Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder when their device will upgrade to a new version of the operating system. Android 11 has become one of the most significant updates, bringing improved notification management, privacy features and a new MIUI interface design. Understanding whether your device falls into the list of supported helps plan further use of the gadget or think about replacing it.
Xiaomi has traditionally supported its flagship and mid-budget models for two years, providing security updates and major OS updates. However, the process of implementing the new shell is delayed due to deep customization of the interface. In this article, we will discuss in detail which Xiaomi models are guaranteed to receive Android 11, and which will remain on previous versions.
Criteria for getting into the list of supported devices
The decision whether a particular Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone will receive an upgrade to Android 11 depends on several technical factors: first of all, the companyβs engineers assess the capabilities of the processor and the amount of RAM. Older chipsets may not cope with the new security features and background processes of the eleventh version of Android.
Regional support policies are also important: Global firmware often comes out later than Chinese counterparts, and some budget series may be removed from the list for economic reasons, and users should consider that even if technically feasible, the release date can be shifted by several months.
β οΈ Note: Having a device on the official list does not guarantee instant notification. Update comes in waves depending on the region and the carrier.
Itβs worth noting that for some models, the Android 11 update could be the last major update to the operating system, especially for devices released in 2018-2019, and then they will only receive security patches if the manufacturer decides to release them.
The flagship series Mi and Mix, waiting for Android 11
Flagship smartphones are always the first to get access to new features. In the Mi lineup, Android 11 support was implemented through the shell of MIUI 12 and MIUI 12.5. These devices have enough performance margin to smoothly work all new features, such as notification bubbles and one-time permissions for applications.
The Mi 10 and Mi 11 series originally shipped with the new OS or received it in the first weeks after its release. For older flagships such as the Mi 9 or Mi 9T Pro, the update was a pleasant surprise, extending the life of popular models.
- π Mi 11 β received an update one of the first in the lineup.
- π± Mi 10 Pro / Ultra β full support for all Android 11 features.
- π₯ Mi 9T Pro β unexpected update, significantly extending device life.
- π‘οΈ Mi Mix 3 5G β It is also included in the list of supported devices.
Despite the experimental status of some models, the Mi Mix 3 and Mi Mix 2S have a chance to upgrade, demonstrating the companyβs loyalty to bezel-free smartphone fans, even though the firmware has been pushed back significantly.
Why do flagships update faster?
The Redmi Note Midsize and X Series
The most popular category of users are owners of Redmi Note smartphones. It is for this series that the question of which Xiaomi will receive Android 11 is most acute. The Redmi Note 8 and Redmi Note 9 series have become bestsellers, and their support is critical for the company.
Most Redmi Note 9 devices (including Pro, Pro Max and 4G/5G versions) have successfully upgraded to MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11. This allowed budget smartphones to get features previously only available in flagships.
The Redmi Note 8 series also made the list of lucky ones, albeit with a delay: owners of the Note 8 Pro and the regular Note 8 models were able to upgrade, which was a rare case for the budget segment. However, users of older versions, such as the Note 7, were left behind because their hardware did not meet the requirements of the new OS.
It is important to understand the difference between the global version and the Chinese version of Redmi. Chinese versions often get updates earlier. Global firmware requires additional Google certification and adaptation to different regions, which takes time.
- β Redmi Note 9 Pro β stable work based on Android 11.
- β Redmi Note 8 Pro β the update was delayed, but the functionality is full.
- β Redmi Note 7 β stayed on Android 9/10 depending on the region.
- β‘ Redmi Note 10 β originally shipped with a new system.
β οΈ Note: When updating smartphones of the middle segment on Android 11, a temporary decrease in autonomy in the first days due to the re-indexation of files by the system is possible.
Redmi budget models and POCO line
The budget segment of Redmi (series 8, 9, 10) and the sub-brand POCO have their own specific updates. Android 11 has become heavyweight for devices with 3 GB of RAM and older processors.
POCO smartphones like the POCO F2 Pro and POCO X3 NFC have easily migrated to Android 11 thanks to the powerful hardware. For them, this update brought a significant increase in the speed of the interface, while simple Redmi 9A or 9C models often remain on older versions for the sake of maintaining performance.
Users of budget devices should carefully follow the official announcements in the Service application. Sometimes the update comes not through the standard menu, but through special invitations.
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Before installing the update on a budget smartphone, free up at least 10 GB of internal memory to avoid installation errors and bootloops.
Compatibility table and update statuses
For ease of perception, we have systematized update status data for popular models. Statuses can change, so it is recommended to check the relevance of information in official topics on the MIUI forum.
| Model of the device | Basic OS at exit | Get Android 11 | MIUI status 12.5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 10 | Android 10 | Yes (update) | Stable version |
| Redmi Note 9 | Android 10 | Yes (update) | Stable version |
| POCO X3 NFC | Android 10 | Yes (update) | Stable version |
| Redmi 9 | Android 10 | Yes (update) | Beta Test / Stable Test |
| Redmi Note 7 | Android 9 | No. | MIUI 11/12 (Android 10) |
The table shows that the watershed runs roughly along the 2019-2020 model year, and Android 10 devices have overwhelmingly upgraded to the eleventh version, while older models that started on the nine have often passed this stage.
How to Check and Install Update Manually
If your device is on the supported list but no notification comes, you can try to initiate the process manually. The standard path is through the settings menu, but there are more advanced methods for power users.
To start, make sure your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Go to Settings β About Phone β MIUI version. Click on the system logo several times to activate additional features, and select "Select firmware file" (if available) or simply "Check updates."
βοΈ Checklist before update
To manually install it through your computer, you'll need to download the Recovery ROM file from the official website. The file must have the.zip extension and must not be renamed. Place it in the root folder of your smartphone's internal memory.
Path to the menu: Settings β About phone β (threefold) β Select a firmware fileOnce the file is selected, the system will check the integrity of the data and suggest a reboot, a method that often helps when the update servers are overloaded or the regional firmware is not yet certified for your carrier.
β οΈ Warning: Installing firmware manually through Recovery doesn't erase data, but there's always a risk of failure.Don't interrupt the boot process even if the screen is out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to install Android 11 on older Xiaomi?
Why hasnβt my Redmi Note 8 been updated yet?
Can I roll back from Android 11 to Android 10?
Will my data disappear after upgrading to Android 11?
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The main conclusion: Owners of devices released in 2019 and later are highly likely to get Android 11, while for older models it is unlikely.