When you buy a Xiaomi device โ whether itโs a smartphone, a TV or a smart light bulb โ one of the key questions is: how long will it be updated? Not only does it depend on security, but it also depends on the functionality of the gadget. Unfortunately, the company does not always transparently communicate the timing of support, which breeds myths and misunderstandings.
In this article, weโll look at Xiaomiโs official policy, compare it to actual practice on popular models, and learn how to check for yourself how many years of support your device has left, and also find out why some gadgets get updates longer than stated, and others stop them earlier.
Xiaomiโs official policy: what the manufacturer promises
Unlike Apple or Google, which clearly spell out the support timeline (5-7 years for iPhone, 3-5 years for Pixel), Xiaomi has not published any guarantees until 2022, which changed after criticism of users and tougher requirements in the EU, where manufacturers are required to provide a minimum of 5 years of security updates for smartphones.
The company currently adheres to the following rules:
- ๐ฑ Flagship smartphones (series Xiaomi) 13/14, Mix, Ultra): 4 year of major updates MIUI + 1 Additional year of security patches (total) 5 years).
- ๐ฑ Mid-size segment (Redmi Note, POCO X/F): 3 year-end MIUI + 1 safety-year (4 year-round).
- ๐บ Televisions and Smart Techniques (Mi) TV, Mi Box, Roborock): 2-3 Update year, but without clear commitments.
- โ ๏ธ Budget models (Redmi A, POCO C: Often only 2 years are paid MIUI and 1 year of patches.
Important: these dates are from the global release of the model, not the date of your purchase. For example, if the Xiaomi 13 Pro was released in December 2022, then support will end in December 2027 - even if you bought it in 2026.
โ ๏ธ Note: Xiaomi may stop early updates if the model sold poorly or has hardware limitations (for example, little RAM for new versions). MIUI).
Real practice: how long do popular models update?
Theory and practice often diverge. Let's take a look at how long Xiaomi's popular devices actually lived.
| Model | Year of release | Last update to MIUI | The latest security patch | Actual duration of support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 9 | 2019 | MIUI 12.5 (2022) | June 2023 | 4 years 6 months |
| Redmi Note 8 Pro | 2019 | MIUI 12.5 (2021) | December 2022 | 3 years 3 months |
| POCO F1 | 2018 | MIUI 12 (2021) | August 2021 | 3 years |
| Mi TV 4S 55" | 2018 | PatchWall 3.0 (2021) | No data. | 3 years |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra | 2021 | MIUI 14 (2023) | April 2026 | 3 years 4 months (continued) |
The table shows that:
- ๐น Flagships (Mi 9, Mi 11 Ultra) receive updates longer than announced (up to 4.5 years instead of 4 years).
- ๐น The mid-range (Redmi Note 8 Pro) is often de-supported ahead of schedule (3 years instead of 4).
- ๐น Budgetary models (POCO F1) Update 3 years, even if more is promised.
- ๐น Televisions are kept short โ usually no longer than 3 years.
Fun fact: Some devices, like the Xiaomi Mi A2 (Android One), have been getting updates longer than similar MIUI models thanks to Googleโs software, proving that hardware limitations arenโt always the reason for early support end.
How to Check How Many Years of Support Your Device Has
To avoid guessing, use official and informal methods of verification:
- Go to the Xiaomi support site, select your model and see the date of the last update: ๐ธ Less. 2 Over the years, support will continue. ๐ธ 2-3 year โ depending on the segment (flagships are secure). ๐ธ More. 4 In the years ahead, there will probably be no updates.
MIUI Updates Tracker Service
The unofficial MIUI Updates Tracker tracks all the firmware. Type in the device model and see the update history. If the last one was more than a year ago, support is likely over.
Verification through settings
Go to Settings โ About Phone โ System Update. If it says โYour system is up to date,โ but the last patch date is older than 6 months, thatโs a worrying sign.
Last update is older than 9 months |
No new security patches in the update list |
There are reports of the end of support on forums |
Xiaomi has stopped releasing beta versions MIUI for your model-->
โ ๏ธ Note: If your device hasnโt received updates for more than a year, but still runs on the current version MIUI (for example, MIUI 14 on a 2020 smartphone, that doesn't mean support will continue. Chances are you got the latest compatible firmware.
Why Xiaomi is ending support early (and how to avoid it)
Even if your device is expected to update for another year or two, Xiaomi may stop supporting for several reasons:
- ๐ Hardware limitations: little RAM (less than 4 GB), weak processor (e.g. Snapdragon) 6xx 2018 series, which does not support new versions of Android.
- ๐ Low sales: if the model sold poorly, the company does not spend resources on its upgrade (example โ Xiaomi Mi Max 3).
- ๐ Change of platform: transition from MIUI HyperOS in 2026 caused some older devices to not get a new shell.
- ๐ต Regional restrictions: Global versions (Global) ROM) It is longer than the Chinese or Indian ones (India) ROM).
How to extend the life of the device:
- ๐ง Install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), but note that this will deprive you of official security patches.
- ๐ Go to beta version. MIUI (If it is still available, they sometimes go longer than stable.
- ๐ก๏ธ Use alternative launchers (like Nova Launcher) to update the firmware-free interface.
What happens if you continue to use the device without updates?
In 2026, Xiaomi began actively blocking the installation of new applications on devices older than 5 years through the Mi App Store, even if they are technically capable of running them.
Comparison with competitors: who updates longer
To see how generous Xiaomiโs policies are, letโs compare them to other brands:
| Brand | Flagships | Mid-segment | Budgetary models | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | 6-7 years | 6-7 years | 5-6 years | The longest support in the market. |
| Google (Pixel) | 5 years | 5 years | 3 years | It is expected to be updated to 2027 for the Pixel 6 and later. |
| Samsung | 4 years | 4 years | 2-3 years | It guarantees 4 years for all devices from 2019. |
| Xiaomi | 4-5 years | 3-4 years | 2 years | The actual time is often shorter than promised. |
| Realme/Oppo | 3 years | 2 years | 1-2 years | The worst performance among top brands. |
Xiaomi is in the middle, better than Realme or Motorola, but worse than Samsung or Google. Xiaomiโs main advantage is quick updates in the first 2 years (monthly security patches), while competitors often delay releases.
๐ก
If you want long-term support, choose Xiaomi flagship models (Xiaomi 14, Mix Fold 3) or Android One devices (if they are still coming out), which are the longest-renewed.
What to do if your device support is over
If Xiaomi has officially stopped updating your model, you have a few options:
- Upgrade to custom firmware Popular options: ๐ง LineageOS โ pure Android without extra software. ๐ง Pixel Experience โ firmware with interface and chips from Google Pixel. ๐ง Havoc-OS โ flexible firmware with many settings. โ ๏ธ Risks: loss of warranty, possible bugs, lack of security patches from Xiaomi.
- Use alternative services Replace standard Xiaomi apps with analogues: ๐ฑ Instead of Mi Browser, Chrome or Firefox. ๐ท Instead of Mi Gallery, Google Photos. ๐ Instead of Mi Security - Malwarebytes.
- Buy a new device with long-term support if you need a gadget for 5+ years, consider: ๐ฑ Google Pixel 8 (5 years of updates). ๐ฑ Samsung Galaxy S23 (4 years + extended support). ๐ฑ Xiaomi 14 Ultra (5 years on the promises of the company).
๐ก
Custom firmware can bring the device back to its current state of the art, but it wonโt replace official security patches.If youโre using mobile banking or storing important data, itโs best to upgrade to a supported device.
If you decide to stay on your old device, at least turn off the automatic installation of applications from unknown sources and regularly check it for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.
The future of Xiaomi support: what will change with HyperOS
In late 2023, Xiaomi announced a new operating system, HyperOS, which should replace MIUI, which the company said would lead to:
- โก Longer support through code optimization.
- ๐ Fast updates thanks to modular architecture.
- ๐ค Better compatibility with older devices.
However, in practice, the transition to HyperOS has caused problems:
- ๐ด Many devices 2020-2021 Redmi Note of the Year 9 Pro, POCO X3) I didnโt get HyperOS despite the promises.
- ๐ด In the new system, some functions were removed. MIUI (For example, the topic of design, which caused dissatisfaction of users.
- ๐ด Update on HyperOS resets settings, which is uncomfortable for many.
It is not yet known whether HyperOS will affect the support timeline.According to preliminary data, Xiaomi plans to provide at least 4 years of updates for devices on the new OS, but this applies only to models released after 2023.