The legendary Pocophone F1, released by Xiaomi’s sub-brand, still remains in line with many users who value performance and price-performance balance. However, time takes its toll, and the question of which Android is installed on the device becomes critical for compatibility with modern applications. Initially, the smartphone was released on the basis of Android 8.1 Oreo, but over the years it has gone a long way of updating.
Owners of this device often wonder whether it is advisable to switch to newer versions of the operating system: Should you stay on the old but stable build, or try to breathe new life into the gadget through custom firmware? The answer depends on your security and functionality needs.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the evolution of software for this model, the official limits and capabilities of enthusiasts, and learn how to test the current version and whether it is worth the risk of installing experimental builds.
The official history of Android updates
The history of the Xiaomi Pocophone F1 (codename beryllium) software began with Android 8.1 Oreo, a clean version with minimal changes from the manufacturer, which ensured high speed, users got a fast and responsive interface, devoid of unnecessary weight.
The first major update was the move to Android 9 Pie in the MIUI 10 shell, which brought new gesture navigation features and improved battery management, and made the system more visually pleasing, but also the first complaints about increased resource consumption.
The final official stage for most regions was the upgrade to Android 10 with the shell MIUI 12. Official support ended on Android 10, newer versions of the OS were not released by Xiaomi for this device, which means that official security patches stopped coming, and further development by legal methods became impossible.
The update process was phased in and delayed by users in different regions. The Global ROM was always updated later than the Chinese or Indian version. It is important to understand that the transition between major versions of Android required a complete data cleanup to avoid errors.
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to install firmware from another model or region without first unlocking the bootloader may result in the inability to boot the system (bootloop).
Technical specifications and compatibility
The heart of the device is the Snapdragon 845 processor, still considered one of the most successful chipsets in the history of the mobile industry, and its architecture allows you to run even modern versions of Android, such as Android 13 and 14, although they are not officially supported.
RAM capacity also plays a key role. Basic versions with 6GB of RAM feel confident on MIUI 10 and 11, but can have difficulty on heavy MIUI 12 builds. Versions with 8GB of storage do a much better job, ensuring smooth interface performance.
Below is the compatibility table for Android versions and MIUI shells for this model:
| Android version | MIUI version | Status of support | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 (Oreo) | MIUI 9 / 10 | Completed. | Tall. |
| 9.0 (Pie) | MIUI 10 / 11 | Completed. | Tall. |
| 10.0 (Q) | MIUI 12 | Completed (Final) | Medium |
| 11.0+ (R/S/T) | Custom ROM | Informal | Depends on the build. |
The 2246×1080 screen and 18:9 aspect ratio displays content correctly across all versions of the system, but the pixel density and interface scaling may vary depending on the Android version.
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Use the CPU-Z or AIDA64 app to know exactly the current kernel version and the level of security patches your device is experiencing.
Advantages and disadvantages of MIUI 12 on F1
The MIUI 12 shell has become a swan song for Pocophone F1 in the official segment. It has brought new design, animations and privacy features. Visually, the system looks modern, but requires more resources to render graphics.
The advantages include improved control center, floating windows and new widgets, privacy protection features that are more transparent to users, but many say that the hardware in 2018 is less responsive than when it was released.
- 🚀 Pros: Modern design, new navigation gestures, improved mode "Do not disturb", protection from surveillance applications.
- 🐌 Cons: Increased battery consumption, possible micro-freezes in the interface, long-term discovery of heavy applications.
- 🔒 Security: The latest official security patch is dated 2021, leaving vulnerabilities to new threats.
If you care about call stability and banking apps without drum dancing, MIUI 12 may be the limit. Further updates require system partitioning.
⚠️ Note: Installation of custom firmware (Custom) ROM) automatically cancels the warranty (if it was still valid) and may disrupt the work NFC camera.
Switching to custom firmware: Android 11, 12, 13 and higher
Thanks to a huge community of developers, the Pocophone F1 didn’t end up with Android 10. Enthusiasts have created a variety of ports that allow you to install Android 11, 12, 13 and even test versions of Android 14. Popular firmware include Pixel Experience, LineageOS and Evolution X.
To install the new system, you need to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock service, which is a mandatory step that will reset all the data on the device, and then you install a custom recovery (usually TWRP), through which you install the new OS.
☑️ Checklist before flashing
Custom firmware often works faster and smoother than the official MIUI, lacking advertising modules and unnecessary pre-installed software, but stability can vary: one build may not work Bluetooth, another camera.
The firmware process requires care, and the developer's instructions for a particular build must be followed carefully, and the use of an inappropriate recovery.img file can cause the recovery partition to break.
Should I upgrade to Android 13+?
How to check and update the system version
To find out which version of Android is installed right now, you don't have to be an expert. You just go to the settings and find the appropriate section. It only takes a few seconds.
Walk along the way: Settings → The menu that opens will show the version. MIUI And you can click on the logo multiple times, and you can see the hidden Easter egg of the system.
To check for updates manually, follow the following steps:
- Open the Settings.
- Go to the About Phone section.
- Click on the MIUI logo icon in the center of the screen.
- The system will contact the server and check for new packages.
If an update is found, the phone will prompt you to download and install it.It is recommended to connect to a Wi-Fi network, as service packs can weigh more than 2 GB.
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Officially OTA-The only updates come to unlocked devices with original firmware. ROM You need to update manually through the firmware file.