low-quality cables can interrupt firmware).
• 📶 Internet connection stability (when downloading firmware through OTA).
• 🔋 Adequate battery charge (less than 30% can cause a failure).

7 What to do if the update is not available?

If your device doesn’t support Android 11 officially and custom firmware doesn’t suit you, consider the following options:

• 🔄 Retracement to the previous version MIUI: If after the update there are lags, you can return to stable firmware based on Android 10.
• 📱 Buying a new smartphone: If your model is older than 2019, it may be time to upgrade (like the Redmi Note 12 or the Redmi Note). POCO X5).
• ⚡ Optimizing the current system: cleaning the cache, disabling animations in Settings → Special facilities → Delete animations.

If you still decide to stay on the older version of Android, keep in mind that:

⚠️ Note: Android 10 and below devices do not receive security updates after October 2023, making them vulnerable to viruses and attacks over the network. Avoid using public Wi-Fi and install apps only from Google Play.

To check for security relevance, go to Settings → About Phone → Android → Security patch level. If the date is older than 2023, it is recommended to at least upgrade to the latest available version of MIUI based on Android 10.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi upgrade to Android 11