How to Upgrade Xiaomi Over Air: A Detailed Guide With Tips and Warnings

Why OTA Updates Are Important for Xiaomi

Updates by air" (OTA, Over-The-Air is the standard way to get new firmware versions for Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO. Not only do they add fresh features, they also fix critical security vulnerabilities, optimize battery life and fix system bugs, but many users face challenges ranging from a hung update process to total data loss. In this article, we will discuss how to properly prepare for OTA-Refresh, avoid common mistakes and what to do if something goes wrong.

Xiaomi smartphones use two firmware branches: stable (recommended for most users) and developer (for enthusiasts with early access to new features), updates for them come with different frequency, but the installation process is the same. It is important to understand that even automatic updates require preparation - especially if it is a question of switching to a new version of MIUI or HyperOS.

Unlike hand-held firmware via Fastboot or Recovery, OTA-The upgrade is as simple as possible, but it doesn't mean it's completely safe, like interrupting the process due to a dead battery or unstable Internet can lead to a device "brick.

Preparing the device for the update: 5 mandatory steps

Before you click Update, make sure your device is ready for the procedure. Ignorance of preparation is the main cause of failure.

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 50%. Optimally — 70-80%. The update may take from 10 before 40 minutes, and if the battery runs out in the process, the device may stop turning on.
• 📶 Stable Wi-Fi connection. Be sure to use the home network, not mobile Internet. The speed of downloading a firmware file (1 to 3 GB) depends on the quality of the connection.
• 📱 There's no memory space on the internal drive. 4-5 GB of free space. Check in Settings → Warehouse.
• 🔒 Data backup. Update rarely erases files, but it's better to be safe.Use Mi Cloud or local copy on PC.
• ⚙️ Shutdown VPN Some security applications (such as Avast or Kaspersky) can block firmware from downloading.

Pay special attention to the backup item. Even if you are updating within the same MIUI version (for example, from 14.0.5 to 14.0.6), a failure can cause a reset.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select “Mi Cloud Backup” or “Local Backup”.
3. Make sure that contacts, SMS, photos and application data are saved.

If you have a device that unlocks a bootloader or custom firmware (like LineageOS), the OTA process may not work, in which case you will have to manually update via Recovery or Fastboot, and more on this in the section on alternative methods.

Step-by-step: how to update Xiaomi over the air

When the preparation is complete, you can proceed with the update itself. The instructions are suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices based on MIUI or HyperOS:

1. Check for available updates Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. The system will automatically check for new versions. If an update is available, you will see the Download button.
2. Press "Download" and wait for the download to be completed. During this time, you can use the phone, but it is not recommended to run resource-intensive applications (games, video editing).
3. Update installation When you download, you will see the button "Reboot and Update" and press it to reboot the device and start installing it. Do not interrupt the process even if the screen goes out for a long time (up to 10 minutes is normal for some models).
4. After the reboot, the system can optimize applications (it will take 5-15 minutes).

Check the battery (minimum 50%)

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi

Free up 4-5 GB of memory

Make a backup copy of the data

Shut down. VPN and antivirus-->

If the Update button is inactive or not, your device may be in beta testing or using regional firmware (e.g. China).

• Try changing the region to Settings → Additional → Region (for example, to “Russia” or “Global”).
• Wait 1-2 days – sometimes updates come in waves.
• Check if the update is blocked by the operator (relevant for branded devices, for example, from MTS or Beeline).

Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5) may require a re-authorization in Mi Account after the update.

What to do if the update is suspended or not installed

Even with proper preparation, the OTA process can go wrong.

If the device has been stuck on the MI or POCO logo for more than 20 minutes, take action:

1. Force the phone to restart by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.
2. If that doesn’t work, log in to Recovery Mode (press Power + Volume Up when the phone is off).
3. Select "Wipe Cache Partition" and then restart.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom recaps (for example, TWRP), standard OTA-Update may result in a "brick." In this case, update only through manual installation. ZIP-firmware.

Update of Xiaomi smart devices (Mi Band, TVs, routers)

OTA-The updates are available not only for smartphones, but also for other Xiaomi equipment:

📺 Mi TVs TV redmi TV

Updating the firmware for TVs is automatic, but you can start checking manually:

1. Open Settings → About TV → Update system.
2. Click "Check Updates."
3. If the update is available, confirm installation. The TV will restart.

Important: Do not turn the TV off the socket during the upgrade, this can damage system files. If the TV does not turn on after OTA, try resetting the settings with the Reset button on the back (clamp for 10 seconds).

⌚ Smart watches and bracelets (Mi Band, Mi Watch)

The update for wearables is via the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app:

1. Open the app and go to the device profile.
2. Click on the gear icon (settings) → “Firmware Update”.
3. Confirm the download and wait until it's done. Don't unplug the bracelet from your phone!

If the Mi Band update is interrupted, try:

• Reconnect the bracelet to the phone.
• Clear the cache of the Mi Fitness app.
• Update the application to the latest version.

📶 Xiaomi Mi Router routers

Firmware for routers is updated through the web interface or the Mi Wi-Fi application:

1. Connect to the router network.
2. Open 192.168.31.1 in your browser or launch the application.
3. Go to the "Firmware Update" and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Attention: Updating the router via mobile Internet (3G/4G) It can cause a connection to break and a "brick." Use only a stable wired or Wi-Fi connection.

Alternative ways to update: when OTA does not work

If automatic air updates are not available or fails all the time, you can install firmware manually.

1.Update via Recovery Mode

This method is suitable if:

• OTA-The update does not come to your device.
• The firmware file is corrupted and does not install automatically.
• You want to revert to the previous version of MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the MIUI Download website (choose the "Recovery ROM" version).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root folder of internal memory.
3. Log in to Recovery Mode (press Power + Volume Up when the phone is off).
4. Select "Install update.zip" and confirm the installation.

2.Update via Fastboot

It's more complicated, but it's more reliable. It's suitable for:

• Devices with a damaged system (not loaded).
• Transition between global and Chinese firmware.
• Installation of custom firmware (for example, xiaomi.eu).

This will require:

• A computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed.
• Official firmware in.tgz format (downloaded from the same MIUI Download site).
• Unsealed file flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for macOS/Linux).

Process:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume Down).


2 Launch flash_all.bat on behalf of the administrator.




3. wait until the end (the phone will restart automatically).

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If you don't turn on after manually updating your device, try flashing it through the Mi Flash Tool with the "Clean All" option, which will completely reset the settings, but bring the phone back to life.

Devices with a locked bootloader (such as the new Xiaomi 14 models) may need to be unlocked via the Mi Unlock Tool. note that this erases all data and requires a Mi Account to be linked.

How to Reverse to a Previous MIUI After a Failed Update

If the new firmware is unstable (for example, the battery is fast down or the interface is malfunctioning), you can go back to the previous version.

• 🔄 Recoiling is possible only within one branch (for example, from stable 14.0.6 to 14.0.5). MIUI 13 may lead to errors.
• 📉 Data loss. The rollback resets the settings to factory, so back up in advance.
• ⏳ Time limit: Some models block rollbacks 7 days after the update.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the required firmware version (only "Recovery ROM") from the official website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the memory.
3. Log in to Recovery Mode and select "Install update.zip".
4. After installation, reset the settings (Wipe Data).

If rollback is not possible through Recovery, use Fastboot (as described in the previous section).For HyperOS devices, unlocking the bootloader may be required before rollback.

⚠️ Note: Retracement to old firmware after upgrading to HyperOS may result in loss of functionality of some modules (e.g., cameras or sensors, 4PDA or XDA-Developers).

Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)

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Regular OTA updates are key to keeping your Xiaomi safe and stable, but always check the feedback on new firmware on forums before installing, especially if you’re switching to a new version of MIUI or HyperOS.