How to Update Xiaomi with the Three Dots Menu: A Complete Guide with Nuances

The three-point menu in Xiaomi smartphones is a hidden section for power users that allows you to update your firmware manually even if the automatic update via Settings → About phone doesn’t work. This method is relevant for MIUI devices (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark) when standard methods fail: for example, if you failed to download the service pack or if the phone is stuck on the logo after a failed firmware.

But there are pitfalls here. Mistakes can lead to a device blinking (total inoperability), data loss, or a transition to an unstable version. MIUI. In this article, we will discuss all the stages from preparation to recovery after the update, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors. 12/13/14, Redmi Note 11/12 and POCO F4/F5, where the process is different.

If you've never manually updated your smartphone, start with the automatic method. The three-dot menu is the last chance when other options are exhausted. But when approached correctly, it saves even bricks after failed firmware.

What is the “three dots” menu in Xiaomi and why you need it?

Menu with three vertical dots (⋮) In Xiaomi, it's an alternative path to the Choose update package, which appears in the update section if you pinch a certain button combination or activate a hidden mode. OTA-Updating this method allows:

• 📥 Install firmware from local storage (internal memory or storage) SD-map).
• 🔄 Update to a newer version MIUI, if OTA Not yet available in your area.
• 🛠️ Restore your phone after a crash (for example, if it gets stuck on booting).
• 🔒 Bypass the blocking of updates from the operator (relevant for branded devices).

It’s important to understand that this is not custom recovery (like TWRP) but the official tool of Xiaomi, but there are risks: if you choose an inappropriate firmware file (for example, for another model or region), the phone may stop turning on.

⚠️ Note: The three-dot menu does not appear on some models that have been blocked (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro for the Chinese market).If you haven’t unlocked the bootloader before, this method won’t work.

Where to look for this menu? It's hidden in the standard update section, but only appears after specific actions. For example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro you need to 5 times click on the MIUI icon in the About Phone section, and on POCO X3 you need to hold the on + volume button when you enter Settings → Update.

Preparation for the update: 5 mandatory steps

Before you open the three-dot menu, do these things, and neglecting them can lead to data loss or firmware failure:

1. Back up. Use the settings. → Additionally. → Backup or third-party tools like Swift Backup (root rights required: 📞 Contacts (export to) VCF). 📸 Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud). 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (write down or use Google Password Manager).
2. Check the model and version MIUI. Go to Settings. → About the phone and write it down: 📱 Device model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G). 🔢 Version MIUI (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.5). 🌍 Firmware Region (Global, China, EEA, India, etc.).

Charge your phone at least 60%.

Inability to turn on the device without flashing through Fastboot

Download the correct firmware.

Use only official files from the sites:

• 🌐 Official portal MIUI (Choose the Recovery version ROM).
• Transfer the firmware file to the root of memory. The folder should not contain Cyrillic or spaces. The optimal file name is update.zip.

Important: Some firmware (e.g. MIUI China) may have the three-dot menu blocked, requiring unlocking the bootloader or switching to the global version.

Step-by-step: Update through three points

When the three-dot menu is activated, follow this algorithm. Don't skip the steps, it's a very common error.

1. Open the Update section. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Software Update: In the upper right corner should appear icon with three dots (⋮). Press it.
2. Select "Choose update package." In the menu that opens, tap on Select update package (or Select update package in English firmware).
3. Show me the path to the firmware file. update.zip in the root folder of memory (not in the subfolders!) if the file is on the SD-Select External Storage.
4. Confirm installation. The system will check the file for integrity. If an Invalid package error occurs, it will be: 🔴 The file is corrupted (download again). 🔴 You have chosen a firmware for another model. 🔴 Version. MIUI file older than the current one (downgraded is prohibited).

Wait for completion.

It takes 5-15 minutes. The phone will reboot several times. Don't remove the battery or press the buttons! The screen will display a progress bar labeled "Installing update..."

Set up your phone after the update.

If the firmware is successful, the device will boot into MIUI. You may need to:

• 🔑 Enter the password from the Mi Account (if it was linked).
• ⚙️ Recover data from backup.
• 📶 Reconnect to Wi-Fi.

If the phone has been stuck on the MIUI logo for more than 20 minutes after the upgrade, force the reboot (hold the power button for 15 seconds).

💡

If the update is stuck in the Verifying update package, try renaming the firmware file to update.zip (even if it already is called that), sometimes the system does not recognize the file due to the cache.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even with the right actions, there can be failures, and let's look at some of the most common mistakes and their solutions.

1. error "Cannot verify update" (Cannot verify update)

Reason: The firmware file is corrupted, not intended for your model, or has the wrong signature.

Decision:

• 🔄 Download the file again from the official source.
• 📁 Check that file name — update.zip (characterless).
• 🔍 Make sure the firmware version is newer than the current one (downgrade through this menu is not possible).

2.The phone is stuck on the logo after the update

Reason: Conflict between the old and new MIUI versions (e.g., when switching from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14 without resetting).

Decision:

• 🔄 Wait up to 30 minutes – sometimes the first download takes a long time.
• 🛠️ If it doesn’t work, run Wipe Cache through Recovery (hold power). + Volume up when switched on).
• 🚨 In extreme cases, run your phone through Fastboot (you will need a PC and Mi Flash Tool).

3.The three-dot menu doesn't appear

Reason: The bootloader is blocked, custom firmware is installed or safe mode is activated.

Decision:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool.
• 📱 Reinstall stock recovery (if you have a recovery) TWRP).
• 🔄 Restart your phone in normal mode (not Safe Mode).

⚠️ Note: If after a failed update, the phone stopped turning on, do not try to sew it through SP Flash Tool or other unofficial tools.This can result in a full blink (damage to the bootloader).Use only the Mi Flash Tool with the official Fastboot files. ROM.

💡

If the update is interrupted during the installation phase, never try to repeat the process immediately. First, perform a cache reset (Wipe Cache) through Recovery, otherwise you risk getting a brick.

What to do after a successful update

Yes, the phone is loaded, but the work is not finished, so follow these guidelines to avoid problems in the future.

• 🔄 Check the version. MIUI. Go to Settings. → About the phone and make sure the update is successful. Sometimes the files aren't fully installed.
• 📱 Recover your data. Use the backup you created before your firmware. If you can't restore your contacts, check your sync with your Google Account.
• 🔒 Update apps. Go to Google Play and click Update All — some programs may not work on the new version. MIUI.

If you have a bug after the update (for example, NFC is not working or 5G is missing), try:

1. Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and networks → Resetting settings).
2. Clear the app cache (Settings → Applications → App management → Clear the cache).
3. Reverse to the previous version of MIUI (if the bug is critical).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi) K60 Pro) after updating through the "three dots" can reset unlock bootloader. If you planned to install custom firmware, check the status of the bootloader command fastboot oem device-info.

Alternative ways to upgrade Xiaomi

If the three-point menu is unavailable or doesn’t work, consider these methods:

• 🌐 OTA-Update via Wi-Fi. The safest way, but requires a stable Internet. → The phone. → Update of the PO → Verification of updates.
• 💻 Fastboot firmware. Suitable for "bricks" or if you need to install Fastboot ROM. You will need a PC, Mi Flash Tool and unlocked bootloader.

Comparison of update methods:

If you're a beginner, start with an OTA or three-point menu.Fastboot and TWRP require expertise and can result in a loss of warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about updating through three points