Android 12 on Xiaomi RedmiBook: official release dates, supported models and how to upgrade without risks

Why Android on Xiaomi laptops is unusual, but possible

Xiaomi RedmiBook laptops were originally designed as Windows devices 10/11, But thanks to the active community of developers and the company's openness policy, some models have received support for alternative OSes. 12 (or even later) occurs in users who want to turn their laptop into a hybrid device – for example, to run mobile applications on the big screen or use in tablet mode.

But there’s a caveat: RedmiBook isn’t an official Android lineup like the Xiaomi Pad or Redmi smartphones, which means that updates to Android 12 (or higher) for Xiaomi laptops aren’t directly released by the company. Instead, users depend on custom firmware ported by enthusiasts. In this article, we’ll look at which RedmiBook models are theoretically capable of running Android 12, where to look for current builds, and how to minimize the risks of installation.

Before we get into the details, it's important to understand that this isn't about "updating" in the usual sense (as for smartphones), but about the emergence of stable custom solutions, dates here are conditional and depend on community activity, but we analyzed the available data and collected the most recent information on the topic.

Which RedmiBook models support Android 12?

To date (2026), no RedmiBook model officially supports Android 12 out of the box, but enthusiasts have successfully ported Android to multiple devices using projects like LineageOS or Bliss. OS. Here is a list of models for which there are working builds (albeit not always based on Android 12):

• 📱 RedmiBook 14/14 Pro (2020–2021) — The most popular platform for experimentation. There are builds on Android. 11, Android 12 is in the testing phase.
• 💻 RedmiBook 15/15 Pro (2021) — limited support due to specific hardware (e.g. discrete graphics).
• ⚡ RedmiBook 16 (2022) - single port attempts, but no stable versions.
• ❌ RedmiBook Air 13 and newer – unlikely due to the use of Intel 12th generation and higher processors, for which there are no drivers in Android.

Important: even if your model is on the list, it does not guarantee the performance of all functions.

• 🔊 Lack of sound or microphone.
• 📶 Unworkable Wi-Fi/Bluetooth (Proprietary drivers are required).
• 🔋 Problems with power management (fast battery discharge).
• 🎮 Lack of support for discrete graphics (if any).

Before installing, be sure to check the relevance of information on forums such as XDA Developers or 4PDA. For example, for RedmiBook 14 2020, there are builds of Bliss. OS 15 (based on Android 12), but they require manual driver tuning.

Xiaomi: Why Android 12 won’t come out of the box

Xiaomi has never announced plans to launch Android laptops, and there are several reasons for this:

1. Target audience: RedmiBook is positioned as a budget alternative to Lenovo laptops or laptops HP, Where users expect to see Windows to work with office applications.
2. Technical Limits: Android is not initially optimized for the x86-architecture (most Xiaomi laptops use Intel processors or AMD). Google Officially Supports Google x86 Only in emulators (for example, for Android Studio).
3. License Agreements: Pre-installation of Windows on laptops is often linked to contracts with Microsoft, making alternative OSes less profitable for the manufacturer.

However, Xiaomi released the Mi Pad 5 in 2021 based on Android 11 and later updated it to Android 13.This proves that the company is not against Android on its devices - but only if it is about tablets, not laptops. For RedmiBook, the only path to Android 12 is through custom firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Installing unofficial firmware will void the warranty on the device, and incorrect actions can lead to a "brick" (complete failure) of the laptop. If you are not sure about your skills, you better abandon the idea or consult a specialist.

When to expect stable builds of Android 12 for RedmiBook?

There are no exact dates, but we can analyze the trends:

As you can see from the table, the only model with real chances on Android 12 is the RedmiBook 14 2020. For other devices, the prospects are vague.

• 👨‍💻 Developer activities (e.g., Bliss teams) OS primeOS).
• 📥 Availability of driver source codes for a specific hardware".
• 📊 Demand from users (if few people are interested in firmware, development may slow down).

To track progress, we recommend monitoring the following resources:

• 🔗 XDA Developers (Segment Xiaomi RedmiBook).
• 🔗 4PDA (Topics on custom firmware for laptops).
• 🔗 GitHub Bliss ROMs (Official Assembly Repository).

💡

If you don’t want to wait for Android 12 to come out, consider installing Windows 11. + Android subsystem (WSA). This will allow you to run mobile applications without a complete OS replacement.

Step-by-step: how to install Android 12 on RedmiBook (if you already have a build)

If your RedmiBook model already has a working build of Android 12, follow this instruction. All actions you perform at your own risk!

Make a backup copy of all data|Download firmware and drivers|Prepare a bootable flash drive (min) 8GB)|Disable BitLocker (if used)|Check the battery charge (min 50%)-->

Step 1: Compatibility check

Make sure your laptop model is supported.

1. Go to the firmware page (for example, to XDA or 4PDA).
2. Compare your device specifications (processor, chipset, network adapters) with the build requirements.
3. Check the list of “known issues” (not working).

Step 2: Preparation of the loading media

You'll need:

• 📁 Firmware in.img or.iso format (for example, Bliss) OS 15 x86).
• 🖥️ Image recording software: Rufus (recommended) or BalenaEtcher.
• 💾 Flash drive of at least 8 GB (better than 16 GB).

Instructions for recording:

1. Format the flash drive in FAT32.
2. In Rufus, select the downloaded image and partition scheme MBR.
3. Press Start and wait until it is completed.

Step 3: Install Android 12

The process may vary depending on the firmware, but the general scheme:

1. Restart your laptop and enter BIOS (keyboard F2 Del).
2. Disable Secure Boot and enable booting with USB.
3. Save the settings and restart from the flash drive.
4. From the installer menu, select Install and follow the instructions.
5. After installation, perform the first setup (like on a new smartphone).

⚠️ Warning: If after installing Android 12, the laptop doesn't turn on or hangs on the logo, try: Reinstall the firmware with partition formatting. Check the build compatibility with your motherboard revision. Contact the forum where the firmware was downloaded.

Android 12 Alternatives for RedmiBook: What You Can Install Now

If you don’t have a stable build of Android 12 for your model yet, consider other options:

• 🤖 Android 11 (Bliss OS 14) — the most mature version for RedmiBook 14, supports most features, including a touch screen (if any).
• 🐧 Linux (Ubuntu, Manjaro) is a great alternative to Windows if you want performance and open source.
• 🪟 Windows 11 + WSA (Windows Subsystem for Android – the official way to run Android applications without replacing the OS. Requires manual installation of Google Play Services.
• 🍎 macOS (via Hackintosh) – possible, but difficult to set up and unstable on the “Nemakov” hardware.

Comparison of alternatives:

If your goal is to launch mobile games (such as Genshin Impact or the Game of Thrones). PUBG Mobile, then Windows 11 + WSA And it might be the best choice, because it doesn't require any risky firmware manipulation. Linux is the best choice for developers or open source enthusiasts. + Waydroid.

💡

Castomy Android on a laptop is always a trade-off between functionality and stability. If you need a reliable system to work, you'd better stay on Windows or switch to Linux.

Risks and how to minimize them

Installation of informal firmware is fraught with the following problems:

• 💥 Device Brick: The laptop may stop turning on, most often due to an incorrect firmware selection or interrupted installation process.
• 🔋 Battery problems – Android doesn’t always manage power correctly on laptops, leading to rapid discharge or overheating.
• 🛠️ Lack of updates – custom builds rarely get security patches, making the device vulnerable to viruses.
• 📱 Non-working iron – for example, touchpad, webcam or speakers.

To reduce the risks:

1. Use only firmware confirmed by other users of your model.
2. Before installing, back up Windows with Macrium Reflect or Clonezilla.
3. Install firmware on a separate partition of the disk (dual boot), not on top of Windows.
4. Have a bootable flash drive with Windows on hand for recovery.

If your laptop is “bricked”, try the following steps:

1. Turn off the battery and power, wait 30 seconds, then plug in the charger and try to turn it on.
2. Enter in. BIOS Reset the default settings (Load Default Settings).
3. If the screen is black, plug in an external monitor (possibly a video driver problem).
4. In extreme cases, contact the service center (but keep in mind that the warranty is no longer valid).

⚠️ Note: Some firmware contains malware or spyware. Only download images from trusted sources (e.g. official Bliss repositories). OS Before installing, check the hash amount of the file.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Android 12 on the RedmiBook