The question of how long Xiaomi continues to release updates for its smartphones worries every buyer who plans to use the device for the long term. Unlike Apple, which updates gadgets 5-7 years, or Google with their Pixel, the Chinese manufacturer has long used a more conservative policy, tying the life of the software to a warranty period of 2-3 years. However, in 2026, the situation changed dramatically with the release of the new shell HyperOS and the flagship series Xiaomi 14, which marks the transition of the brand into an era of long-term software support.
Understanding MIUI and HyperOS support cycles is critical not only to getting new features, but also to keeping your data safe. If you’re used to using a smartphone for 4-5 years, knowing the exact timing of security patches will help you avoid using a vulnerable system in the future. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how company policies have changed, which models fall into the category of centenarians, and what to do if support for your device has already been discontinued.
The evolution of the policy of updates: from MIUI to HyperOS
For a long time, it was standard practice for Xiaomi to provide two major Android updates and three years of security patches for flagship models. The budget segment of the Redmi and POCO series often contented with one major update and irregular patches of vulnerabilities, a strategy that allowed the company to focus on releasing new devices, but drew a lot of criticism from the community, especially against the background of competitors like Samsung, which had already switched to 4-5 years of support cycles.
Things have started to change with the announcement of the HyperOS shell, based on Android 14.The company has officially announced the extension of support times for its top devices.Now flagships such as the Xiaomi 14 series and future models can count on 4 major Android updates and up to 5 years of security patches.This is a landmark step that aligns Xiaomi with leading market players and increases the liquidity of their devices in the secondary market.
⚠️ Note: Update policies may vary by region.Global versions (Global) ROM) Often receive updates later than Chinese counterparts, and support times are sometimes revised downwards for certain markets.
It’s important to understand the difference between major updates (new Android) and minor patches (security patches).Even if your phone stopped receiving the new Android 15 or 16, it could continue to receive critical security patches for another year or two, making the device suitable for use in banking apps.
Support Categories: Flagships, Middle Class and Budgetary
Xiaomi clearly segments its product line, and the support time depends on the device belonging to a certain price segment. the flagship series Xiaomi (former Mi) and Xiaomi Ultra are always in priority. These devices are the first to receive the new version of the shell and remain relevant for the longest time. Owners of models such as Xiaomi 13 Pro or Xiaomi 14 can expect to maximize the life cycle of the software.
The mid-range of Xiaomi Lite, Redmi Note (top-end versions) and POCO F series is in the middle zone. Usually these smartphones receive 2 major Android updates and 3 years of security patches. However, some Redmi Note Pro models have seen exceptions in recent years when devices have received a third major update, but rely on this as a guarantee is not worth it.
The budget segment, which includes the Redmi A series, Redmi C and the initial POCO M/C, traditionally has the shortest support cycle. Often these devices come with an already installed version of Android and receive only a minimum number of security patches for 1-2 years, due to the low margin of devices and technical limitations of budget processors, which are difficult to cope with new heavy versions of the OS.
- 🚀 Flagships: Up to 4 years of major Android updates, up to 5 years of security patches.
- 📱 Middle class: 2-3 Major Android updates, 3-4 security patch year.
- 💰 Budget segment: 1 major update (or 0), 1-2 security patch year.
Table of terms of support of current series
To systematize the information and give a clear answer to the question of how much Xiaomi supports phones, you need to refer to specific data on the series. Below is a table that reflects the current policy of the company for various product lines released during the transition to HyperOS and the latest versions of MIUI.
| Series of devices | Examples of models | Android Updates | Security patches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Flagship | Xiaomi 14, 13, 12 Series | 4 generations | 5 years |
| Redmi Note Pro | Redmi Note 13 Pro, 12 Pro | 3 generations | 4 years |
| POCO F Series | POCO F5, F4 | 2-3 generations | 3-4 years |
| Budget Redmi | Redmi 13C, 12C | generation | 2 years |
The data in the table is indicative and based on official statements of the company and historical data. It is worth noting that the POCO series sometimes has a unique fate: as a sub-brand, it often receives global versions of firmware with a delay, but thanks to the huge (community) of developers, many POCO models live long thanks to custom firmware.
The Mix Fold, which is a premium product, equates to Xiaomi’s flagship lineup and receives the highest support comparable to the Ultra series, is logical given the high cost of such gadgets and the expectations of their owners.
Risks of termination of support and data security
Ending support for a smartphone is not just the absence of new emojis or widgets; the main danger lies in security vulnerabilities. When a manufacturer stops issuing patches, the holes in the Android code discovered by hackers remain open. For a device that has banking applications, instant messengers and photos installed, this becomes a serious threat.
Current digital hygiene standards require that your smartphone receive security updates at least once a quarter.If your Xiaomi stopped receiving patches more than a year ago, using it for mobile payments (NFC, Google Pay) becomes risky. In some cases, banks can independently block their applications on devices with an outdated version of Android or a security patch date.
⚠️ Note: Using rooting rights or unlocking the bootloader on devices that no longer receive official updates can completely deprive you of access to banking applications due to the activation of security mechanisms. SafetyNet/Play Integrity.
In addition, when support stops, system components of Google Play Services often stop updating, which over time can lead to incorrect operation of some third-party applications. Software developers focus on current versions of the API, and too old systems gradually cease to conform to them.
How to test and prolong the life of an old Xiaomi
If you find that your phone is no longer receiving an OTA update, it doesn't always mean the end of its life. There are several ways to check the status and, if you have technical skills, extend the functionality of the device. The first step is to manually check the updates through the settings menu, as the automatic push notification may have been lost.
To extend the life of the device, enthusiasts often resort to custom firmware installation. The XDA Developers community and 4PDA forums offer ports of current Android versions for older Xiaomi models. However, this path requires unlocking the bootloader, which erases all data and can void the warranty (if it was still valid).
Check the version of the security patch:
1. Open Settings.
2 Go to About the Phone
3. Find the line "Security patch level"
4. Compare the date with the current yearIt’s also worth considering using lightweight versions of apps (Lite) and alternative software stores that require less system resources, which will help the old phone run faster and remain useful as a second device or media center, even if it’s not suitable for active banking.