Upgrading to MIUI 12 remains a hot topic for Xiaomi smartphone owners, despite the release of newer versions of the shell, which brought revolutionary design changes, performance optimizations and enhanced privacy features that are still appreciated by users. However, not all devices of the brand received (or will receive) this update, the company strictly monitors the compatibility of the hardware and software requirements.
In this article, we will discuss the official list of models that are available (or will be available) to upgrade to MIUI 12, including smartphones from Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO. You will also learn how to check the current version of the firmware, what to do if your device is not on the list, and what pitfalls can occur when you manually upgrade.
Why MIUI 12 is still in demand in 2026
With MIUI 13, MIUI 14, and even HyperOS coming out, it may seem odd to be interested in the 2020 version, but there are a few key advantages to MIUI 12 that make it relevant:
- 🔄 Stability: Many users note that MIUI 12 runs smoother on older devices than newer versions, which are often optimized for flagship models.
- 🛡️ Privacy: This version introduces permission control tools for applications (such as clipboard access notifications) that are still missing in some custom firmware.
- 🎨 Design: Interface MIUI 12 is considered one of the most successful in terms of visual design - animations, icons and themes are still used in modified firmware.
- 📱 Support for older devices: Some Xiaomi smartphones 2018-2019 officially do not receive new versions MIUI, It can be upgraded to version 12.
MIUI 12 was also the latest version to support some features removed in subsequent updates, such as the full Second Space Mode or the Unlimited Global Search. For owners of Qualcomm Snapdragon 600/700 series devices (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9T), switching to newer versions of MIUI often results in slowdowns, so many prefer to stay on version 12.
Official list of Xiaomi smartphones with support for MIUI 12
Xiaomi has divided devices into several categories according to the priority of updates: flagship models, mid-range and budget devices. Below is a full list of smartphones that officially received (or will receive) MIUI 12.
| Linea | Models. | Status of renewal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi | Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro, Mi 10 Ultra, Mi 10T, Mi 10T Pro, Mi 9, Mi 9 Pro 5G, Mi 9 SE, Mi 9T, Mi 9T Pro, Mi Note 10, Mi Note 10 Pro, Mi Mix 3, Mi Mix 3 5G | ✅ It's out. | The flagships received the update first. Mi 9 SE and Mi Mix 3 may have delays due to limited resources. |
| Redmi | Redmi K30, Redmi K30 Pro, Redmi K30 Ultra, Redmi K20, Redmi K20 Pro, Redmi Note 9, Redmi Note 9 Pro, Redmi Note 9S, Redmi Note 8, Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi Note 8T, Redmi 9, Redmi 9A, Redmi 9C | ✅ It's out / ⏳ In progress | The Redmi Note 8 and Redmi 9A/9C are getting a delayed update due to weak iron.There is no update planned for the Redmi Note 7 and older. |
| POCO | POCO F2 Pro, POCO X3, POCO X3 NFC, POCO M2 Pro, POCO F1 | ✅ It's out / ❌ It won't work. | The POCO F1 received MIUI 12 only in the Indian and global versions. for the POCO X2, the update has been canceled due to hardware limitations. |
| Black Shark | Black Shark 2, Black Shark 2 Pro, Black Shark 3 | ✅ It's out. | Gaming smartphones have received an update with optimizations for performance in games. |
If your model is not listed, it means that Xiaomi does not officially plan to release MIUI 12 for it. However, there are informal ways to install through custom firmware (for example, xiaomi.eu or LineageOS), but they require unlocking the bootloader and may not be warranty.
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Before upgrading, check the free space on the device - you need at least 3 GB of free space to install MIUI 12. If memory is scarce, transfer the files to a card or computer.
How to check if your smartphone supports MIUI 12
Even if your model is on the official list, it doesn’t guarantee that the update is already available in your region.To see if you can upgrade right now, follow the following steps:
- Open the Settings app on your smartphone.
- Go to the About Phone (or About Device) section.
- Tap on the item System Update (in some versions of MIUI - Software Update).
- Click Check for updates.
If the system finds an available update to MIUI 12, you will see a notification with the ability to download and install it. If there are no updates, but your model is on the list, this can mean:
- 🕒 The update hasn’t yet come out for your region (for example, the global version may be behind the Chinese version).
- 📵 Your device is locked by the carrier (e.g., models for T-Mobile or Vodafone often get updates later).
- 🔧 Your smartphone has a modified firmware installed (e.g. xiaomi.eu) and you should look for the update on the community website.
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When MIUI 12 will be released for the remaining models: schedule of updates
Xiaomi has traditionally stretched the release of updates for several months, starting with flagships and ending with budget models, below is an indicative schedule for the release of MIUI 12 for devices that have not yet received firmware (data is current in May 2026):
- 📅 May–June 2026: Redmi Note 9A, Redmi 9C (global).
- 📅 July-August 2026: POCO M2 Pro (Indian version), Redmi Note 8 2021 (reissue).
- 📅 September 2026: Possible update for Mi A3 (Android One, but without any guarantees).
For older models 2019 year (e.g. Redmi Note) 7, Mi 8) renewal MIUI 12 If you own a device like this, consider custom firmware or switching to a new device. MIUI 13/14 support 12-The new model version is completely discontinued.
Why do some models not get MIUI 12?
How to upgrade to MIUI 12: step-by-step instructions
If your smartphone supports MIUI 12 and the update is already available, you can install it in two ways: through automatic updates or manually (via a firmware file).
Method 1: Automatic update (recommended)
This is the safest method, as the system itself downloads and installs the firmware without the risk of errors.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi network (updating via mobile internet may result in additional costs).
- Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click Download if the update is available.
- After downloading, tap Install and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).
Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery
If the automatic update does not work (for example, due to regional restrictions), you can install the firmware manually:
- Download the official firmware file for your model from new.c.mi.com (select the Stable version for your region).
- Transfer the file (usually with the.zip extension) to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory.
- Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Slap the icon. ⋮ (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Select firmware file.
- Specify the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
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Never install firmware from third-party sources (except for the official Xiaomi website or trusted communities like Xiaomi.eu), which can lead to a device lock or data leak.
If after the upgrade, the smartphone started to slow down or discharge quickly, perform a factory reset via Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset. This often solves performance problems.
What to do if your smartphone does not support MIUI 12
If your model is not on the official list, you have several alternatives:
- 🔄 Castom firmware: Developer communities (e.g, XDA Developers or 4PDA) port MIUI 12 on unofficially supported devices. Popular options: xiaomi.eu - modified version MIUI without Chinese services. LineageOS or Pixel Experience - firmware based on pure Android.
- 📱 Buying a new smartphone: If your device is older than 2019, it might be worth considering an upgrade. e.g. Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Get updates longer.
- ⚙️ Optimizing your current firmware: Remove unnecessary apps, disable animations in Settings → Special facilities → Remove animations and use light launchers (e.g. Nova Launcher).
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Before installing custom firmware, be sure to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool. This will take up to 72 hours of waiting (due to Xiaomi's policy).
If you decide on custom firmware, remember about the risks:
⚠️ Note: Unofficial firmware may contain errors, result in loss of warranty or locking of the device. Always back up the data through TWRP Recovery or Mi Flash Tool before installation.
Common issues after upgrading to MIUI 12 and their solution
Even an official update can cause problems, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The smartphone is slowing down a lot. | Lack of RAM or conflict with background processes | Turn off the autoload of applications in Settings → Applications → Autorun. perform a factory reset. |
| Fast battery discharge | Optimizing energy after updating | Recalibrate the battery (discharge to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruption). SIM-map. |
| Fingerprint or Face Unlock is not working | Failure in the biometrics service | Remove the saved fingerprints/faces and add them again to Settings → Passwords and security. |
| Error "Cannot install the update" | A damaged firmware file or lack of memory | Download the firmware again and re-install. Free up ≥4GB of storage. |
If none of these methods worked, contact Xiaomi’s service center – it’s possible that the problem is related to hardware (e.g., worn-out flash memory).