Update to Android 11 This was one of the most anticipated events for Xiaomi smartphone owners, even though this version of the OS was released in the past. 2020 In the year since, many of the brand's devices have received it with a significant delay - or did not receive it at all, POCO And Mi is officially backed up. MIUI 12/12.5 Android-based 11, You will also learn how to check the availability of firmware for your device and what to do if the update is βhangβ in the status of Pending.
It's important to understand that Xiaomi's policy on device support has changed over time, even though it used to be a budget device. 2-3 As major updates are now prioritized for flagships and mid-range models, we analyzed the companyβs official announcements, Xiaomi Community data, and XDA-Developers forum enthusiast reports to make a relevant list. We will pay special attention to the βgrayβ zones β devices that received Android 11 only in certain regions (e.g. India or Europe) but not globally.
Official list of Xiaomi smartphones with Android 11
Xiaomi never publishes a complete list of supported devices in advance β information appears fragmentary through announcements in the company. MIUI But by 2026, we've got a definitive list of models that are guaranteed to get the upgrade, and it can be divided into three categories:
- π± Flagships and premium series β the first in line for the update, usually get firmware during the course of the update 3-6 months after Android release 11.
- π° Average price segment β the update comes with a delay in the 6-12 months, often with missing intermediate versions MIUI.
- π₯ Budget and outdated models β if the update comes out, it is only for certain regions (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro received Android 11 only in India).
Here's a table of validated models, and note that if your device isn't listed, it doesn't always mean that the update won't come out -- some firmware rolls out in waves throughout the year.
| Series | Model | Version. MIUI Android 11 | First release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi | Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro, Mi 10 Ultra | MIUI 12.0.1 β 12.5.4 | October 2020 |
| Mi | Mi 9, Mi 9 Pro 5G, Mi 9 SE | MIUI 12.0.2 β 12.5.2 | December 2020 (China only) |
| Redmi K | Redmi K30 Pro, K30 Ultra, K30S Ultra | MIUI 12.1.2 β 12.5.3 | November 2020 |
| Redmi Note | Redmi Note 9 Pro (India) Note 9S | MIUI 12.0.3 β 12.5.1 | March 2021 (regionally) |
| POCO | POCO F2 Pro, POCO X3 NFC | MIUI 12.0.4 (POCO Launcher) | April 2021 |
Special attention should be paid to devices that did not receive Android 11, despite the promises of the manufacturer, such as the Redmi Note 8 and Redmi Note. 8T And they stayed on Android 10, although they were originally part of the roadmap updates, which is due to the optimization of the company's resources - instead of supporting older models, Xiaomi focused on releasing new ones.
How to check if an update is available for your Xiaomi
Even if your model is on the official list, it does not guarantee that the firmware has already been released for your region.
- Open the Settings app on your smartphone.
- Go to the About Phone section. β Updating the system.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Checker.
- If the update is available, you'll see a notification with the option to download the package. If not, it will read "Last version".
If the system doesnβt find an update, but youβre sure it should, try the following steps:
- π Change the firmware region. Some updates are coming out first for China or India. MIUI bootloader or manually run the fastboot version for the desired region.
- π‘ Use it. VPN. Xiaomi servers sometimes restrict access to firmware by geolocation. Connect to servers in Singapore or Hong Kong.
- β³ Wait. 1-2 Updates roll out in waves, and your device could be in the next batch.
Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)
Charge your phone at least 50%
Connect to a stable Wi-Fi
Free up at least 3GB of memory
Turn it off. VPN and antivirus-->
If after checking you see an update message not available for your device, it could mean:
β οΈ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 7) received Android 11 only through custom firmware such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience. Installing such firmware voids the warranty and can lead to a bootloader lock).
Why Xiaomi is not getting Android 11: Common reasons
Even if your model is on the supported list, the update may not come for several reasons.
- Regional restrictions: Xiaomi often splits firmware by region, for example, the Redmi Note 9 Pro in the global version (joyeuse) received Android 11 a year later than the Indian version (curtana).
- Blocked bootloader: If you have previously unlocked the bootloader to install custom firmware, official updates may not come.
- An outdated version MIUI. Sometimes, to upgrade to Android 11, you first need to upgrade to an intermediate version. MIUI (For example, from 11.0.3 to 12.0.1).
- Hardware restrictions: Some budget models (e.g. Redmi) 8A) Not getting an update due to insufficient memory or a weak processor.
To diagnose the problem, check the code name of your device:
- Install the app CPU-Z or AIDA64.
- Find the Model or Device string, which is the code name (e.g. phoenix for Redmi). K30).
- Check it with the database on the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
If your device falls under the βnot supportedβ category, but you still want to get Android 11, you have two options:
- π οΈ Install custom firmware (requires bootloader unlock and risks warranty).
- π Hand-held firmware via fastboot (official method, but difficult for beginners).
What happens if you make an unofficial firmware?
Android 11 release date for different Xiaomi models
Xiaomi never has a hard deadline for release of updates, but according to historical data, it is possible to distinguish approximate time frames:
- π Flagships (Mi) 10, Mi 11) β 2-4 months after Android release 11 (September-December 2020).
- π Mid-segment (Redmi) K30, POCO X3) β 6-9 months (January-May) 2021).
- πΈ Budget models (Redmi) 9, Redmi Note 8) β 10-14 months 2021 β March 2022) or not at all.
Below is the release timeline for key devices:
| Model | Test dates (beta) | Stable release date | Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi 10 / Mi 10 Pro | August-September 2020 | October 2020 | Globally |
| POCO F2 Pro | November 2020 | February 2021 | Europe, India |
| Redmi Note 9 Pro (India) | December 2020 | April 2021 | Only India. |
| Redmi K30 Pro | October 2020 | November 2020 | China, then globally |
| Mi 9 SE | January 2021 | March 2021 (China only) | Limitedly. |
If your model gets an update after the specified deadline, it is not an anomaly. Xiaomi often pauses the rollout due to bugs. 9S It was delayed three times due to problems with autonomy.
π‘
If your device hasnβt received updates in a long time, check the status on the site. MIUI Type the model in the search box β if the latest firmware is dated 2020 or earlier, the chances of Android 11 are minimal.
What to do if the update is βhangβ or not installed
One of the most common problems is when the system finds an update, it starts downloading, but the process stops at the Pending or Installing stage.
- Restart your phone and check for updates again.
- Clear the cache of the application System Update: Settings β Annexes β Application management β Updating the system β Warehouse β Clear the cache
- Download the firmware manually from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater site and install it via Recovery.
- Check the free space β it takes at least 3 GB to upgrade.
If the installation is interrupted with an error, note the error code:
- Error 7 - a mismatch between the device model and firmware.
- Error 20 - corrupted update file (download again).
- Error 50 β System partition problems (reset to factory settings required)
β οΈ Warning: If you see E: Footer is wrong when you manually flash through Recovery, it means that the firmware file is corrupted or intended for another model. Never try to install firmware from another device, this will lead to a "brick" (completely inoperable) of the phone.
π‘
If the update is not installed through the standard interface, try the fastboot method using the Mi Flash Tool utility.This is the official method, but requires unlocking the bootloader and knowledge of the command line.
Android 11 vs Android 10 on Xiaomi: Should You Upgrade?
Not all users are eager to upgrade to the new OS. Many are staying on Android 10 for fear of losing performance or encountering bugs.
| Function | Android 10 (MIUI 11/12) | Android 11 (MIUI 12.5) |
|---|---|---|
| Application authorizations | No one-time permits are available | You can give permissions once (for example, for a camera) |
| Notifications | Annex grouping | Divide into important, ordinary and silent |
| Productivity | More stable operation on weak devices | Improved optimization for flagships, but possible lags on budget models |
| Design MIUI | MIUI 11 with classic menu | MIUI 12.5 with new animations and Super Wallpapers |
| Autonomy | More predictable battery consumption | Improved adaptive battery mode, but possible problems with background processes |
Whether or not you want to update depends on your model:
- β Flagships (Mi 10, Redmi) K30 Pro β the update will definitely improve the functionality without loss in performance.
- β οΈ The middle segment (Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO X3) β Small lags are possible, but new features are worth it.
- β Budget models (Redmi) 8A, Redmi Note 7 β Update could make the phone slower due to increased Android 11 requirements.
If you still decide to upgrade, but are afraid of performance, use these tips:
- Use Light Mode in the MIUI (Remove unnecessary visual effects).
Alternative ways to get Android 11 on unsupported Xiaomi
If your model isnβt on the official list, but you want to try Android 11, you have a few options.
1. Custom firmware based on Android 11
- LineageOS 18.1 is the most stable alternative, but without Xiaomiβs branded features (for example, the most stable one, IR-The blaster may not work).
2. Ported versions of MIUI
Some enthusiasts are moving firmware from supported models to unsupported ones, MIUI 12.5 for Redmi Note 8 Pro was ported with Redmi Note 9 Pro. Minus β possible bugs with camera or sensors.
Firmware via fastboot (official method)
If your device supports Android 11, but the update doesnβt come by air, you can manually flash it:
- Download fastboot firmware for your model from the site MIUI Download.
- Unpack the archive and launch it. flash_all.bat (For Windows, use the command: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
- Wait until it is finished and restart the phone.
β οΈ Attention: Firmware via fastboot erases all data from the device, including photos and apps. There is also a risk of "brick" if you choose the wrong firmware!