How to download and install Android 12 on a Xiaomi smartphone: all working methods

Android 12 has brought revolutionary changes to design, performance and privacy, but Xiaomi device owners often face the question of how to upgrade to a new version if the official update has not yet arrived or the device is no longer supported. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to install Android 12 – from the standard OTA-Update to manual firmware via Fastboot or custom Recovery.

It’s important to understand that the process depends on the model of your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO. Some devices received Android 12 as part of MIUI 13, others – only in MIUI 14, and for older models you will have to use informal firmware. We will take a detailed look at each option so that you can choose the best way without the risk of “bricking” the phone.

If you are new to firmware, start with the official methods.Savvy users can immediately go to sections about unlocking the bootloader or installing custom ROMs. Remember: any manipulation of the system resets the warranty and can lead to data loss if you do not make a backup in advance.

1. Checking your Xiaomi’s compatibility with Android 12

Before you download firmware, make sure your device supports Android 12. Xiaomi has released official updates for most flagships and mid-budget models, but budget smartphones 2019-2020 often stayed on Android 11.

The official list of devices with support for Android 12 (MIUI 13/14) includes:

📱 Series Mi: Mi: Mi 11, Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11 Lite, Mi 10/10 Pro/10 Ultra, Mi 9/9 Pro/9 SE (only MIUI 14)
📱 Redmi: Redmi Note Series 10/Note 10 Pro/Note 10S, Redmi Note 9/9 Pro/9T, Redmi K40/K40 Pro
📱 Series POCO: POCO F3, POCO X3 Pro, POCO M4 Pro, POCO F2 Pro

If your model is not on the list, check it out at MIUI Downloads (select Global or Russia region). For older devices (such as the Redmi Note 8 or Mi A3), custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience is the only option.

📊 What Xiaomi model do you use?

Mi 11/11 Ultra

Redmi Note 10/Pro

POCO F3/X3

Another model

2.Official update via OTA: the safest way

If your device supports Android 12, try updating over the air (OTA) first.This method doesn't require unlocking the bootloader and saves all the data.

Instructions:

Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
Click Check Updates. If a new version is available, download it (weight ~2-3 GB).
After downloading, click Reboot and Update.

If the update doesn’t come, try:

🔄 Switch to another. SIM-The card (sometimes the operators block the card) OTA).
📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes providers cache older versions).
📥 Download the full update package manually from the site MIUI Downloads and install through Settings → Updating the system → Threefold → Select a Service Package.

💡

If your smartphone is slowing down after the upgrade, reset to factory settings via Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset. This will solve 90% of performance problems.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the update process, even if the screen does not react for a long time. During the "Optimizing apps" stage, the device can freeze for 10 to 30 minutes - this is normal.

Manual update via Recovery: if OTA doesn't work

If OTA-Update is not available, but your model supports Android 12, you can install firmware through standard Recovery. This method saves data, but requires you to download the correct file.

Step-by-step:

Download the full service package (.zip file) for your model from MIUI Downloads. The file name should contain fastboot or recovery (we need recovery!).
Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root of the phone’s internal memory.
Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
Select the language, then go to Install update.zip to System.
Confirm the installation and wait for the completion (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After the reboot, check the Android version in Settings → About Phone → Android version. If the process ended with the error E:footer is wrong, then you downloaded the wrong file - try another version of the firmware.

Download the correct firmware (recovery, not fastboot)|

Rename the file to update.zip|

Charge your phone at least 60% |

Backup important data |

Remember the button combination to log in to Recovery-->

4. Installation via Fastboot: for power users

If previous methods fail, you just have to flash the device through Fastboot, which requires unlocking the bootloader and erases all the data, but it's guaranteed to update the system.

What you need:

🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers.
🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
📦 Fastboot firmware (.tgz or.zip file from the site) MIUI).
🔓 Unlocked boot loader (instruction below).

Instructions:

Unpack the firmware in a folder on your computer (for example, C:\MIUI\).
Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a rabbit in a hat will appear on the screen).
Connect your phone to your PC and launch the file flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
Wait for the process to be completed (10-20 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Note: If an anti-rollback error occurs during firmware, you are trying to install an older version. MIUI, In this case, only a full reset through the Mi Flash Tool with the choice of the clean all option will help.

What if Fastboot doesn’t see the device?

1. Install Mi Phone Manager drivers. 2. Try another one USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0). 3. Include debugging by USB in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB). 4. Use the fastboot device command in the terminal to check the connection.

5. Unlocking the bootloader: a must-do step for Fastboot

Without unlocking the bootloader, it is impossible to flash the device through the Fastboot. Xiaomi allows unlocking, but the process requires waiting and confirmation through the Mi Account.

How to unlock the bootloader:

Link your Mi Account to your phone (Settings → Mi Account).
Enable OEM Unlock in the developer settings (Settings → Additional → Developer).
Download the Mi Unlock Tool and run it on PC.
Log in to the same Mi Account as on your phone.
Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and press Unlock.

Usually, it takes 72–168 hours (3–7 days) to unlock successfully, and once unlocked, you can flash the device through Fastboot or install custom Recovery (e.g., TWRP).

Model	Waiting time to unlock	Does TWRP support the
Xiaomi Mi 11	72 hours	Yes (unofficially)
Redmi Note 10 Pro	168 hours	Yes.
POCO F3	72 hours	Yes.
Mi 9T	168 hours	Yes (obsolete version)

6.Castom firmware: Android 12 for unsupported devices

If your device doesn't get an official update, you'll need to install custom firmware.

📱 LineageOS 19 – pure Android 12 without shell MIUI.
📱 Pixel Experience – Android 12 with Google Pixel chips.
📱 ArrowOS - optimized firmware with settings.
📱 crDroid – Balance between performance and functionality.

How to install custom firmware:

Unlock the bootloader (see the previous section).
Install TWRP Recovery via Fastboot (TWRP: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp.img).
Download firmware (.zip file) and GApps (Google services) from the OpenGApps website.
Boot to TWRP (Loud Up + Power), make Wipe → Format Data (required!), then run the firmware and GApps.

After installation, the first turn on can take 10-20 minutes. If the phone is stuck on the logo, repeat the firmware or check the firmware compatibility with your model on the XDA Developers forum.

💡

Custom firmware deprives you of official Xiaomi support and may contain bugs. Before installing, check user reviews of your model.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When upgrading to Android 12, Xiaomi users often face typical problems.

Error: "Can't verify update"

🔹 Download the firmware again - the file may not have downloaded completely.
🔹 Check what the file is called. update.zip (symbolless).
🔹 Make sure the firmware is suitable for your region (Global, EEA, Russia).

This package is for 'xxx' devices; this is a 'yyyy'

This means you downloaded firmware for another model. Check the exact name of your device in Settings → About Phone → Model Name (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro may have the codename sweet).

The phone does not turn on after the firmware

🔋 Connect charging and wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes the battery runs out during the process.
🔄 Try going to Fastboot (Loudness Down). + Power) and rewire the device.
📞 If the screen is black and the light is on, the display's firmware may have gone off, and only the service center will help.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Can I roll back from Android 12 to Android 11?

Technically, yes, but Xiaomi blocks the downgrade through the Anti-Rollback mechanism, and if you try to flash the old version, the phone can turn into a brick. The only safe way is to use custom firmware based on Android 11.

Why does the battery run out after upgrading to Android 12?

This is normal in the first 2-3 days, the system indexes files and optimizes applications: 🔋 Check the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery. 🔄 Make a reset to factory settings (but save data first!). 📱 Turn off the Adaptive Battery in the settings (sometimes it doesn’t work properly).

How to check if the bootloader is unlocked?

Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot. If there's Unlocked at the bottom of the screen, the bootloader is unlocked. If Locked, you'll have to go through the unlocking procedure.

Which firmware is better: official MIUI or custom?

Depends on your goals: ✅ Official. MIUI: Stable operation, support for all functions (e.g, IR Blaster, regular security updates. ✅ Castomy (LineageOS/Pixel Experience: clean Android without ads, longer support for older devices, more customization options. For most users, the best option with official firmware.

Can I install Android 12 on the Redmi Note 8?

Redmi Note 8 (ginkgo) is still on Android 10 (MIUI However, there are informal firmwares: 📱 LineageOS 19 (Android 12) – works well, but without Widevine support L1 (Netflix in Low Definition). 📱 Pixel Experience - with Pixel chips, but possible camera bugs. XDA Developers.