How to Check and Install Updates on Xiaomi Devices: The Complete Guide

Software updates on Xiaomi devices are not just new features, but a critical element of security, performance and stability. The company regularly releases patches to address vulnerabilities, optimize power consumption and add fresh features to MIUI or HyperOS. However, many users face problems: updates do not come automatically, the device “hangs” on the old version or gives errors during installation.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to check updates on Redmi smartphones, POCO, Xiaomi and Mi TVs TV, Including hidden methods for forced firmware installation, you will learn how to get around common bugs (such as Couldn't verify update), what to do if the update is stuck at 0%, and how to bring the device back to life after a failed firmware. Special attention will be paid to the differences between global (Global), Chinese (China) and European (EEA) version MIUI.

1. Standard method: checking updates through settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in update feature in the settings menu, which is suitable for 90% of Xiaomi devices and does not require additional knowledge.

1. Open the "Settings" (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (on some models – About Device).
3. Tap on the line MIUI Update (or System Update for HyperOS).
4. Click the Check Updates button in the upper right corner.

If the update is available, the system will offer to download it. The file size can range from 50 MB (a small patch) to 3 GB (full firmware with a new version of MIUI), downloading it will take from a few minutes to an hour depending on the speed of the Internet.

Check the battery (minimum 50%)

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network

Free up 4-5 GB of memory on the device

Close all background applications-->

⚠️ Note: On devices with bootloader unlocked, a standard update may cause you to reset your settings. Before installing, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Once you download the firmware, the system will prompt you to install it right away or later. If you choose to Install later, the file will remain in the device's memory, so you can return to installation through the same settings section. Note that some updates require a reboot, the device will go to Recovery mode and complete the process.

2. Forced Verification: How to Upgrade Xiaomi If Updates Don't Come

Sometimes the device does not show available updates due to Xiaomi server failures, regional restrictions or errors in the system cache, in which case forced verification through a hidden menu or the update application data reset will help.

Method 1: Resetting the “Update” annex

This method works on most Redmi and POCO smartphones:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Update (or Updater) app and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse → Clear data and Clear cache.
4. Go back to the updates section and check again.

Method 2: Using code for forced verification

Some devices have a hidden command to force you to request updates:

##2432546##

Enter this code in the Phone app (as a regular number). If the code works, a menu with additional update options will open, which is relevant for devices running MIUI 12-14, but may not work on newer versions of HyperOS.

If neither method worked, try connecting to another Wi-Fi network or using mobile internet. Sometimes providers block traffic to Xiaomi update servers.

3. Manually install updates via Recovery or Fastboot

When standard methods fail, you have to manually install the firmware, which takes more time and attention, but is guaranteed to update the device to the latest version, and there are two main methods: through Recovery (recovery menu) and through Fastboot (firmware mode).

Method 1: Installation via Recovery (for official firmware)

This method is suitable for devices with a locked bootloader and official firmware:

1. Download the correct firmware version for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Download site. The file name should end in.zip and contain the acronym of your model (for example, the abbreviation for your model, raphael_global_images... for Redmi K20 Pro).
2. Move the file to the root folder of the device’s internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Go to Settings → About Phone → Update MIUI.
4. Slip on the three-point menu in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
5. Specify the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

Method 2: Installation via Fastboot (for unlocked devices)

This method requires an unlocked bootloader and PC, and is suitable for power users:

1. Download Mi Flash Tool from the official Xiaomi website and firmware in.tgz or.zip format for Fastboot.
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder on your computer.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
4. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Select the firmware folder and press Flash.

⚠️ Warning: Installing firmware via Fastboot erases all data on your device, including photos, contacts and apps. Pre-make a full backup through Mi Cloud or third-party tools like Titanium Backup.

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If you install it via Recovery, you see an E:footer is wrong error, you've corrupted the firmware file. Download it again and check the checksum (MD5) with the Hash Droid app.

Update of Xiaomi Mi TV: features and nuances

Xiaomi Mi TVs are updated differently than smartphones.

• 📺 Updates come less frequently - usually 1-2 once a year (except for critical security patches).
• 🔌 Installation requires a stable Internet connection via Ethernet or 5GHz Wi-Fi.
• ⚙️ There is no possibility of manual installation of firmware through USB (Automatic update only).
• 🔄 After updating, the TV can reset the audio and network settings.

To check the updates on Mi TV:

1. Press the Settings button on the remote.
2. Go to All Settings → Device Preferences → About → System Update.
3. Select Check for updates.

If the update is available, the TV will prompt you to install it immediately, it will take 10-20 minutes, during which the TV will restart several times, and do not turn off the power during the upgrade, this can lead to a "brick" (inoperability) of the device.

Once a month (as soon as the new version comes out)

Only when critical bugs appear

Never update – everything works.

I update manually when interesting features appear.-->

5. Solving Update Problems: Errors and Fixing Them

When updating Xiaomi devices, users often encounter errors, and consider the most common ways to fix them:

Error 1: "Couldn't verify update"

Reasons:

• 🔹 Damaged firmware file (unproven or broken).
• 🔹 Disparity between the firmware version and the device model.
• 🔹 Failures in the work of Xiaomi servers.

Decision:

1. Download the firmware again from the official website.
2. Check the file name – it should match your model exactly (e.g. raphael for Redmi K20 Pro, cepheus for Xiaomi Mi 9).
3. Try installing the update via Fastboot.

Error 2: "Update package missing" (No update package)

This error occurs if:

• 📁 The firmware file is not in the root memory folder.
• 📁 The file name has been changed (should remain original, for example) fw_raphael_miui_RAPHAELGlobal...).
• 📁 The device does not support manual installation (relevant for some models) POCO).

Error 3: Freeze to 0% or 50% when installing

If the update process is “stopped” at one percent:

• ⏳ Wait. 30-40 Minutes - sometimes installation is slow.
• 🔄 Restart the device manually (clip the power supply) + Volume up for 10 seconds).
• 🔧 Try installing the firmware through Fastboot.

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If the device doesn't turn on after a failed update, try logging in to Recovery (press Power + Volume up) and select Wipe data. This will reset the settings, but bring the phone back to life.

6.How to roll back an update on Xiaomi if the new version is worse

There are times when fresh firmware brings more problems than benefits: bugs, battery drain, overheating. In such cases, you can return the previous version of MIUI. However, Xiaomi does not officially support rollback, so the process requires caution.

Method 1: Recovery (for official firmware)

If you have an old firmware file saved:

1. Download the desired version of MIUI from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Transfer the file to the root of the memory and rename it to update.zip.
3. Enter the Recovery (Food + Volume Up).
4. Select Install update.zip to System.

Method 2: Complete Fastboot reset and firmware

If the recoup through Recovery does not work:

1. Download the full firmware (Fastboot) of the desired version.
2. Unpack it and run it through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option.
3. Please note that this method erases all data.

⚠️ Note: Reverse to the old version MIUI This can cause problems with Google Pay, Netflix and other services that require current security patches, and errors in the camera or sensors may also occur.

7.How to enable automatic updates on Xiaomi

So you can set up automatic installations to not check the updates manually.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Update MIUI.
2. Slip on the three-point menu in the upper right corner.
3. Select the Update Settings.
4. Activate options: 🔄 Automatic booting over Wi-Fi 🔄 Notify of new updates 🔄 Automatic installation (not available on all devices)

On Mi TVs, automatic updates are enabled as follows:

1. Settings → Device Preferences → About → System Update.
2. Select Auto-update and switch the switch to the On position.

The way to do this is Settings → Device Preferences → About → Build Number.