The question of software relevance remains one of the hottest for owners of Xiaomi devices. Users often wonder when exactly their gadget will receive a new version of the operating system, as it directly affects performance and security. The situation with the release of Android 12 for the Xiaomi line has its own unique features related to the company’s policy and the shell of MIUI.
It’s worth noting that for most devices, Xiaomi Android 12 came with the MIUI 13 shell, not MIUI 12, as you might expect, because the global version of MIUI 12 was based on Android 10 and 11, and the full transition to the twelfth version of the “green robot” took place with the release of the thirteenth version of the firmware. Understanding this logic will help you to properly search for updates in your phone settings.
The Chinese giant’s updates are being distributed in stages, with the flagship Mi and Xiaomi models getting new versions, and sub-brands Redmi and POCO getting their turn. In this article, we’ll look at the exact release dates, the lists of compatible devices, and answer the question of whether Android 12 should be on older models or whether it’s time to think about ending support for certain smartphone lines.
Features of the release of Android 12 for the Xiaomi ecosystem
Xiaomi has traditionally been slow to release Android updates for its devices, especially in global versions. Unlike Google Pixel or Samsung, which try to comply with rigid schedules, the Chinese manufacturer often waits to adapt its heavy shell MIUI to new features.This leads to the fact that the gap between the release of pure Android 12 and its appearance on Xiaomi smartphones can be from 3 to 6 months.
The main feature of this update cycle was that Android 12 was the foundation for MIUI 13. This means that if your phone received an upgrade to MIUI 13, then with a 99% probability it already has the twelfth version of Android under the hood. However, there are exceptions, especially for budget models that could get MIUI 13 based on Android 11.
⚠️ Note: Not all devices listed in the updated lists MIUI 13, got Android 12. Some older models (like the Redmi Note 8 or Mi 9 Lite in some regions) stayed on Android 11 even after the interface update.
Regional differences are also worth considering: Chinese smartphone owners (CN Version) get updates much earlier than global (Global) or European (EEA) users. If you are critical to getting Android 12 as quickly as possible and are ready for the challenges of notifications and banking apps, you can consider flashing it back, but that requires a deep technical knowledge.
Official list of devices that received Android 12
The list of smartphones that have officially upgraded to Android 12 (as part of MIUI 13 or later versions) is quite wide, but covers mainly models from 2020-2022 release. Flagships based on the Snapdragon 888 and Snapdragon 870 processors received priority in the update. Owners of devices on MediaTek chips also did not stand aside, but their updates were often delayed.
Below is a table with the main series and approximate release dates of stable Android 12 firmware for the global market, and data may vary by region and carrier.
| Series of devices | Models. | Shell version | Exit period (Global) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The flagships of Mi/Xiaomi | Mi 11, Mi 11 Pro, Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11i, Xiaomi 12 | MIUI 13 | January - March 2022 |
| Mid-segment | Mi 10T, Mi 10T Pro, Mi 10 Lite 5G | MIUI 13 | February - April 2022 |
| Redmi Note | Redmi Note 10, Note 10 Pro, Note 10S, Note 11 | MIUI 13 | March - May 2022 |
| POCO | POCO F3, POCO X3 Pro, POCO M3 Pro | MIUI 13 | April - June 2022 |
Special attention should be paid to foldable devices such as the Mi Mix Fold, which also received an update, but with a significant delay due to the complex optimization of the interface for flexible screens.If your device is not in the lists above, this does not mean that it will not receive Android 12, but the chances are declining every month.
It's important to understand that the release of an update is not a one-time act: first, a closed beta is released for testers, then an open beta, and only then a stable version for everyone, and this cycle can stretch for months, creating a situation where one user already has an update, and the neighbor with the same phone does not yet.
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Having MIUI 13 on your device is the surest indicator that Android 12 is already installed, but be sure to check this in the About Phone settings.
Why the update is not coming: the main reasons
Many users are faced with a situation where friends have already updated, and on their device in the Settings → About Phone → The MIUI version still hangs the old build. This is normal practice for Xiaomi, which uses a phased rollout.
One of the main reasons for the delay is the region: if you bought a phone destined for the Chinese market, but use it from the global market. SIM-The card, or vice versa, may not automatically update. OTA (Over-The-Air updates can be unlocked by the Bootloader. If you have ever unlocked a bootloader to install custom recavators, the system can consider the device to be modified and block official updates.
- 📱 Regional restrictions: firmware must strictly conform to the region SIM-maps and accounts Mi.
- 🔓 Unlocked bootloader: Presence of superuser or unlocked rights BL block out OTA.
- 📶 Unstable connection: Weak Wi-Fi signal or use VPN may interrupt the update check.
- 💾 Lack of memory: For Android installation 12 A large amount of space is required (usually) 5-8 GB).
Also, keep in mind the "quiet" update. Sometimes the system downloads the package in the background, but does not install it, waiting for the phone to be connected to charging and Wi-Fi at night. Check the auto-update settings in the download menu, perhaps the checkbox is only "Download over Wi-Fi", but not "Install automatically".
⚠️ Note: If you are using a modified version of the system (for example, with a remote ad or modified fonts through the Recovery), installing an official Android 12 update may result in a "bootloop" (cyclical reboot.
What is Region Lock and how does it affect updates?
How to check and speed up updates
If you are sure that your device is on the supported list but the update is not coming, you can try several methods of forced verification. The easiest and safest way is to manually check through the settings menu. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click on the MIUI logo or the “Check Updates” button.
However, sometimes the server won't see your device due to cache or synchronization errors, which helps to clean the data of the Update application. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → find System Update (or Updater). In the menu that opens, click Clear → Clear All Data.
☑️ Checklist before update
There is also a method of relocating the region, which often helps push the servers apart. Try temporarily changing the region in your phone settings (Settings → Additional Settings → Region) to a country where the update has already come out (for example, India or Indonesia, if it was released earlier). After changing the region, restart the phone and check for updates again. Remember to return your region back after a successful installation.
For advanced users, you can manually update through a firmware file (.zip). You can download the current version of Android 12 (MIUI 13) for your model from the official website or proven resources like XiaomiFirmwareUpdater. The file is placed in the root of internal memory, and the update menu selects the option "Three dots" → "Select a firmware file".
Risks and problems after installing Android 12
Switching to a new version of the operating system is always stressful for the device. After installing Android 12 on Xiaomi smartphones, users often report increased battery consumption in the first 3-5 days. This is due to the fact that the system is indexing files and optimizing applications in the background.
Another common problem is that some applications, especially banking ones, may not work properly if they haven’t been updated to meet the new security requirements of Android 12, and there may be micro-lags in the interface that usually disappear after several cycles of rebooting and using the phone as normal.
- 🔋 Battery discharge: In the first week, energy consumption may be higher than usual 15-20%.
- 📉 Heating: The process of optimizing the database causes the housing to heat up even in a simple way.
- 📸 Camera: Photo processing algorithms may change, which will require getting used to new settings.
- 📲 Compatibility: Some older applications may stop running due to changes in the API.
In rare cases, critical errors such as loss of network signal or failure of the NFC module are encountered. If you encounter such after an update, the first thing you should try is to reset the network settings (Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth). If this does not help, you may need a complete reset to factory settings (Wipe Data), but only after saving important data.
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After a major Android update, it is recommended to fully discharge the phone at least once before turning off, and then charge to 100% when off.This helps calibrate the battery controller.
What to do if Android 12 is not available for your model
The harsh reality of the smartphone market is that manufacturers can't support all devices forever.If your phone came out more than 3 years ago and didn't make the Android 12 upgrade list, chances are it won't get official updates anymore. Xiaomi's policy usually guarantees 2-3 major Android updates for flagships and 1-2 for budget-friendly ones.
In this situation, the user has two options: one is to accept and use the current version, following the digital hygiene measures (do not install dubious applications, as old security patches may contain vulnerabilities), the second is to install custom firmware (Custom ROMs) based on LineageOS or Pixel Experience.
Custom firmware allows you to get fresh Android even on older devices, but this process comes with risks: you will need to unlock the bootloader, install custom recaps (TWRP) and find a stable build for your model. This is unwarranted (if it was still valid) and can lead to the failure of the camera or NFC if the drivers are not perfect.
⚠️ Note: Installation of custom firmware is prohibited in some regions and may lead to the blocking of banking applications (Google Pay / Mir Pay will stop working without additional manipulation of Magisk and hiding root rights).
If you’re not confident, it’s best not to take the risk. The old but stable version of Android is often better than the new one. In addition, many of the features of Android 12 and 13 are already being implemented by Xiaomi through app store and system services updates, so that the visuals and basic functionality can stay relevant longer than the core version of the system.