How long does Xiaomi phone update: 5 minutes to an hour – what affects speed?

Did you click Update, did Xiaomi's phone reboot, and the screen has been running for 20 minutes? Or vice versa — did the firmware install in minutes, but you doubt it went right? Update times for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones can range from 5 minutes to 1.5 hours, and it doesn't always depend on the device model.

Why some phones are updated for a coffee break, and others “hang” on the clock;

How to speed up the process without risking the system

What to do if the update is stuck at 0%, 50% or 99% (spoiler: not always the fault of the phone);

How to check that the firmware is installed correctly, and you do not have to reflash the device again.

We analyzed the data from Xiaomi users for 2023–2026 years, official recommendations MIUI and forum reviews 4PDA/MIUI At the end of the article – table with average update time for popular models (from Redmi Note) 12 Xiaomi 14 Ultra and FAQ frequent-question.

1. What does the speed of Xiaomi upgrade depend on?

If you think it's just the phone model that determines everything, you're wrong. Yes, the Xiaomi 13T Pro with its flagship Dimensity 9000+ processor will be able to upgrade faster than the Redmi 9A on the Helio G25. But the difference may not be that big, because the main factors lie deeper:

• 📥 Upgrade type: incremental (delta package, weighs 50-300 MB) or full firmware (1.5-3 GB). The first is installed in 5-15 minutes, the second - up to 40-60 minutes.
• 📶 Download source: Update "over the air» (OTA) via mobile internet or Wi-Fi. 4G/LTE speed may fall 3–5 wifi-like 5/6.
• 🔋 Battery charge: If the level is below 30%, the system artificially slows the process to avoid shutting down during installation.
• 🧹 Xiaomi servers load: in the first days after the release of the new version MIUI servers are overloaded - download speed drops to 100-200 KB / s.
• 🛠️ Memory status: If your phone has less than 10% of the available space, you spend time optimizing your files before upgrading.

For example, a POCO F5 with a clean system and Wi-Fi 6 connection will upgrade from MIUI 14.0.5 to 14.0.6 in 8-12 minutes. And the same phone, but with clogged memory and mobile Internet, will spend 30-45 minutes. 4 times the difference!

Average update time: model table

We have collected data from users and test labs about the update time for popular Xiaomi devices. note: the values are approximate and depend on the conditions described above. The table shows the full cycle time (download + installation + first download after the update):

Note: Xiaomi 12S Ultra and older flagships (Mi 11, Mi 10) can be upgraded longer due to the features of the /system partition. For example, switching from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14 to Mi 11 Lite takes up to 1 hour and 10 minutes - even on Wi-Fi.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone is 30 to 50 percent longer than the time specified, but the progress lane is moving, don’t interrupt the process! Interrupting during the installation phase (especially after 70% progress) can lead to a device being knocked out (inoperable.

3.Why is Xiaomi’s update “hanging” at 0%, 50% or 99%?

The most common complaint of users is that they're stuck on a certain percentage, and according to service centers, 80 percent of the time, it's not the phone that's the problem, it's the external factors.

• 🔄 0% (download): Xiaomi servers are overloaded (especially in the first 3 days after the update release).Solution: wait or download the firmware manually through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Select a Service Package.
• ⏳ 20-50% (installation): conflict with user data. Often occurs if you have changed system fonts, themes or patched through Magisk. Solution: reset to factory settings (but this will delete all data!).
• 🚫 99% (Final stage: file verification error, caused by corrupted firmware (if downloaded manually) or lack of space in the partition /cache. Solution: Clear cache through Recovery.

If the update is more than 1 hour old, try:

1. Forced to restart the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10-15 seconds).
2. If after the reboot there is an error "Can't verify update" - download the full firmware from the official MIUI Downloads website and install through Recovery.

4 How to Speed Update Xiaomi: 5 Working Ways

If you're tired of waiting for your phone to upgrade, use these methods. They don't require root rights and are safe for the system:

Disable VPN and proxy servers

Connect to Wi-Fi 5/6 (not mobile)

Close all background applications (especially messengers)

Clear the cache in Settings → Storage → Clear the cache

Charge your phone to at least 50%

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Method 1. Download the firmware in advance

Do not wait for the update notification – download the firmware file (.zip) from the official website and install manually:

1. Go to MIUI Downloads.
2. Select your model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+5G).
3. Download the latest stable version (not beta!).
4. Place the file in the root of the phone’s memory (not in folders!).
5. Run the update via Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Select the Service Pack.

Method 2: Use ADB for Forced Installation

For advanced users, if your phone supports ADB Sideload, you can run the update through your computer, which will speed up the process by 20 to 30 percent.

adb sideload update.zip

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
3. Enter the command above (replace update.zip with your file name).

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If the upgrade is too long, check the speed of the Internet through the Speedtest app. If the speed is below 5 Mbps, reconnect to another network or wait for night time (from 2:00 to 6:00 Xiaomi servers are less loaded).

5. Update via Recovery: When is it necessary?

If the standard over-the-air update (OTA) doesn't work, you can manually install it through Recovery, which is used in cases where:

• 🔧 Damaged system files after failed update.
• 📦 Lack of space in the section /system (It is often used in older models like Redmi. 4X).
• 🔄 Retraction to the previous version MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the full firmware (.zip) for your model from the official website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the memory.
3. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip to System (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
5. Wait until the end (usually 10-20 minutes) and restart.

⚠️ Note: Do not use firmware from third-party sites (for example, XDA Developers, if not sure of their origin! In 2023, there were cases when files with miner viruses were distributed under the guise of “castom firmware” that stole bank card data.

6.How to check that the update is installed correctly?

Even if the process went smoothly, it's not necessarily working well. Here are 4 signs of a successful upgrade:

• ✅ B Settings → The phone is showing a new version. MIUI (14.0.8.0 instead of 14.0.6.0).
• ✅ In the update log (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system → Logs have a record of installation.
• ✅ All apps run without errors (especially Google Play Services and Mi Account).
• ✅ B Settings → Memory of free space has not decreased by more than 500 MB (if decreased - firmware is not fully installed).

If there are problems after the update:

• 📱 Phone overheats → Clean the cache in Recovery (Wipe Cache).
• 🔊 The sound went missing. → Check the settings Settings → Sound. → Sound quality.
• 📶 The mobile network is not working → reinstall SIM-map or reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings).

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If the phone starts to run out faster after the upgrade, wait for 2-3 full charge/discharge cycles. The system calibrates the battery to new firmware, and after a couple of days, the autonomy will return to normal.

7 Frequent update errors and how to avoid them

Mistakes in updating Xiaomi are often due to user negligence. TOP-5 problems and solutions:

If you see an error that is not in the table, do not try to solve it yourself – contact the MIUI Russia forum or support chats. For example, the E1001 error occurs only on the Xiaomi Pad 6 and is associated with a permission conflict – it is treated with a special patch.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions