Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to reinstall the operating system, which can be caused by the desire to upgrade to the latest version of MIUI or HyperOS, fix software errors, remove ads or even restore the device after a failed experiment. However, before starting the procedure, everyone has a natural question: how long does it take firmware Xiaomi phone? The answer is not unequivocal, because it depends on many factors, including the chosen method, the amount of data and the state of the gadget itself.
The time spent on the whole process can range from 15 minutes to several hours. If you plan to just upgrade "over the air", the procedure will take a minimum of time, whereas a complete flashing through a computer with an unlocked bootloader will require a more serious time resource. It is critical to understand that the approximate firmware time Xiaomi is from 10 to 40 minutes for a clean installation, but preparing and recovering data can increase this time by many times. Misestimating the duration of the procedure can lead to panic if the process is delayed, so it is important to know in advance what to expect at each stage.
In this article, we will take a look at all the steps that affect timing, look at the differences between installation methods, and give you accurate tips on timing. You will understand why you can not interrupt the process even if it seems to be hanging, and how to properly plan your time to upgrade your device. Let's dive into the technical details and understand what makes up the total latency.
Factors affecting the duration of the firmware process
The first thing to consider is the model of your device. Flagship models with fast processors and modern memory UFS 3.1 or UFS 4.0 cope with writing system files much faster than budget devices with memory such as eMMC. For example, the firmware Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 will be noticeably faster than the update of the old Redmi 9A, simply because of the difference in the speed of writing the drive.
The second important factor is the variation in operating system versions. If you move from MIUI 12 to MIUI 13, the process can be relatively quick, but if you move through multiple versions of Android (for example, from Android 11 to Android 14) or if you change regional firmware (from China to Global), you need to completely clean the partitions and re-index all files, which significantly increases the latency.
- 🚀 Memory type: The data write speed is directly dependent on the type of embedded drive (eMMC vs. eMMC) UFS).
- 🌍 Firmware Region: Changing Region (CN Global) requires complete partition re-marking, which takes longer.
- 📦 Data volume: The number of installed applications and files affects the initial download and optimization time after installation.
Also (cannot be ignored) the condition USB-port and cable using computer methods. Poor contact or port use USB 2.0 instead USB 3.0 can increase the time to transfer files to and from the computer, although the write to the phone is less affected.
Firmware through Recovery: Local Update and Reset
The Recovery Menu is one of the most popular methods for updating users who don't want to use a computer. There are two main scenarios: a lossless update and a clean Install. The first is that when you just install a new version on top of the old one, the process takes the least amount of time.
If you choose Wipe Data mode, the time is extended, and after you copy the files, the phone has to format the user partition and then do the initial setup, which is often confused with freezing, but in fact, the system is doing a deep cleaning, and for mid-range devices, it can take 15 to 25 minutes.
⚠️ Note: If the firmware screen in Recovery burns for more than 40 minutes without changes to the progress bar, this may indicate a corrupt firmware file or a problem with the drive that requires specialist intervention.
It is important to note that the speed of reading a memory card or internal storage where the firmware file is located also plays a role. If the file is corrupted during download or written with errors, the pre-installing process may be delayed or error-prone, requiring a repeat of the procedure.
Fastboot and computer firmware: time costs
Using Fastboot mode and the Mi Flash Tool on your computer is the most reliable, but also more complex method, often required when you restore bricks or change your region globally, and the time is divided into several stages: connecting, unlocking (if required), recording itself, and finalizing. The process of writing via Fastboot is usually faster than through Recovery, thanks to direct access to memory partitions.
However, if your Bootloader is locked, you will have to wait 168 hours (7 days) after submitting your application in the Mi Unlock app.This wait time is a mandatory security requirement for Xiaomi and it is almost impossible to circumvent it by legal means. Only after this period you will be able to start the firmware itself, which will take about 10-20 minutes.
When you use the Mi Flash Tool, you'll see the progress bar, and the green bar is the successful entry, if you've chosen the option. clean_all, The phone will be completely cleaned. save_user_data — The data will be saved, but the risk of errors when updating Android is higher. 300-600 After a few seconds, the phone will automatically restart.
- 💻 Drivers: Installation of drivers ADB Fastboot can take extra time when you first connect.
- 🔓 Unlocking: The bootloader unlock procedure adds 7 days of waiting until the firmware start.
- ⚡ Speed. USB: Use of the port USB 3.0 and original cable reduces data transfer time.
Comparison of methods: time-cost table
To make your mind more comfortable, we've compiled a comparison table that shows the average time required for different scenarios, and remember that these data are averaged and may vary depending on your smartphone model and Internet connection speed.
| Firmware method | Preparation and downloading | Time of installation | First download. |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTA (over the air) | 10-30 min (depending on the network) | 10-15 minutes | 5-10 minutes |
| Recovery (locally) | 5-10 minutes | 15-25 minutes | 5-10 minutes |
| Fastboot (unblocked) | 15-20 minutes | 5-10 minutes | 5-15 minutes |
| Fastboot (unlocking required) | 7 days (waiting) | 5-10 minutes | 5-15 minutes |
As you can see from the table, the longest wait is not due to the file writing itself, but to the preparatory stages or mandatory security pauses. The fastest installation occurs through Fastboot, but it requires an unlocked bootloader, which is not always possible or safe for the average user.
The first phase of downloading and optimizing applications
Many users mistakenly believe that the process ends when the installation screen goes out or the progress bar in Mi Flash is completed.In fact, after the reboot, the critical stage begins - the first boot (First Boot), at which point the operating system optimizes all installed applications, checks the integrity of system libraries and configures hardware drivers.
This process can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. The Xiaomi or Android logo may appear on the screen, sometimes with download animations; Android indexes files in the background, which puts a strain on the processor. Power interruption at this stage is highly undesirable, as it can damage the file system and require reflashing.
If you have a lot of apps installed from Google Play, they will start to update in parallel with the system’s termination, which can temporarily slow down the phone, and let the device lie on charge for 20-30 minutes after the first download so that it completes all the background processes and comes to normal operation.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is cyclically restarted (bootloop) more than 20 minutes after firmware, do not wait any further - it is likely that the firmware version is incompatible with your device or the Data partition is damaged.
Frequent problems and delays in updating
Sometimes the process takes much longer than the instructions indicate. One common cause is a crowded cache or system errors in the previous version of the software. In such cases, the step of checking files before installation can be delayed.
Another factor is Xiaomi servers, and when you try to upgrade through the air or unlock the bootloader, your smartphone is accessing the company's servers, and if you're currently undergoing a massive upgrade or your servers are overloaded, the response time can increase from a few seconds to a few minutes, which is normal and requires no intervention.
- 📉 Unstable Internet: When OTA-Bad Wi-Fi signal can multiply download and check time.
- 🔋 Low charge: If the battery charge drops below 15% during installation, the process will be suspended until charging is connected.
- 🛡️ Antivirus: Third-party antiviruses on PCs can scan transferred files in real time, slowing down firmware through Fastboot.
In rare cases, the delay can be caused by a hardware fault in flash memory. If the phone warms up in the area of the camera or processor stronger than usual during firmware and the process is very slow, this is an alarm signal. In such situations, it is better to interrupt the procedure (if it is possible safely) and contact the service center for diagnosis.