Updating the operating system on Xiaomi smartphones is a process that many users put off “for later” in fear of losing data or encountering errors. Meanwhile, the latest version of MIUI or Android not only adds new features, but also closes security vulnerabilities, optimizes battery life and speeds up performance. For example, switching from Android 12 to Android 14 can give an increase in autonomy of up to 15% due to improved process background management.
In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to update, from standard OTA (over the air) to manual firmware via Fastboot or Recovery. We’ll focus on the typical issues of when the system writes “an update is not available for your region”, what if the smartphone hung on the Mi logo after the update, and why some models (for example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro) no longer receive official updates, and how to check the firmware compatibility with your model and what to do if photos or contacts disappear after the upgrade.
Important: the upgrade procedure may vary depending on the device series (Poco, Redmi, Mi) and the MIUI version (Global, China, EEA).If you have never flashed your smartphone yourself, start with the automatic method, and for experienced users, we have prepared detailed manual installation instructions with checksum check (MD5).
1. Check the current version of Android and MIUI
Before you upgrade, make sure your device really needs an upgrade.
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Scroll down to the "version" points. MIUI» and “Android version».
- Compare the data with the latest available versions on the official Xiaomi website.
For example, if you have a Xiaomi 12T with MIUI 13 based on Android 12 and MIUI 14 for Android 13 is already available on the site, you can update. Pay attention to the firmware region: if your smartphone is purchased in Europe, do not install the Chinese version - this can lead to problems with Google Services.
Also check your model’s support status. Some devices (like the Redmi 9A or Mi A3) are no longer getting updates — they can be found on the EOL (End of Life) list on XiaomiUI. If your smartphone is there, consider alternatives like LineageOS, Pixel Experience.
Automatic Air Update (OTA)
The easiest and most secure way to upgrade is through OTA (Over-The-Air), which is suitable for 90% of users and does not require technical skills.
- Connect to Wi-Fi (updating via mobile internet can lead to additional costs).
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click on "Check Updates."
- If the update is available, click Download (file weight is usually 1.5-3 GB).
- After downloading, select “Install” and wait for the reboot.
It takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on the model. During installation, the smartphone will reboot several times - do not interrupt the process, even if the screen remains black for a long time. If after the upgrade the device begins to warm up or discharge quickly, perform a cache reset in Recovery (press Power + Volume up when the phone is turned off).
Charge your phone at least to 50%|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi|Release. 4–5 GB memory|Shut down. VPN/proxy|Make a backup copy of the data-->
⚠️ Note: If photos or contacts are missing after the update, check the folder MIUI/Backup/AllBackup It could back up automatically. If you don't have any files, restore it through Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
3 Manual update via Recovery
If OTA doesn’t work (for example, because of the “Failure to check the update”) error, you can manually install the firmware through Recovery, a method that saves user data but requires you to download the correct firmware file.
Instructions:
- Download the firmware for your model from the official website. The file should have the.zip extension and the name in the format miui_[MODEL]_global_[VERSION].zip (e.g, miui_POCOX3Global_V14.0.2.0.TJGMIXM.zip).
- Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of internal memory (not to folders!).
- Turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
- Select the language, then go to Install update.zip to System.
- Confirm the installation and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).
Once installed successfully, the device will restart, and if the "Couldn't verify update" error appears, the firmware file is corrupted or not suitable for your model. Check the checksum (MD5) using the MD5 Checker app.
What if Recovery doesn’t see update.zip?
| Recovery error | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| E: Footer is wrong | Firmware file damaged. | Download the file again, check MD5 |
| E: Error in /tmp/sideload/package.zip | Incompatible firmware | Download the version for your region |
| E: Unknown command | Obsolete Recovery | Update Recovery via Fastboot |
Update via Fastboot (for power users)
The Fastboot method is suitable if:
- 🔹 The smartphone does not turn on or hovers on the Mi logo.
- 🔹 You need to downgrade the firmware version (downgrade).
- 🔹 Recovery does not work or gives out errors.
This method will require a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and an official firmware in.tgz format (not.zip!). Download it from the Xiaomi website by selecting the Fastboot version.
Step-by-step:
- Unpack the.tgz archive into a folder on your computer (e.g., C:\MIUI\).
- Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
- Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB.
- Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and go to the firmware folder: cd C:\MIUI\
- Start the installation script: fastboot update rom_file_name.tgz (For new models): fastboot flashall
It takes 5-15 minutes. When the phone is finished, it will reboot automatically. If the error "FAILED (remote: 'Flashing is not allowed')" appears, then the bootloader is locked, in which case you need to unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires linking the Mi Account to the device).
fastboot oem edlThis will help avoid errors on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro).-->
5. Update via ADB Sideload
ADB Sideload is an alternative to Recovery if the standard method doesn't work, and it allows you to install firmware through your computer without losing data.
- 🔹 Established ADB PC drivers.
- 🔹 The.zip firmware file (same as for Recovery).
- 🔹 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
Instructions:
- Download the firmware and rename it to update.zip.
- Connect your phone to your PC and go to Recovery (Power + Volume Up).
- Select Connect with MIAssistant (or ADB Sideload on older versions).
- On your computer, open the command line in the ADB folder and type: adb sideload update.zip
- Wait until the end (the progress will be displayed on the phone screen).
If the process is stuck on "Total xfer: 100%", do not turn off the cable - wait 10-15 minutes. On some models (Poco F3, Redmi K40) after ADB Sideload requires an additional reboot in Recovery to clear the cache.
Typical errors and their solutions
Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems.
| Mistake. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| “The update is not available for your region” | Firmware for another region (e.g., trying to install EEA on a Chinese model) | Download the version for your region or change the region through Mi Account |
| phone is stuck on startup Mi logo after update | Module conflict or damaged firmware | Log in to Recovery and make Wipe Cache. If it doesn't work, reflash through Fastboot. |
| The error "Cannot verify update" in Recovery | The firmware file is damaged or not signed | Check the MD5 file, download again from the official website |
| After the update, there is no network (no signal) | Incompatibility of the modem part of the firmware | Install firmware with the same baseband or roll back to the previous version |
If after the update, the smartphone became slower to work, try:
- 🔹 Clear the cache in Recovery (Wipe) → Wipe Cache).
- 🔹 Disable animation in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (5 times to tap → Window animation: Off.).
- 🔹 Reset the settings to factory (Warning: delete all data!).
💡
If the root rights or TWRP are lost after the update, they must be reinstalled. Firmware via OTA or Recovery resets custom modifications.
7. How to roll back to the previous version of MIUI
Sometimes a new update brings more problems than benefits: bugs, overheating, fast battery discharge, in which case you can return the previous version of the firmware, but there are nuances:
- Download the desired version of MIUI from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
- For a downgrade, be sure to use the Fastboot method - through Recovery, a rollback can lead to a brick (breakdown) of the device.
- Before the firmware run Wipe Data in Fastboot (fastboot erase userdata command), otherwise errors are possible.
Important: on some models (for example, Xiaomi 11T, Redmi Note 11), the rollback on Android 11 with Android 12 blocks the bootloader, in which case you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (waiting 7-15 days).
⚠️ Note: A rollback to an older version of Android (for example, from 13 to 12) can lead to data loss in applications using Scoped Storage (WhatsApp, Telegram.