MIUI 12 on Xiaomi: release dates, supported models and how to install the update

You own a Xiaomi smartphone and are looking forward to MIUI 12? This version of the shell has been revolutionary for the brand ecosystem, bringing radically updated design, improved performance and a host of new features, from super-walls to enhanced privacy. But the question of when will my model get the update? is still the most controversial among users.

In this article, we’ve gathered up-to-date information about the release dates of MIUI 12 for different Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including official statements from the company and data from closed tests. You’ll also learn how to check the availability of an update for your model, what to do if the firmware is “hang” in the status of Pending, and why some devices have not received MIUI 12 globally.

Spoiler: If your smartphone is older than 2018, the chances of an official upgrade are minimal - but there are workarounds.Read more to get a handle on it!

Official release dates of MIUI 12: chronology of release

The first beta version of MIUI 12 was unveiled in April 2020 at a conference in China, but the global release dragged on for several months.

• 🔹 First wave (May-June) 2020) — flagship models: Mi 10/10 Pro, Mi 9/9 Pro/9 SE, Redmi K30 Pro and POCO F2 Pro. These devices received stable firmware first.
• 🔹 Second wave (July-September) 2020) — Medium-Budget Smartphones: Redmi Note 9 Pro/9S, Mi 9 Lite, Mi A3 (This is where the delays started due to the kernel adaptation.
• 🔹 Third wave (October) 2020 – March 2021) — Budget and old models: Redmi Note 8/8 Pro, Mi 8, POCO X2. Many devices have not received a global version, limited to Chinese.

It's important to understand that dates vary by region, for example, the Redmi Note 9 Pro in India received a MIUI 12 a month earlier than in Europe, and the owners of the Mi A2 and Mi A2 Lite had to wait almost a year due to the peculiarities of the Android One program.

After October 2021, Xiaomi officially stopped supporting MIUI 12 for most devices, switching to MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13.If your model did not receive an update before this date, the probability of its appearance tends to zero.

List of Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 support

To avoid guessing if your smartphone is on the supported list, we have compiled a table with the status division. Note: some models received MIUI 12 only in the Chinese version (China ROM), and global users stayed on MIUI 11.

If your model is not in the table, check it on the official Xiaomi website in the Support → MIUI Updates section. Alternatively, communities on 4PDA or XDA Developers, where enthusiasts often publish ported firmware.

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) is warranty-free and may result in a bootloader lock.Before experimenting, back up via Settings → Additional settings → Backup & reset.

How to check the availability of MIUI 12 for your smartphone

Before you search for firmware manually, make sure that the update has not yet arrived automatically.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Package (if the option is available).
3. If no updates are available, your model is not a priority.

If the update is “hanging” during the boot phase or shows a Couldn’t verify update error, try:

☑️ What to do if MIUI 12 not installed

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Sometimes the problem is in the firmware region, for example, if you bought the Redmi Note 9 in China and now use it in Russia, the system may not offer global updates, in which case changing the region through Settings → Additional settings → Region will help (but this will reset some settings).

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If your smartphone supports MIUI 12, but the update doesn’t come more than a month, try manually downloading the firmware at this link (select the version for your model and region!).

Manual installation MIUI 12: step-by-step instructions

If automatic updates are not available but your model is officially supported, you can manually install MIUI 12 via Recovery or Fastboot.

Method 1: Installation through Recovery

You'll need:

• 📱 Smartphone with battery charge > 60%;
• 💻 Computer (or directly on your phone if you download through the browser);
• 🔗 Official firmware in.zip format (download only from mi.com!).

Steps:

1. Download the firmware for your model (for example, miui_HMNote9ProGlobal_V12.0.1.0.QJZMIXM_...).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the phone’s root folder (not to folders!).
3. Press the Power + Volume buttons up to enter Recovery Mode.
4. Select Install update.zip to System and confirm.
5. After the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes), check the version in Settings → About the phone.

Method 2: Installation via Fastboot (for experienced)

This method requires an unlocked bootloader and the Mi Flash Tool, which is more risky, but sometimes the only option for bricks or devices with damaged firmware.

To install via Fastboot you need:

1. Unlock the bootloader (the procedure takes up to 72 hours and requires the binding of the Mi Account).

2. Download the Fastboot firmware (.tgz file) and unpack it.

3. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode (clamp Power + Volume down).

4. Run Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Flash.

Attention:

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⚠️ Warning: If after manual installation, the phone is stuck on the Xiaomi logo or shows a DM-Verity corruption error, try resetting your settings via Recovery → Wipe Data. If that doesn't work, you'll need to flash it over the Fastboot.

Frequent issues after upgrading to MIUI 12 and their solution

Even official firmware sometimes fails, and here are the most common bugs and ways to fix them:

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: Turn off Autobrightness and Permanent Wi-Fi search in settings. Also check background apps activity in Settings → Battery → Battery utilization.
• 📶 Mobile Network Problems: Reset Network Settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings.
• 🎵 Sound distortions in headphones: Clear the Mi Sound Enhancer app cache or turn it off in the audio settings.
• 🔄 Hangouts and lags: Perform a cache reset via Recovery → Wipe Cache: If it doesn't work, it's a complete reset).

If your data (photos, contacts) is lost after the update, restore it from a Mi Cloud backup or through Google Account. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Restore.

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Before upgrading to MIUI 12, be sure to back up via Settings → Additional → Backup or manually copy important files to your PC. This will prevent data loss when crashes occur.

MIUI 12 vs MIUI 12.5 vs MIUI 13: Should I Upgrade?

If your smartphone is still on MIUI 11, should you upgrade to MIUI 12, or wait for the newer version?

Bottom Line: If your smartphone supports MIUI 12.5 or MIUI 13, it’s best to upgrade to them right away – these versions are more stable and optimized for the new hardware. MIUI 12 is only relevant for devices that don’t get more recent firmware (for example, Redmi Note 8 or Mi 9 Lite).

Alternatives to MIUI 12: custom firmware and ports

If the official update has not come out for your model, there are two options:

1. Ported versions of MIUI 12 from communities (e.g. xiaomi.eu) are based on official firmware but adapted for non-supported devices, and may have camera or sensor bugs.
2. Custom firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS. They are devoid of Xiaomi’s signature chips, but offer pure Android and long-term support.

To install custom firmware will require:

• Unlocked loader;
• Installed Custom Recavery (TWRP)
• Firmware in.zip and GApps format (if you need Google services).

For installation instructions, look for 4PDA or XDA forums for your model. For example, for the POCO F1, there are stable Pixel Experience builds with Android 12 that work better than the original MIUI.

⚠️ Warning: Castom firmware may disrupt Widevine L1 (lower L3), Netflix and other services will only show videos on the Internet. 480p. Before installing, check if the firmware supports DRM.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about MIUI 12