Xiaomi Redmi 12: Which version of Android is out of the box and how to update it in 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 12 is one of the most popular budget phones of 2023, combining modern hardware and an affordable price. But many buyers are worried about the question: which version of Android is installed on this device initially, is new updates supported, and will the phone become obsolete in a year or two? This is especially true for those who plan to use the gadget for a long time and want to be sure of security and compatibility with the latest applications.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the exact version of Android and MIUI on Redmi 12 in different regions, analyze Xiaomi’s update policies, and give step-by-step instructions on how to check and update your firmware yourself.

If you already own this smartphone or are just planning to buy it, here you will find answers to all the key questions about the software, as well as tips on how to maximize the use of the device.

Which Android version is on Xiaomi Redmi 12 out of the box?

Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 12 went on sale in June 2023, and at the time of release all versions of the device (global, European, Indian and Chinese) were equipped with Android 13 with the proprietary shell MIUI 14.

• 🌍 Redmi 12 Global: Android 13 + MIUI 14.0 with Google Mobile Services — GMS).
• 🇨🇳 Chinese version (Redmi 12 China): Android 13 + MIUI 14.0, but without Google services (instead of local analogues).
• 🇮🇳 Indian version (Redmi 12 India): Android 13 + MIUI 14.0.2 with local market adaptation (e.g. pre-installed Mi Pay applications for India).

It is important to understand that the MIUI build number may vary slightly depending on the region, but the Android version remains the same - 13. However, since the release, Xiaomi has released several updates, and at the moment (2026) the current firmware for most devices is:

• 📱 Android 13 with the latest security patches (e.g., Android, MIUI 14.0.6.0 or later).
• ⚠️ Android 14 is not available for Redmi 12 officially (at the time of writing, June 2026).

To find out exactly which version of the firmware is installed on your device, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. It will indicate something like:

MIUI Global 14.0.5.0 (TMTINXM)


Android 13 TKQ1.221114.001

Will Xiaomi Redmi 12 get Android 14 and more updates?

The issue of updates is one of the most painful for owners of budget smartphones Xiaomi, the fact that the company adheres to a strict policy of support, which depends on the series of devices:

• 📅 Redmi (budget series): 1 major Android update + 2 years of security patches.
• 📱 Redmi Note / POCO: 2 Major Android Updates + 3 years of patches.
• 💎 Xiaomi / POCO F: 3 major updates + 4 years of patches.

Since Redmi 12 is a base line of Redmi, its support looks like this:

This means that Android 14 for Redmi 12 will still be released, but with a long delay — most likely not before Q4 2026.

⚠️ Warning: If you buy Redmi 12 in 2026, keep in mind that in 1.5-2 years, the official updates will stop.This can be a problem for security (no new patches) and compatibility with applications (some programs require Android 14).+).

How to check and update Android on Xiaomi Redmi 12

Updating the firmware on Redmi 12 is a simple procedure, but there are several ways, and not all of them are equally secure. Consider the official method through settings, as well as alternative options for power users.

Method 1: Air Update (OTA)

This is the most reliable and recommended way.

1. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (update “weighs” 1.5-3 GB).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If the update is available, click Download and wait until it is completed.
5. After downloading, select Install Now or Install at night.

Important: during installation, do not turn off the phone or interrupt the process! The average update takes 10-20 minutes.

Battery charge > 50%|Stable Wi-Fi connection|Free up 3-5 GB of memory|Close all applications|Make a backup copy of the data-->

Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery

If OTA-update does not come (for example, due to regional restrictions), you can install the firmware manually:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from MIUI Download (choose Stable, not Developer!).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
5. Please specify the path to update.zip and confirm the installation.

⚠️ Note: Do not use firmware from third-party sites - this can lead to a device blink (completely inoperable) or data leak. Always download files only from the official Xiaomi resource.

Method 3: Unlock the bootloader and custom firmware (for advanced)

If you need Android 14 right now, you can install custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (will result in resetting all data).
• 🛠 Installations TWRP or another custom Recovery.
• 🚨 Risk of losing the guarantee and stability of work.

Detailed instructions for unlocking and installing custom firmware are beyond the scope of this article, but we recommend you to consult trusted sources such as the XDA Developers forum.

The difference between the Android version on the global and Chinese Redmi 12

Many people don't know, but Xiaomi is releasing smartphones for different markets with different firmware, and that's true for Redmi 12.

If you bought the Chinese version of Redmi 12 but want to get Google services, there are two options:

1. Install Google Installer (an informal solution, it may not work well).
2. Reflash the device to global firmware (requires unlocking the bootloader).

However, the second method deprives of warranty and can lead to problems with the operation of the NFC module or camera (if the firmware is not adapted to your model).

💡

Before buying Redmi 12, check the labeling on the box: Global versions have the words “Global Version” or “EEA” and Chinese versions have only the characters or letters “CN”.

Android 13 compatible with Redmi 12 with apps and games

Android 13 is a fairly modern version of the OS, and most applications have it in their heads.

• 🎮 Games: All popular projects (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile all work without problems. However, Fortnite may require manual installation (due to Epic Games restrictions).
• 📷 Camera Apps: GCam (Google Camera) works, but requires the correct configuration file setup for Redmi 12.
• 🔒 Banking apps: SberBank Online, Tinkoff and others work, but may issue a warning about an “uncertified device” (solved by Magisk’s root hider installation, if any).
• 🚗 Navigation: Google Maps and Navigator are fully supported, but offline maps may require additional disk space.

The only potential problem is apps that require Android 14+, and there are not many of them yet, but there are more of them every year.

• Some new AI apps (like Google’s Gemini Nano)
• Some of them AR-Games (Augmented Reality).
• Beta versions of apps (for example, WhatsApp Beta sometimes requires a new OS).

If you are actively using such programs, you should consider buying a smartphone with longer support (for example, POCO X6 Pro or Redmi Note 13 Pro+).

Frequent Android Issues on Xiaomi Redmi 12 and Their Solutions

Even on stock firmware, users sometimes encounter bugs, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

1.Slow operation after update

If after the MIUI update the phone began to “slow down”, try:

• Clear the cache: Settings → Memory → Clear the cache.
• Disable animation: Settings → Special features → Remove animation.
• Reset the settings to factory (pre-make a backup!).

2. no notifications are coming.

A common problem with MIUI is blocking notifications in the background.

• Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• Select a problem app (such as Telegram).
• Enable Auto Start, Background Activity and Show Notifications.

3.Fast battery discharge after upgrade

If after the Android 13 update, the phone has become faster to sit down:

• Check which applications consume the charge: Settings → Battery → Battery use.
• Turn off device search and background sync if you don’t need them.
• Set background activity limits for unnecessary applications.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn’t turn on after the upgrade or freezes on the logo, try going to Recovery Mode (clamp Power). + Volume Up) and make Wipe Cache. If that doesn't work, you'll need to flash it over the Fastboot.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about the Redmi 12 firmware

💡

If you’re critically interested in frequent updates and long-term support, consider the POCO X or Redmi Note models – they get 1-2 more Android updates than the base Redmi.