Why you may need to install OTA manually and when to use it
Over-the-air updates (OTAs) are the standard way to get new MIUI versions on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones. However, sometimes automatic updates are not available: servers are overloaded, the region is locked, or the device is stuck on old firmware due to an error, in which cases manual installation of OTA becomes the only way out.
Key situations when it is worth considering the manual method:
- 🔄 The device does not see the update through Settings → The phone. → System update, although it has already been released for your model.
- ⚡ After an unsuccessful attempt to automatically update the smartphone stuck on the logo MIUI or reboots in a loop.
- 🌍 Your region is not supported (e.g. global firmware is not available for the Chinese version of the device).
- 🛠️ We need to revert to the previous version. MIUI due to bugs in the latest update.
Before you start, it is important to understand: manual installation is not always safe. Wrong firmware file or interrupted process can lead to a "brick" (complete failure) of the device. MIUI.
Preparation for manual installation: what to do before the start
The first step is to save data. Even if the update is to go through without a reset, there is always a risk of losing information. Use Mi Cloud or local backup via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
Next, check:
- 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60% (preferably 100%) When discharged during the upgrade, the device may turn off.
- 📡 Stable Wi-Fi connection (if you download firmware directly to your phone).
- 📁 Enough free space in memory (minimum 3-5 GB for a firmware file).
- 🔧 Is the bootloader unlocked if you plan to use the Fastboot. OTA No unlocking is required through Recovery.
Make sure the firmware is compatible with the device model|Make a backup copy of the data|Charge the phone to 100%|Download the correct version OTA-packet|Disable antivirus (can block firmware files)-->
Pay special attention to the MIUI versions. For example, if you have a Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13 (Android 11), you can not install OTA for MIUI 14 (Android 12) without first updating via Fastboot. Check the current version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
⚠️ Note: If your device was purchased in China and is powered by China ROM, Global firmware installation (Global) ROM) through OTA This can lead to blocking some features (e.g. Google Services), which requires a full flashing through Fastboot.
Where to Download the Official OTA-kit
Officially OTA-Xiaomi files are distributed to several sources, the main rule is: never download firmware from third sites (risk of viruses or modified files:
| Source | Reference | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Official Xiaomi website | new.c.mi.com | Global and European firmware are available. Choose Recovery ROM for OTA. |
| XDA Developers Forum | forum.xda-developers.com | Users are making direct references to OTA-Look for your model theme. |
| Telegram channels (e.g. MIUI Updates Tracker) | @MIUIUpdatesTracker | Quick notification of new OTAs, but check the hash of the file before installing. |
| Updater for MIUI | Available on Google Play | Automatically finds the relevant OTAs for your model. |
When downloading, pay attention to the file name. It should contain:
- 📱 Model code name (e.g. sweet for Redmi Note 10 Pro).
An example of a correct name OTA-file:
fw_sweet_miui_SWEETGlobal_V13.0.6.0.SKFMIXM_2a1a7d1b3d_12.0.zip⚠️ Note: If a file weighs less than 1.5GB, it’s probably not complete OTA-a packet, and incremental update (only for transitions between close versions, for example, with MIUI 13.0.5 at 13.0.6). Download the full package (from 2 GB to install from any version).
Methods of manual installation of OTA on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
There are two main methods of manually installing OTAs: through stock Recovery and with ADB Sideload. The first is suitable for most users, the second is for experienced if the standard method does not work.
Method 1: Recovery Installation (recommended)
- Download. OTA-file (with.zip extension) and move it to the root folder of the phone's internal memory (not in folders!) The file name should not contain Cyrillic or spaces.
- Turn off the device. Press the button combination to log in to Recovery: 🔘 For most models: Nutrition + Loudness up. 🔘 For some flagships (e.g. Xiaomi 12): Power + Loudness up + Loudness down.
From the Recovery menu, select the language (if available), then go to Install update.zip to System (or similar).
Select the downloaded OTA file and confirm the installation. The process will take 5-15 minutes.
After you complete the process, select Reboot to System.
Method 2: Installation with ADB Sideload
This method requires a PC and installed ADB drivers. Suitable if Recovery does not see the file or gives an error.
- Install ADB and Fastboot on your computer.
- Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume down when the device is off).
- Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools and type: adb sideload path to file.zip Example: adb sideload C:\MIUI\fw_sweet_miui_SWEETGlobal_V13.0.6.0.SKFMIXM.zip
- Wait until the process is complete (Total xfer: 1.00x will appear in the command line).
- Reboot the device with command: fastboot reboot
💡
If ADB Do not see the device, try reinstalling drivers through the Mi Flash Tool or using another one USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
Method 3: Update via the Three Dots in the Update Menu (for some versions of MIUI)
Some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12-14) have a hidden option for manual selection of an OTA file:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select the Update File.
- Specify the path to the downloaded.zip file and confirm the installation.
For the kickback:
- Download. OTA-previous version (e.g. with a MIUI 14 on MIUI 13).
- Install it through Recovery (as described above).
- After the reboot, reset settings (Settings → Additional → Resetting) to avoid conflicts.
⚠️ Note: A rollback to an older Android version (such as Android 13 on Android 12) may result in a loss of camera or sensor functionality.