How long does the firmware of the Xiaomi phone last: the full guide 2026

Have you updated your Xiaomi smartphone and now you’re looking at a screen that says Installing system update... without knowing how long it’ll last? Or are you planning to reflash your device via Fastboot and want to schedule your time in advance? Xiaomi phones (including Redmi, POCO and Mi) run from 5 minutes to 1 hour — and depend on a number of factors: installation method, device model, MIUI version, and even battery status.

In this article, we’ll break down the real time frames for different firmware methods (OTA, Recovery, Fastboot), explain why the process can take a long time, and give you unique recommendations for speeding up — for example, how to avoid freezing by 99% or what to do if the firmware lasts already 2 hours, and you’ll find a table with an average time for popular models (from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and a checklist for preparation for the upgrade.

1. How long does the standard last? OTA-update MIUI

Update over the air (OTA) is the most common method used by 90% of Xiaomi owners, and installation time is minimal, but depends on two key parameters:

• 📥 Update size: Small patches (100-300MB) are installed in 3-7 minutes, and global updates (1-3GB) can take up to 20-30 minutes.
• 🔋 Battery status: If the charge is below 50%, the system artificially slows down the process to avoid power outages.
• 📶 Internet speed: downloading a packet (if there was no preload) adds 5-15 minutes.

Averages for OTAs:

Important: If the system hangs on the MI logo for more than 10 minutes after the reboot, that's not the norm. There's probably an error when unpacking the package, and then installing it through Recovery will help.

2.Firmware time through Recovery: when and why longer

Installation through stock Recovery takes 30-50% longer than OTA, which is because the system:

1. Completely checks integrity ZIP-firmware.
2. It also provides additional optimization of /data and /cache.
3. In some cases, it resets the cache (if this is indicated in the update script).

Averages for Recovery:

• ⏳ Small updates: 10-15 minutes.
• ⏳ Major Updates (change of version) MIUI/Android): 25–45 minute.
• ⏳ Custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu): 30-60 minutes (due to additional modifications).

Why Recovery is Longer OTA? Primary OTA-In the update, the system uses delta patches, which update only changed files, while in Recovery, a complete rewriting of system partitions occurs, even if the changes are minimal.

3. Fastboot: The Longest, But Reliable Method

Fastboot firmware (using the Mi Flash Tool or fastboot commands) is a "heavy artillery" used to:

• 🔄 Restore "bricks" (non-loading phones).
• 📉 downhreid MIUI/Android.
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (if you need a complete flashing).

The time here depends on the purity of the firmware:

• 🧹 Clean All (complete cleaning) + firmware: 40-90 minutes.
• 🔄 Clean All and Lock (with bootloader lock): up to 2 hours (due to additional checks).
• 🔧 Save User Data (Save Data): 20-40 minutes.

Why is it so long? In Fastboot mode, the firmware is block-by-block: each partition (boot, system, vendor, etc.) is written separately, with verification. For example, on the Xiaomi 12T Pro with an 8GB system partition, this process can take up to 45 minutes for just one partition.

Download the official firmware from the Xiaomi website|Check if the bootloader is unlocked (fastboot oem device-info command)|Disable the antivirus (it can block the Mi Flash Tool)|Connect the phone to the back. USB-PC port (front often unstable)|Recharge the battery to 100% (Fastboot drains the battery faster than usual)-->

4 Factors that increase firmware time

Even if you choose the quick method (OTA), the process can be stretched because of:

1. Fragmented Memory: If the phone has less than 10% of the available space, the system has to defragment the partitions before recording, which adds 5-15 minutes.
2. Damaged NAND Sectors: On older phones (such as the Redmi 4X or Mi A1), worn memory can slow down recording by 2-3 times.
3. Unofficial firmware: Custom builds (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) often contain unoptimized scripts that increase installation time to 1.5 hours.
4. Antivirus/firewall: Programs like Avast or Windows Defender can scan firmware files in real time, slowing down the process by 20 to 30%.

How to check the speed of writing? Xiaomi has a hidden menu for diagnosing memory:

Enter the dialer: ##4636###


Go to the "Storage" tab.




Check the "Write Speed" value (normal: >50 MB/s)

If the speed is below 20 MB / s, it is worth cleaning the cache or replacing the drive.

💡

Turn off the firmware before the firmware. SIM-Some users report that having a microSD can cause conflicts when writing system files, especially on phones with hybrid slots (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro).

5.What to do if the firmware is delayed

If the process is longer than expected + 30% (e.g, OTA-Update is 40 minutes instead of 20 minutes, follow this algorithm:

1. Check the indicators: 🔄 If the screen flashes or shows progress bar, don’t interrupt. ⚫ If the screen is black but the phone is warm, wait another 10 minutes (app optimization is possible). 🔴 If the screen goes out and the phone cools, it’s freezing.
2. Forced Reboot: For most models: press the Power + Vol Up for 10-15 seconds. For older phones (such as the Mi 5): Power + Vol Down.
3. Log check: Connect your phone to your PC and type in cmd: adb logcat | find "error" If you see errors such as E:footer is wrong or E:signature verification failed - the firmware is corrupted.

Critical errors and their solutions:

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on after interrupted firmware, don't panic: in 90% of cases it can be restored via Fastboot. The main thing is not to try to sew on top of the "broken" system, but to make a complete clean all.

6. How to speed up firmware: 5 working ways

If you need to save time, use these methods (tested on Xiaomi 11T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO F4 GT):

• ⚡ Use it. USB 3.0: Connect your phone to the blue port on your PC – this speeds up data transfer to Fastboot by 40%.
• 🗃️ Clear the cache before updating: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. Or in Recovery, select Wipe. → Wipe Cache.

Turn off Wi-Fi/mobile data

Pass with 100% charge.

Use the Mi Flash Tool in Clear All mode

Extreme way for experienced: If you are flashing custom firmware, replace the line in the updater-script file:

ui_print ("Signature verification...");


assert(verify_signature("zip", "signature.zip"));

on

ui_print ("Approval of inspection...");

This will save 5-10 minutes, but disable integrity checks – use only for trusted sources!

💡

On phones with UFS 3.1 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K70 Pro) firmware is 2 times faster than on models with UFS 2.2. If you plan to update often, pay attention to this when buying.

7. firmware time for popular Xiaomi models (Table 2026)

Below are the current firmware time data for flagships and budget models. OTA-Updates (in brackets - time for Fastboot Clean All):

Why are new models being sewn faster? 13/14 The series uses a new mechanism A/B-Updates (like the Pixel), which allows you to install firmware in the background and then instantly switch to the new version when you reboot. on older phones (up to the Redmi Note). 10) This mechanism is not supported.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi firmware timing