Smart tech owners often face the need to update software to fix bugs or get new features. Robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop G1 is no exception, as the stability of its work depends on the relevance of the firmware. The update procedure, which is commonly called firmware, may be required when navigation failures, problems with connecting to Wi-Fi or if the device freezes while working.
There are several ways to get your device back on track, from a standard cloud update to a forced system reinstallation. It's important to understand that a robot vacuum cleaner firmware is a delicate process that requires a sequence of actions. Mismanipulation can lead to a software failure that requires the service center to intervene, so it's worthwhile to carefully study all the nuances before starting work.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available methods for restoring and updating software for the G1 model, learn how to check the current version, what tools you may need, and how to avoid common mistakes that beginners make when trying to upgrade their smart assistant.
Preparation for the renewal procedure
Before you start any action with the software, you need to make sure that the battery is charged at least 60%. the process of writing data to the memory of the controller consumes a significant amount of energy, and a sudden power outage can lead to irreversible consequences.
It is also critical to ensure a stable connection to the Wi-Fi network. The signal must be confident in the location of the base, since firmware files can weigh tens of megabytes. If the router is far away, it is recommended to temporarily move the charging station closer to the access point or use a Wi-Fi repeater to amplify the signal.
Don’t forget to check your smartphone and operating system compatibility with the Mi Home app. Outdated versions of Android or iOS operating systems may not display update status correctly or interrupt file downloads in the background.
⚠️ Warning: Do not start the process if the Mi Home app is notified of other system updates to the phone or if power saving mode is enabled, which may limit the operation of network modules.
Collect all the necessary data: you may need to IP-The router address, the Wi-Fi password (if not stored in the cloud) and the free space on the phone to caching installation files. Preparation takes a little time, but significantly reduces the risk of errors in the process.
Check the current version and availability of updates
The first step should always be to diagnose the current state of the system. Don't blindly run the firmware if the device is stable and the software version is up to date. To check, open the Mi Home app, select your robot vacuum cleaner from the list of devices, and go to the settings menu by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen.
In the menu that opens, look for General Settings or Robot Settings, which will show the current firmware version number. It usually looks like a set of numbers, for example, 3.5.8_0012. Compare this number with the information on the official website of the manufacturer or in the description of the latest version in the app store.
- 📱 Go to the Mi Home app and log in to your account.
- 🤖 Select a Xiaomi device card G1 mainscreen.
- ⚙️ Click on the three-dot menu and find the About Update section.
- 🔄 If a new version is available, a red dot or button will appear.
Often users are faced with a situation where the application says "No Updates", but the problems in the device's operation persist. In such cases, forced verification through a hidden menu or cleaning the app cache can help. Sometimes the company's servers conduct a phased rollout updates, and a new version can arrive on your device with a delay of several days.
If the automatic check fails, you can try manually initiating a request to the server, which in some versions of the Mi Home application helps to repeatedly click on the firmware version number in the About menu. This action can activate a hidden mode to check for beta versions or force updates.
Standard Update with the Mi Home app
The safest and most recommended method by the manufacturer is an over-the-air upgrade (OTA), which doesn't require cables or a computer, all you need is a stable Internet and a charged battery, and the algorithm is as simple and intuitive as possible, even for inexperienced users.
Once you press the update button in the app, the installation package will start loading, and the robot can emit an audible signal warning you to start the process, at which point it is strictly forbidden to touch the device, lift it or try to send it to the base if it is elsewhere.
The sequence of actions in OTA:
1. Connect the robot to the base.
2. Confirm the charge > 60%.
3. Press "Update" in the annex.
4. wait for completion (10-20 minutes).During installation, the robot can reboot several times, its indicators can flash different colors, and it can make different sounds. This is normal behavior, indicating that new memory sectors are written, and interruption of the process at this stage can lead to the "bricking" of the device.
⚠️ Warning: If the upgrade process is 99% frozen and does not move for more than 30 minutes, do not rush to turn off the robot. Try to switch the phone to mobile Internet (by turning off Wi-Fi) to break the connection with the router, sometimes this helps to complete the installation.
Once the installation is completed successfully, the robot vacuum cleaner will automatically restart and report a successful update with a voice message, and the app will change status to Online and the firmware version number will be updated, and then send the device to full cleaning, so that the new version of the software will calibrate the sensors in real conditions.
Forced firmware through a computer (Advanced)
If the standard method doesn't work, the robot goes into a cyclical reboot or doesn't connect to Wi-Fi, forced firmware through a computer may be required. G1 This process is more complicated than for phones and often requires special care. UART-Converter or access to the internal contacts of the board, but there are software methods through the ADB, when the debugging port is open.
To start, you need to download the current firmware image (.pkg or.bin) from a trusted source or official repository. It is important that the firmware version corresponds to the device region (Global, CN, EU). Installing Chinese firmware on a global version (and vice versa) can cause voice control and maps to fail.
☑️ Checklist for hand firmware
There is a method of firmware through SD-The map, if the model supports it (not all versions). G1 They have a slot, but it's worth checking. mirob_vacuum.pkg (The name may vary depending on the model and is placed at the root of the map, the card is inserted into the robot that is turned off, and then certain buttons are clamped to enter the recovery mode.
If the method is used through the debugging port (disassembly of the case is required), it is necessary to:
- 🔧 Carefully remove the top cover and find contacts UART (TX, RX, GND, VCC).
- 💻 Connect USB-TTL adapter to the robot board and computer.
- 💻 Use a terminal program (e.g. Putty or SecureCRT) with settings (usually 115200).
- 📥 Download image via fastboot protocol or dd command in Linux.
Risks of self-disassembly
Once the files are written, you need to assemble the device and check its performance, a method that is only suitable for experienced users familiar with the command line and the Linux system on which the vacuum cleaner software runs.
Resetting and calibration after firmware
After successful installation of the new software, it is strongly recommended to perform a full reset, avoiding conflicts between the old configuration files and the new version of the system, and reset can be done through the application or physical buttons on the device body.
To reset via the app, go to the device settings and select Reset or Remove the device, then add it again. If the robot does not respond, find the reset button (usually a small hole next to the power button) and press it with a clip for 5-10 seconds before the characteristic beep.
Once reset and reconnected, you need to re-build a map of the room. The new firmware can use improved navigation algorithms, so the old map may be incompatible or inefficient. Complete cleaning with open doors to all rooms so that the robot scans the space correctly.
| Parameter | Before dumping. | After discharge |
|---|---|---|
| Map of premises | Save. | Removed (requires construction) |
| Cleaning schedule | Actively. | Dropped. |
| Zones of exclusion | Save. | Removed. |
| Volume of voice | Customized | Standard. |
It's also important to check the virtual walls and the exclusion zones, and in new versions of the software, the logic of their work may change, so make sure that the robot correctly navigates the marked areas before leaving it unattended.
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Save a screenshot of your perfect map before reset, which will help you recreate the no-go zones and virtual walls faster after reinstalling the system, especially if the layout of the room is complicated.
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
Users often encounter various errors during the update process, one of the most common is the Update failed or endless download cycle, most often due to an unstable Internet connection or the blocking of update servers by the provider.
If the robot writes Network Connection Error right after the firmware, try changing the region in the Mi Home app. Sometimes the global versions of devices work better when choosing a China or Singapore region to download specific service packs, although this is not always recommended for stability.
If the robot is "hang" on the Mi logo:
- 🔋 Leave the device on charge for a few hours (sometimes deep calibration is done).
- 🔌 Try to perform a “hard” reboot by clamping the power and return buttons at the same time.
- 📡 Turn off the router for 5 minutes to reset DHCP-leases, then turn on again.
⚠️ Warning: If after all the manipulations, the robot does not show signs of life or if the red error indicator burns, which does not go out after reset, the bootloader is probably damaged.
Another problem may be that the sensors are not working properly after the upgrade. If the robot is more likely to encounter obstacles or fall from the doorsteps, check the purity of the sensors. The new firmware may be more sensitive to optical contamination than the previous one.
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Most of the errors after firmware are solved by completely resetting the device and recalibrating the map. Don't ignore this step, as it is critical to the stability of navigation algorithms.
Remember that software is a complex product, and bugs can occur even in official releases. If you notice strange behavior immediately after the update, it makes sense to read the forums: you may not be alone, and the manufacturer has already issued a patch or gave instructions to bypass the error.