How to upgrade Xiaomi smartphone to Android 11: official and alternative methods

Upgrading to Android 11 on Xiaomi devices opens up access to new features: improved resolution management, built-in screen recording, bubble notifications and performance optimization. However, the process can be challenging, from the lack of official support for older models to installation errors. OTA, MIUI Updater and Fastboot, and how to avoid typical problems.

It is important to consider that not all Xiaomi devices have received Android 11 officially. for example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro models (with the Mediatek Helio chipset). G90T) We've been looking at how to check your device's compatibility and what to do if the update isn't available through standard channels.

If you've never manually updated your firmware before, don't worry. We broke it down into simple steps with visual cues and warnings about possible risks. ADB and Fastboot.

1. Which Xiaomi smartphones support Android 11?

The official list of Xiaomi devices that received Android 11 includes more than 40 models, but with reservations. 9T Pro received an update only within the program MIUI 12.5 Enhanced, and Redmi Note 7 only in some regions.The following is an updated list for 2026:

How to check the compatibility of your device?

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Click 7 times on the line with the version MIUI, to activate the Developer Mode.
3. Go back to Settings → Additional → For developers and find the Android version.
4. If the current version is below 11, check for updates in Settings. → Updating the system.

⚠️ Note: Devices based on Mediatek Helio G90T (For example, Redmi Note 8 Pro will never get the official Android 11 due to driver limitations.

2. Preparation of the smartphone for the update

Before installing Android 11, you need to take a few critical steps to avoid data loss or device blinking, starting with backup.

Data backup

Updating your firmware can cause you to reset or delete files. Use Xiaomi’s built-in tools or third-party apps:

• 📱 MIUI Backup: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup. Keeps your contacts, SMS, setup.
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: Free 5GB for backups (photos, notes, calls) Activated in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 💾 Google Drive: Syncs contacts, calendar and some app settings. Set up in Settings → Accounts. → Google.
• 🔧 Titanium Backup (root): For root-right users, it stores application data and system settings.

Download your phone to at least 60%|Create a backup copy of the MIUI Cloud|Download the full backup to PC via Mi PC Suite|Disable the ad blocker (may interfere with the loading) OTA)|Check the vacant space (you need to). ≥3GB)

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Checking the vacant space

Android 11 requires at least 3-4 GB of free space to unpack the update.

• 🗑️ Remove the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Select the application → Clear the cache.
• 📸 Move your photos/video to your PC or cloud.
• 🎮 Remove unused games (especially heavy ones like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).
• 📂 Use the built-in cleaner in Settings → Warehouse.

⚠️ Warning: If the device has less than 2 GB of free space, the system can automatically interrupt the installation of the update, which will lead to a bootloop cycle).

2.3 Stable Internet connection

For downloading OTA-Update (weighing 1.5-2.5 GB) requires a stable connection:

• 📶 Use Wi-Fi (mobile internet may be interrupted).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to charge during booting.
• 🛡️ Turn it off. VPN Proxies can block Xiaomi servers.

Through OTA (automatically)|Manually through MIUI Updater|Through Fastboot/Recovery|Never update.|Another way.-->

3. Ways to upgrade to Android 11

There are three main methods of installing Android 11 on Xiaomi: OTA, MIUI Updater (manual) and Fastboot. Let's look at each in detail.

Updating by Air (OTA)

The easiest way is to wait for the update's availability notice. If it's not available, check manually:

1. Open Settings → Update the system.
2. Click Update Checker.
3. If an update is available before MIUI 12/12.5 Android-based 11, press Download.
4. After downloading, select Install Now or Install at Night.

What to do if OTA-update doesn't come?

• 🔄 Try changing the region to Settings → Additionally. → Region (e.g. India or Europe).
• 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes the provider blocks Xiaomi traffic).
• ⏳ Wait 1-2 weeks – updates spread in waves.

Manual installation through MIUI Updater

If OTA Unavailable, but your model supports Android 11, you can install firmware manually:

1. Download the correct version of the firmware from the official website MIUI Downloads (select your model and region).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root folder of the phone.
3. Open the Settings. → Updating the system → Three dots (menu) → Select the update file.
4. Select update.zip and confirm the installation.

Installation via Fastboot (for power users)

If the first two methods fail, you can flash the device through Fastboot, which requires unlocking the bootloader and can lead to data loss.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).
• 📄 Firmware in.tgz format for your model.

Step-by-step:

1. Unclose the firmware in a folder on the PC.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Select the firmware folder and press Refresh (the device should appear).
5. Select Clean All (total clean) or Save User Data (to save data).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Using a Fastboot with the wrong firmware can permanently incapacitate the device ("hard brick"). Always check the compatibility of the model and firmware version!

💡

Fastboot is the most reliable way to flash Android 11, but requires unlocking the bootloader. For models with a locked bootloader (for example, the Redmi Note 9 Pro in China), you must first obtain permission through the Mi Unlock Tool (the process takes up to 720 hours of waiting).

4. Solving common errors in the update

Even when you follow instructions, users encounter errors, and let's look at the most common problems and their solutions.

Error "Cannot verify update" (cannot be verified)

This error occurs when you try to install firmware that is not intended for your device or region.

• 🔍 Check that you have downloaded the firmware for the exact model (for example, m2007j3sc For the Redmi Note 9S).
• 🌍 Make sure the firmware region matches the phone region (e.g. Global for the phone). EEA).
• 📜 Rename the file to update.zip (characterless).
• 🔄 Try to download the firmware again - the file could be damaged during downloading.

Hanging on the logo MI post-refresh

If the phone does not load beyond the logo MI, It could mean:

• 🔋 Incomplete firmware installation (interrupted process).
• 🗃️ Data conflict after update.
• 🔧 Incompatibility of the kernel or drivers.

How to fix it:

1. Hold the Loud up. + Power for 10 seconds to restart.
2. If it doesn’t help, enter Recovery (Loudness Up). + Power) and select Wipe Data → Reboot.
3. In extreme cases, repeat the firmware through Fastboot.

💡

If the phone is stuck on the logo but reacts to buttons being pressed, try plugging it into charging for 30 minutes - sometimes power recovery helps.

Error "Anti-rollback protection" (backward protection)

This error occurs if you are trying to install an older version. MIUI After upgrading to Android 11, for example, if you upgraded to Android MIUI 11 on MIUI 12.5 and then tried to go back.

Decisions:

• 🔄 Install only new firmware versions (with higher build number).
• 📡 Use the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All and Lock option (full bootloader reset and lock).
• ⚠️ If nothing helps, contact the service center - you may need to flash through the EDL (emergency).

5. Optimize Android 11 after the update

After a successful update, several steps are recommended to improve performance and safety:

5.1. Set-up of application permissions

Android 11 introduced single-time permissions and automatic reset rights for unused applications.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions Management.
2. Select a category (e.g. Camera or Microphone).
3. For each application, set Allow once, Allow when used or Disallow.

5.2 Inclusion of new Android 11 features

Some functions are hidden by default. Activate them.

• 🎤 Recording conversations: Included in Settings → Special facilities → Call recording (not available in all regions).
• 📱 Bubble notifications: Settings → Notifications → Bubbles → Select applications.
• 🔒 Single Location Access: When requesting geodata, select Only this time.
• 📊 Monitoring of application activity: Settings → Battery → Battery utilization → click on the chart.

5.3 Cache cleaning and battery optimization

After the upgrade, the system may be slower due to an outdated cache.

1. Cache cleanup: Settings → Warehouse → Cache data. → Clean up.
2. Battery Optimization: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select applications to limit the background.
3. Reboot in Safe Mode (clip the power supply) → Restart in Safe Mode to check for problematic apps.

💡

After upgrading to Android 11, it is recommended to reset settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting) if the device brakes, it deletes user data, but it returns factory performance.

6. Alternative methods: custom firmware

If your device doesn’t support Android 11 officially (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi). A2), You can install custom firmware:

6.1. LineageOS 18.1 (based on Android 11)

LineageOS is one of the most stable custom open source firmware.

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 📱 Supported model (check on the official website).
• 🛠️ Established TWRP Recovery.

Instructions:

1. Download firmware and GApps (Google Apps) from LineageOS.
2. Reboot to TWRP (Loudness Up + Power).
3. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
4. Install firmware, then GApps.
5. Reboot.

Pixel Experience (Android 11 with Pixel interface)

Pixel Experience offers a pure Android 11 with Google Pixel features like Now Playing and Call Screen.

• 🎨 Interface identical to Pixel 5.
• 🔒 Monthly security updates.
• 📱 Supports many Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 7 and Mi 9 Lite.

You can download it from the official website. It's similar to LineageOS.

⚠️ Attention: Castom firmware can disrupt banking applications (due to lack of Google SafetyNet certification).To solve this, install the Magisk module with Universal SafetyNet Fix.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)