Owners of Chinese-branded devices often wonder when their gadgets will get the latest version of the operating system. The introduction of Android 12 was a landmark event for the company’s ecosystem, as it brought not only a new interface, but also profound changes in the security and privacy architecture. Users expected a massive update to affect most current models at the time, but reality made its own adjustments to the plans of developers.
The migration process to the new platform has been more complex and time-consuming than initially thought, with many users facing delays and some models still waiting for an official update, remaining on previous versions of the shell. In this article, we will discuss in detail which Xiaomi smartphones have received the long-awaited update, as well as the technical nuances of the transition to the new system.
It’s worth noting that the release of the new OS version is always accompanied by the release of the branded shell MIUI 13, which is based on fresh Google code. This update brought memory optimization, improved fraud protection and new widget design. Understanding how updates are distributed between the Redmi series, POCO and Xiaomi flagships will help you better navigate the life cycle of your device.
Key features of Android 12 in the shell MIUI
The move to Google’s twelfth mobile operating system is one of the biggest visual updates in recent years, driven by the Material You concept, which allows the interface to adapt to the color gamut of the chosen users! shell MIUI 13, which has become a bridge between pure Android and the company’s proprietary work. Developers have introduced Memory Extension, which allows you to use part of the permanent memory as RAM, which is especially true for budget models with 4 or 6 GB of RAM.
⚠️ Warning: Updating to a new version of the system may temporarily reduce the autonomy of the device in the first 3-5 It's a normal process of optimizing background services that goes on its own.
Special attention was paid to security and access control. Android 12 introduced the Privacy Dashboard feature, which in real time shows which applications access the camera, microphone or geolocation. Xiaomi smartphone owners accessed these features through an updated settings menu, which also introduced the ability to quickly disable sensors for selected programs with a single click.
In addition, the system has become more responsive thanks to a redesigned animation rendering engine. Scrolling in the menu and transitions between applications have become smoother, which is especially noticeable on devices with high refresh rate screens. However, it is worth considering that older models may not feel the performance gain due to increased system hardware requirements.
The flagship series Mi and Xiaomi, received an update
Flagship devices are always a priority for the manufacturer, so they are the first to receive major updates. Xiaomi Mi 11 series, including versions of Lite, Pro and Ultra, received an update of one of the first. These smartphones are based on a powerful Snapdragon 888 processor that fully meets the requirements of the new system and ensures smooth operation of all visual effects.
Support was also given to previous-generation models such as the Mi 10T and Mi 10. The update was a pleasant surprise for the owners of these devices, extending the validity of the gadget. It is worth noting that on Xiaomi flagships the transition was smoothest, with a minimum number of bugs, which confirms the priority status of these models in the firmware release schedule.
Below is a table showing the update status for key flagship lines:
| Device series | Models. | Android 12 Status | MIUI version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 11 | Mi 11, Pro, Ultra, Lite | Got it. | MIUI 13 |
| Xiaomi Mi 10 | Mi 10, 10S, 10T, 10T Pro | Got it. | MIUI 13 |
| Xiaomi Mi 9 | Mi 9, 9T, 9T Pro | It's not official. | MIUI 12 (Android 11) |
| Xiaomi 12 | Xiaomi 12, 12 Pro, 12X | Pre-installed | MIUI 13 |
It’s important to understand that even within a single series, there may be exceptions, such as some regional versions of smartphones may receive late or no updates due to the specific certification features in specific countries, so it’s always worth checking for your specific region and model.
Why didn’t the Mi 9 get Android 12?
Smartphones series Redmi Note and digital models
The mid-market segment represented by the Redmi Note series is the most massive, and this is where user expectations are highest.The Redmi Note 10 and Note 10 Pro models are guaranteed to be upgraded to Android 12. These devices have become a kind of “people’s flagships”, and the support from the manufacturer was expected and necessary to maintain their competitiveness.
The Redmi digital series (e.g. Redmi 9, Redmi 10) also made the list of upgrades, but with some nuances. While the Redmi 10 originally came with a fresher version or received an update quickly, older models such as the Redmi 9 could in some regions remain on Android 11.
- 📱 Redmi Note 10 Series: Full support, stable operation MIUI 13.
- 📱 Redmi Note 9 Partial support, depending on the region (Global/EU/India).
- 📱 Redmi 10/10C: Received an update, but there may be periodic slowdowns of the interface.
Users of budget models should be prepared for the fact that new features may not work fully. Optimizing memory in Android 12 requires resources that may be lacking on older MediaTek chipsets or the initial Snapdragon.
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Before installing a major system update, make sure to back up important data to the cloud or your computer. This will take a little time, but will save your photos and contacts in the event of a crash.
POCO and Black Shark brands: who are on the list?
The performance-focused POCO sub-brand also took the lead. Popular POCO F3 and POCO X3 Pro/NFC models got their share of the innovations. Given that the POCO F3 is the rebranded Mi 11X, and the X3 Pro is based on the same platform as the Redmi Note 10 Pro, it was only a matter of time before Android 12 was released.
The situation with Black Shark, the gaming division, was more complicated. While technically many of their devices are based on Xiaomi’s flagship platforms, the update cycle for gaming smartphones is often different. Some Black Shark 3 and 4 models received updates, but often with delays relative to the main Mi lines.
POCO owners should look to global firmware versions. Often, a stable version for the global market comes out later than for China or India. If you don't want to wait for an official release, there are ways to install global firmware through tools like the Mi Flash Tool, but that requires caution.
⚠️ Note: Installing firmware from another region (e.g. Indian to European) may result in blocking the update over the air (OTA) In the future, and the emergence of problems with banking applications (Google) Pay/Mir Pay).
Exit schedule and regional features
Updates never come out at the same time for everyone. There is a clear hierarchy: first the pilot version for testers (Mi Pilot), then the stable version for China, and then the global market. This process can take from 2 to 6 months. Regional features play a key role: in Europe, privacy requirements are stricter, which requires additional certification, and in India, the volume of the update package is important because of the popularity of local services.
You can manually check for updates by going to Settings → About Phone → MIUI. If the system says there are no updates, it doesn’t always mean there aren’t any. It may be your turn hasn’t yet come or the servers are overloaded. In this case, you can use the “Check Updates” feature by repeatedly clicking on the MIUI logo (although this method doesn’t work on all versions).
☑️ Check before updating
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the 4PDA forum or XDA already upload firmware, and in the settings of the phone silence, in which case you can use the MIUI bootloader app or official tools for the PC to force the current version to install, if you are sure of compatibility.
Compatibility problems and frequent errors
Switching to a new operating system is always a risk of software bugs. On Android 12, Xiaomi users complained en masse about autobrightness issues, standby battery discharge and Bluetooth malfunctions. Many of these issues were fixed in subsequent security patches, but some remained relevant for certain models.
One of the common problems is that older versions of apps are incompatible with the new security system. After updating, some programs may stop running or display incorrectly, in which case cleaning the cache of a particular application or completely reinstalling it from Google Play helps.
Also worth mentioning is the problem with data encryption: After upgrading to Android 12 on some older devices, the process of encrypting internal memory could take several hours, during which the phone could not be used, interrupting this process could lead to data loss, so experts recommended leaving the phone on charge overnight immediately after installation.
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If the phone is slow after the upgrade, reset to factory settings (Wipe Data) to remove the software debris left over from the old system and return the device to its previous speed.
Alternative Ways: Custom Firmware and the Future
For models that haven’t officially gotten Android 12, there’s still a custom firmware journey to be followed by the XDA Developers community, which offers LineageOS, Pixel Experience and other builds based on the latest Android versions, which gives a second life to devices like the Mi 9T Pro or Redmi Note 8.
However, this method requires unlocking the bootloader, which leads to a loss of warranty and the inability to use some banking applications without additional manipulation (Magisk, hiding root rights), which is a way for experienced users who are willing to risk stability for the sake of novelty.
In the future, the company's policy is likely to change towards an increase in the support period. 3-4 Android updates, but for Android-era devices. 12 This transition is the last major step before the end of the support cycle, so it is important to make the most of the current system’s capabilities.