The time it takes to install a new operating system on a Xiaomi smartphone depends on the upgrade method chosen and the current version of the software. On average, the process takes 15 to 45 minutes if it comes to automatic air-to-air updates (OTAs).
If you plan to use more complex methods, such as manual installation through Recovery or computer utilities, the time costs can increase to 60 minutes or more, this is due to the need for additional file preparation, data integrity verification and performing deeper rewrite system partitions. It is important to understand that interruption of the process at any of these stages can lead to the failure of the gadget.
There are many factors that influence the final figure, from the state of the battery to the speed of the microSD card on which the firmware file is loaded. In this article, we will discuss all the steps in detail so that you can accurately plan the downtime of your device.
Factors affecting the installation duration
The first thing that determines the speed is the type of package being installed. Full ROM, which weighs 4-6 GB, always takes longer to install than an incremental update that weighs 200-500 MB and contains only modified files. The time difference can be double.
The second important aspect is the hardware capabilities of the smartphone itself: flagship models based on Snapdragon processors 8 series process data encryption and decompression of archives much faster than budget devices on MediaTek Helio: UFS 3.1 is faster than eMMC 5.1.
- 📱 Processor model: the power of the chip directly affects the speed of unpacking archives.
- 💾 File size: Global firmware versions weigh more than regional ones.
- 🔋 Battery Charging: When charged low, the system can artificially slow down the process.
If the internal memory of the smartphone is almost full, the system does not have enough space for temporary buffers, which significantly increases the installation time, and freeing up at least 5 GB of free space before the procedure can reduce the firmware time by 10-15%.
Stages of the update process and their duration
The firmware process is not a homogeneous action, it is divided into several logical stages. Understanding what happens in the background will help you not panic if the screen is gone or the percentage does not change for a long time.
First, the preparation stage is in. The system checks the checksums of the file to make sure that it's intact. On modern devices, it takes 1-2 minutes. Then there's the direct writing of the data to the disk. This is where you see the MIUI logo and the progress bar running.
The last step is to optimize the applications and set up the system first, so once you reboot, the phone can run slowly, heat up and turn on for a long time, which is normal, because you're compiling Dalvik/ART libraries.
- 🔄 Verification: Validation of files before installation.
- ⚙️ Recording: Copying system files into memory sections.
- 🚀 Optimization: Configuring applications for the new version of the OS.
⚠️ Note: If the application optimization phase lasts more than 20 minutes, this may indicate damage to system files or version conflict.
Comparison of firmware methods by time
The choice of upgrade method is always a compromise between speed, convenience and cleanliness of the system being installed. For the average user, the fastest option is OTA, but it does not always solve software errors.
Manually installing a Recovery menu requires downloading a firmware file, renaming it to update.zip, and selecting it from the menu, a method that takes a little longer because of manual preparation, but is more reliable than the standard one.
The longest, but also the most effective method is to run through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility in Clean All mode. It completely erases data and puts a "clean" system.
| Method | Preparation | Installation | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTA (Airway) | 0min | 10-20 minutes | Low. |
| Recovery (Locally) | 5-10 minutes | 15-25 minutes | Medium |
| Fastboot (Mi Flash) | 15-20 minutes | 20-40 minutes. | Tall. |
| EDL Mode | 30+ mine | 10-15 minutes | Expert |
As you can see from the table, EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is used in extreme cases when the phone is not turned on and requires an authorized account, which also adds time to the wait.
The impact of MIUI and Android versions on speed
Switching between major versions of Android (for example, 11 to 12 or 13) takes much longer than upgrading within one version, due to the change in the structure of system partitions and the need to migrate user data.
Especially long updates with MIUI The new shell has a modified mechanism for working with memory and file system, which requires a deeper restructuring of partitions.
Why do older models take longer to update?
If you are using the Chinese version of firmware (CN ROM) and upgrading it to Global ROM, the process may take a maximum of time due to the complete replacement of language packs and regional services.
Preparing for a fast and safe update
To minimize downtime and avoid errors, you need to properly prepare your device, and ignoring simple safety rules often causes the process to break down and start over.
Be sure to charge your smartphone to at least 60%.The system can block the start of installation if the charge is below this threshold, considering the risk of power outages too high.
☑️ Checklist before firmware
Back up your important data. Even if you use the method without losing data, a power failure or file system error can cause you to lose it. Use the Mi Cloud cloud or local backup on your computer.
Typical problems and delays in firmware
Often, users are faced with a situation where the process is 3, 50 or 99 percent, and in most cases this is not a mistake, but a feature of the system working with large amounts of data, but if the phone is hanging for more than 20 minutes on a single digit, you should be alert.
One of the reasons for the delay is a corrupt firmware file, and if the download is interrupted or the file has been modified, the checksums will not match, and the system will endlessly try to check the archive, in which case it helps to re-download the file from an official source.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is cyclically restarted after the upgrade (bootloop), you will need to reset via Recovery or flash it through your computer.
Also, delays can be caused by overheating of the device, so if the processor temperature exceeds a critical threshold, the trottling system will lower the frequencies, which will slow down the recording of data, let the phone cool down before the procedure begins.
💡
Use the original cable and USB 3.0 port on your computer for the most stable data transfer when you are running through Fastboot.
How to speed up the process and avoid mistakes
There are several life hacks that help reduce latency. First, before installing the OTA update through the About Phone menu, you can click several times on the MIUI version logo. This activates the hidden download function of the full package, which sometimes works more stable.
Second, if you're scouring through Recovery, make sure the file is at the root of the internal memory, not in a deep nested folder, which makes it faster for the installer to search and read the file.
Third, before starting the procedure, it is advisable to restart the device in normal mode to close all background processes that can block access to system files.
💡
The fastest and safest way for the average user is to upgrade through Wi-Fi with a battery charge above 50%.
Don't try to speed things up with artificial cooling (refrigerator, ice) as condensate can knock electronics out. Natural ventilation is your best friend when upgrading.