What Android on Xiaomi Mi A1: versions, firmware and relevance

Smartphone Xiaomi Mi A1 has become a legendary device in the line of the Chinese manufacturer, primarily thanks to the program Android One. It is this model that opened many users the opportunity to use the “clean” interface of Google without heavy add-ons MIUI. However, time goes by, and the question of what Android can now get on this device, is becoming more relevant for those who are in no hurry to change the gadget.

The phone originally came with Android 7.1.2 Nougat, but official updates have raised the bar to Android 9 Pie. For many owners, this was the final point as support from the manufacturer was discontinued.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what version of the operating system you can count on, what risks are there when manually installing software, and whether you should try to revive the device with modern methods at all. You will learn about the technical limitations of the Snapdragon 625 processor and gain a clear understanding of the current situation with the software for this model.

Official history of operating system updates

The Xiaomi Mi A1’s journey into the software world was bright but short-lived.The device was introduced as part of the global Android One initiative, ensuring fast security patches and major OS updates directly from Google. In the first two years of its life, the smartphone received updates almost simultaneously with the flagships of the Pixel line.

Originally on board was Android 7.1.2, which was considered very stable at the time. Later users received an update to Android 8.0 Oreo, which brought improvements in notifications and background processes. The final official release was Android 9 Pie, released in 2019.

With the release of Android 10, the company officially stopped supporting the device, standard practice for the budget and mid-range segment, where the support cycle is usually two years of major updates, after which users were left alone with the software that was installed at the time of the termination of support.

⚠️ Warning: Attempting to install official firmware from other regions (e.g. global to Chinese or vice versa) without unlocking the bootloader can cause a software failure (bootloop.

Below is a table showing the chronology of OS versions for this model:

Despite the end of support, Android 9 still works on this device, thanks to Google’s optimizations, and the lack of heavy shells allows even the old hardware to cope with basic tasks: calls, messengers and navigation.

Capabilities of custom firmware and unofficial versions

After the end of official support, independent developers took over the baton. The XDA Developers community and 4PDA forums became centers where enthusiasts ported newer versions of Android. Thanks to the unlocked bootloader, Android 10, 11 and even experimental Android 12 builds can be installed on the Xiaomi Mi A1.

The most popular custom firmware are LineageOS, Pixel Experience and crDroid. They allow not only to get a fresh interface, but also to expand the functionality of the device by adding themes, advanced sound settings and gesture control, which were not in the drain.

But installing unofficial software requires some skill, and you'll need to unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock, install custom recavators (usually TWRP) and then flash the firmware archive, which is error-free and requires careful attention.

It’s important to understand that with each new version of Android, hardware requirements increase. If Android 10 runs on the Mi A1 quite tolerably, then newer versions can cause slowdowns in the interface due to limited RAM (4 GB) and not the most powerful processor.

Technical limitations and productivity

The centerpiece of the smartphone is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor. At one time, it was the “king of autonomy” and stability, but today it is considered frankly weak for heavy tasks. The ARM Cortex-A53 architecture and 14nm process technology provide excellent energy efficiency, but not high performance.

The main “narrow neck” when installing modern versions of Android is the amount of RAM. For comfortable operation of Android 11 and above, it is recommended to have at least 6 GB of RAM, while the Mi A1 is equipped with only 4 GB. This leads to more aggressive downloading of applications from memory and the need for constant reboot.

Also worth considering is the type and speed of the built-in drive. The Mi A1 uses eMMC 5.1 memory, which is much slower than modern UFS. When installing heavy system updates or a large number of applications, the file system response rate can decrease markedly.

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Before installing custom firmware, be sure to make a full backup of data (Backup) through TWRP externally SD-It's the only way to get it back to the way it was when it failed.

Despite the limitations, optimizing code in newer versions of Android sometimes works wonders. Some users note that on a “pure” Android 11, the interface works smoother than on a stock Android 9 with accumulated debris, but this depends heavily on the specific firmware build.

Instructions: How to check and update the Android version

If you want to know which version of the OS you have installed now, or if you want to try to find an official update, follow the standard algorithm. Remember that the official update servers may no longer respond to requests from older versions, but it is worth checking.

To check the version, go to the settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the interface language, but the logic remains the same for all Android One devices.

Follow the following steps:

• 📱 Open the Settings app on the home screen.
• 🔄 Scroll down to the bottom and select System (System).
• ℹ️ Click on the Advanced section, if any, then About phone).
• 📲 Select System Update (System Update).

In this menu, you'll see the current build version and the security patch update date. If the system finds an available update, the Download and Install button will appear. If the phone tells you that the system is updated, but you know there's a newer version, it's possible that your upgrade is in stages.

⚠️ Warning: Never interrupt the update installation process, even if it is 99% frozen. Interrupting system files is almost guaranteed to make it impossible to boot your phone.

Data security on older versions of the OS

Using a device with the latest version of Android 9 or custom firmware carries certain risks.The most important thing is that there are no regular security patch updates. Google has stopped releasing updates for this version of the system, which means there are unpatched vulnerabilities.

Banking apps and Google Play services may eventually stop supporting older versions of the OS. Already, some apps require Android 10 or higher to work properly, especially if we are talking about payment systems such as Google Pay (now Google Wallet).

To minimize the risks, it is recommended:

• 🔒 Do not install applications from unknown sources (APK-forum-file).
• 🛡️ Use a reliable antivirus, although the built-in Google Play Protect also does a good job.
• 🚫 Do not use the device to store large amounts in crypto wallets or conduct transactions with a high degree of risk.

If your smartphone use scenario is limited to calls, YouTube and navigator, then the level of security is acceptable, the main thing is not to follow suspicious links in SMS and messengers.

Should Xiaomi Mi A1 be extended in 2026?

The answer to this question depends on your expectations and technical skills. As a basic modern smartphone Mi A1 is no longer suitable: many current applications no longer support Android 9, and the performance of the processor is not enough for heavy tasks and modern interfaces of social networks.

However, as a second phone, a child’s device, a music player or a navigator in a car is a great option. Installing lightweight custom firmware (like LineageOS without Google Apps) can breathe a second life into it and ensure basic functions run smoothly.

If you decide to leave your phone, consider installing Lite versions of apps that consume less resources and memory, which is critical for 4GB of RAM, and cleaning the cache and removing unused software is also recommended.

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The Xiaomi Mi A1 is a legend, but its time as a mainstream smartphone is over. Use it as a backup device or a testing ground for Android experiments, but don't expect performance miracles.

Ultimately, the decision to upgrade to a "ten" or "eleventh" version through custom methods or stay on the stable but old Android 9 is left to the user. Each option has its pros and cons, which we discussed above.