Update system on Xiaomi Redmi S2: versions, terms and methods

Owners of the popular budget smartphone Redmi S2, also known in some regions as Redmi Y2, often wonder about the release of new versions of the software. official support for this model by Xiaomi has already been completed, which means the end of the release of new security patches and Android updates.

Understanding the current status of the firmware is critical to the security of your data and the stability of your gadget. Many users confuse automatic notifications about system applications with a full update of the operating system. In this article, we will discuss in detail which version of MIUI is the latest for your device, how to properly check for updates and what to do if automatic search does not find anything.

It is worth noting that the official latest version of MIUI for Redmi S2 is MIUI 12 based on Android 9 (Pie), and the release of Android 10 or more new versions from the manufacturer is not expected. Further development of functionality is possible only through the installation of custom firmware, which requires certain technical skills. Below we will consider all available legal methods of updating the software.

Current Support Status of Redmi S2

The Redmi S2 was introduced in 2018 and originally shipped with Android 8.1 Oreo and the MIUI 9 shell.During its lifecycle, the device received two major updates to major versions of Android, getting to Android 9 Pie. At the moment, the cycle of official updates is closed, and the company has shifted resources to support newer models of the Redmi Note series and flagship lines.

The lack of new updates does not mean that the phone will stop working.The current firmware version remains stable and compatible with most modern applications from the Google Play Store. However, users should be careful about security messages, since patches of vulnerabilities have stopped coming regularly, which makes caution when installing unknown applications even more important.

If you own this device, it’s important to know that any promises of an “official” Android 11 or 12 release for this model are false. Xiaomi strictly adheres to the support schedule, and for the budget segment, it’s usually 2 years of major OS updates and 3 years of security updates.

You can check the current version of the software in the settings menu. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone. This displays the MIUI version number and Android version. If the system is current, you will see a message that no updates have been found, or a suggestion to update individual system components, such as Security or Scanner, which is not an update to the entire system.

How to Check for Updates Manually

Even if no automatic notifications are coming, it is recommended to perform manual checks periodically to ensure that the phone has not missed a critical patch due to a background process failure. MIUI.

First, make sure your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Mobile data is not recommended, as the update package size can be significant and download speeds low, and it is also advisable to have a battery charge of at least 50% or connect a charger.

• 📱 Open the main menu and find the Settings icon (cogs).
• 🔍 Click on the “About Phone” item, which is usually located at the top of the list.
• 🔄 Touch a large logo MIUI or item “Updating the system".
• ⏳ Click the "Check Updates" button and wait for the server to respond.

If the server detects an available version, a window will appear describing the changes and a "Download" button, otherwise the system will tell you that you are using the latest available version. Sometimes it is useful to click on the tripods in the upper right corner of the screen and select "Settings", and then switch the frequency of checks to "Daily".

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If the check button is inactive or hidden, try to quickly click on the MIUI logo three times in the About Phone menu – this will open a hidden menu for choosing the firmware type.

Manual installation of firmware through Recovery

In cases where automatic updates (OTAs) are not available due to regional limitations or server errors, you can use manual installation, which requires downloading the full ROM from the official website, a more reliable method to reflash the system clean.

Before starting the procedure, you need to download the appropriate firmware file for your model. It is important to choose a file specifically for the Redmi S2 (ysl), since firmware from other models can turn the phone into a “brick”. The file should have the.zip extension and weigh about 2-2.5 GB.

The installation process is as follows:

1. Copy the downloaded update.zip file to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not to the folder, but immediately to the main storage).
2. Go to the Settings menu → About the phone → System update.
3. Click on the three-point in the corner and select "Select firmware file".
4. Specify the downloaded update.zip file. The system will check the integrity and prompt you to restart.

Once confirmed, the phone will go into recovery mode and start the installation process, the screen can go out and light up, and the progress bar will move in jerks — that's okay. Do not interrupt the process and do not press buttons until the device itself reboots into the system.

⚠️ Note: When installing firmware via Recovery, all data on the phone is usually saved, but the risk of failure always exists.We strongly advise backing up important contacts and photos to the Google Photos or Mi Cloud cloud service before starting.

Comparison of MIUI versions for Redmi S2

To help you navigate the software versions, we have prepared a table with the main stages of firmware development for the Redmi S2. Understanding the differences between versions helps you assess how long your device has not received updates.

The move from MIUI 11 to MIUI 12 brought significant interface design changes, new privacy protections, and updated widgets. However, on a Snapdragon 625 and 3/4 GB RAM device, this version could run less smoothly than previous ones, which is why many users preferred to stay on MIUI 11 for performance.

Alternative paths: Castomic firmware

For enthusiasts who want to get a more recent version of Android on the Redmi S2, the only option is to install custom firmware. The development community has created many builds based on LineageOS, Pixel Experience and Xiaomi.eu, which are based on Android 10, 11 and even 12.

Installing such systems requires unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader).This is an official procedure from Xiaomi, but it involves waiting for 7 days (168 hours) after submitting an application. Once unlocked, you can install a third-party Recovery (such as TWRP) through which any firmware is downloaded.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 More recent version of Android and security patches.
• 🧹 Lack of advertising services and superfluous software (Bloatware).
• ⚡ Ability to fine-tune the system and overclocking.

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware will void the warranty (if it was still in effect) and risk damage to the system.Inept actions can lead to data loss or device failure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Redmi S2 is a time-tested device that, even without new Android 10+ updates, remains a functional device for basic tasks thanks to the optimization of MIUI 12.