The Xiaomi Mi 8, released in 2018, is still a popular smartphone among users who appreciate performance and build quality. However, the issue of supporting the device is becoming more relevant every year: will a new update for this model be released in 2026? In this article, we will analyze the official data on the firmware release schedule, Xiaomi’s policy on supporting older devices and how to check for available updates.
It’s important to understand that the Mi 8 is a “outdated” smartphone by company standards, but that doesn’t mean there’s no update at all. In some cases, the device may receive security patches or minor improvements to MIUI even after the main support ends.
Official schedule of updates Xiaomi Mi 8: what is known for 2026
According to Xiaomi’s policy, Mi series smartphones typically receive 2-3 major MIUI updates and 3 years of patch security since release. Mi 8 debuted with MIUI 9 based on Android 8.1 Oreo and during support managed to upgrade to:
- 📱 MIUI 10 (Android 9 Pie) - 2018
- 📱 MIUI 11 (Android 10) - 2019
- 📱 MIUI 12 (Android 11) – 2020 (last major update)
- 🛡️ Monthly/quarterly security patches through July 2022
After July 2022, the Mi 8 was reclassified to the End of Life (EOL) category, meaning that the company officially stopped releasing updates.
- ⚙️ Some regions (such as China or India) may have received updates longer due to local requirements.
- 🔄 In rare cases, Xiaomi releases “farewell” patches for critical vulnerabilities even after the release of the new version. EOL.
- 📲 Users of custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can update informally.
How to check the available updates on Xiaomi Mi 8
If you want to make sure you haven’t missed the latest update, follow the following steps:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click Check Updates (the button may be called Download updates manually in the global version).
- If the system offers to download firmware, pay attention to its version MIUI and build number (for example, V12.5.3.0.REAMIXM).
If no updates are available, the system will display a message "Updates not found" or "Your system is up to date."
Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)
Make sure there is enough free space on the device (minimum 2GB)
Reboot your smartphone and repeat the check
Try changing the firmware region (via Settings → Additional → Region)
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If your Mi 8 is running MIUI 12.5 or later but has not been updated for more than a year, support is likely to be completely discontinued, in which case it is worth considering alternative options (about them below).
Why is the Xiaomi Mi 8 not getting an update anymore?
There are several reasons why Xiaomi is discontinuing support for older devices:
| Reason. | Explanation | Applicable to the Mi 8? |
|---|---|---|
| Iron restrictions | Snapdragon 845 and 6 GB of RAM do not support new Android 12+ features | ✅ Yes. |
| Google's Politics | Security and performance requirements for new versions of Android | ✅ Yes. |
| Economic feasibility | Supporting older models requires resources that are channeled to new devices | ✅ Yes. |
| Local regulatory requirements | In some countries (EU, India) manufacturers are required to maintain devices longer. | ❌ No (for Russia/CIS) |
Critical: The Mi 8 is not certified for Android 12 and is newer due to driver limitations for the Snapdragon 845, which means that even custom firmware based on newer versions of Android can run unstable.
What happens if you install an unofficial firmware?
Alternative ways to upgrade Xiaomi Mi 8
If the official updates are no longer coming out, but you want to extend the life of the device, consider the following options:
1. Custom firmware (Custom ROM)
Popular options for the Mi 8:
- 🤖 LineageOS 19/20 (Android 12/13) — stable, but with limited functionality
- 📱 Pixel Experience – pure Android with Google Pixel chips
- ⚡ ArrowOS – Balance between productivity and customization
Attention! Installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader that:
- 🔓 Cancellation of the guarantee (if it is still valid)
- 🛡️ Deletes all data from the device
- 🚨 Can lead to a "brick" (inoperability) in case of an error
2.Update via Fastboot
If you missed the latest official firmware, you can install it manually:
- Download the current version of MIUI for Mi 8 from en.miui.com.
- Unpack. ZIP-archive and connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (keep Volume down) + Power on-set).
- Run the script. flash_all.bat (Windows or use the command: fastboot flash all
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Before you run through Fastboot, check the current firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Installing an older version can cause crashes!
What if there are no updates and there will be no updates?
If the Mi 8 is no longer getting updates, but you’re not ready to part with the device, follow these guidelines:
- Turn off automatic update checks to avoid notifications of no updates: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update (off)
- Install a reliable antivirus (such as Malwarebytes or Bitdefender) because without patch security, the risk of infection is higher.
- Limit the use of banking apps – legacy versions of Android are vulnerable to phishing attacks.
- Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Storage → Clear the cache to maintain performance.
If your smartphone is starting to “slow down”, consider the following measures:
- 🔄 Reset to factory settings (save data in advance!).
- 🗑️ Remove unnecessary apps and disable background activity through Settings → Annexes.
- 🔋 Replacement of the battery (if the operating time is reduced to 2-3 hours).
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The Xiaomi Mi 8 won’t get official updates in 2026, but it can be maintained using custom firmware or optimizing the current system.
Forecasts for the future: should we wait for updates?
With a high degree of probability, the Xiaomi Mi 8 will not receive any more official updates.
- 📅 6 years have passed since the release (2018-2026) – this exceeds the standard support period for Xiaomi.
- 📱 The company is focused on new models (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13).
- 🔧 Snapdragon 845 processor does not support new versions of Android at the driver level.
There is a chance, however:
- 🛡️ One-time security patch (e.g. for critical vulnerabilities, as was the case with the Mi 6 in 2023).
- 🌍 Local updates for specific regions (e.g. India or EU due to regulatory requirements).
If you want to know, follow the news on:
- 📢 Official forum Xiaomi: c.mi.com
- 🤖 Telegram channels, like, @miuiofficial or @xiaomifirmware
- 📱 XiaomiUI (Sees Updates for All Devices)