Upgrading to Android 12 for Xiaomi Redmi smartphones has become one of the most talked-about events among owners of budget and mid-budget devices of the brand. Despite the fact that the new version of the operating system was released in 2021, many Redmi models get it seriously late — or do not get it at all. In this article, we will understand which devices of the Redmi line officially support Android 12, which models were left without an update, and what to do if your smartphone is on the list of “rogue”.
It’s important to understand that Xiaomi uses its own MIUI shell, which is superimposed on top of a “pure” Android. This means that even if your device gets Android 12, it will look like MIUI 13 (or a newer version), and we’ll also explain how to distinguish a real system update from a regular shell update and why this is crucial for performance and security.
This article is based on Xiaomi’s official data, information from the development community, and security patch analysis. If your model isn’t on the list, don’t be too upset: at the end, we’ll give you some tips on how to get Android 12 in unofficial ways (but with caveats about the risks).
The official list of smartphones Redmi with support for Android 12
Xiaomi has traditionally not disclosed the full list of devices that will receive a particular update, but based on firmware releases and statements from the brand representatives, you can make an up-to-date list. Below are Redmi models that are guaranteed to receive or receive Android 12 as part of official support:
- 📱 Redmi Note 10 Pro / Pro Max (codename: sweet)
- 📱 Redmi Note 10 / Note 10S (codename: mojito/rosemary)
- 📱 Redmi Note 10 5G (codename: camellia)
- 📱 Redmi Note 9 Pro / Pro Max (codename: joyeuse)
- 📱 Redmi K40 / K40 Pro / K40 Pro+ (codename: alioth)
- 📱 Redmi 10 Prime / 10 Prime 2022 (codename: selene)
- 📱 Redmi 9T / 9 Power / Note 9T (codename: lime)
Separately, it is worth highlighting the models that received Android 12 only in some regions or with serious delays:
- ⚠️ Redmi Note 8 Pro – Update is only available for the global version (begonia), but not for all regions.
- ⚠️ Redmi 9 / 9A / 9C — In some countries, the update was never released due to hardware limitations.
- ⚠️ Redmi K30 Ultra – Android 12 only got in 2023, despite earlier announcement.
If your model isn’t on this list, it doesn’t always mean it’ll never get an update. Xiaomi sometimes releases firmware for older devices under community pressure, but such cases are more of an exception than the rule.
How to check if an update is available for your Redmi
Before you search for firmware manually, make sure that the update has not yet arrived automatically.
- Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Checker.
- If a new version is available, the system will prompt you to download it.
If the update is not available, but your model is on the official list, try the following steps:
Reset the cache to Settings → Storage → Clear the cache
Reboot the phone.
Connect to another Wi-Fi network
Check if automatic updates are disabled in the settings-->
If nothing works, your region may not have received firmware yet, in which case you can try manual installation via Recovery or Fastboot, but this requires experience and can lead to data loss.
What is Recovery and Fastboot?
Why some Redmis won’t get Android 12: Technical reasons
Xiaomi doesn’t always explain why it’s losing support for new Android versions, but there are a few reasons why it might not get the update:
- 🔋 Weak processor: Snapdragon-based devices 4xx Helio Gxx often fails to meet the requirements of the new OS.
- 📉 Lack of memory: Models with 2/16 GB 3/32 GB may not pass performance tests.
- 📅 Outdated architecture: Phones older than 2019 rarely receive more than two major upgrades.
- 🌍 Regional restrictions: Some firmware is only available for China or the global market.
For example, the Redmi 8A (olivelite) didn’t officially get Android 12, although it could technically support it, and Xiaomi felt that the upgrade was not justified in terms of user experience: on weak hardware, the new system would run slower than the old one.
⚠️ Note: If your smartphone doesn’t get Android 12, but it continues to receive security updates for Android 11, it doesn’t mean support is completely stopped.
MIUI 13 vs Android 12: What’s the difference and why it matters
Many users confuse the Android update with the MIUI update, for example, your Redmi can get MIUI 13 but still stay on Android 11, which means that only the shell will change, and the core of the system will remain the same.
| Characteristics | Android 12 (with MIUI 13) | MIUI 13 (on Android 11) |
|---|---|---|
| OS kernel version | 12 | 11 |
| New features of Android | Yes (Material You, Privacy Dashboard) | No. |
| Productivity | Improved by Google Optimization | Depends on Xiaomi optimizations |
| Support for new applications | Yes (compatible with API 31+) | Limited. |
| Term of support | Longer (minimum 1 additional year of patches) | Short. |
If you want new Android features (like Privacy Dashboard or Material You), then updating only MIUI won’t give them. To get a full Android 12, you need to wait for the firmware to change the version of the kernel.
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To find out the current version of Android on your Redmi, go to Settings → About Phone → Android Version. If it says “11”, then MIUI 13 does not mean an OS update.
Unofficial ways to get Android 12 on Redmi
If your Redmi model hasn’t received an official update, but you still want to try Android 12, there are a few alternative ways to do it:
- Custom firmware (such as LineageOS 19 or Pixel Experience) requires unlocking the bootloader and may be unwarranted.
- Ported MIUIs from other regions (e.g. Chinese firmware for the global model) are at high risk of bricking.
- GSI-Generic System Image: Google's universal firmware, but often it's unstable.
Before starting the installation, consider:
- ⚠️ Unlocking the bootloader will reset all data.
- ⚠️ Certain functions (e.g, NFC or IR-The blaster may stop working.
- ⚠️ Banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online or Google Pay) may refuse to work on unofficial firmware.
⚠️ Note: Install custom firmware on the Redmi model with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi) 9A or Redmi 10A) This is fraught with problems due to the closed source code of drivers, and for such devices it is better to wait for the official update or to accept the current version.
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If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to wait for an official update or buy a new smartphone. Unofficial firmware can lead to loss of functionality or "bricking" the device.
What to do if after upgrading to Android 12 Redmi began to slow down
The new OS doesn’t always work perfectly, especially on Redmi’s budget models.If you notice lags, overheating, or rapid battery drains after the upgrade, try the following steps:
- Perform a cache reset via Recovery (does not delete data).
- Turn off animations in Settings → Special Options → Delete animations.
- Check if the processor is loaded with background processes (use the CPU Monitor from Google Play).
- If nothing helps, do a full reset (save the data in advance!).
If the problems persist, it's possible that the firmware contains bugs.
- Check forums (such as 4PDA or XDA Developers) for patches.
- Reverse to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot (instructions are available on the same forums).
- Contact Xiaomi Support – sometimes they will release hot fixes.
For example, after upgrading to Android 12 on the Redmi Note 10 Pro, many users complained about problems with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a solution that was found only after the release of the V13.0.4.0.SKFMIXM patch.
Predictions for 2026: what Redmi can get Android 12
At the time of writing (2026), Xiaomi has almost completed the rollout of Android 12 for the Redmi lineup, but there are a few models that may still get the update:
- 🔮 Redmi Note 11 / Note 11S — In some regions, it is still on Android 11, but an upgrade is expected.
- 🔮 Redmi 10C / 10A — Budget models, but with relatively fresh iron (Snapdragon 680).
- 🔮 Redmi K50i — Global version may get update later than Chinese version.
For other models (for example, Redmi 9 or Redmi 8) the odds tend to zero. Xiaomi usually supports smartphones no longer than 2-3 years from the date of release, and for budget lines this period is even shorter.
If you are planning to buy a new Redmi and want to get guaranteed Android 12, Pay attention to the models 2022-2023 year of release: Redmi Note 12, Redmi K60 or Redmi 12. They're coming out of Android. 13 on board, but will receive any future updates.