Android 11 on Xiaomi smartphones: a full guide to supported models in 2026

Upgrading to Android 11 for Xiaomi smartphones has become one of the most talked-about events among owners of the brand’s devices. Despite the fact that it has been several years since the release of this version of the OS, many users are still looking for information about the possibility of upgrading their gadgets. In this article, we will analyze not only the official lists of supported models, but also alternative ways to install Android 11 on devices that the manufacturer no longer updates.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi has traditionally supported its smartphones with updates throughout the year. 2-3 We've been looking at the years since we launched, but some of the flagship models are getting extended support, and we've analyzed data from official sources, developer forums and enthusiast communities to make the most comprehensive and relevant list. MIUI 12.5 Android-based 11, This is the last major firmware for many devices.

If your smartphone is not on the official list, don’t be too upset — there’s a section on custom firmware and unofficial ports in the article, but remember: installing alternative software on your own always comes with risks, which we’ll also detail.

Official list of Xiaomi smartphones with support for Android 11

Xiaomi began mass distribution of Android 11 for its devices in late 2020 and early 2021, and most models received an update as part of the MIUI 12.5 firmware, which became a transition between the old and new versions of the shell. Below is a full list of devices that officially support this version of the OS.

It is important to note that some models received Android 11 only in certain regions, for example, the Redmi Note 9 Pro in the global version (joyeuse) was updated longer than the Chinese version (excalibur), and it is worth considering that after the release of Android 12 support for the previous version for many devices was discontinued.

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 10 / Mi 10 Pro / Mi 10 Ultra / Mi 10T / Mi 10T Pro / Mi 10 Lite
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 9 / Mi 9 Pro 5G / Mi 9 SE / Mi 9 Lite / Mi 9T / Mi 9T Pro
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi Note 10 / Mi Note 10 Pro / Mi Note 10 Lite
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi A3 (under the Android One program)
• 📱 Redmi K30 / K30 Pro / K30 5G / K30i 5G / K30 Ultra / K30S Ultra
• 📱 Redmi Note 9 / Note 9 Pro / Note 9 Pro Max / Note 9S / Note 9 4G / Note 9 5G
• 📱 Redmi Note 8 / Note 8 Pro / Note 8T (only a few regions)
• 📱 POCO F2 Pro / POCO X3 / POCO X3 NFC / POCO M2 Pro

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 8 series devices received Android 11 only in a limited number of regions. In Russia and the CIS, the update may not have reached some models due to the peculiarities of firmware localization.

Android 11 release date for different Xiaomi models

The spread of Android 11 updates to Xiaomi smartphones stretched for almost a year, from late 2020 to fall 2021. Flagship models received updates first, and budget devices sometimes waited for their turn for several months.

It is worth noting that the dates in the table are for global stable versions of MIUI. In some regions, such as China, updates could be released 1-2 months earlier, and it is also important to understand that after the release of Android 12, many devices stopped receiving security patches for Android 11, which makes them vulnerable to new threats.

If your model is on the list but the update never came, try checking it manually through the Settings menu → About Phone → System Update. Sometimes Xiaomi servers distribute updates in waves, and your device may be at the end of the queue.

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Before installing a major update, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will help you avoid losing important files if you crash.

How to check and install Android 11 on Xiaomi

If your smartphone officially supports Android 11, installing the update is usually easy, and you can start the process automatically or manually, and let’s take a closer look at both options, and also figure out what to do if the update is “hanging” or does not want to install.

First, make sure your device has enough free space – you’ll need at least 2-3GB of storage to download and install the update, and connect to Wi-Fi to avoid additional mobile traffic, and charge your battery up to at least 50%.

Battery charge ≥50%|Wi-Fi connection|Free seat ≥3GB|Backup copy of important data|Shutdown VPN (It can block update servers)-->

To check for the update manually, follow the following steps:

1. Open the settings on your smartphone.
2. Go to the About Phone section (sometimes called About the Device).
3. Select System Update (or MIUI Update).
4. Click on the Check Updates button.
5. If the update is available, click Download and after downloading, Install.

The installation process usually takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on the device model. During the upgrade, the smartphone will reboot several times - this is normal. Under no circumstances interrupt the process or force the device to turn off, as this can damage the system files and "brick" the gadget.

Unofficial ways to install Android 11 on unsupported models

If your Xiaomi smartphone isn’t on the official list of supported devices, but you still want to try Android 11, there are a few alternative ways, the most popular being installing custom firmware based on AOSP (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) or ported versions of MIUI from enthusiasts.

Before you start experimenting, it is important to understand the risks:

• 🔴 Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• 🔴 Possibility of "bricking" the device with incorrect actions.
• 🔴 Unstable operation of some functions (camera, sensors, mobile communication).
• 🔴 Lack of official security updates.

The most reliable way to install Android 11 on an unsupported model is to use LineageOS 18.1 firmware, which is based on this version of the OS. Below is a brief algorithm of actions, but remember that the detailed instructions may differ depending on the particular model.

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-30 days to unlock).
2. Install custom Recovery, such as TWRP, through the command fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
3. Download the appropriate LineageOS 18.1 firmware for your model from an official website or trusted forum (e.g., XDA Developers).
4. Make a full backup of the current firmware through TWRP (in case of rollback).
5. Flush the firmware through the recovery, pre-executing Wipe → Format Data (this will delete all data from the device!).
6. Install GApps (Google Services) if you need them.
7. Restart the device and set up the system from scratch.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro with Mediatek Helio chip) G90T) The camera or module may not work. NFC Because there are no open source drivers, be sure to check other users' reviews on thematic forums before installing.

Distinguish MIUI 12.5 on Android 11 from previous versions

The MIUI 12.5 shell, which runs on Android 11, has brought a number of significant changes from previous versions, many of which are aimed at improving performance, security and usability.

One of the most notable changes was the reduction in the number of system applications running in the background, which, according to the developers, reduced the consumption of RAM by 20-30% and increased battery life, and redesigned interface animation, now transitions between screens are smoother, and gesture response is faster.

• 🔒 Improved privacy: Privacy Protection is now available with detailed permission settings for applications, including microphone, camera and geolocation.
• 📱 New gestures: Added support for navigation gestures in the style of iOS, as well as the ability to adjust the sensitivity of the touch screen.
• 🎨 Themes and design: Expanded theme catalog with support for dynamic wallpaper and adaptive icons, and the ability to change the color of accent elements of the interface.
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: A New Algorithm MIUI Battery Saver automatically limits the background activity of apps when the charge drops below 15%.
• 📡 Improved Wi-Fi and Mobile Connectivity: Wi-Fi Support Added 6 (on supported models) and optimized switching between networks 4G/5G.

However, not all of the changes were positively received by users, such as some complaining about the overblown shell and the large number of preinstalled applications that can not be removed without root rights. MIUI 12.5 also introduced more aggressive restrictions on the background of applications, which sometimes led to missed notifications in messengers.

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MIUI 12.5 on Android 11 was the last major shell version for many Xiaomi devices, and subsequent updates (MIUI 13/14) required Android 12, making it the “final” firmware for a number of models.

Android 11 problems and bugs on Xiaomi: how to solve them

Despite the lengthy testing, Android 11 combined with MIUI 12.5 was not without bugs and problems, many users have encountered bugs that spoiled the experience of the update, and below we have collected the most common problems and ways to solve them.

One of the most common complaints is that the battery is running out quickly after an upgrade, because the system re-indexes files and optimizes applications in the background, usually resolves itself in 2-3 full charge/discharge cycles. If the battery goes down too quickly and after a week, try the following steps:

• 🔋 Turn off the adaptive battery function in Settings → Battery.
• 🔋 Limit background activity for unnecessary apps in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Permits → Auto-start.
• 🔋 Reset the battery settings through Settings → Battery → Three dots (menu) → Additionally. → Optimizing the battery → Reset.

Another common problem is missed notifications in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), which is associated with aggressive optimization of background work in MIUI 12.5.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a problem messenger (such as WhatsApp).
3. Go to Permissions → Autostart and turn on this option.
4. In the Battery section, select No Limits.
5. In the Notifications section, make sure all categories are included.

Some users also complained about problems connecting to Wi-Fi or mobile after the upgrade, and in most cases, resetting the network settings helps:

Settings → SIM-cards and mobile networks → Resetting mobile network settings


Settings → Wi-Fi → Three points (menu) → Additional → Resetting Wi-Fi settings

If this doesn’t help, try manually specifying network settings in Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Name of the access point (APN) (The parameters can be requested from your operator).

Should we upgrade to Android 11 in 2026?

At first glance, the question of upgrading to Android 11 in 2026 may seem strange, because Android 14 is already in the yard, and some manufacturers are preparing for the release of Android 15. However, for owners of older Xiaomi smartphones, this choice is still relevant. Let’s figure out where the update makes sense and when it is better to abandon it.

Arguments FOR the update:

• ✅ Security: Even an outdated version of Android gets critical security patches longer than the very old version (like Android 9 or 10).
• ✅ Application Compatibility: Many modern applications (especially banking and government services) require at least Android 10+.
• ✅ New functions MIUI: V MIUI 12.5: We have handy chips like improved resolution management and adaptive themes.
• ✅ Performance: On some models (like the Redmi Note 9 Pro), Android 11 runs smoother than Android 10, thanks to optimizations.

Arguments against the update:

• ❌ Android 11 no longer gets new features, and security support for many models is discontinued.
• ❌ Bug risk: On some devices (e.g. Mi 9) SE) Users complained of lag and overheating after the update.
• ❌ Loss of features: Some features (such as Second Space or Dual Apps) may not work properly.
• ❌ Difficulty rollback: Returning to the previous version of Android after the update is not easy, especially without unlocking the bootloader.

If your smartphone is still supported by the manufacturer (for example, POCO X3 NFC or Redmi Note 10 Pro), then upgrading to Android 11 only makes sense if you can not upgrade to a newer version. For devices that have not received updates for a long time (for example, Mi 8 or Redmi Note 7), it is better to consider alternative firmware or think about buying a new gadget.

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If your model supports Android 12 or later, upgrading to Android 11 makes no sense – it’s better to jump to the current version right away.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Android 11 on Xiaomi