Which operating system is installed on Xiaomi smartphones: MIUI, Android or something else?

When you buy a Xiaomi smartphone, Android is often mentioned in its specs — but in practice, the device’s interface looks different from Google’s “bare” Android. This is because the company uses its own MIUI shell, which deeply modify the standard system. However, not all models work the same way: some lines (like Poco or Black Shark) can offer alternative firmware, and the flagships of recent years receive updates longer than budget devices.

In this article, we will look at what operating system your Xiaomi is running, how to distinguish MIUI from pure Android, and why it is important for choosing a device. You will also learn how to check the firmware version, what types of OS are on the brand’s smartphones, and how they differ in functionality.

MIUI vs Android: What's the difference?

The main misconception of users is that Xiaomi has a “pure” Android installed. In fact, all of the brand’s smartphones (with rare exceptions) run on MIUI, the branded shell built on Android.

• 📱 The core of the system remains Android (open source), but the look, settings and many features are redesigned by Xiaomi.
• 🔄 Updates depend on Xiaomi’s policy: Even if Google released a new version of Android, your phone may not get it right away (or at all).
• 🛠️ Additional chips: MIUI Adds unique tools (like Game Turbo for gamers or Second Space for splitting profiles) that aren’t available in Android stock.
• ⚠️ Restrictions: Some Google features (e.g., Digital Wellbeing) may not work properly or are not available.

It is important to understand that MIUI — It's not a separate OS, it's a deep version of Android. For example, if the phone specifies "Android 13," it means that the kernel of the system corresponds to version 13, but on top of it there is a shell overlaid. MIUI (for example, MIUI 14) In this case, the version number MIUI It doesn’t always match the Android version, MIUI 14 can run on both Android 13 and Android 12 (depending on the model).

How do you know which OS is on your Xiaomi?

To accurately determine the operating system and shell version, follow the following steps:

1. Open the settings on your phone.
2. Go to the About Phone (or About Device) section.
3. Find the MIUI version and the Android version.

Examples of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+:

• 📌 Version. MIUI: 14.0.5 (stable global)
• 🤖 Android Version: 13 TKQ1.221114.001

If there is no MIUI version on the menu, but only the Android version, it could mean:

• 🔍 You have custom firmware installed (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 📦 Your phone is from the Poco or Black Shark lineup, where MIUI Replaced with another shell (e.g. Poco Launcher).
• ⚙️ The firmware is modified by the seller (relevant for "gray" devices from China).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A1/A2/A3) It was originally a pure Android Android, and it was Android One, and it didn't get any updates. MIUI, And their support is already complete.

Which versions of MIUI and Android are relevant in 2026?

Xiaomi regularly updates its firmware, but not all models get the latest versions. Below is a table with the latest data for mid-2026:

Important: from 2026, Xiaomi begins the transition to a new shell HyperOS, which replaces MIUI. First it received the flagships of the Xiaomi 14 series, and within a year the update will spread to other models. HyperOS is positioned as a lighter and more versatile system that is compatible not only with smartphones, but also with smart devices of the Xiaomi ecosystem (for example, headphones or routers).

Xiaomi models with pure Android (without MIUI)

While most Xiaomi smartphones run on MIUI, there are a few exceptions:

1. Android One Series: 📱 Xiaomi Mi A1 (2017, Android 7 → 9) 📱 Xiaomi Mi A2 / A2 Lite (2018, Android 8 → 10) 📱 Xiaomi Mi A3 (2019, Android 9 → 11)

These phones have received updates directly from Google, without the MIUI shell. However, their support is long over, and buying them in 2026 is not recommended.

Poco F1 and some Poco models

The first Poco F1 (2018) ran on MIUI for Poco, a lightweight version of the shell, and later Poco began offering phones with minimal MIUI settings (like the Poco F5), where the interface is closer to the Android stock.

Black Shark

The Black Shark gaming smartphones (owned by Xiaomi) use its own JOYUI shell, optimized for gaming. It is also built on Android, but with unique design and features (such as physical triggers).

⚠️ Warning: If you buy a used Xiaomi smartphone with a "pure Android," make sure it doesn't have custom firmware installed. Some vendors are refashioning phones on LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which can lead to update and stability issues.

How to upgrade the OS on Xiaomi: official and informal ways

Updating the operating system on Xiaomi can be done in several ways:

Official Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and safest method:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If a new version is available, download and install it.

Manual installation via Recovery

If OTA-update is not available, you can download the firmware from the official site and install it manually:

1. Download the desired version of MIUI for your model from en.miui.com.
2. Place the.zip file in the root folder of the phone.
3. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Threefold (⋮) → Select a firmware file.

3. Custom firmware (for experienced users)

If you are not satisfied with MIUI, you can install alternative firmware, for example:

• 🔧 LineageOS – pure android open source.
• 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with the interface and features of Google Pixel.
• 🚀 ArrowOS – Lightweight firmware with a focus on performance.

This will require:

• Unlock bootloader (officially via Mi Unlock Tool)
• Install custom recovery (e.g., TWRP).
• Sweep ZIP-firmware.

💡

Before installing custom firmware, back up your data via Mi Cloud or TWRP. Some firmware requires a full reset (wipe), which will delete all files from the phone.

Frequent OS problems on Xiaomi and their solutions

Xiaomi users often encounter common firmware errors, and consider the most common:

1. Phone is not updated ("No updates")

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🌍 Regional lock: Xiaomi releases firmware for different regions (Global, China, EEA). If your phone is from China, it won't get global updates. Solution: reflash on Global ROM.
• 🔒 Closed Beta: If you've been in the beta test, you can block the return to stable firmware. Solution: wait for the official release or manually scroll through.
• 📵 Memory shortage: Upgrades require free space. 3-5 GB.

2. After the update, the phone is bugging

What to do:

• 🔄 Reset the cache: go to Recovery (clutch Power) + Volume up when turned on) and select Wipe Cache.
• 📱 Reverse to the previous version: if the bugs are critical, download the old firmware from the Xiaomi site and thread it through Recovery.
• 🧹 Full Wipe: In extreme cases, complete a Wipe Data reset, but it will delete all data.

3: The MIUI and Android versions are not the same.

Sometimes the settings show, for example, MIUI 14 on Android 12, although Android 13 was expected. This is normal: Xiaomi can port a new shell to the old version of Android for budget models. However, if the difference is too large (for example, MIUI 15 on Android 11), this may indicate:

• 🛠️ A fake version of the version.
• 📦 "Gray imports with Chinese firmware repackaged for global.

💡

If the phone starts to run out faster or overheat after the upgrade, check the background processes in Settings → Battery. Often unoptimized applications are to blame, not the firmware itself.

Should I Buy Xiaomi for MIUI?

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone often rests on the question: is it worth putting up with MIUI for good hardware at a low price?

Alternatives for those who don’t like MIUI:

• 📱 Poco F5 / F5 Pro – minimalist shell, close to the stock Android.
• 🔧 Custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience for getting Google Pixel interface).
• 🏷️ Other brands with pure Android: Google Pixel, Motorola, Nothing Phone.

If you are choosing between Xiaomi and another brand, pay attention to:

• 🔄 Update support: Xiaomi usually supports flagships 3-4 year, budgetary models — 1-2 year-end.
• 🛡️ Security: MIUI Sometimes criticized for collecting data, but in global firmware this is minimized.
• 💰 Price/Quality: Xiaomi offers better hardware for the same money compared to competitors.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi firmware