Update firmware on Xiaomi Mi Pad: 3 proven ways

Why it is important to update the firmware on the Xiaomi tablet

Xiaomi Mi Pad tablets (including Mi Pad 1/2/3/4/5 and Pad 6) receive regular MIUI and Android updates that fix critical vulnerabilities, add new features and optimize performance. For example, MIUI 14 for Mi Pad 5 has 120Hz support in games, and Android 13 has improved multitasking management.

However, many users face problems: the update “hangs” by 50%, the tablet stops turning on after the firmware through Fastboot, or the system gives an error “Can’t verify update”. These risks can be minimized by following proven instructions and taking into account the features of a particular model (for example, the Mi Pad 4 does not support manual updates through ADB Sideload without unlocking the bootloader).

In this article, three working update methods (including hidden Recovery features), a firmware compatibility table, and answers to frequent bugs.

Preparation for the update: 5 mandatory steps

Before you start firmware, make sure that all the safety conditions are met. Neglecting them can lead to a blink (complete failure) of the device. 3 battery-free (<30%) may be disabled during the update via Fastboot, which will require flashing through EDL-regime.

Here's the training checklist:

Charge the tablet to 80% or more

Download the official firmware from the Xiaomi website

Create a backup of data through Settings → Additional → Backup

Disable the antivirus (it can block firmware files)

Connect the tablet to stable Wi-Fi (for the purpose of OTA) or PC (for Fastboot)-->

Important for models with Mediatek (Mi Pad 4, Pad 5): before you install the MediaTek Preloader drivers via Fastboot, without them, the PC will not recognize the device in boot mode.

⚠️ Note: If your Mi Pad is purchased in China (version) CN), Global firmware can block the network or camera. Check the model in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Method 1: Air-to-air update (OTA) is the safest method

OTA (Over-The-Air) is a standard upgrade method that does not require a PC connection, but is suitable for most users, but has limitations:

• 🔄 Available only for official firmware (not customized).
• 📶 Requires a stable Internet connection (minimum 5 Mbps).
• ⏳ It can take up to 30 minutes (depending on the size of the update).
• 🔒 Does not work on devices with unlocked bootloader (unlocked bootloader).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the tablet → System update.
2. Click Check Updates. If a new version is available, a Download button will appear.
3. After downloading, click Install and wait for the reboot.

If the update is not available, try:

• 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Resetting the network.
• 🕒 Wait 2-3 days (Xiaomi releases) OTA gradually).
• 📥 Download the full service package manually (see Method 2).

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If you have a Mi Pad 5 after OTA-updates began to slow down, clean the cache in Recovery: turn off the device, pinch the Power + Volume up, select Wipe Cache.

Method 2: Manual installation of firmware through Recovery

This method is suitable if OTA does not work or you want to install full firmware (for example, switch from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14 without losing data). Important: Mi Pad 1/2 requires firmware in.zip format, Mi Pad 4/5 -.tgz.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official website (choose the version of Recovery ROM).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root of the tablet’s internal memory.
3. Turn off the device and press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
4. Select the language, then Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).

For Mi Pad 3 and older, an alternative method is available via ADB Sideload:

adb sideload path to file.zip

⚠️ Warning: If the tablet is stuck on the Mi logo after installing the firmware through Recovery, reset to factory settings (Wipe Data in the same menu.

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Manual firmware via Recovery saves user data, but can cause conflicts with Magisk or Xposed modules.

Method 3: Fastboot Firmware for Power Users

The Fastboot method is used to completely flash the device, including the bootloader and radio modules. It is the only way to recover the Mi Pad after serious failures (for example, if the tablet is not turned on or loaded into Bootloop).

• 🖥️ Computer with Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers installed (depending on the processor).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (for Mi Pad 5 and newer).
• 📂 Official firmware in.tgz format (unpacked into a folder with fastboot files).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack it in C:\platform-tools.
2. Place the firmware files in the same folder.
3. Connect the tablet off to the PC by clamping Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot.
4. Open the Command Prompt in the platform-tools folder and do:

fastboot flash all


fastboot reboot

For the Mi Pad 4 with a Snapdragon 660 processor, add a cleaning command before you run the firmware:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the sound is lost or the sensor is not working after the update, it is likely that the firmware for another modification (for example, Mi Pad 5 Wi-Fi instead of Mi Pad 5 5 5G) was installed.

1. Download the correct version of the firmware.
2. Complete the reset via Fastboot:

fastboot erase system


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot reboot

Additional tips for advanced users

If you want to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), consider:

• 🔧 Mi Pad 4 requires a dm-verity patch (otherwise the tablet will not boot).
• 🔒 On the Mi Pad 5 with Android 12+ need to be switched off AVB (Android Verified Boot).
• 📱 For the correct operation of GApps, choose a package arm64 (For Mi Pad 3 - Arm).

Before installing custom firmware, it is recommended:

1. Unlock the bootloader (the process takes up to 72 hours for new Xiaomi accounts).
2. Install TWRP Recovery (for Mi Pad 5, use version 3.7.0+).
3. Create a full backup through TWRP (including the EFS section for LTE models).

⚠️ Note: Install custom firmware on Mi Pad 1/2 This can cause the camera to lose its functions due to the lack of drivers for older processors. NVIDIA Tegra.

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The Mi Pad 6 with the Snapdragon 870 has Android 14-based firmware available, but they require a f2fs-enabled kernel to run the file system properly.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions