How to Upgrade Xiaomi Poco F1 to the Latest MIUI and Android: 3 Proven Ways

Xiaomi Poco F1 is the legendary smartphone of 2018, which still remains relevant thanks to the powerful hardware (Snapdragon 845) and community support. However, with the release of new versions of Android and MIUI, owners are faced with questions: how to update the device without losing data, whether you can install fresh firmware on the old model and what to do if the update “hangs.” In this article, the full guide to updating Poco F1 in 2026, including official and alternative methods, as well as solving typical errors.

It’s important to understand that the Poco F1 doesn’t officially receive Android 13+ and MIUI 15 updates from Xiaomi, but enthusiasts are developing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).We’ll look at all options – from standard OTA to manual firmware via Fastboot – and also tell you how to prepare the device to avoid “brick” (breaking the software part).

1. Preparing the smartphone for the update: 5 mandatory steps

Before you start upgrading, make sure your Poco F1 is ready for the procedure.Neglecting preparation is the main cause of crashes, data loss, or even turning your phone into a brick.

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60%.When upgrading via Recovery or Fastboot, 100% is recommended, as the process can take up to 30 minutes.
• 📱 Backup: Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or local storage to save contacts, photos, and apps. Poco F1 It does not always correctly restore data after resetting!
• 🌐 Stable Internet connection. OTA-Update suitable Wi-Fi; for downloading firmware manually – mobile Internet with unlimited traffic (file weighs 1.5-2.5 GB).
• 🔧 Unlock the bootloader (custom firmware only). Official updates via OTA You don’t need to unlock, but if you plan to install LineageOS, get permission from Xiaomi in advance.
• 📂 Free space of at least 3 GB. Check in Settings → Warehouse. If there's a shortage of space, the upgrade will be interrupted at the unpacking stage.

Pay special attention to the current firmware version. To find out, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If your version is older than MIUI 12.5, you may need to have an intermediate firmware before upgrading to Android 12 (for example, first on MIUI 13, then on MIUI 14).

⚠️ Attention: If your Poco F1 It was purchased in China (the domestic version), but the official global firmware may not be suitable. CN custom-assembly.

2. Method 1: Air Update (OTA) is the easiest method

OTA (Over-The-Air) is the standard upgrade method that doesn't require a PC connection. Xiaomi regularly releases security patches and minor updates for Poco F1, but major versions (like Android 10 on Android 12) may not come automatically. Here's how to check and install the update:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click "Check Updates." If the update is available, the Download button will appear.
3. After downloading, click “Install” and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

If the update isn’t there but you’re sure it should be (like the current month’s security patch), try:

• 🔄 Restart the phone and repeat the check.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes Xiaomi servers are blocked by the provider).
• 🕒 Wait 1-2 days – updates spread by waves.

OTA-updates do not reset settings, but in rare cases, bugs may occur (for example, the sound disappears in the speaker or stops working). NFC). If you have problems after the update, try resetting the cache in Recovery (see section 4).

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If OTA-Update "hang" during the installation phase (more than 20 minutes), do not turn off the phone! Wait for battery discharge to 0% - the next time the process ends automatically.

Method 2: Manual firmware through Recovery – if OTA does not work

If automatic updates are not available or if an error (e.g., "Cannot verify update") is detected, you can manually install firmware via stock Recovery, which is suitable for official firmware in.zip format and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Download the firmware from Xiaomi’s official website: Go to the MIUI download page. Select the Poco F1 (beryllium) model. Download the latest stable version (e.g. MIUI 14.0.2.0 for Android 12).

Rename the file

update.zip

root-folder

Download

MIUI

Download to Recovery.

1. Turn off the phone.


2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.




3 Select the language./whale.) and Install update.zip.

Confirm the installation and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).

Settings → About the phone

If after installation the phone is stuck on the POCO logo, reset the cache:

• Download to Recovery (as in Step 3).
• Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
• Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache (safe) and Wipe Data (full reset!).The second option will delete all data, including photos and apps.

4. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware for Power Users

The Fastboot method is used to install official firmware when other methods don't work, or to "resurrection" the phone after a crash. It requires a PC, USB-cable and unlocked boot loader (if you install unofficial firmware).

Here's what you're gonna need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high-quality).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (for example, beryllium_global_images_...).
• 🛠 The Mi Flash Tool (download here).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\poco_f1_fastboot).
2. Turn off your phone and boot into Fastboot: Press Power + Volume down before a bunny with the word Fastboot appears.
3. Connect your phone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the folder with the firmware.
5. Select Clean All (total clean) or Save user data (to save data).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error "critical partition flashing is not allowed", then you have the bootloader blocked.

1. Apply for unlocking via Xiaomi’s official website (Mi Account is required).
2. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and unlock it (can take up to 72 hours).

5. Alternative firmware: Android 13/14 on Poco F1

Official support for Poco F1 ended on Android 12 (MIUI 14), but enthusiasts continue to release custom firmware with new versions of Android.

• 📱 LineageOS 20/21 (Android 13/14) — stable firmware with minimalist interface.
• 🎨 Pixel Experience – firmware with the brand design of Google Pixel.
• ⚡ ArrowOS – Optimized for Performance.
• 🔧 MIUI EU — modified MIUI without Chinese services.

To install custom firmware will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see section 4).
2. Install TWRP Recovery (Castom Recovery for Firmware) ZIP-file).
3. Download firmware and GApps (Google services if not included in the build).
4. Swipe through TWRP with full cleaning (Wipe System/Data/Cache).

Examples of stable builds for Poco F1 (2026):

⚠️ Note: Castom firmware may have bugs, such as: - VoLTE is not working (calls by 4G) Some of the other companies. - Widevine L1 (no HD into Netflix/Disney+). - Fast battery discharge due to unoptimized core.Please check the forum reviews before installing XDA Developers or 4PDA.

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Custom firmware gives you access to new versions of Android, but it is deprived of the official warranty (if it is still valid) and may contain errors, we recommend first testing on a backup device or creating a full backup through TWRP.

Typical errors in updating Poco F1 and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and let's look at some of the most common mistakes and how to fix them.

Error 1: "Cannot verify update" in Recovery

Reason: A damaged firmware file, regional version mismatch, or an outdated version of Recovery.

Decision:

• Download the firmware again and check it out. MD5-hash (must match the official hash).
• If the firmware is for another region (e.g. CN instead of Global), find the correct version.
• Update Recovery to the latest version via Fastboot.

Error 2: The phone does not turn on after the firmware ("brick")

Causes: Interrupted firmware, incompatible firmware or failure when writing a boot partition.

Decision:

• Try booting up to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down) and flashing your phone again.

Error 3: Constant reboots (bootloop)

Causes: Core module conflict, incorrectly installed GApps, or system partition failure.

Decision:

• Download to TWRP and run Wipe Dalvik/Cache.
• Reflash the firmware with full cleaning (Format Data).
• If you used a custom core (e.g., FrancoKernel), go back to the stock core.

Error 4: Sensor fails after update

Reason: Failure in the sensor driver or incompatible firmware.

Decision:

• Reset your settings to factory (Wipe Data in Recovery).
• If it doesn’t work, run your phone to an older version of MIUI.
• For custom firmware, check if the build supports your Poco revision F1 (For example, some firmware does not work on Samsung devices. AMOLED-screen).

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If banking applications (e.g. Sberbank or Tinkoff) have stopped working after the upgrade, the reason may be the lack of SafetyNet certification. Check the status through the SafetyNet Test application and, if necessary, swipe Magisk with the Universal SafetyNet Fix module.

7.How to roll back the update to Poco F1

If the new firmware is unstable (for example, the battery is quickly down or the interface is slowing down), you can go back to the previous version.

• 🔙 Reverse to the old version MIUI It's only possible within one Anti-Rollback index, for example, if you have a MIUI 14 with index 3, you can't roll back on MIUI 12 with index 1 – the phone is locked!
• ⚠️ Data loss: When you roll back via Fastboot, all user files will be deleted.
• 🔧 Ways to roll back: Through Fastboot (the most reliable method). TWRP (if custom recovery is established).

Instructions for rollback via Fastboot:

1. Download the desired firmware version from the official website (be sure to check the Anti-Rollback index!).
2. Unpack the firmware and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Select Clean All (Full Cleaning) mode.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and press Flash.

If the phone doesn’t turn on after rollback, try:

• Switch vendor and system sections separately through Fastboot:
• Use the MIUI bootloader Tool to automatically select compatible firmware.

8.Poco F1 optimization after update

New firmware may be slower than old firmware because of background optimization or application incompatibility.

• 🚀 Turn off animation: Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI In Settings → About the phone. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, install Windows animation, transition animation and Animator Duration on 0.5x or shut it down completely.

Cash it down:

• Go to Recovery and select Wipe Cache.
• For deep cleaning, use Wipe Dalvik Cache (in TWRP).
• 📵 Limit background activity: In Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization: Enable mode for all applications. Turn off auto-run of unnecessary programs in Settings → Annexes → Auto-start. 🔋 Battery calibration: If the battery is discharged quickly after the upgrade: Charge the phone to 100% and keep on charging for another 1 hour. Use until completely discharged (before switching off). Repeat the cycle 2-3 times.

For additional optimization, set:

• Greenify – to “freeze” background applications.