How to put Android 11 on Xiaomi: official and custom ways

Upgrading the operating system on Xiaomi smartphones to Android 11 can significantly improve performance, add new features and improve the security of the device. However, the installation process depends on the phone model, the current version of the firmware and even the purchase region. Some devices receive an air-to-air update (OTA), others require manual firmware through Fastboot or Recovery, and for legacy models, custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience is the only option.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install Android 11 on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, including official methods from the manufacturer and alternative solutions for devices that are no longer supported. We will focus on preparing the device, choosing the right firmware and solving common errors such as bootloop or data loss. If your model is not on the list of officially supported, do not despair: at the end of the article you will find instructions for installing custom builds.

1. Compatibility Check: Does your Xiaomi support Android 11?

Before you start the update, you need to make sure that your Xiaomi model officially supports Android 11. The manufacturer released this version of the OS for most devices starting with the Mi 9 (2019) and later, but some budget Redmi models and old flagships were left without an update.

If your model is not officially supported, it doesn't mean that the upgrade is impossible. For such devices, there are custom firmware based on Android 11, but installing them requires unlocking the bootloader and can lead to loss of warranty.

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial firmware on devices with a locked bootloader without first unlocking will lead to a “hard brick”. Check the status of the bootloader through the fastboot oem device-info command - if Device unlocked in the response: false, you will need to unlock.

To find out exactly if the update is available for your device, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If the system offers MIUI 12.5 or later, it is most likely based on Android 11. To check the current version of Android, open Settings → About Phone → Android version.

2. Preparation of the device for updating

Regardless of the method of installation chosen, the device must be prepared, and neglecting this step can lead to data loss, malfunctions or even failure of the smartphone.

• 📱 Back up your data. Use your settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset or third-party tools like Titanium Backup (requires root) will save contacts and photos, but not system settings.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to 80% or more. interruption of the process due to battery discharge can damage the firmware.
• 📶 Connect to stable Wi-Fi. Downloading firmware via mobile Internet is fraught with breaks and file damage.
• 🔑 Find out the version. MIUI This is critical for choosing the right update file. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. The region is indicated at the end of the name (for example, V12.5.1.0.RJWMIXM, where WM — global).

If you plan to install firmware through Fastboot, you will additionally need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux original USB-cable (don’t use cheap Chinese cables – they may not be transferring data in Fastboot mode).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool and the Mi Flash Tool ADB/Fastboot. Download them from the official Xiaomi website or through the SDK Platform Tools by Google.
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (for custom firmware) The unlocking process takes up to 72 hours and requires a Mi Account link.

⚠️ Note: If you are upgrading your Android device 10 Android 11 via Fastboot, use the command fastboot flash all without setting -clean, To avoid data loss, however, to transition to Android 9 The following is a full reset (fastboot flash all). -clean).

Make a data backup|Charge the battery. >80%|Get a version. MIUI region|Download the firmware for your model|Install drivers ADB (PC-based)-->

3. Official update via OTA or Recovery

The easiest and most secure way is to upgrade over the air (OTA) or through the Recovery menu, which is suitable for devices that officially support Android 11 and receive updates from Xiaomi.

Method 1: Update through Settings (OTA)

If your device is on the supported list, check for an update:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Update Checker. If a new version is available, the system will prompt you to download it.
3. After download, click Reboot and install. The device will restart and install the update automatically.

If the update doesn’t come, try changing the firmware region through Recovery (see below) or wait – Xiaomi is releasing updates in waves and your device may be at the end of the queue.

Method 2: Manual updates through Recovery

If OTA Does not work or you want to install a specific version of the firmware, download the update file in.zip format from the official Xiaomi website (section). MIUI Downloads) and follow the following steps:

1. Move the downloaded.zip file to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select the Update File.
4. Specify the downloaded file and confirm the installation. After the reboot, the device will update.

If this method didn’t work (for example, due to a Couldn’t verify update package error), try installing firmware through Recovery manually:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Select the language (if required), then Install update.zip to System.
4. Confirm the installation and wait for completion.

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If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after the Recovery update, wait 10-15 minutes. If nothing has changed, reset via Recovery (Wipe Data).

4. Install Android 11 via Fastboot (for power users)

If OTA and Recovery don't work and the device officially supports Android 11, you can flash it through Fastboot.This method requires a computer and basic command line knowledge, but guarantees a clean installation without errors.All data will be deleted, so be sure to backup!

Step 1: Download firmware and tools

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website (file in.tgz or.zip format).

2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your computer (for example, C:\miui_fastboot).

3 Download and install Mi Flash Tool (for Windows) or ADB/Fastboot (for Linux/macOS).

4. Install Xiaomi drivers for your device (you can use Mi PC Suite).

Step 2: Transfer your phone to Fastboot mode

1. Turn off the phone.

2.Put Volume Down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears (Android robot labeled Fastboot).

3. Connect the phone to the computer via USB.

Step 3: Firmware with Mi Flash Tool

1. Open the Mi Flash Tool and press Select, then specify the folder with the unpacked firmware.

2. at the bottom, select Clean All (Full Reset) or Clean All and Lock (Reset) mode. + loader-lock).

3. Press Refresh – the program must detect your device.

4.Tap Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will restart. The first run can take up to 15 minutes - don't interrupt the process!

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool is an anti-rollback error, it means you are trying to install an older firmware version than the one already on the device. In this case, go back to the factory firmware via Fastboot or contact the service center.

5. Install custom firmware Android 11 on unsupported devices

If your Xiaomi model doesn’t get an official update to Android 11, but is technically capable of supporting it (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro or POCO F1), you can install custom firmware.

• 📱 LineageOS 18.1 – pure Android with minimal improvements.

To install custom firmware will require:

1. Download firmware and GApps (Google services if needed).

Step-by-step:

Step 1: Unlock the bootloader

1. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and run it on PC.
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode and connect to the computer.
4. Sign in to Mi Account in the program and click Unlock. Wait up to 72 hours (wait time depends on Xiaomi policy).

Step 2: Installation of TWRP

1. Download the TWRP image for your model from twrp.me.

2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with ADB.

3. In the command line, do:

adb reboot bootloader


fastboot flash recovery twrp.img




fastboot reboot recovery

4.The phone will reboot to TWRP.

Step 3: Firmware custom Android 11

1. In TWRP, click Wipe → Advanced Wipe and tick Dalvik, Cache, System, Data (full reset!).

2. Go back to the main menu and select Install, then specify the firmware file (.zip).

3. After installing the firmware, repeat the step for GApps (if you need Google services).

4. Reboot the device (Reboot → System).

⚠️ Attention: Castom firmware may contain bugs, especially in the early stages of development. XDA Developers or 4PDA Some functions (e.g. Widevine) L1 for Netflix HD) may not work.

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Custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP. Without these steps, installation is impossible, and trying to stitch through standard Recovery will lead to an error.

6. Solving Common Update Errors

Even with strict adherence to the instructions, errors can occur, and let's look at the most common problems and ways to solve them:

If after the update the device stopped turning on (hard brick), try to bring it back to life through the EDL-The emergency mode (emergency firmware) will require:

1. Download Mi Flash Tool and firmware in.tgz format for your model.
2. Connect the phone to the PC, holding Volume up + Volume down + Power (to log in to EDL).
3. Mi Flash Tool to select the mode flash_all_lock.bat wait until it's finished.

It's important: EDL-The firmware requires an authorized Xiaomi account or a special box (for example, UFi Box.

7.Optimize Android 11 after installation

After a successful update, it is recommended to follow several steps to improve performance and stability:

• ⚡ Disable unnecessary system applications. Use Settings → Annexes → Manage applications to deactivate pre-installed services (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Music).
• 🔄 Reset the cache. This will help avoid lags: go to Recovery and select Wipe Cache.
• 🔒 Configure permissions for apps. Android 11 has a single permissions — check them in Settings → Confidentiality → Permits.
• 📶 Update your network settings. For better signal reception, go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network settings → Network mode and select LTE/4G (if available 5G, turn it on).

If after the update noticed increased battery consumption, perform battery calibration:

1. Charge your phone to 100% and don’t turn off charging for another 1 hour.
2. Turn off charging and use the phone until it is fully discharged (before it is turned off).
3. Charge again to 100% without interruption.
4. Reset the device.

For devices with Amoled screens (such as Mi 10 or POCO F3), turn on the dark theme and adjust adaptive brightness in Settings → Display – this will reduce battery consumption by 10-15%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Android 11 updates on Xiaomi