How to upgrade to Android 12 on Xiaomi smartphones: all the ways and nuances

Upgrading to Android 12 on Xiaomi devices will give you access to new interface features, improved performance and current security patches. However, the process may vary depending on the smartphone model, current MIUI version and firmware region. Some devices receive an air-to-air update (OTA), others require manual firmware via Fastboot or Recovery.

In this article, we will look at all the current updates, including official and alternative methods, and also look at common errors and their solutions. Particular attention will be paid to checking compatibility – not all Xiaomi models support Android 12 even in 2026. For example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro (2019) will never receive this version due to hardware limitations, while the Mi 11 updates without problems.

Before you start, make sure you have enough battery power (at least 60%), a backup of your data, and the original battery. USB-Using uncertified firmware or interrupting the process can lead to a device blink — when the smartphone stops turning on. If you're not sure about your skills, you'd better wait for the official one. OTA-update.

1. Checking your Xiaomi’s compatibility with Android 12

Not all Xiaomi smartphones support Android 12, even if they are relatively new.The company pegs updates to the MIUI line: for example, MIUI 13 and newer are based on Android 12, and MIUI 12.5 Enhanced can run on both Android 11 and Android 12 depending on the model.

The official list of supported devices includes:

📱 Xiaomi 11/11 Pro/11 Ultra/11 Lite/11i — update available 2021 year-end.
📱 Redmi K40/Pro/Pro+/Gaming — Android got 12 within MIUI 13.
📱 POCO F3/GT/X3 Pro – updated through global and European firmware.
📱 Mi 10/10 Pro/10T/10T Pro – Supported, but delayed for some regions.

To test your model:

Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
Click a few times on the line with the MIUI version until the Additional options menu appears.
Check out the Android version bar – if it’s 11 or lower, an update is possible.

⚠️ Note: MediaTek Helio G-chip devices (e.g. Redmi Note) 9/10) They often lose updates due to the manufacturer's limitations on iron. MIUI Downloads.

📊 Your Xiaomi smartphone has already been updated to Android 12?

Yeah, long ago.

Yeah, recently.

No, but he does.

No, no, no.

I don't know.

Method 1: Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and safest method is to wait for the update’s availability notification. OTA-Packages in stages: first for 1-2% Users (testing), then everyone. If the update is delayed, you can force it to request.

Instructions:

Connect to Wi-Fi (update weighs ~2-3 GB).
Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Download the latest version.
If the update is available, confirm the download and wait until it is completed.
After downloading, click Reboot and install.

The process will take 15-30 It'll reboot several times, which is normal. Don't turn off the power or press the buttons during installation.

Download backup to Mi Cloud|Connect charger |Free at least 5GB of memory |Disable VPN/proxy (can block Xiaomi servers) |Check the stability of the Internet connection

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Method 2: Manual update via Recovery

If OTA doesn't come, but your model supports Android 12, you can install the firmware manually through Recovery, a method that saves user data but requires the right firmware file selection.

Steps:

Download the official Recovery-ROM for your model from the site MIUI Downloads: The file name must contain recovery (e.g, miui_BLOCKNAMEGlobal_V13.0.1.0.SKFMIXM_...).
Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of internal memory (not to folders!).
Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
Click on three dots → Select the update file → specify update.zip.
Confirm the installation and wait for the reboot.

If after the reboot the device is getting stuck on the MI logo, reset via Recovery:

Turn off your smartphone.
Press Volume Up + Power before the menu appears.
Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Data will be deleted!).
Reboot.

⚠️ Note: Install firmware from another region (e.g. Global instead of Global) EEA) This could lead to problems with Google Pay, Netflix and other HD and Widevine certification L1. Check the version of your device!

What if Recovery doesn’t see the update.zip file?

Make sure the file is named exactly. update.zip (If it doesn't work, try it: 1. Download the file again (it may be corrupted). 2. Use another browser or computer to download. 3. Move the file to SD-card (if supported). 4. Check if access to files is blocked through Settings → Annexes → Permit management → Files.

4. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for experienced)

The Fastboot method is suitable if:

🔧 The device does not turn on or is stuck on the logo.
🔧 We need to check with Custom. ROM back to official firmware.
🔧 You need to update the bootloader or kernel.

This will require:

🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 Linux.
🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
📦 Archive from Fastboot-ROM for your model (download only from the official website).
🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version).

Instructions:

Unpack Fastboot-ROM into a folder without spaces (e.g, C:\miui_fastboot).
Install ADB/Fastboot drivers (for example, via Android SDK).
Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
Click Select, select the firmware folder, select Clean All (complete clean) or Save User Data (data saving).
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 your Mi Account is not tied to the device. Solution: log in to the Mi Unlock Tool and unlock Bootloader (see section 6 for more details).

Mistake.	Reason.	Decision
remote: device is locked	Blocked Bootloader	Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool
invalid sparse file	Firmware file damaged	Download the archive again, check the checksum
flash write failure	Problems with USB-connection	Try another cable/port, disable the antivirus
anti-rollback check fail	Attempt to roll back on the old version	Only provide new or official firmware

💡

If the smartphone doesn't turn on after you've run through Fastboot, try clamping Volume Up + Power for 20 seconds to force you to restart. If it doesn't work, repeat the Clear All firmware.

5. Solving Common Update Errors

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems.

Error: "Can't check the update"

Reasons:

🌍 Xiaomi servers are overloaded (especially after the release of the new one) MIUI).
🔒 VPN or proxy blocking access to update servers.
⏳ On the device installed custom firmware without support OTA.

Decisions:

Wait a few hours and try again.
Turn it off. VPN In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → VPN.
Install the official firmware through Fastboot.

Mistake: "Not enough memory"

Android 12 requires a minimum of 4-5GB of free space to unpack the update.

📸 Transfer your photos/video to the cloud (Google Photos or Mi Cloud).
🎮 Remove the game cache through Settings → Annexes → Application management.
🗑️ Clean the basket in the Gallery and Files.

Error: "The device is not certified"

After manual firmware, Google certification may disappear, which causes Google Pay, YouTube in 4K and other services to fail.

Install the latest version of Google Play Services.
Get certified through the official Google Form (the device IMEI will be required).
If it doesn’t work, run the Global version of MIUI via Fastboot.

💡

If the sound is lost or the sensor is not working after the update, most likely, the firmware is intended for another modification of the device (for example, for Redmi). K40 Pro+ redmi K40 Pro. In this case, you need a complete flashing through the Fastboot with the correct ROM.

6 Unlock Bootloader for firmware

If you want to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) or your device isn’t updated through official methods, you’ll need to unlock Bootloader. Xiaomi allows you to do that, but the process takes 7-15 days due to account verification.

Instructions:

Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on PC.
Turn off your smartphone and log in to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Power).
Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
Sign in with the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
Press Unlock and the countdown (usually 168 hours) will begin.
Repeat the procedure after the deadline - Bootloader will be unlocked.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking Bootloader resets the device to factory settings and may take away warranties.In addition, some features (such as Mi Pay or Widevine) L1) On devices with MediaTek processors (such as the Redmi Note 10), unlocking often results in loss of power. IMEI — Be prepared to repair it manually.

After unlocking, you will be able to:

🔄 Install TWRP Recovery and custom firmware.
🔧 Modify system files (e.g., remove embedded applications).
⚡ Switch unofficial cores to accelerate or save charge.

7. Alternative firmware based on Android 12

If your device doesn't get an official update, but it supports Android 12 at the iron level, you can install custom firmware.

Firmware	Features	Xiaomi support
Pixel Experience	Pure Android with Google Pixel features	✅ Mi 10/11, POCO F3, Redmi K40
LineageOS	Stable, without unnecessary applications	✅ Mi 9/9T, Redmi Note 7/8 Pro
ArrowOS	Balance between customization and productivity	✅ POCO X3/X3 Pro, Mi A3
MIUI EU	Official MIUI without Chinese services	✅ Most global models

Installation of custom firmware requires:

Unlocked Bootloader.
Installed TWRP Recovery.
Backup of data (all data will be erased!)

Example of Pixel Experience installation:

1. Download firmware and GApps (if you need Google services) from https://download.pixelexperience.org/.


2. Move the files to the smartphone.




3. Go to TWRP (Put Volume Up + Nutrition).




4. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.




5. Install firmware, then GApps.




6.Reboot.

⚠️ Note: Castom firmware may not support VoLTE, VoWiFi or dual-sim work. Before installing, check your model's user reviews on XDA-Developers forums.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi upgrade to Android 12

My Xiaomi doesn't see an OTA update. What do I do?

Try the following steps: Check if your model supports Android 12 (see section 1). Update the System Update app via Google Play. reset network settings to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings. Install firmware manually through Recovery (section 3). If nothing helps, it may not be available for your region. Wait or swipe the Global version. MIUI.

Can I roll back from Android 12 to Android 11?

Technically, but not recommended. Xiaomi uses an Anti-Rollback mechanism that can lock the device when it rolls back to the old version. If you need to do this: Find a Fastboot-ROM with Android 11 for your model. Run it through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode. Be prepared for a possible "brick" - in which case you will need an authorized Mi Account for recovery. Better wait for a stable version of Android 12 or install custom firmware based on Android 11.

After the upgrade, the battery runs out.

This is a typical problem with the first versions of Android 12 on Xiaomi: 🔄 Reset the cache in Recovery (Wipe) → Wipe Cache). 📵 Turn off Adaptive Brightness in Settings → Display. 🚫 Limit the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Energy management. 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruption.If the problem persists, wait for the patch in the next update or roll back to the previous version. MIUI.

How do I know which version of Android is installed?

There are two ways: Go to Settings → About → Android Version. Type ##4636## in the phone dialer, then select Phone Information. If the version says SKQ1.21... or similar, you have Android 12. If RKQ1.20... Android 11.

Can I upgrade to Xiaomi without a computer?

Yes, if available. OTA-Update or you can install firmware through Recovery (see section) 3). To do this: Download Recovery-ROM directly to your smartphone. Rename the file to update.zip. Install through Settings → Updating the system → Select the update file. For firmware via Fastboot or customization ROM computer is mandatory.