Updating the firmware on Xiaomi devices is a procedure that can both improve the gadget’s performance and lead to serious problems if executed incorrectly. With each update, the manufacturer corrects errors, adds new features and optimizes performance, but not all users know how to conduct this process without risks. For example, interrupting installation or using an inappropriate version of software can turn a smartphone into a brick.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update firmware - from automatic over the Internet to manual through Fastboot and Recovery. Particular attention will be paid to preparing the device, choosing the right version of software for a particular model (for example, Redmi Note 12 or Mi 11 Ultra) and solving typical errors like "Cannot verify update" or hanging on the Mi logo. You will also learn what actions are strictly forbidden when updating through custom receptacles such as TWRP to avoid data loss or damage to the bootloader.
Why it is important to update Xiaomi firmware
Regular software updates are not a whim of the manufacturer, but a necessity. First, they close security vulnerabilities that can be used by attackers to steal data or install malware. For example, in 2023, a critical vulnerability was discovered in MIUI firmware below 14.0.5, which allows you to bypass the screen lock through ADB.
Second, the new versions optimize the work of the iron. Thus, after upgrading to MIUI 15 on the Xiaomi 13 Pro, users noted an increase in battery life by 15-20% due to improved power management of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. Finally, the updates add useful features – from navigation gestures to support for new communication standards (for example, Wi-Fi 6E or Bluetooth 5.3).
- 🔒 Security: fixing vulnerabilities, protecting against viruses and attacks through the network.
- ⚡ Performance: Optimizing the processor, reducing lag in games.
- 🆕 New features: support for new standards (e.g, AV1 for video) and interface improvements.
- 📱 Compatibility: working correctly with new versions of applications (e.g. Google Play Services).
But not all updates are equally useful. Sometimes newer versions of MIUI contain bugs that degrade the user experience. For example, after the release of MIUI 14.0.3 for POCO F4, many people complained about spontaneous reboots. In such cases, it is useful to know how to roll back on the previous firmware, which we will also discuss below.
📊 How often do you update your firmware on Xiaomi?
Automatically as soon as the new version is released
Only if there are critical corrections
Six months
I'm never afraid to break the device.
Preparing the device for update
Before you start upgrading, you need to follow a few critical steps: neglect of preparation is the main cause of failures, ranging from data loss to a “brick” (inoperable device). For example, if the Redmi 10 has less than 30% charge and the update process takes 40 minutes, the phone can turn off in the middle of the installation, which will damage the system files.
The first thing you need to do is check the current firmware version. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Write down or take a picture of this information: it will come in handy if you need a rollback.
Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)
Charge the device to 50% or more
Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (not mobile internet!)
Free up at least 2 GB of free memory space
Make sure that the device model is compatible with the selected firmware-->
- 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50%, better 80%.When upgrading via Fastboot, connect the device to charge.
- 📡 Internet: Use Wi-Fi, not mobile network – interrupting file loading 1-3 GB is fraught with errors.
- 📁 Memory: Make room for temporary files. on Xiaomi 12T Upgrade requires up to 3 GB of free space.
- 🔄 Compatibility: download firmware only for your model! POCO X5 Redmi Note 12 will cause inoperability.
⚠️ Note: If you use custom recaps (for example, TWRP), before updating through OTA The recaptures must be temporarily returned, otherwise the device may be stuck on the Mi logo with the error E:Footer is wrong.
For owners of devices with an unlocked bootloader (for example, after installing Magisk or Xiaomi.eu), it is recommended to execute a command in ADB before upgrading:
fastboot flashing unlock_critical
This will prevent the bootloader from blocking after installing a new firmware.
Ways to update the firmware Xiaomi
There are three main methods of firmware updates on Xiaomi devices: automatic (OTA), manual through Recovery and manual through Fastboot. Each has its pros and cons. For example, OTA is the easiest and safest way, but it is not always available for older models (for example, the Redmi 5 Plus no longer receives updates over the air).
| Method | Difficulty | You need a PC? | Suitable for | Risks. |
|---|
| OTA (over the air) | ⭐ | No. | All models with support for updates | Minimum (interrupting loading) |
| Recovery | ⭐⭐ | No. | Devices with a working recaveri | Medium (incorrect firmware file) |
| Fastboot | ⭐⭐⭐ | Yes. | All models, including the Bricks. | High (damage to the boot section) |
| Castom firmware (TWRP) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes. | Devices with unlocked loader | Critical (loss of IMEI, "brick") |
Let’s look at each method in more detail.
1. Automatic Update (OTA)
This is the easiest way to do it, and it works for most users: To check for updates, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If an update is available, the system will prompt you to download and install it.
- ✅ Pros: does not require technical knowledge, saves all data and settings.
- ❌ Cons: Not always available for older models, file size can reach 3 GB.
⚠️ Note: If, after updating, through OTA The device is getting stuck on the boot, do not try to reset it to factory settings through Recovery - this can lead to data loss. 15-20 seconds.
💡
Automatic updates over the Internet are the safest way, but require a stable network connection and sufficient battery life.
2 Manual update via Recovery
This method is useful if OTA-Update is not available or you want to install a specific version of the firmware:
- Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Download website (choose files with the.zip extension for Recovery).
- Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root folder of internal memory.
- Go to Recovery: Turn off the device, then press Volume up + Power.
- Select Install update.zip and confirm the installation.
Important: This method does not reset settings, but if the file system is damaged, a Wipe Data reset may be required.
What if Recovery doesn’t see the update.zip file?
If Recovery does not detect the file, check it: 1. The correctness of the name (should be the same) update.zip, gapless). 2. Archive integrity (unpack it on PC – if there is an error, download it again). 3. File system format (for Xiaomi is suitable) FAT32 or exFAT, but not NTFS). If the problem persists, try using it. Fastboot.\] 3. Manual update via Fastboot This method is used to "reanimate" devices that are not turned on, or to install global/European firmware (e.g., switching from Chinese to Chinese). MIUI You will need a PC with installed Xiaomi drivers and the Mi Flash Tool. Step-by-step instruction: Download the firmware for Fastboot (file with the extension.tgz or.zip). Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, download the firmware for Fastboot, C:\MIUI\fastboot_rom). Turn off the device and put it in Fastboot mode: press Volume down + Nutrition. Connect your smartphone to your PC and launch the Mi Flash Tool. Select the firmware folder, select Clean All mode (full clean) or Save User Data (save data). Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minute). ⚠️ Warning: Clean All Mode deletes all data, including photos and apps! If you choose Save User Data but the firmware is for a different regional version (e.g. Chinese instead of global), the device may not boot. For devices with a locked bootloader (for example, the new Xiaomi) 14 or Redmi Note 13) Before using Fastboot, you need to unlock it through the official Mi Unlock application. 720 hours (30 Expectations for new Mi accounts. Typical update errors and their solutions Even if all instructions are followed, users encounter errors. Let’s look at the most common and ways to eliminate them. Error Reason Cannot verify update Damaged firmware file or model mismatch Download firmware again, check device model Hang on Mi logo Version conflict or damage boot partition Refashion through Fastboot with full E:Footer is wrong File signature or custom recavery Return stock recavers or use Fastboot Error 7 into TWRP Firmware is incompatible with modified system Remove modifications (e.g. Magisk) before upgrade If after the update the device stopped turning on or got stuck on the boot, try the following steps: Perform a hard reset: pinch the volume up + Meals for food 10-15 If that doesn't work, run the device through the Fastboot with a full cleanup). For devices with an unlocked bootloader, try installing custom recavery (TWRP) And then I can run a firmware zip file through it, if the problem is loss. IMEI after the update (relevant for devices with MediaTek, for example, Redmi) 9A), Restore it with the help of the engineering menu: ##36446337## → BandMode → Select your network (for example, LTE ALL) Update firmware on Xiaomi TVs (Mi) TV) The process of updating firmware on Xiaomi TVs (for example, Mi). TV Q2 55" or "Redmi Smart" TV X50) It's different from smartphones. The main way is through OTA, But there are manual methods. For automatic updates: Go to Settings. → On TV. → System Update. Click Check Updates. If the update is available, confirm installation. The TV will restart automatically. If OTA It does not work (for example, due to regional restrictions), you can update manually: Download the firmware for your model from the official website (file with the extension.pkg). FAT32. Connect the flash drive to the TV and go to Settings → On TV. → Update through USB. Select a file and confirm the installation. ⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with Amlogic processors (e.g. Mi) TV 4S) It is not recommended to interrupt the update - this can damage the bootloader. If the TV is getting stuck on the update screen for longer than 30 minutes, disconnect it from the network for 1 minute, then turn it on again. TV (Like Mi. TV Q1E) It is also available for updates through ADB: adb sideload [path to file.protv] This method is useful if the standard update is through USB doesn't work. Reverse to the previous version of the firmware Sometimes a new version MIUI It works worse than the previous one, for example, after updating to MIUI 15. POCO X3 Pro users complained about overheating of the processor. In such cases, you can return the old firmware, but this requires caution, MIUI 14.0.2) from the official website, if you roll back more than one version (e.g., from the MIUI 15. MIUI 13), be sure to complete a Wipe Data reset via Recovery or Fastboot. Install firmware via Fastboot (recommended) or Recovery: 🔐 Data loss (if no backup is made). 📡 Problems with connecting to mobile networks (if the firmware is older than the modem version). 🔧 Incompatibility with new apps (e.g. Google Play Services may require a more recent version of Android). For devices with a locked boot loader, rollback is possible only within one branch MIUI. For example, with MIUI 15.1.2 on MIUI 15.0.5, not MIUI 14. Trying to install an older firmware will result in an anti-rollback error and lock the device. Anti-rollback is a security mechanism that prevents firmware from rolling back older than a particular version. It is introduced to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited in older versions of the software. If you break this rule (for example, try to install it). MIUI 13 on a device that has already been used MIUI 15), The loader will be locked and the device will become unusable without official repairs at the service center. Xiaomi.\] Update firmware on custom firmware devices If you use informal firmware (for example, Xiaomi.eu, Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the update process has its nuances. The main rule: never update custom firmware through a standard OTA — To update custom firmware: Download the new firmware version (.zip file) from the official developer website. TWRP (Or another custom Recovery. Make a backup of the current firmware (Backup section in the backup section). TWRP). Wipe the sections. Dalvik/ART Cache and Cache. Install a new.zip file. Reboot your device. If you use Magisk for root rights, after the update, you must: Reflash Magisk (installe the same.zip file through the root rights. TWRP). Update Magisk modules through the app. ⚠️ Note: When updating custom firmware on devices with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note) 11) You may need to re-unlock the bootloader if the firmware changes the bootloader version. Firmware like Xiaomi.eu has weekly updates, but they may contain bugs. 1-2 Check the reviews on the forums before installing them (for example, check the reviews on the forums, 4PDA or XDA Developers). FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi firmware updates Can Xiaomi update via mobile internet? Technically yes, but strongly discouraged. firmware files weigh 1-3 GB, and if the connection is interrupted, the installation will end with an error, and operators can limit the speed or charge extra for heavy traffic. Use only Wi-Fi. What if the sound is lost or the camera is not working after the upgrade? This is a typical problem when you incompletely install firmware. Try: Clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → [attachment] → Clear the cache). Perform a reset settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Restore and reset your device through the Fastboot with a full cleanup. If the problem persists, check if it is due to a hardware malfunction (e.g., camera plume dump). How to upgrade Xiaomi if there is not enough memory? If the device has less than 2 GB of free space: Move photos and videos to your PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud). Delete the app cache (Settings) → Memory. → Use Fastboot, which doesn't require any space on the device. On some models (e.g. Redmi). 9C) can be installed on SD-It's not officially supported, and it can lead to errors. OTA-- There are several reasons: 🌍 Regional restrictions: Some models (e.g., Chinese versions of the Mi 11) do not receive global updates. 🔧 Modified system: if you have changed firmware or installed root, OTA may be blocked. ⏳ Graduate release: Xiaomi rolls out updates in waves - your device may be at the end of the queue. Solution: check the updates manually through Settings or download the firmware from the official website. Can Xiaomi update with a dead battery? No. If the charge is below 30%, the system will block the installation of the update. ADB), The risk of interruption and system damage increases significantly. Always charge your device to at least 50% before upgrading.