How to upgrade Xiaomi smartphone to MIUI 10: all ways + error solving

Upgrading to MIUI 10 remains a hot topic for Xiaomi smartphone owners in the 2016-2019 releases, despite the release of newer versions of the shell, which has become iconic thanks to an optimized interface, Full Screen Gestures (gestures instead of navigation buttons), and improved performance on weak devices. However, the upgrade process has nuances: not all models officially support MIUI 10 via OTA, and for some, you will need manual installation.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods of updating – from the standard automatic to installation via Fastboot and Recovery – and also tell you how to avoid typical errors like Error 7 or hanging on the Mi logo. Why it is important to unlock the bootloader in advance, how to save data before the firmware and what to do if after the upgrade the phone stopped seeing SIM-If your model is not on the official list of supported cards, we will suggest alternative solutions.

1. Compatibility Check: Does your Xiaomi MIUI 10 support?

Before you start the update, make sure that your model is officially supported by MIUI 10.

⚠️ Note: If your model is not on the list, try to install MIUI 10 through official channels will lead to an error Can't verify update. In this case, you will need to install custom firmware (for example, MIUI 10 Port from third-party developers), but this voids the warranty and requires unlocking the bootloader.

Check the current version of MIUI in the Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If it says MIUI 9 or lower, and the model is in the table, you can update. For devices with MIUI 11+, a rollback to MIUI 10 is impossible without completely reflashing through Fastboot, since new versions use a different partition format (Dynamic Partitions).

2. Preparation of the smartphone for the update

Regardless of the upgrade method chosen, preparation reduces the risk of “bricking” the device by 80%.

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%. When discharged during firmware, the phone can go into mode. EDL (emergency loading, from which a special cable will be required to exit.
• 📱 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or manually copy files from folders DCIM, Downloads and Miui on PC.
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (if you plan to manually firmware).This takes up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi's check.
• 🌐 Connect to stable Wi-Fi. Update "over the air» (OTA) It weighs 1.2-1.8 GB, and interrupted download can damage system files.

Critical error: If you miss unlocking the bootloader for models with a Snapdragon processor (such as the Redmi Note 5 Pro or Mi 8), firmware through Fastboot will end up with an anti-rollback check fail error and the phone will require repair at the service center.

For devices with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi 6A), unlocking is optional, but it is recommended to disable OEM Unlock in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers).

Battery charge > 60%|Backup of data|bootloader unlocked (for Fastboot)|Antivirus on PC is disabled|SHOWS official ROM-->

Method 1: Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and most secure method is to automatically update through the settings menu, which is suitable for devices that have already received MIUI 10 in their region.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the icon «⋮» (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Update Package.
3. If you have MIUI 10, download it (file weight ~1.5 GB).
4. After downloading, click Reboot and Update.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone has been stuck on the Mi logo for more than 10 minutes after restarting, do not force it to turn it off. Wait until the process is complete (may take up to 30 minutes.

If OTA-Update is not available, but your model is on the list of supported models, try it:

• 📡 Change region in settings (Settings) → Additionally. → For example, for the Redmi Note 5 Pro MIUI 10 first came out in India.
• 🔄 Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings. Sometimes helps with the Couldn't download error.
• 🕒 Wait 1-2 weeks. Xiaomi rolls out updates in waves.

💡

If OTA doesn’t come, try manually downloading the firmware for your model from MIUI Downloads, renaming the file to update.zip and putting it at the root of the phone’s memory.

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery

If OTA is not available but you don’t want to take risks with Fastboot, use Recovery Mode.This method saves user data but requires a properly selected firmware file.

1. Download the official Recovery-ROM for your model from MIUI Downloads. The file should have a.zip extension and weigh ~1.5–2 GB.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of internal memory (not to Download or MIUI!).
3. Turn off your phone and press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Volume up + Power. For POCO F1: Volume down + Power.

Install update.zip to System


→ Confirm

Reboot to System

🔹 Frequent mistakes and decisions:

• 🚫 Installation aborted - file update.zip It's damaged or not for your model.
• 🔄 Hang on the Verifying update package - wait 5-7 minutes. If it doesn't work, check the hash of the file (MD5) via HashMyFiles utility.
• 📱 Phone doesn’t turn on after restarting – try going to Recovery and make Wipe Cache.

5. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for experienced)

Fastboot is the most reliable, but it's also the most risky, and it's suitable for:

• 📱 Devices that do not receive OTA (For example, Redmi Note 4X on MIUI 9).
• 🔧 Recovery after a failed update (if the phone only loads in Fastboot).
• 🔄 Downgraid MIUI 11/12 on MIUI 10 (requires an unlocked loader!).

🛠 Essential tools:

• 🖥 Windows PC 10/11 (For the Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged!).
• 📁 Fastboot-ROM firmware for your model (.tgz or.zip file).
• 🔧 The Mi Flash Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI10\).
2. Install Xiaomi drivers through the Xiaomi Flash Tool.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. At the bottom, select Clean all mode (saves data) or Clean all and lock (full reset + lock bootloader).
7. Press Flash and wait for completion (5-10 minutes). the phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ If the Mi Flash Tool is an error flash_all_lock.bat If you're unsuccessful, you're locked. Unlock it through the official tool and repeat the process. 6) Use the Mi Flash Tool instead of the SP Flash Tool.

💡

Fastboot is the only way to flash MIUI 10 onto devices that have never received this version over the air (like the Redmi 5A). However, after firmware, the fingerprint sensor or camera may not work, this is due to the lack of drivers in older builds.

6. Solving problems after the update

Even a successful upgrade to MIUI 10 can be accompanied by bugs, and here are the typical problems and ways to fix them:

If after the update the phone does not turn on or got stuck on the screensaver, try:

1. Press Power + Volume up for 20 seconds for forced reboot.
2. Log in to Recovery and make Wipe Data (delete all data!).
3. Swipe your phone over Fastboot with the Clean All option.

💡 Advice: If after downgrade with MIUI 11 on MIUI 10 Google services stopped working, install Google Installer from APKMirror or run GApps through TWRP.

7. Alternative methods: custom firmware

If your model doesn't officially support MIUI 10, but you want to get its chips, consider custom firmware.

• 📱 MIUI 10 Port – unofficial builds from developers from the forum XDA. Supports Redmi Note 4/3, Mi 5 others.
• 🔄 LineageOS 16 (based on Android 9) – a lightweight alternative with gesture support.
• 🛡 Pixel Experience – Firmware with pure Android and Digital Wellbeing.

⚠️ Note: Installation of custom firmware requires:

1. Unlocked bootloader.
2. Installed TWRP Recovery (Castom Recovery)
3. Full backup via TWRP (including the EFS section where IMEI is stored!).

🔹 Installation instructions MIUI 10 Port:

1. Download firmware and TWRP for your model from the official website.
2. Please. TWRP Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. In TWRP, make a full backup (Backup → Select All).
4. Sweep through the firmware (Install → Select ZIP) and GApps (if you need Google services).
5. Clean the cache (Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache + Cache).
6. Reboot (Reboot → System)

📌 Important: Castom firmware may contain bugs (e.g., non-functioning) NFC Check the forum reviews before installing. 4PDA or XDA for your model.

FAQ: Frequent questions