Why Android 12 is important to Xiaomi owners
Upgrading to Android 12 isnโt just a change of number in the operating system version. For Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, it means access to the latest security features, optimized battery management and a radically redesigned MIUI 13 interface. However, not all devices get upgraded at the same time โ the company adheres to a strict support policy, depending on the model, region and even the firmware version.
In this article, we will analyze the current list of Xiaomi smartphones for 2026, which officially will receive (or have already received) Android 12, and also reveal the nuances: why some flagships of 2020 were left without an update, how to speed up the installation of firmware and what to do if your model is not on the list.
If youโre planning to buy a used Xiaomi smartphone or just want to extend the life of your gadget, this information will help avoid disappointments. For example, did you know that the Redmi Note 9 Pro in India received Android 12 a year earlier than in Europe? or that the Mi 10 Ultra never waited for a stable version due to hardware limitations?
Official list of Xiaomi smartphones with support for Android 12
Xiaomi has traditionally divided devices into three categories according to the priority of updates: flagships (receive updates first), the middle of the line (after 3-6 months) and budget models (if they receive at all). MIUI and test-assemblies.
- ๐ฑ Flagships 2021โ2022 year: Mi 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Ultra / 11 Lite 5G, Mi 10S, Black Shark 4 / 4 Pro
- ๐ฑ Mid-segment: Redmi K40 / K40 Pro / K40 Gaming, POCO F3 / F3 GT, Mi 10T / 10T Pro / 10T Lite
- ๐ฑ Budget models: Redmi Note 10 / 10 Pro / 10S (Only global versions), POCO X3 Pro / X3 GT
- ๐ซ Exceptions: Mi 9, Redmi Note 9 (4G), POCO M2 โ Support terminated in 2023
Important: Chinese versions (with the C suffix in the model number, for example, the Mi 11C) often receive updates later than global ones due to differences in firmware. For example, the Redmi K30 Pro in China updated to Android 12 only in March 2022, while the global version of the POCO F2 Pro (the same device) received it in December 2021.
Table: release date of Android 12 for popular Xiaomi models
To avoid confusion, we have put the update dates in a table. Please note that the dates are for stable global firmware (MIUI Global). For Chinese versions, add +2-4 months, for Indian ones (MIUI India) - about +1 month.
| Model | Date of first beta test | Stable release date | MIUI version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi 11 / 11 Ultra | October 2021 | December 2021 | MIUI 13.0.1 |
| Redmi K40 Pro | November 2021 | February 2022 | MIUI 13.0.2 |
| POCO F3 | January 2022 | April 2022 | MIUI 13.0.3 (POCO) |
| Redmi Note 10 Pro | March 2022 | June 2022 | MIUI 13.0.4 |
| Mi 10T Pro | December 2021 | March 2022 | MIUI 13.0.5 |
โ ๏ธ Note: If your model is not in the table, it does not always mean that there is no support. For example, the Redmi Note 9 Pro in some regions received Android 12 through a beta program, but the stable version never came out. MIUI.
Why some Xiaomi smartphones wonโt get Android 12
Xiaomi has a strict policy of updates: devices older than 2-3 years (since release) usually lose support for new versions of Android.
- ๐ Hardware limitations: for example, Mi 9 did not receive Android 12 due to incompatibility of camera drivers with the new API.
- ๐ Low sales: Mi Note 10 Lite was removed from the list of updated models in Europe due to a small user base.
- ๐ ๏ธ Technical problems: POCO X2 (Indian version of Redmi K30) It never got stable firmware due to brightness control bugs.
Another key factor is regional differences, such as the global version of Redmi 9T with Android 12, while its twin Redmi Note 9 4G (for China) didnโt, due to different support contracts from Qualcomm and MediaTek chipsets.
How does Xiaomi determine which models to update?
โ ๏ธ Note: If your smartphone doesnโt get Android 12 but supports Project Treble, you can install custom firmware (like LineageOS 19). L1 (no HD Netflix).
How to check if an update is available for your Xiaomi
Before you search for firmware manually, perform a simple check through the device menu:
- Open Settings โ About the phone โ 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 offer to download it (volume ~2-3 GB).
If the update doesnโt come automatically, try:
Register for the MIUI Beta Program
Reset network settings (Settings) โ SIM-maps and networks โ Reset)
Install firmware manually via the Mi Flash Tool (power users only)
Check the firmware region (global/Chinese/Indian)
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โ ๏ธ Note: Do not install firmware for other regions (e.g. Chinese on a global smartphone) this can lead to blocking Google Services and problems with the Internet. IMEI.
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If your Xiaomi doesnโt see the update, try changing the region in the settings: go to Settings โ Additional โ Region and select India or Russia. After the reboot, check the updates again.
Whatโs new in Android 12 for Xiaomi: key features MIUI 13
Android 12 brought not only visual changes to Xiaomiโs ecosystem, but also deep optimizations.
- ๐จ Dynamic Color: the system automatically selects the color scheme of the interface for wallpaper (works only on the wallpaper) AMOLED-screen).
- ๐ Atomized Memory: Background compression technology that increases operating time by 10-15%.
- ๐ก๏ธ Improved privacy: microphone/camera usage indicator in statusbar and permissions panel for each application.
- ๐ฎ Game Turbo 5.0: support 120 Hz in Games and Optimization for Snapdragon Chipsets 888/870.
However, not all features are available on budget models: Liquid Storage only works on UFS 3.1 devices, while Face Unlock AI requires an infrared sensor (only available in the Mi 11 Ultra and Black Shark).
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Upgrading to Android 12 on Xiaomi doesnโt always bring performance gains. On weaker chipsets (like the Snapdragon 662 in the Redmi Note 9), the new version may run slower due to increased resource requirements.
Frequent issues after updating and how to solve them
Even stable versions of Android 12 on Xiaomi sometimes cause bugs, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Fast battery discharge | Background activity miui.analytics | Disable in Settings โ Applications โ Application Management โ Analytics |
| NFC's not working | Resetting settings after update | Reboot your phone and reset contactless payments |
| Lags in the interface | Conflict with the MIUI shell | Clean the cache in Settings โ Memory โ Cleanup |
If after the update, the smartphone began to overheat or spontaneously reboot, try:
- Roll back the firmware via Fastboot (instructions on xiaomi.eu).
- Reset to factory settings (donโt forget to make a backup!).
- Install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher) if the lags are associated with MIUI animations.