Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners regularly receive firmware updates that improve navigation, add new features (such as zoning or carpet recognition), and fix bugs. However, many users face problems when trying to update the device: It freezes, it gets plugged in, it gets a connection error, or it stops responding to commands. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to update, from automatic through the Mi Home app to manual firmware through the Mi Home app. USB-The storage system and how to avoid errors.
It’s important to understand that the upgrade procedure varies depending on the model. For example, the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro and DreameBot D9 use different firmware files, and older devices (like Mi Robot Vacuum 1S) may require a pre-reset, and we have compiled instructions for all popular lines, including devices under the Viomi and Mijia brands, which are also released by the Xiaomi ecosystem.
1. How to check the current firmware version
Before you upgrade the robot vacuum cleaner, make sure that the new firmware version is actually available.
- Open the Mi Home app and select your device.
- Go to the Settings section → About the device.
- Find the firmware version string (for example, 3.5.8_0042).
If there is an update icon next to the version (🔄), So, new firmware is available. Also, current versions can be checked on the official Xiaomi website in the support section of your model.
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Compare the current version to the latest updates on forums (like 4PDA).
For Dreame devices (such as the DreameBot Z10 Pro), version verification is done similarly, but through the Dreamehome app. Importantly, the firmware for Dreame and classic Xiaomi are not interchangeable - installing incompatible software will lead to bricks (breakdown of the device).
2. Automatic update via Mi Home
The easiest and safest way to upgrade is through the official app, which is suitable for most models released after 2018 (Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite, etc.).
Step-by-step:
- 📱 Make sure the robot vacuum cleaner is connected to Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz networks).
- 🔋 Battery charge should be at least 50% (optimum - 80%).
- 📲 Open Mi Home, select your device and go to Settings → Firmware update.
- 🔄 Click Check Updates and wait for the file to load.
- ⚙️ Confirm installation and do not disconnect the vacuum cleaner from the power until completion (process takes 5-15 minutes).
Device connected to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi |
Battery charge > 50%|
The robot is located next to the charging station |
There are no notifications of connection errors in the application-->
If the update is stuck in the Prepare to Install stage, try:
- Reboot the robot vacuum cleaner (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
- Reconnect it to the app (Settings → Delete Device → Add Again).
- Use a different Wi-Fi channel (e.g. switch from 13th to 6th).
What if the update is 99% down?
3. Update through USB-storage device (for experienced users)
If the automatic update fails (e.g., due to a “failed to connect to the server” error), you can install the firmware manually, which is also relevant for devices without Internet access or with a damaged system area.
Important: Choosing the wrong firmware file can permanently incapacitate the vacuum cleaner. Use only official files from Xiaomi’s website or trusted sources (e.g., XDA Developers).
Instructions:
- Download the firmware for your model (file format is.pkg or.bin). Examples: Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro: mirobot_vacuum_mop_2_pro_4.6.1_0012.pkg Viomi V3: viomi_vacuum_v3_3.5.9_0038.bin
FAT32
32GB
Place the firmware file in the root drive directory (not in the folder!).
Insert USB into the port at the robot vacuum charger station.
5 seconds
orange
Through the Mi Home| app
Through USB-accumulator|
Never updated |
Another way.-->
| Model vacuum cleaner | Firmware file type | File size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro | .pkg | ~150MB | Requires Mi Home version no lower than 6.0 |
| DreameBot D9 | .bin | ~200MB | Update only through Dreamehome |
| Viomi V2 Pro | .pkg | ~120MB | Supports rollback to the previous version |
| Mi Robot Vacuum 1S | .bin | ~80MB | Requires resetting of settings before updating |
⚠️ Attention: Don't pull out USB-drive during the update! interruption of the process can lead to loss of communication with the device and the need to flash through UART (soldering).
Manual update via ADB (for advanced users)
This method is suitable for Android Things devices (like some Viomi models) or if standard methods don’t work.Requires a PC with ADB drivers installed and a USB-Type-C cable.
Sequence of action:
- Turn on Developer Mode on the vacuum cleaner: In Mi Home, go to Settings → About the device. Click on the firmware version 5 times until the notification appears.
adb devices
adb shell
su
flash update /sdcard/firmware.pkg30 minutes.
If the su command does not work, then root access is disabled on the device, in which case you will need to unlock the bootloader through the Xiaomi Unlock Tool (instructions are available on the official website).
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ADB-Updating is risky for beginners. A mistake in commands can lead to loss of warranty or device breakdown.
5. Frequent errors and their solutions
Even when following the instructions, users face problems, including errors and ways to fix them:
- 🚫 "Unable to connect to the server" error: Reason: Wi-Fi problems or regional restrictions. Solution: connect to another network or use VPN (The region in Mi Home must match the region of the account).
- ⚠️ Vacuum fails to respond after update: Reason: incompatible firmware or installation failure Solution: perform reset (hold power button 20 seconds) and repeat update.
- 🔄 Preparation: The reason: low battery power or damaged firmware file Solution: charge the vacuum cleaner to 100% and download the file again.
⚠️ Warning: If the vacuum cleaner is continuously squeaking or flashing red after the upgrade, it indicates a hardware error.
For Dreamen devices, an error is "Error 10" when upgrading via USB.
- Rename the firmware file to firmware.bin (no spaces!).
- Use a flash drive with a volume of no more than 8 GB.
- Format it in FAT32 with a cluster size of 4096 bytes.
6. How to roll back firmware to the previous version
If the vacuum cleaner gets worse after the upgrade (for example, it builds a map worse or gets stuck often), you can return the old version of the software. However, Xiaomi does not officially support rollback, so the procedure is fraught with risks.
Ways of rollback:
- 🔙 Through Mi Home (if available): In some models (e.g. Viomi) V3) In the updates section there is an option "Go back to the previous version".
- 💾 Through USB: Download old firmware (e.g., from GitHub) and install it according to the instructions in Section 3.
- 🛠️ Through service mode: For devices on MT7688 (For example, Mi Robot Vacuum 1S) can be used UART-Firmware, but it requires disassembling the vacuum cleaner.
Before rolling back, make sure to back up the maps and settings via Mi Home (Settings → Backup). After rollback, all data will be deleted!
7. Where to Download Official Firmware for Xiaomi
Using firmware from unreliable sources can lead to the blocking of the device by Xiaomi servers, we recommend downloading files only from official resources:
- 🌐 Xiaomi official website: home.mi.com → Section “Support" → Choose a model.
- 📦 Forum 4PDA: The theme of your model (e.g. Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro).Look for messages from verified users with a tag [Official firmware].
- 🔧 GitHub: Repositories like com.xiaomi.mirobot contain firmware archives and firmware tools.
For Dreame devices, firmware is published on iDreame under the "Support" section. Please note: files for DreameBot and Xiaomi Mi Robot are not interchangeable!
8. Safety tips when updating
To avoid problems, follow these recommendations:
- 🔋 Always update the vacuum cleaner when charging the battery >70%.
- 📶 Use a stable Wi-Fi connection (it is better to turn off 5 GHz during the upgrade).
- ⏳ Do not interrupt the process, even if it takes more than 30 minutes.
- 🔒 Before updating, untie the vacuum cleaner from third-party accounts (if you sold / bought used ones).
If you use custom firmware (for example, to add features like Valetudo), consider:
- Xiaomi’s warranty will be cancelled.
- Some features (like Alice’s voice assistant) may stop working.
- Upgrades to Mi Home will be impossible.
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Regular updates improve navigation and extend the life of the vacuum cleaner, but if the device is stable, forced upgrades are not necessary.