How to upgrade or change firmware in a vacuum cleaner Xiaomi: safe ways 2026

Xiaomi vacuum cleaners, from Mi Robot models to the flagship Dreame and Viomi, regularly receive firmware updates that improve navigation, increase suction strength, or add new features like zoning spaces. However, a standard update through the Mi Home app is not always available: Sometimes Xiaomi servers block firmware for certain regions, and older models (for example, Mi Robot) V1 In 2016, they are no longer supported, and in these cases, users have to look for alternative ways to manually install them through the use of a new system. ADB before using modified firmware from enthusiasts.

This article will help you understand how to safely update your firmware on a Xiaomi vacuum cleaner, even if the official method does not work. We will look at all the current methods: from automatic updates through the application to manually requesting through the application. USB-OTG Or Telnet, where we focus on the risks (even to the point of building up your device) and how to avoid them, and if your vacuum cleaner is bugging, can't see the map of the room, or constantly resets, it's probably the problem with the outdated software, and this guide will help you solve it.

1.Why upgrade the firmware of Xiaomi vacuum cleaner?

The manufacturer regularly releases updates for robot vacuum cleaners, but not all users understand why they need them.

• 🔄 Bug fix: Newer versions of the software fix navigation errors (for example, when the vacuum cleaner gets stuck in corners or does not return to the base), problems with connecting to Wi-Fi or sensor malfunctions.
• 📈 New features: Adding support for voice assistants (Alice, Google Assistant), improved zoning of rooms, adaptive cleaning modes.
• 🔋 Optimizing energy consumption: Fresh firmware often reduces battery consumption, which increases the running time from a single charge.
• 🛡️ Security: Closing vulnerabilities through which attackers could access a device via a local network.

For example, in the firmware 3.5.8_003024 Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite fixed a bug that caused the vacuum cleaner to lose contact with the base after 3–4 The cleaning version. 4.6.1_004120 for Dreame D9 virtual wall support was added through the application – earlier this function could only be activated through the application ADB.

⚠️ Note: Updating your Xiaomi vacuum cleaner firmware with modified software (such as Valetudo or Dustcloud firmware) may result in loss of access to alternative features.

If your vacuum cleaner is stable but you want new features, upgrade. If the device is buggy (for example, does not build a map or arbitrarily disconnects), first check if it is due to hardware failure.

2.Preparation for the update: what to do before the firmware

Unprepared firmware updates can turn a vacuum cleaner into a brick. To avoid problems, follow these steps:

Check the current version of the software in Mi Home|Download the right firmware for your model|Charge the vacuum cleaner to 100%|Connect to stable Wi-Fi (or use a cable)|Make backup settings (if there is such an option)-->

Step 1. Find out the current version of the firmware

Open the Mi Home app, select your vacuum cleaner and go to Settings → About the device → Write down the number, which you'll need to download the correct version of the software. For example, for Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P, the current firmware for June. 2026 — 4.7.0_005012.

Step 2: Download the firmware from an official source

The official firmware for Xiaomi vacuum cleaners can be found:

• 🌐 On the website MI Firmware (select the Robot Vacuum section).
• 📥 In telegram channels like Xiaomi Firmware.
• 🔧 Forums 4PDA (Look for the theme of your model).

Important:

.pkg

.bin

Step 3. Check compatibility

Some firmware is only for specific regions, such as the Xiaomi Mi Robot firmware marked CN (China may not work on the European version of the device (EU). If you install incompatible software, the vacuum cleaner can:

• 🚫 Stop connecting to Wi-Fi.
• 🗺️ Do not build a map of the premises.
• 🔌 Refuse to charge on base.

⚠️ Note: If your vacuum cleaner was purchased in China (models with suffix) CN If you live in Europe, it may lose support for the Russian language or limit functionality after the update. ADB.

3. Ways to update firmware: from simple to complex

There are three main methods of updating firmware on Xiaomi vacuum cleaners:

1. Automatic upgrades via Mi Home are the safest way to go, but it doesn’t work for all models and regions.
2. Manual update through USB-OTG — It is suitable for most vacuum cleaners, but requires preparation.
3. Firmware through ADB/Telnet — for experienced users, allows you to install modified software.

Let us examine each of them in detail.

3.1 Automatic update via Mi Home

It's the easiest way, but it's not always available.

1. Open the Mi Home app and select your vacuum cleaner.
2. Go to Settings → About the device → Update the firmware.
3. If an update is available, click Update and wait until the process is complete (usually 5-15 minutes).

Challenges and solutions:

• 🔴 No update: check the region of your Mi Home account (should match the vacuum cleaner region (CN), a European account (EU), There will be no updates, so the solution is to change the region of the account or manually flash it.
• 🔴 Boot error: Try connecting to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes the lock happens at the provider level).
• 🔴 The vacuum cleaner freezes during the upgrade phase: don't turn it off the power! Wait 30 minutes if nothing happens - perform a factory reset (Reset button on the case).

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If automatic updates are not available, try temporarily changing the region in Mi Home to China (CN). Create a new account with a Chinese phone number or use it. VPN entrance.

Manual update through USB-OTG

This method works for most Xiaomi vacuum cleaners, including Mi Robot, Dreame and Viomi.

• 🔌 USB-OTG cable (Type-C or Micro-USB depending on the model).
• 💾 A flash drive. FAT32 (32GB).
• 📁 Firmware in.pkg format (download it in advance).

Step-by-step:

1. Copy the firmware file (for example, mirobo_vacuum_v18_4.6.1_004120.pkg) Don't unpack the archive!
2. Connect the flash drive to the vacuum cleaner through USB-OTG (The connector is usually located under the cover next to the Reset button).
3. Turn on the vacuum cleaner, holding the power button for 5 seconds, it will emit an audible signal and start updating.
4. Wait until it's finished (the indicator will flash green). Don't turn the vacuum cleaner off the power!

If the vacuum cleaner does not respond to the flash drive:

• 🔹 Check the format of the flash drive (should be) FAT32).
• 🔹 Rename the firmware file to firmware.pkg.
• 🔹 Try another one. USB-OTG cable.

3.3. Firmware through ADB/Telnet (power-user)

This method allows you to install not only official but also custom firmware (for example, Valetudo or Dustcloud) and is suitable for models with unlocked access to the console, such as:

• Xiaomi Mi Robot V1 (Telnet activation is required).
• Dreame D9/D10 (root-access).
• Viomi V2/V3 (support ADB default).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-Type-C (or Micro-USB) cable).
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (you can download from the Android website).
• 📁 Firmware in.bin or.img format.

Instructions for Dreame D9 (case):

1. Connect the vacuum cleaner to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line and check the connection: adb devices If the device is not displayed, install drivers for Rockchip (vacuum cleaner chipset).
3. Download the firmware (for example, dreame.vacuum.p2008_4.6.1_004120.bin) And then you can use it with a command: adb push. firmware.bin /tmp/ adb shell su dd if=/tmp/firmware.bin of=/dev/block/by-name/boot
4. Reboot the vacuum cleaner: reboot

⚠️ Note: Incorrect command in the ADB If you're not sure what you're doing, use safer methods (USB-OTG or Mi Home. firmware through ADB bailout!

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Firmware through ADB It allows you to install alternative software (for example, Valetudo for full control without the Xiaomi cloud), but requires technical skills. USB-OTG.

4. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with strict adherence to the instructions, there can be problems.

Top.-3 Advice to avoid problems:

• 🔋 Battery charge: charge the vacuum cleaner to 100% before the firmware. If the battery runs out during the upgrade, the device may fail.
• 📡 Stable Connection: When Upgrading via Wi-Fi, Use a 2.4GHz Network (5GHz May Not Be Supported).
• 📁 File verification: compare the hash of the downloaded firmware with the original (for example, through the utility) MD5 Checker).

If the vacuum cleaner behaves strangely after firmware (for example, does not build a map or makes strange sounds), reset the settings:

1. Turn off the vacuum cleaner.
2. Press the Power and Home button (or Spot Clean, depending on the model) for 10 seconds.
3. After the sound signal, release the buttons - the vacuum cleaner will be dumped to the factory settings.

5. Alternative firmware: Valetudo, Dustcloud and others

Xiaomi’s official software has limitations: mandatory cloud binding, lack of features in non-Chinese versions, telemetry collection. Alternative firmware like Valetudo or Dustcloud solves these problems, but require the vacuum cleaner to be unlocked.

The advantages of alternative firmware:

• 🌐 Local management: work without the cloud Xiaomi (no need to connect to the Internet).
• 🔧 Advanced settings: manual adjustment of suction power, speed of movement, timers.
• 🛡️ Privacy: No data collection about your home.
• 📱 Support for third-party applications: integration with Home Assistant, Node-RED.

Cons:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty: custom software installation cancels Xiaomi warranty.
• 🔧 Installation complexity: access to ADB technical skills.
• 🚫 Lack of support: some features (such as voice control) may not work.

How to install Valetudo:

1. Unlock. Telnet/ADB on the vacuum cleaner (instructions are on valetudo.cloud).
2. Connect to the vacuum cleaner through SSH and execute the command: wget -O - https://install.valetudo.cloud | sh
3. After installation, open the Valetudo web interface at the address http://[IP-vacuum-dress].

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi vacuum cleaners with Rockchip chipsets RK3308 (For example, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 requires additional unlocking of the bootloader. Valetudo will not install without it. 4PDA.

6.How to roll back firmware if something went wrong

If after the update the vacuum cleaner began to work worse (for example, stopped seeing the base or constantly resets Wi-Fi), you can return the old version of the software.

1. Download the previous version of the firmware (for example, with MI Firmware).
2. Flush it through. USB-OTG (as described in section 3.2).
3. If the vacuum cleaner does not respond to the flash drive, use ADB: adb push old_firmware.pkg /tmp/ adb shell su cat /tmp/old_firmware.pkg > /dev/block/by-name/system

Important: Firmware rollback can lead to:

• 🔴 Loss of saved room maps.
• 🔴 Reset individual settings (suction power, schedule).
• 🔴 Incompatibility with the current version of the Mi Home app.

If the rollback does not help, and the vacuum cleaner still does not work, there are two options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center (if warranty is valid).
2. Refuse the device through JTAG (soldering equipment and skills required).

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Firmware rollback is a last resort, and in most cases, resetting (Reset button) or re-running the same version of software helps.

7. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions