How to properly install OTA-firmware on the Xiaomi smartphone: instructions with pictures and tips

Update the firmware through OTA (Over-the-Air is the easiest way to get a fresh version. MIUI on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO. But even this process can raise questions about why the upgrade doesn't come, how to speed up the installation, or what to do if the smartphone freezes while you're running the firmware. In this article, we'll look at everything from device prep to manual installation. OTA-package through recovery.

It is important to understand that OTA-Updates are distributed in stages: first they are received 10-20% If you don't want to wait, you can force the updates to be checked or you can manually install the firmware, and we'll show you both ways, and we'll also show you how to avoid common bugs like Error. 7 or endlessly load.

This article is relevant for all Xiaomi models based on MIUI 12-15 (including HyperOS) released after 2018. If your device is older, check compatibility in the official list of supported devices on the Xiaomi website.

What is it? OTA-Update and why it doesn’t come

OTA (Over-The-Air) is a wireless firmware update technology that allows you to install new versions of MIUI without connecting to a computer. The update file is downloaded directly to the device over the Internet and installed in the background or after a reboot.

However, many users are faced with the fact that the update does not come automatically, the reasons can be different:

• 🔄 Phase-by-Phase Release: Xiaomi Is Sending Out OTA waves to reduce the load on the servers and quickly fix bugs.
• 📵 Regional restrictions: Firmware for Global, China and EEA (Europe) comes out at different times.
• 🔒 Blocked bootloader: On some devices with unlocked bootloader OTA may not work.
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI: If you missed a few updates, the system may require manual installation.

To check if the update is available for your model, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If it is empty, don’t panic: sometimes the delay is 2-3 weeks. But if you don’t want to wait, you can speed up the process — about this in the next section.

How to forcefully check and download OTA-update

If the automatic update doesn’t come, it can be forced through hidden settings, a method that works on most Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices with MIUI 12 and later.

Follow the instructions:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to the About Phone section.
3. Tap 7-10 times on the MIUI version until you become a developer!
4. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
5. Find the option to upgrade MIUI and turn it on.
6. Return to Settings → About Phone → System Update and click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
7. Choose Update (if it’s already downloaded) or Check for Updates.

If the update never came after this, try changing the region:

• 🌍 Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Region.
• 📍 Choose India – often updates appear earlier than in Europe.
• 🔄 Restart the device and check for updates again.

Manual installation of OTA through Recovery: step-by-step instructions

If automatic update is not available or errors occur, you can install the update. OTA-This method is safer than firmware through Fastboot, and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

You'll need:

• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with battery charge ≥60%.
• 💾 Official OTA-package for your model (you can download it on the official website of Xiaomi).
• 🔌 Cable USB (If you are transferring a file from a PC).

Instructions:

1. Download the right one. OTA-file (.zip extension) for your model and region, for example, for Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G (The codename is ruby, which will be a file form. miui_RUBYGlobal_V14.0.5.0.TMOMIXM_....
2. Move the file to the root folder of internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off your smartphone.
4. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
5. Choose a language (usually English or Chinese).
6. Go to Install update.zip to System One (or similar).
7. Confirm the installation and wait for completion (5-10 minutes).
8. After the reboot, the device will be with a new firmware.

⚠️ Note: If you see an Error: update package verification failed during installation, you have downloaded the firmware for another model or region. → The phone. → Model and download the correct file.

Table: Common errors in the OTA-updates and their solutions

If your error is not listed in the table, try resetting to factory (with data saved) via Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset. 80% of the time this solves the problems with the “hang” updates.

How to Reverse to a Previous MIUI After a Failed OTA

If after the update, the smartphone began to work worse (heats, discharges quickly, apps are glitzy), you can go back to the old firmware.

• 🔙 Recoil is only possible on the version that was installed earlier (you can not jump through several updates).
• 📉 All data will be deleted (take backup in advance!).
• 🔒 Some models require bootloader unlocking.

Instructions for rollback:

1. Download the full firmware package (not OTA!) for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Unpack the archive and find the file. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for macOS/Linux).
3. Turn off your smartphone and log in to Fastboot (clamp Power + Volume down).
4. Connect the device to the PC and start flash_all.bat.
5. Wait for the finish (5-15 minutes) and the reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Retracement to old firmware can lead to blocking IMEI on some models (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro or POCO X3 NFC). Before the procedure, check if your device supports downgrade, on forums. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

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If the phone doesn't turn on after rolling back, try flashing only the system partition without the userdata. flash_all.bat Remove the fastboot erase userdata line before the firmware.

OTA on custom firmware: features and risks

If you use custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu), then the standard firmware is the same. OTA-However, some builds (e.g. Xiaomi.eu) support internal OTA through their own servers.

To update the custom firmware:

1. Download the new package from the official firmware site (e.g. xiaomi.eu).
2. Transfer the file to the device memory.
3. Download to custom Recovery (TWRP, OrangeFox).
4. Make a backup of the current firmware (Boot, System, Data sections).
5. Sweep a new one. ZIP-file via Install.
6. Clear the cache (Wipe) → Dalvik/ART Cache).
7. Reboot.

Risks of updating custom firmware:

• 💥 Bootloop: If the firmware is incompatible with your core or mod.
• 🔓 Data loss: When the wrong vape.
• 📡 Network problems: Some builds disappear after the update IMS (VoLTE/VoWiFi).

Castomic firmware does not receive OTA-Xiaomi updates from its developers only. OTA The scaling up of the device will lead to a brick (breakdown!

Frequent questions about OTA-updates on Xiaomi

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If your device doesn’t receive an OTA for more than 3 months, check it for EOL (End of Life) listing – Xiaomi will stop supporting older models 2-3 years after release.