How to Upgrade Xiaomi to the Latest MIUI Version: The Complete Guide

Owning a modern Xiaomi smartphone is not just about using the device, but also about constantly accessing new features that developers release regularly. MIUI is evolving rapidly, offering improved optimizations, new widgets and security patches. However, not always notifications of a new version arrive on time, and then the user has to act independently.

The upgrade process may seem complicated only at first glance, but it actually consists of a few clear steps that even a beginner can take.It is important to understand the difference between a stable and beta version, and also to know the methods of manual firmware installation whenever you want to install it. OTA-The update doesn't work. In this article, we'll go into detail about all the ways to update the software.

Before you go into action, you need to make sure your device is ready for the procedure. Ignoring the preparatory stage can lead to data loss or errors in the system, so it is worth taking a couple of minutes to check the status of the battery and the availability of free space.

There are several ways to update the software on your smartphone, and the choice depends on the current situation. The standard way is to get an over-the-air update (OTA) that comes automatically. However, if you want to speed up the process or the system says there are no updates, you have to use manual methods.

Owners of Redmi and POCO devices often face regional limitations when the global firmware version comes out later than the Chinese one, and in such cases, knowing manual techniques becomes a critical skill, so you can install the current firmware package yourself without waiting.

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Before you start any firmware manipulations, be sure to back up important contacts and photos to the cloud or computer.

Preparing the device for system update

Any interference with system files requires some preparation to avoid unpleasant surprises. First, check the battery power: it should be at least 60%, and ideally be fully charged. The installation process can take 10 to 40 minutes, and a sudden power outage is critical.

You also need to free up space in internal memory. Even if the update weighs 2 GB, the system needs space to decompress temporary files. It is recommended to have at least 5-7 GB free. Delete unnecessary videos or transfer them to a memory card or computer.

• 🔋 Charge your smartphone to a minimum 60-70% before the beginning of the procedure.
• 💾 Free up at least 5GB of free space in internal storage.
• 📶 Make sure you have a stable connection to the Wi-Fi network to download files.

Be sure to check the current version of the system to see how big the gap between the installed and the target version is, you can do this by going to Settings → About Phone. If the variation is too large (for example, switching from Android 10 to Android 13), the update can come in stages.

⚠️ Note: If your smartphone has been modified (root rights obtained or bootloader unlocked), the standard update may not be installed or lead to the loss of superuser rights.

Automatic update via the settings menu

The easiest and safest way to get a new version of MIUI is to use the built-in update mechanism, the system itself checks for new packets on the manufacturer's servers, usually the notification appears in the notification curtain, but you can initiate manual verification.

To do this, open the settings and look for About Phone, then click on a large version icon (e.g. MIUI 14). A window will open where the current version and the check button will be displayed. If the server sees a compatible firmware, it will start downloading.

Once you download a file that's a few gigabytes in size, the system will suggest you reboot. Don't interrupt this process. The smartphone will turn off, the Xiaomi logo and progress bar will appear on the screen, and you can't touch the device at this time.

• 📲 Go to the Settings menu → The phone.
• 🔄 Click on the version icon MIUI check out.
• ⬇️ Wait for the download and click the “Update” button».

Sometimes the update button is inactive or writes “No Updates” when other devices in your model already have them, which may be due to staged rollout, which helps to clear the cache of the Update app, but we’ll talk about this in the next sections.

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The automatic method is the most preferred method for ordinary users, as it guarantees the compatibility and integrity of system files without the risk of error.

Manual installation of firmware through Recovery

If the automatic method didn’t work, you can use the manual installation method. You will need to download the current firmware package from the official website or proven resources (for example, XiaomiFirmwareUpdater).

Once you download the file, move it to the root of the smartphone's internal memory. Don't put the archive in folders, otherwise the system won't see it. Then go back to the update menu and click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.

In the menu that opens, select “Select a firmware file.” The system will find the archive and prompt you to start installing, a method that often allows you to update even if the server “does not see” your device for OTA.

The path to the file selection menu:


Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click) → Menu (3 points) → Select a firmware file

There is an important caveat: if you try to roll back to an older version or move between regions (for example, from China to Global), the system will give an error "Can't verify update", in which case you need to rename the firmware file to update.zip and repeat the procedure.

⚠️ Note: When you install manually, make sure that the downloaded firmware is for your model (codename). Installing firmware from another device will lead to a brick (bootloop).

Use of the Mi bootloader app

For advanced users who want to have full control over software versions, there is a MIUI bootloader app or its analogues, which allows you to download full firmware versions for all regions and models, even if they have not yet come to OTA.

The app automatically determines the model of your smartphone and offers a list of available builds. You can choose a specific version of Android or MIUI. Once downloaded, the file automatically moves to the desired directory, and you only have to start the installation.

The thing about these apps is that they often give you access to the latest features (Developer ROMs), but they may be less stable. Use them with caution if you're off the phone for work purposes.

• 📥 Download the firmware download application from a reliable source.
• 🔍 Find your model in the list of supported devices.
• ⚙️ Select the desired version (Global, EEA, Russia and type (Stable/Beta).

Using third-party downloaders requires permission to install applications from unknown sources. MIUI security can alert you to risks several times - this is a standard procedure that needs to be confirmed.

Solving errors during the update

One of the most common mistakes is, "I couldn't check the update," which is often when the Internet is unstable or when you have problems on the server side of Xiaomi, and try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile Internet or vice versa.

Another common problem is space shortage. If the system writes about an installation error even though there seems to be a place, try clearing the Update app cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Update system components and select Clean.

Sometimes the update will freeze during the verification phase or logo, in which case don't panic. If the phone responds to presses, wait 15-20 minutes. If the screen is gone or the device is rebooted to Recovery mode, select Wipe Data (only if there is a backup) or try to reflash through the computer.

Signature verification errors (Can't verify update) occur when you try to change a firmware region (e.g. from China to Global) without unlocking the bootloader. Within one region (Global to Global), such an error is rare and usually treated by renaming the file to update.zip.

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If the update is interrupted by 50-70%, try to download the firmware file again, as the archive may be damaged when downloaded.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

To conclude, we will answer the most popular questions users have when updating Xiaomi, which will help to dispel the remaining doubts.