Where is the Xiaomi update stored: the path to the folder with the MIUI firmware

Why it’s important to know where Xiaomi update is downloading

MIUI firmware updates are a key element of the stable operation of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. But what if the update has downloaded but not installed? Or if you want to manually transfer the firmware file to another device? In such cases, knowing the exact location of the update folder saves time and nerves.

The problem is that Xiaomi doesn’t always show a notification about the location of the downloaded file. Users often face a situation where the update “disappears” after rebooting or resetting settings. This article will help you understand exactly where the system stores update files depending on the version of MIUI and device model, and how to find them through the file manager or ADB.

We’ll look at the standard paths for automatic updates, hidden directories for manual firmware, and the nuances of working with different versions of MIUI (including MIUI Global, MIUI China, and HyperOS).

Standard folders for Xiaomi updates

By default, MIUI saves downloaded updates to a secure folder that is not accessible to regular file managers without root rights, but there are several ways to access it.

The main ways in which an update can be stored are:

• 📁 /data/ota_package/ — mainfolder OTA-Updates (requires root or ADB)
• 📁 /sdcard/Download/rom/ — alternative location
• 📁 /cache/ — Temporary update files (cleared after reboot)
• 📁 /MIUI/ota/ — used in older versions MIUI (before 12)

It is important to understand that the path depends on the way the update is downloaded:

• 🔄 Automatic update (through Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system) is maintained in /data/ota_package/
• 📥 Manual download (via browser or MIUI bootloader usually gets into the /sdcard/Download/
• 🔧 Firmware via Mi Flash Tool requires placing a file in the root folder of the device

If you can't see the folder ota_package In a standard Explorer, this is normal — it's hidden from the user without special permissions. To see it, you either need to enable the display of hidden files (in some file managers), or use it. ADB.

How to find an update through the file manager

Even without root rights, you can try to find the update file using standard tools.

1. Open any file manager (e.g. Files by Google or Mi File Manager).
2. Go to the root directory (/) and enable the display of hidden folders (usually in the manager settings).
3. Try to find folders: Download → rom (for manual firmware) MIUI → ota (for older versions)

.zip

miui_BLOCKOTARedmiNote11_23.4.12...

Enable the display of hidden folders

Check the Download/rom folder

Check the MIUI/ota folder (for MIUI 11 and older)

Search for files with.zip extension and name "miui_..."

Sorting files by date of change-->

If the file is not found, try using keyword search:

• 🔍 miui_ — beginning of the name of all official firmware
• 🔍 OTA — part-name
• 🔍 recovery or fastboot – a type of firmware

⚠️ Note: Do not rename or move the update file unless you are sure of its purpose.

If you downloaded the firmware manually through your browser, check the Download folder — the file should be there under the original name. For convenience, you can sort files by date of addition.

Search for updates via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for interacting with a device via a computer, which is suitable for users who have at least once worked with the command line.

Here’s how to find the update file via ADB:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times Press on Version → Additional Settings → For Developers → USB Debugging).
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) and type in: adb shell ls /data/ota_package/
3. If there is a folder, you'll see a list of files. To copy a file on a PC, use: adb pull /data/ota_package/filename.zip C:\path/p\

Alternative commands for search:

• Search for the entire device: adb shell find / -name "miui.zip"
• View the contents of /cache: adb shell ls /cache/

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Do not delete or modify files in system folders (/data/, /system/), If you're not sure what they're doing, it could cause the device to fail.

If you plan to work with firmware often, we recommend installing Minimal ADB and Fastboot on your PC or using Termux on your smartphone itself to execute commands without a computer.

Features for different versions of MIUI and HyperOS

With the release of new versions of MIUI and the transition to HyperOS, the storage paths for updates may change.

HyperOS also uses dynamic pathways where the update file can be temporarily stored in /data/local/tmp/ before installation. If you don't find the update in standard folders, check this directory.

On devices with MIUI China (Chinese firmware) path may differ due to regional build features, such as updates for Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 The Chinese version is sometimes used in /data/miui_ota/.

💡

If you often update firmware manually, create a folder MIUI_ROM You can go to the root directory and save all the files you downloaded there, so you always know where to look for backups.

What to do if the update is not installed

Sometimes the update file gets downloaded, but the installation is interrupted or it gives an error.

• 🔋 Low battery charge (less than 50%) – plug the charger and try again.
• 📶 Unstable Internet connection – download the file over Wi-Fi.
• 🔒 Damaged File – Check the Checksum (MD5) downloaded.
• 📱 Incompatible version – make sure the firmware is suitable for your model (e.g, miui_REDMI9Global_... It is not suitable for Redmi Note. 9).

If the installation is stuck on the MI logo, try:

1. Wait 10-15 minutes (sometimes the process takes longer).
2. Forced reboot the device (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
3. Install the update manually through Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file.

⚠️ Warning: If after interrupted update the device does not turn on (hang on the screensaver or flashes) MI), Do not try to flash it again without backing it up, in which case it is better to use the Mi Flash Tool in clean all mode or contact the service center.

For devices with an unlocked bootloader, you can try installing an update via TWRP or Fastboot. The instructions for these methods are different and require separate consideration.

How to transfer the update to another Xiaomi

If you downloaded the update to one device but want to install it on another (like the Redmi Note 11 on the Redmi Note 11 Pro), follow these steps:

1. Find the update file on the first device (as described above).
2. Copy it to your computer or directly to your second smartphone (via OTG, Bluetooth, or the cloud).
3. Place the file in /sdcard/Download/rom/ on the target device.
4. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file and specify the copied file.

Important nuances:

• 🔄 The file must be the exact version for the model (e.g., the model, miui_VIVAGlobal_... Not good for Redmi. K50).
• 📡 The update should be the latest version than the current firmware on the device.
• 🔒 If the file is protected (e.g., a.zip with a digital signature), it cannot be edited.

💡

Transferring the update between devices is possible only for identical models or devices of the same line (for example, Redmi Note 10 → Redmi Note 10 Pro). Installing firmware from another model will lead to a “brick” (inoperability) of the smartphone.

If you plan to frequently reflash multiple devices, we recommend using MIUI bootloader, an application that automatically downloads the correct firmware versions for selected models.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi updates