How to install MIUI 11 on Xiaomi: all the ways and nuances

The upgrade to MIUI 11 remains relevant for owners of older but still powerful Xiaomi smartphones who want a fresh interface without buying a new device.This firmware version, released in 2019, brought revolutionary design changes, performance optimizations and new features like Mi Share (fast file transfer), Dynamic Sound Effects (dynamic sound effects) and an improved Game Turbo for gamers. However, installing MIUI 11 on modern devices or restoring this version on older models has its pitfalls.

In this article, we will discuss all the official and informal ways to install MIUI 11, including updating through Ota Updater, manual firmware through Fastboot and Recovery, as well as the nuances of downgrading from newer versions. We will focus on compatibility with models from 2018 to 2020 (Redmi Note 7/8, Mi 9, Poco F1, etc.), as for them, MIUI 11 often becomes the “middle ground” between stability and functionality. If your device does not officially support this version, we will explain how to circumvent the restrictions with minimal risks.

1. Checking the compatibility of the device with MIUI 11

Before you start installing, make sure your Xiaomi model officially supports MIUI 11. The firmware was released for most Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek Helio devices released before 2020, but there are exceptions, such as the Redmi Note 5 (whyred) received MIUI 11, and the Redmi 5A (riva) did not.

Check compatibility by your device’s codename (you can find it in Settings → About Phone → MIUI → Device Model or via adb shell getprop ro.product.device). Below is a table with popular models and their support:

If your model is not listed, check it on the official MIUI website (Archive section). Note that devices with a locked bootloader (most modern Xiaomi) will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool, which takes up to 720 hours of waiting (for more information in the section about Fastboot).

⚠️ Warning: Installing MIUI 11 on devices that originally came with MIUI 12+ could cause problems with the camera, sensors, or module 5G (if any). For example, on the Redmi Note 9 Pro (joyeuse) the Ultra Wide camera stops working after a downgrade.

2. Preparation of the smartphone for the installation of MIUI 11

Regardless of the installation method chosen, preparing the device reduces the risk of bricking and data loss.

Backup through Settings → Additional → Backup or Mi Cloud>

Check the battery power (minimum 60%)

Install ADB/Fastboot drivers on PC (download from Android site)

Disable Mi Account and Google Account (if you plan to reset completely)

Download the correct version of MIUI 11 for your model (see section 3)

Connect the device to your PC via the original USB Type-C cable

Close background applications (especially antiviruses that can block ADB)

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Pay special attention to backup. MIUI 11 has a different storage format compared to MIUI 12+, so recovery from the backup of the newer version may not work properly.

• 🔧 Titanium Backup (requires root) – to fully save applications and their data.

If you are upgrading from MIUI 10 or older, pre-reset to factory settings via Settings → Additional → Reset. This will remove possible system file conflicts. For devices with an unlocked bootloader, also check bootloader status with the command:

fastboot oem device-info

If you have Device unlocked: true, you can flash any version, and if false, you will need to unlock (instructions in section 4).

MIUI 14/13|MIUI 12.5|MIUI 12|MIUI 11|Other/I don't know-->

3. Download the correct firmware MIUI 11

The official firmware MIUI 11 is divided into three types:

1. Recovery ROM - ZIP- Archive for installation via stock recovery (Stock Recovery) Suitable for upgrade "over the air" or through Ota Updater.
2. Fastboot ROM — TGZ- archive for firmware via Mi Flash Tool. Requires unlocked bootloader.
3. Global/China/EU ROM is a regional version with a different set of applications and languages.

You need to download firmware only from official sources:

• 🌍 Official archive MIUI – for global (Global) and Chinese (China) versions.
• 🇪🇺 Xiaomi.EU – for custom firmware with support for Google Services (but without an official warranty).
• 📦 Xiaomi Firmware Updater – to search for specific versions by model code.

When choosing a version, pay attention to:

• 🔤 Language: Global ROM includes Russian, China ROM Chinese/English only.
• 📡 Region: Firmware for India (IN) or Russia (RU) may have frequency restrictions 4G.
• 🔢 Build number: For example, V11.0.8.0.QFJMIXM, where: Q is the Android version (Q = Android 10), FJ is the model code (Redmi Note 8), MIXM is the global version.

⚠️ Warning: Do not download firmware from torrent trackers or little-known forums! 2023 There have been cases in the past when under the guise MIUI 11 distributed firmware with built-in cryptocurrency mining (for example, through the libminer.so module in the /system/libCheck the hash of the file (MD5) on the VirusTotal website.

Example of the correct file name for Redmi Note 8 (ginkgo):

fw_ginkgo_miui_GINKGOGlobal_V11.0.5.0.QCNMIXM_bfd34a3b3d_10.0.zip

Where QCNMIXM is the global version on Android 10 (Q). For Poco F1 (beryllium) the current version is:

beryllium_global_images_V11.0.6.0.QEJMIXM_20200610.0000.00_10.0_global.zip

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If you can't find firmware for your model, try searching the 4PDA code of your device in the section of your smartphone. Often users put up mirrors of official firmware.

4 Method 1: Update via OTA Updater (without PC)

The easiest method is to upgrade to an over-the-air (OTA) update, but it only works if:

• ✅ Your current version of MIUI is older than 10 (e.g. MIUI 10.3 → MIUI 11).
• ✅ The device officially supported MIUI 11 (see section 1).
• ✅ No root rights or custom recaveri (TWRP).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ (setting) → Select a Service Package.
3. Specify the path to the downloaded update.zip file (rename the Recovery ROM firmware in this name).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the restart (it will take 5-15 minutes).

If the button "Select the service pack" ** is missing, it means:

• 🔒 You have the boot loader locked (unlocked).
• 📵 Current version MIUI is newer than 11 (requires a downgrade via Fastboot).
• 🛠️ Installed custom recaveri (TWRP), which replaces stock.

5. Method 2: Fastboot Firmware (from PC)

Fastboot is the most reliable method for installing MIUI 11, but requires an unlocked bootloader and a Windows PC.

• 🔄 Downgrade from MIUI 12+ to MIUI 11.
• 🛠️ Recovery after a failed update.
• 🌍 Install Global ROM on a device with China ROM (and vice versa).

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Link the device to Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi Account. Enable Developer Options (7 times tap on the MIUI version in About Phone). Activate OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers. Download Mi Unlock Tool, log in and follow instructions (wait up to 720 hours!).
2. Install drivers: Download Google's Platform Tools and unpack. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume Down). Check the connection with the command: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.

Please pass MIUI 11.

• Download the Fastboot ROM (TGZ- archive) and unpack it.
• Run MiFlash.exe (from the firmware folder).
• Select a folder with unpacked firmware and press Refresh (the device should appear).
• Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

It takes 3-10 minutes. Once it's done, the phone automatically restarts. The first turn on can take up to 15 minutes -- don't interrupt it!

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after firmware is installed, or if the orange text appears (This MIUI version cannot be installed...), then you are trying to install the wrong regional version (e.g. China ROM on a global device).

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Fastboot firmware is the only official way to install MIUI 11 on devices with a locked bootloader after a downgrade with MIUI 12+.

6 Method 3: Installation via TWRP (for advanced)

If you have a custom TWRP recap, you can flash MIUI 11 through it, which doesn't require unlocking the bootloader, but only for devices that already have TWRP (like after rooting).

Instructions:

1. Download Recovery ROM MIUI 11 (ZIP- file) and place it on the internal memory or SD- card.
2. Load to TWRP (clip Power + Volume Up).
3. Backup your current firmware (Backup → Select System/Data → Swipe for confirmation).
4. Select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Cache

Swipe for cleaning.

Install

Reboot System

If errors occur after the reboot (e.g., Setup Wizard has stopped), do:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings

This will run the settings bypassing the original setup wizard.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Faster than Fastboot (no PC required after installation TWRP).
• 🔧 Allows you to flash modified versions of MIUI 11 (e.g., without ads).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Risk of losing data when Wipe is incorrect.
• 🔒 On new devices (Redmi Note 10+), TWRP may not work due to anti-rollback (downgrade protection).

7 Solving problems after installation of MIUI 11

Even with successful firmware, there can be bugs, and let's look at the typical problems and their solutions:

If the sensors (gyroscope, approximation, illumination) have stopped working after MIUI 11 has been installed, it is due to the lack of calibration.

adb shell


su




echo 1 > /sys/class/sensors/calibration/calibrate

Or use the Sensor Calibration app from the Play Market.

For devices with AMOLED- screens (e.g. Mi 9), a yellow tint may appear after the downgrade. This is due to a change in the color profile in new versions of MIUI. Corrected by installing the kernel with support for sRGB or through screen settings (Settings → Screen → Color Scheme → Standard).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)