Xiaomi’s new MIUI: When to wait for an update, how to install and what will change

MIUI updates are one of the most anticipated events for owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. New versions of the shell bring not only fresh design, but also performance optimization, bug fixing, and sometimes exclusive features not available on stock Android. However, the schedule for updates often remains a mystery: official announcements appear in advance, but the actual dates for specific models can shift by months.

In 2026, the situation is complicated by the fact that Xiaomi is simultaneously developing two branches: MIUI 15 (based on Android 14) and preparing for the release of MIUI 16 (probably with Android 15). At the same time, not all devices will receive fresh firmware at the same time, priority is given to flagships and new models. In this article, we will understand when to wait for an update for your smartphone, how to speed up its receipt and what to do if the update is stuck.

MIUI 15 and MIUI 16 are scheduled to be released in 2026.

Xiaomi traditionally divides the release of updates into several waves, depending on the region, device model and Android version. In 2026, the key dates look like this:

• 📅 MIUI 15 (Android 14): Mass release began in October 2023, but many devices get an update only in the I–II The full list of models is published on the official website.
• 🔄 MIUI 16 (Android 15): Beta will start in June-July 2026, stable version is expected not earlier than October-November 2026. K70.
• ⚠️ Outdated models: smartphones older than 2020 (for example, Redmi Note 8 or Mi 9) will not receive MIUI 16 – Support for them will be limited to security patches.

It is important to understand that dates may shift, for example, in 2023, the upgrade to MIUI 14 for some devices was delayed by 2-3 months due to firmware bugs.

• 📱 Telegram channel: @miuiofficial (Russian-speaking).
• 🌐 Forum MIUI: new.c.mi.com (Announcements»).
• 🐦 Twitter/X: @miuirom (newsletter).

How to check if a new MIUI is available for your model

Without waiting for the update notification, you can find out for yourself whether fresh firmware is available for your device, and you can do this in three ways:

1. Using your smartphone settings: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. If an update is available, a Download button will appear. Note the firmware version, which should start with V15. (for MIUI 15) or V16. (for MIUI 16 beta).
2. On MIUI: Open the download page, select your model and check for fresh firmware. Official ROMs are labeled Stable or Developer.
3. Update: In some regions (e.g. China), updates come through a separate Updater app. If it's not on the menu, check the Google Services folder or download APK from APKCombo.

If the system writes “No Updates”, but you are sure that your firmware has already come out for your model, try the following steps:

Reset the cache of the System Update app (Settings → Apps → Update → Storage → Clear cache)|

Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes operator locking interferes with boot)|

Change region in settings (e.g. India or Europe)|

Check for updates manually 1 time per week (automatic check may not work)-->

⚠️ Note: If your smartphone is purchased in China (version) CN), Updates for global firmware (Global or EEA) Trying to install an incompatible firmware can lead to a blink (breakdown) of the device.

List of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with confirmed upgrade to MIUI 15/16

Not all Xiaomi smartphones will receive the latest version of MIUI. the company adheres to the rule: devices older than 3-4 years lose support for new firmware (with the exception of flagships).

If your model isn't on the list, it doesn't mean it won't get an update. Xiaomi sometimes adds devices to the chart after the fact.For example, the Redmi Note 11 wasn't originally planned for MIUI 14, but later got an update thanks to community activity.

How to speed up your MIUI update: 5 ways to do it

If you don't want to wait for the update to reach your device over the air (OTA), you can try Forced Update. Here are the proven methods:

1. Manually check through Updater: Go to Settings → System Update and click “Check Updates” every day. Sometimes Xiaomi servers give out firmware in small batches, and repeated requests increase the odds.
2. Change of region: Some regions get updates earlier. To change region: Install VPN (For example, ProtonVPN) and connect to India or Indonesia. Reset your network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and networks → Reset network settings. Check the updates again.
3. Installation via Recovery: If the firmware is out but not coming by air, download it from the official website and install it manually: Download the file with the.zip extension for your model. Rename it to update.zip and place it in the memory root. Press Volume up + Power, select Recovery → Install update.zip.

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Before manually installing the firmware, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will save your photos and contacts if something goes wrong.

If none of these methods work, you may have to wait or consider custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and may be unwarranted.

What to do if after updating MIUI smartphone works worse

New versions of MIUI are not always stable.

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge (especially in the first 2-3 days after installation).
• 🐢 Slowing down animations and lags when opening apps.
• 📶 Problems with mobile network or Wi-Fi.
• 🔊 Disappearance of sound in speakers or headphones.

In most cases, the problems are solved by standard methods:

1. Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Storage → Cache Data and click “Clean.” For system applications (like Launcher) do this through Settings → Apps → Select App → Storage → Clear Cache.

⚠️ Note: If after the update the smartphone does not turn on or stuck on the logo MIUI, Do not try to reflash it yourself. Contact the service center - the reason may be incompatibility of the firmware with the hardware (for example, in the Chinese versions). CN).

MIUI 16: What is known about the new version (spoilers and leaks)

Although MIUI 16 has not yet been officially released, key innovations have already been revealed online, with insiders (e.g. @DigitalChatStation) expecting the following changes:

• 🎨 New design: a complete redesign of icons, animations and control panels in the style of Material You (like in Android 15).
• 🔒 Improved privacy: separate “Incognito Mode” for apps (hiding notifications and activity).
• 🎮 Turbo mode: Optimization for Genshin Impact, Honor of Kings and other heavy games (15-20 reduction in heat%).
• 🤖 AI features: Automatic background removal in photos. Xiao-enabled voice assistant AI (Google Assistant: Summarizing long text messages.
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: The New Battery Algorithm AI, Analyzes the user’s habits and disables background processes.

According to preliminary data, MIUI 16 will receive two versions:

• Stable – for mass users (release in October-November 2026).
• HyperOS is a “lightweight” firmware without unnecessary Xiaomi services (for the European market, the release in December 2026).

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MIUI 16 will be the latest version for devices running Snapdragon 865/870 processors (such as Xiaomi Mi 11 or POCO F3), which will only receive basic security updates after 2026.

Frequent questions about MIUI updates (FAQ)