You're not alone: this is one of the key factors when choosing an Android device. Unlike Apple, where iPhones have been supported for 5-7 years, Android manufacturers often save on long-term support. Xiaomi is no exception here - but with nuances.
In this article, we will examine Xiaomi’s official update policy, compare it with competitors (Samsung, Google, OnePlus), show you how to check the support status of your model, and what to do when updates stop, and also reveal hidden life hacks, how to extend the life of a smartphone after the end of official support (spoiler: custom firmware is not always a panacea).
Xiaomi’s official policy: what the manufacturer promises
Xiaomi has long been criticized for its opaque support timeline, but in 2022, the company finally announced its official commitment.
- 📱 Flagship Series (Xiaomi) 13/14, Mix Fold, Black Shark): 4 renewal MIUI and 3 Android Update Year.
- 📱 Mid-size segment (Redmi Note 12, POCO F5): 3 years MIUI 2 years of Android.
- 📱 Budget models (Redmi) A2, POCO M6): 2 years MIUI 1 year of Android (sometimes without an upgrade).
- 📱 Smart devices (Xiaomi Pad, Mi) TV): Support varies but rarely exceeds 2 years.
Important: these deadlines are in effect from 2022, smartphones released before that (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi Note 10) could receive fewer updates, and Xiaomi reserves the right to reduce support for models with low sales or technical limitations (for example, small memory).
⚠️ Xiaomi often releases updates in waves – first for China, then for global versions (Global/EEA). If your model didn't get an update at the same time that it was announced, it doesn't mean she was abandoned. 2-4 weekdays.
Comparison with competitors: who supports the longer
To see how generous Xiaomi’s policies are, let’s compare them to other brands (data for 2026):
| Brand | Flagships | Mid-segment | Budgetary models | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi | 4 years MIUI3 Android | 3 years MIUI2 years Android | 2 years MIUI1 year Android | Support depends on the series (POCO often gets less) |
| Samsung | 4 years of Android5 years of security | 4 years of Android5 years of security | 2 years of Android4 security | Best Support Among Android Manufacturers |
| Google (Pixel) | 5 years Android5 safety-year | 5 years Android5 safety-year | — | The Longest Updates, But Only for Pixel |
| OnePlus | 4 years of Android5 years of security | 3 years of Android4 security | 2 years of Android3 security | Policy has improved since 2023 |
| Realme/Oppo | 3 years of Android4 security | 2 years of Android3 security | 1 Year of Android2 Security Years | Often delayed with the release of updates |
Xiaomi lags behind Samsung and Google, but ahead of Realme or Motorola, the main drawback is unpredictability: even flagships sometimes receive late-release updates (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra waited longer for Android 14 than the Pixel 7).
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If you are critically interested in long-term support, pay attention to the Samsung Galaxy S/A-The series or Google Pixel, which are more expensive, but pay off with long-term updates.
How to check if your smartphone is supported
To find out how many updates your model has left, follow this instruction:
- Find the device codename: Go to Settings → About Phone → Model. For example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G has ruby code.
- Check the official resources: 🌐 Download page MIUI — Here you can see the latest firmware for each model. 📊 XiaomiUI – unofficial update tracker with version history.
Use tracking services
Sites like End of Life show end-of-support (EOL) dates for many devices.
☑️ Xiaomi Support Checkup
⚠️ If your smartphone is released before 2020, it probably won’t receive security updates anymore.
What happens after the end of support (EOL)
When Xiaomi stops releasing updates for the model, it doesn’t mean that the smartphone will immediately become useless.
- 🔒 Security vulnerabilities: Without patches, the device becomes a target for viruses and hackers.
- 🚫 Application incompatibility: Over time, programs (such as banking) will no longer support older versions of Android.
- 📉 Performance deterioration: New versions of apps optimized for fresh OS, which can slow down older smartphones.
- 🔋 Battery problems: Without power management updates, the battery degrades faster.
But the good news is that the developer community often extends the life of devices through custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and skills, and also takes away warranty.
Which Xiaomi models are best supported by custom firmware?
How to extend the life of a smartphone after EOL
If your Xiaomi is no longer getting updates but you’re not ready to change it, try these methods:
- Install custom firmware: To do this, unlock the bootloader (via Mi Unlock Tool), install TWRP And I'm going to run an alternative OS: 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary applications. 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel features. 📱 Havoc-OS - customizable firmware with many chips.
⚠️ Warning! Unlocking the bootloader resets all data and can lead to problems with Widevine L1 (Streaming quality down on Netflix, Disney+).
Optimize the current firmware
Remove unnecessary applications (ADB will help you remove system ones), disable animations in Developer Settings, use lightweight launchers like Nova Launcher.
Use alternative app stores
Aurora Store or F-Droid lets you install apps without Google Play, which is true for older versions of Android.
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Custom firmware can give a second life to a smartphone, but requires technical skills. Without experience, it is better to contact specialists or use the device for secondary tasks (for example, as a media player).
Spoiler: which Xiaomi models will receive updates the longest in 2026-2026
If you are planning a purchase and want the maximum support period, pay attention to these models (according to Xiaomi and insiders):
- 🏆 Xiaomi 14 Ultra – flagship with guaranteed updates until 2027.
- 🏆 Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 – foldable smartphone with long-term support.
- 🏆 Redmi K70 Pro – the top representative of the Redmi series with 4 years MIUI.
- 🏆 POCO F6 Pro is one of the few. POCO, Who will get 3 years of Android.
- 🏆 Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro – stylish smartphone for self-seeds with long support.
These models are already close to EOL or are getting the latest updates:
- ⚠️ Xiaomi Mi 11 (2021) – Support ends in 2026.
- ⚠️ Redmi Note 10 Pro (2021) – the last update expected in 2026.
- ⚠️ POCO X3 Pro (2021) – will not get Android 14.