What to do if the firmware on Xiaomi is not updated
The Xiaomi brand is distinguished not only by its wide functionality and the number of released models, but also by frequently updated operating systems - MIUI firmware, which, by the way, will soon receive a new version - MIUI 10. And as new firmwares are released, the number of problems associated with them increases. One of these problems is the inability to update Xiaomi OS. Why - we'll figure it out further.
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How Xiaomi update occurs and mailing is done
Most often, Xiaomi updates automatically. As soon as developers upload a new version of the system and make it available for download, the Play Market sends notifications to users.
To start installing a new version of the software, you just need to click on the “Update” button in the sent message.
Updates to phones come gradually, depending on the region and brand of the device. Therefore, some users may receive notification of a new version earlier than others.
When system improvement is not needed
If you have a stable MIUI operating system and everything works perfectly, you can disable downloading new software and not worry that the update has not arrived on Xiaomi. There is also a risk that the “native” and downloaded installations will compete with each other and cause serious problems in the operation of the device.
It’s easy to understand that you have a custom OS modification. Open Settings, then the top line, look at the malware number. If you have more than 4 digits in the number, the operating system is amateur.
When Xiaomi doesn't receive updated software, don't panic right away. As follows from the article, the problem can be quickly fixed, and sometimes does not require any action at all.
Support discontinued due to device obsolescence
The main reason why a phone stops updating is because the device is outdated. The fact is that operating system developers cannot release one update package for all existing devices due to compatibility problems. Due to this, they have to release additional drivers for certain models.
Thus, owners of new phones can safely count on the release of the corresponding OS version. And developers will not focus on outdated devices, so updates for them will stop over time.
ROM is in beta testing...
Like all previous shell releases, MIUI 12 is also going through a beta testing phase, which precedes the release of stable versions.
When you try to install the beta version, you may receive the following error:
Can't verify update. ROM is in beta testing, make sure you have signed in with a beta authorized xiaomi account.
Translation : I can't check the update. The version is in beta testing, please make sure you are logged in with an authorized Xiaomi beta tester account.
On the smartphone screen the error looks like this:
This firmware version is intended only for members of the Mi Pilot testing team and is intended to evaluate the performance of the update and identify possible errors.
You need to wait until stable MIUI 12 firmware is released for your device. Or become a beta tester.
Fixing the problem
In some cases, you can fix the problem yourself. Sometimes the cause of problems lies somewhere on the surface and it doesn’t take much effort to fix it.
Manual setting
Available updates can be viewed manually using Settings.
To do this you need to follow a few simple steps:
- open phone settings;
- click on the “About phone” button;
- select “System update”;
- Click “Check for system update.”
The system will search for updates and, if available, offer to download them. It is advisable to download while connected to Wi-Fi.
How to check what firmware is installed on your phone
The second and third points in the section of possible problems can be combined based on a simple criterion - the current firmware. It's very easy to check what's currently installed on your smartphone.
Checking the current firmware:
- Go to the “Settings” of your phone, scroll down the page and find the “About device” tab;
xiaomi is not updating
- By opening this section, opposite the line “MIUI Version”, you will see the current firmware, for example, “ManhiT”;
Ready!
It is possible that the latest possible firmware version is already installed on your smartphone, and you are in vain trying to update the phone “even further.” In this case, it is worth inquiring about the currently available OS versions.
There is also a possibility that your gadget has custom firmware or the so-called “flip-flop”.
Custom firmware is an operating system created by individual amateur users who change some aspects of the smartphone’s operation “to suit themselves,” relying on the source code of ready-made operating systems. And in the process of these same changes, the ability to automatically (over the air) update and have access to new firmware is lost. In this case, you always have to use what has already been installed.
“Vietnamese” is a firmware that has the original in Chinese, but was incorrectly translated into Russian. That is, the functionality in such operating systems is completely taken from the Chinese firmware, but is in Russian, which is not acceptable. Such OS can be found on smartphones purchased in China.
In both of the above cases, you will need to reflash the phone. To do this, you will need to unlock the bootloader and reflash the device using the “Mi Flash” application and “Fastboot” mode.
Using the Recovery Menu
If manual setup on Xiaomi Redmi did not help, you can try to update the device using drastic measures:
- First, you need to download the official firmware on your PC from the manufacturer’s website.
- After that, transfer the file using a special cable to your phone.
- Now you should start installing updates using the Recovery Menu. To do this you need to do the following:
- while turning on the device, press the power button and volume up (the key combination may differ depending on the phone model);
- in the menu that opens, use the volume and power keys to select “Apply Update”;
- then click “... internal storage” if the file was downloaded to the device’s internal memory, or “Choose from sdcard” if the updates are on the memory card;
- start the installation by selecting the firmware file.
During the download, the device will constantly reboot. It is advisable to connect it to a charger so that it does not turn off in the process.
If your phone stops updating itself, you should find out the cause of the problem. You can try to eliminate the identified problem in various ways.
It's not allowed to upgrade to unofficial ROM...
It may happen that you come across a fake MIUI 12 firmware. When you try to install it, the following error is displayed:
Can't verify update. It's not allowed to upgrade to unofficial ROM package.
Translation : I can't check the update. Updating to unofficial firmware is not allowed.
You are trying to install an unofficial update, as reported by the device:
In addition to official firmware for Xiaomi smartphones, unofficial ones are also released, which are modified by third-party developers not under the control of XIaomi, which does not guarantee either stability or security.
Download the stock version from the official Xiaomi website. For convenience, we have collected official links to Recovery Rom, Fastboot and OTA for MIUI 12: Russia, Europe, Global. Or see the firmware for a specific Xiaomi model.
Flashing via Fastboot
Another interesting way to install updates is to use Fastboot. This option requires a computer. If there is no PC, then the proposed method is not even worth considering.
Flashing via Fastboot is only compatible with Xiaomi smartphones that run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.
The first step is to install the MiFlash program on your computer. You can download the utility on the developer’s official website, which is located at.
The next step is familiar from previous flashing methods. You need to download the installation file in zip format to your computer. Next, it should be unpacked into a separate archive.
After completing the preparatory steps, we proceed to the update:
- Turn off the smartphone.
- Activate recovery mode.
- We connect Xiaomi to the PC using a USB cable.
- In MiFlash, press the “Select” button and select the directory where the firmware was unpacked.
- Click on the inscription “Flash”.
When the process is completed successfully, “Success” will appear on the computer screen. Now you can turn on your smartphone and start using the latest Android.
In addition, you can perform a preliminary reset via MiFlash. This can be done very easily by pressing the “Clean All” button. So the mentioned program is an ideal alternative to updating over the air, manually and through recovery. Absolutely all functions are available to the user.
What's new in MIUI 12
The first thing that immediately catches your eye after the update is the design. Xiaomi always tries to make its interface as pleasing to the eye as possible, so with each update there is a noticeable leap in this direction.
The designers have changed the appearance of most of the icons. The layout of the settings menu has changed. Fonts have become larger, making them easier to work with. Some names of items in the settings have changed.
The notification shade has been completely redesigned, starting with the interaction method: to open the quick settings menu, you need to swipe from the right half of the display. The same gesture, but on the left will open the notification menu. The icons here have become larger and have gotten rid of the labels, except for the four largest buttons responsible for basic settings. In general, the menu has moved closer to minimalism and is easier to perceive by eye. The design of the background panel has also changed. It is now made in the form of translucent glass, which blurs everything that is behind it in real time. Whether it's a game or a video.
The improved dark mode can be enabled not only in individual system programs, but even in third-party applications.
Thanks to the new engine responsible for animation, the developers have implemented more detailed and smooth transitions. Now some application icons have their own animation when interacting. For example, when closing the gallery, you will notice how the sun scrolls on the icon.
We also managed to implement a seamless transition from the lock screen to the desktop using live wallpaper. After entering the password, the image will not just change, but will smoothly flow from one to another without any breaks or gluing.
The overall system experience has been improved thanks to the new gesture control system. Now you can remove any navigation buttons from the screen and control the task manager, as well as individual programs, by swiping from the edges of the screen. The new window mode does not divide the screen into two parts, as it was before, but allows you to place any video in a separate window, scalable as you like. The ability to use other programs remains.
Among the functional innovations, it is worth noting the illustration of the operation of certain settings using an additional demonstration window in the options menu. For example, when working with the DC Dimming function, it will be shown exactly how it removes flicker.
