The era of updates for the company’s most popular devices has arrived, and the list of Xiaomi smartphones that will receive Android 12 has become one of the most discussed in the technical community. Users around the world were looking forward to the release of a stable version of firmware based on the new operating system, as this update brought not only visual changes, but also fundamental improvements in the operation of the interface and security. Global version of MIUI 13, based on the “green robot” of the twelfth version, began its distribution from flagship models, gradually reaching the mid- and budget segments.
The deployment process has been quite lengthy and uneven, which is typical for the Xiaomi ecosystem, covering hundreds of models under the brands Redmi and POCO. It is important for device owners to understand that the availability of an update depends not only on the model, but also on the regional version of the firmware, as well as from the operator. In this article, we will analyze in detail the full list of supported gadgets, discuss the technical features of the transition and answer the questions that most often arise from users when waiting for a “big update”.
It’s worth noting that switching to a new OS is always a risk, but in this case, the company has tried to minimize possible errors. However, before installing it, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the requirements for the device. Official support for Android 12 is discontinued for devices released before 2018, and they will not be able to receive an update even in the form of custom builds without losing warranty. Let’s get to the specifics and find out which devices are honored to work on the new platform.
The flagship line of Mi and Xiaomi: the pioneers of the update
The company’s most powerful devices were the first to be upgraded, as they have the necessary margin of performance and driver compatibility. Xiaomi’s flagship Mi 11 series pioneered this list, gaining stable build almost immediately after the presentation of MIUI 13 in China. These smartphones were created with a view to long-term support, as confirmed by the timely release of major Android updates.
Owners of the Mi 10 series can also breathe a sigh of relief, as these models, despite their age, have received full functionality of the new system.The company’s engineers have carried out significant optimizations to ensure smooth operation of animations and new widgets on the Snapdragon 865 and 870 processors.
Below is a list of flagship models guaranteed to receive the update:
- 🚀 Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra / Mi 11 Pro / Mi 11
- 📱 Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro / Mi 10T / Mi 10 Lite
- ⚡ Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro / Mi 10 / Mi 10 Ultra
- 🔥 Xiaomi Mi Mix 4
- 📸 Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G / Mi 11 Lite 4G
⚠️ Note: Owners of Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold should be careful when installing global firmware, as the foldable design requires specific drivers that may not work properly in early beta versions.
The Mi 9 series is the latest in the lineup of classic flagships to receive this update in some regions, although the officially global stable version for it was released with delays, underscoring the company's policy of supporting devices for two to three years after release.
Smartphones Redmi Note and series K: a mass update
The Redmi Note series is traditionally the most popular in the world, and for her, the release of Android 12 became the most significant event. Smartphones Redmi Note 10 and Note 11 received a new shell, which significantly changed the visual style, adding new controls and a redesigned notification curtain. MIUI 13 allowed these devices to run faster than the previous version of the software.
The Chinese Redmi K series, which often goes global under the POCO brand, was also covered by the update: Redmi K40 and K30S Ultra models received stable firmware versions that ensure high stability of gaming applications.
The main models included in the update list:
- 📝 Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G / Note 11 Pro / Note 11
- 🎮 Redmi Note 10 Pro / Note 10S / Note 10 5G
- 🔋 Redmi K50 Gaming Edition / K40 Pro+
- ⚙️ Redmi K30S Ultra / K30 Pro Zoom
Why did Redmi Note 9 get the update the latest?
It’s important to understand that for MediaTek-based devices, the path to upgrade is often more difficult because of the need to adapt the chipmaker’s drivers, which is why some Redmi models came out with Android 12 later than their counterparts on Snapdragon.
POCO brand: gaming smartphones and sub-flagships
The POCO brand, which is aimed at enthusiasts and performance enthusiasts, is also worth highlighting: POCO F3, which is renamed Redmi K40, received an update of one of the first in its segment, and this device became a sales hit thanks to a combination of powerful iron and timely software support.
The POCO X3 series also received developer attention. Despite being mid-range models, they got all the key features of Android 12, including improved privacy and new widgets. Users note that the interface has become more responsive since the update, although some reported initial bugs with auto-brightness.
List of key POCO models:
- 🎯 POCO F3 / F3 Pro
- 🔥 POCO X3 Pro / X3 NFC / X3 GT
- ⚡ POCO M3 Pro 5G / M4 Pro
- 🚀 POCO F4 / F4 GT
⚠️ Note: On some models POCO With an unlocked bootloader, installing the official firmware can cause root rights to be reset, so back up the data before updating.
Owners of game versions such as the POCO F4 GT are advised to wait until after the main release for a safety patch to avoid the overheating issues that are sometimes encountered in the first builds.
Technical Features and Changes to MIUI 13
The move to Android 12 in the MIUI 13 shell brought not just a change in numbers, but a number of deep system changes. One of the main innovations was the Memory Extension feature, which allows you to use part of internal storage as RAM, which is especially true for models with 4 or 6 GB of RAM, allowing them to more confidently keep applications in the background.
And it's also completely redesigned the privacy protection system, and it's called the Privacy Defender, which shows which apps use the camera, the microphone, and the geolocation, and visually it's lighter, with translucent elements and a new color palette that adapts to the wallpaper.
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Before upgrading, free up 10GB of free space, even if the system requires less to avoid errors when unpacking temporary files.
Other changes include improved widgets that can now be scaled and combined, as well as new system sounds and unlock animations, all of which make smartphone interactions more enjoyable, although some heavy animations may work at lower frame rates on older devices.
Compatibility table and release statuses
For the convenience of users, we have prepared a summary table that reflects the release status of updates for different series. Please note that dates can vary depending on the region (Global, EU, Russia, India).
| Series of devices | Basic model | Android 12 Status | MIUI version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Flagship | Mi 11 / Mi 10 | Stable. | MIUI 13 |
| Redmi Note | Note 11 / Note 10 | Stable. | MIUI 13 |
| POCO F Series | POCO F3 / F4 | Stable. | MIUI 13 |
| Redmi K Series | K40 / K50 | Stable. | MIUI 13 |
| Budget Series | Redmi 10 / 9 | In development/Beta | MIUI 12.5 / 13 |
As you can see from the table, the coverage of updates is quite wide, however, if your smartphone is in the category of budget models, the update may take longer to come out due to the priority of flagships.
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The stability of the system on Android 12 depends on the amount of free memory: it is recommended to have at least 15-20% of free space for the correct operation of optimization algorithms.
How to check and install an update
Checking for an update is a simple process, but it requires certain conditions to be met. Make sure your smartphone is connected to a Wi-Fi network, as the service pack can weigh more than 3 GB. Also, the battery level should be at least 50% so that the device does not turn off at a critical moment.
To manually check, go to Settings, then select About Phone. In the menu that opens, click on the large MIUI icon (e.g. MIUI 12.5) and automatically contact the server to check for a new version.
Way to the menu: Settings → About the phone → MIUI version → Check the updatesIf the update is available, you'll see the Download button. Once downloaded and installed, the smartphone will restart, and the process will take 5 to 15 minutes.
☑️ Checklist before update
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Despite extensive testing, the transition to a new version of Android can be accompanied by problems, the most common of which is a quick battery drain in the first days after the update. This is normal, since the system performs file indexing and application optimization, usually the problem resolves itself after 3-5 days of active use.
You can also experience heating of the case and the lags in the interface, and if they don't disappear after a week, you should do a full reset (Wipe Data), a radical but effective method that requires you to save all the important data beforehand.
⚠️ Note: If your fingerprint or touch screen stops working after the update, try clearing the Dalvik Cache section through Recovery Mode, but only if you are confident in your actions.
In rare cases, data loss is possible, so a reminder to back up is never superfluous.Use Xiaomi's built-in tools or third-party solutions to save contacts and photos.