When will Android 12 on Xiaomi: full analysis and statuses

The question of when exactly Android 12 will appear on Xiaomi devices worries millions of users around the world. Since the official presentation of the new operating system from Google, a significant time has passed, and the owners of smartphones of the Chinese brand are looking forward to receiving fresh features, improved privacy system and a redesigned interface Material You. Xiaomi traditionally does not rush with a mass release of updates, preferring a long phase of testing under the MIUI Beta program, which often raises questions from enthusiasts.

Complicating matters, many models released in 2020 and 2021 were originally shipped with Android 10 or Android 11, and for them, switching to the twelfth version of the “green robot” is critical to keeping security up to date. Unlike some competitors, Xiaomi often combines an update of the underlying OS with the release of a new version of its own shell, in this case MIUI 13 or even MIUI 14 depending on the region, which means that the wait can be delayed until the company layer is fully ready.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the current status of updates, provide an up-to-date list of devices that are guaranteed to receive Android 12, and also discuss the nuances of the transition to global versions of firmware. You’ll learn why some smartphones will get an update later, how to check for a new version manually, and whether to install Beta versions if you’re not an experienced user. The information will be useful to owners of the flagships of the Mi and Xiaomi series, as well as users of the budget lines Redmi and Xiaomi. POCO.

Official update status and release schedule

The process of distribution of Android 12 to Xiaomi devices is phased and depends heavily on the region in which the smartphone was purchased. Global firmware versions (Global ROM) usually receive updates later than Chinese ones (CN ROM), as they require additional Google certification and adaptation to international communication standards. The first update of Android 12 based on MIUI 13 received the flagship models of the Mi 11 series in late 2021, while the mass segment began to update only in the first or second quarter of 2022.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi uses a “wave” release strategy: first, devices participating in the pilot program receive the update, then it is extended to upper-end devices, and only lastly, it reaches budget models. The exit schedule is often published on the official MIUI forum, but it is advisory in nature and can be shifted due to critical errors detected. Smartphone owners should be prepared for the fact that the notification of the update may come with a delay of several months relative to the stated deadlines.

⚠️ Note: If you own a device purchased in China (CN Version), but use it with global firmware (re-flashed device), automatic update over the air (OTA) In such cases, installing Android 12 will require manual flashing through the computer, which carries the risk of data loss.

The current situation is that most compatible devices have already received or are in the process of obtaining a stable version of MIUI 13 based on Android 12. However, some models, especially those released at the end of 2021, can immediately get a MIUI 14 shell based on Android 13, bypassing the twelfth version of Android. This is normal practice to accelerate the bringing of devices to the current level of support.

Full list of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices

The list of devices vying for Android 12 is extensive and covers several years of production of the company, primarily the update is intended for the flagship processors Snapdragon 888 and Snapdragon 870, as well as for a number of models on chips MediaTek Dimensity. Below is a table that systematizes the main lines of smartphones for which the release of the update is confirmed or highly likely.

Budget devices such as the Redmi 9 and Redmi 10 series deserve special attention. For them, the update to Android 12 is often the last major update of the operating system, although support for security patches can continue for some time. Owners of the POCO M and Redmi A series should carefully monitor the official announcements, since the priority for these devices is lower. the processor base plays a key role: devices on older chips can remain on Android 11 due to the limitations of chip manufacturers drivers.

Some users report delays in getting an update to specific models, such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro. This is due to the need to fix bugs found in early builds. If your model is on the list above, but the update does not come, this does not mean that the device is excluded from the support program. Often it is enough to just wait until the wave of updates reaches your specific region and carrier.

Innovations and changes in the MIUI interface

The move to Android 12 marks one of the most significant visual changes in the history of mobile operating systems, and Xiaomi has been no exception to many innovations in its shell. One of the main features is the Material You feature, which allows the interface to adapt to the colors of the wallpaper chosen by the user, not only for system widgets, but also for controls, buttons and even some third-party applications that support the technology.

In terms of functionality, Android 12 brought Xiaomi a redesigned control center, which is now divided into two parts: on the left are the fast access switches (flashlight, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), and on the right are the volume and brightness sliders. This separation increases the usability of large screens. In addition, a significant improvement in privacy: there is a microphone and camera usage indicator that lights up in the corner of the screen when the application addresses the corresponding sensors.

• 🎨 Dynamic topics: Automatic change of color scheme of the system depending on the selected image on the desktop.
• 🔒 Privacy Dashboard: A new dashboard that shows the app access chronology for geolocation, camera and microphone over the past 24 hours.
• 📱 Improved clipboard: The system now notifies each time an app reads data from the clipboard, and allows it to be cleaned automatically.
• 🚀 Performance optimization: Improved background processes, which has a positive impact on the battery life of the Redmi Note series devices and POCO.

Also worth noting are improvements in multitasking and widgets: Widgets in Android 12 on MIUI have become more interactive and informative, and the ability to quickly switch between the latest swipe apps downwards, which is especially true for users using gesture navigation. System fonts have also undergone a redesign to become more readable and modern, in line with the overall design trends in 2022-2023.

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Before upgrading to Android 12, be sure to back up all important data to the Mi Cloud or your computer, as switching between major versions of Android can sometimes cause app crashes.

How to Check and Install Update Manually

If the automatic update notification never comes, don't panic. There are several ways to check for a new version of Android 12 for your Xiaomi device manually. The easiest and safest method is through the standard smartphone settings menu, which is suitable for most users and does not require special knowledge.

To do this, go to the Settings menu, then select About Phone. In the window that opens, you need to click on the large icon of the MIUI version. The system will automatically contact the update server and check the relevance of the installed firmware. If the new version is available for your region, a button will appear "Download and update." It is important to ensure a stable connection to the Wi-Fi network, since the service pack can exceed 3-4 GB.

For more advanced users, there is a method of manual installation through the Recovery menu. This requires downloading the current firmware file (Recovery ROM) from the official MIUI bootloader website. The file must have the.zip extension. After downloading the file, you need to place it in the root directory of the phone's internal memory. Next, go to the Settings → About the phone, click on the MIUI icon three times in a row to appear an additional menu, select three dots in the corner and click "Select a firmware file".

⚠️ Note: When manually installing firmware through Recovery, you can not strictly interrupt the process, turn off the phone or remove it. SIM-Interrupting the data record can lead to a “bricking” of the device, recovery from which is possible only in the service center.

There is also a method of updating through a computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility, but it requires unlocking the bootloader, which cancels the warranty and erases all data from the device. This method is recommended only for experienced users who understand the risks and know how to work with the ADB and Fastboot drivers. For the average user, there are enough regular updates over the air or through the file selection menu.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

Like any major software product, Android 12 on Xiaomi devices is not without bugs. Users often face problems after an upgrade, among which the most common are fast battery drain, heating of the case and unstable operation of some applications. In the first days after installation, the system performs file indexing and database optimization, which can cause increased power consumption, usually this process takes from 2 to 5 days.

If problems persist for longer than a week, it is recommended to reset applications or completely reset to factory settings (Hard Reset).Before performing a full reset, you need to make sure that all important data is saved. Also a common problem is the incorrect operation of Google Pay (now Google Wallet) on devices with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware, but on stock versions of MIUI with a closed loader, the payment system works correctly.

• 🔋 Quick discharge: Check battery usage statistics, remove or update parasitic apps, disable unnecessary features Always On Display.
• 📶 Network Loss: Reset your network settings (Settings) → Connection and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth, check your settings APN your operator.
• 📸 Camera Lags: Clear the Camera app cache, make sure there is enough free space in the storage to buffer the video.
• 📲 Touchscreen: Rarely, there are screen sensitivity issues; calibration or upgrade to a newer version of the security patch helps.

After upgrading to Android 12, some banks may require re-binding the device or not working due to increased security requirements, in such cases it is worth contacting the bank or checking for updates to the banking application itself in Google Play. Google Play Protect certification should be active for the correct operation of financial software.

Prospects for further updates

Getting Android 12 isn’t the end point for many Xiaomi smartphones.The company has revised its support policy, and now many flagship and mid-budget devices can count on 2-3 major OS updates.This means that after Android 12 (MIUI 13/14) devices can get Android 13 and even Android 14. However, for the budget segment, Android 12 could be the final major update.

Owners of devices that have just received Android 12 should expect regular quarterly security patch updates. These updates are critical to protecting personal data and stability of the system. Xiaomi tries to release security patches every 1-3 months for current models. Ignoring these updates is not recommended, as they often contain fixes for zero-day vulnerabilities.

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Android 12 is the middle ground for Xiaomi 2020-2021 devices, providing up-to-date functionality and security, while newer versions of Android may be too hardware-intensive.

In conclusion, the transition to Android 12 for Xiaomi owners is a necessary step to extend the life of the smartphone. Despite possible initial bugs, the new system offers a significantly better user experience, improved security and modern design. Follow the official communication channels MIUI, Not to miss the stable version for your model.