How to update the Android operating system on Xiaomi and Redmi phones

Once the update is complete, the smartphone will automatically reboot.

Once the update is complete, the smartphone will automatically reboot.

It is suitable for owners of smartphones for which support has been discontinued or the transition to a new version of Android is not provided by the developers:

• Redmi series: all models released before Redmi 4 and its modifications (inclusive);
• Redmi Note series: all models released before Redmi Note 4 and its modifications (inclusive);
• Mi series all models released before Mi 4 and its modifications (inclusive).

You can find it using Google or Yandex using a query like: phone_model firmware site:4pda.ru/forum. The most convenient and easiest way is to reflash a smartphone from a custom TWRP recovery.

Download firmware files only from the official website, since any slightest virus can destroy the system. The exception is custom firmware for experienced users; they can be downloaded from thematic forums.

What do you need to know?

Let us immediately clarify that the article was written in general for all Xiaomi devices. But in some cases, operations and actions may differ slightly, since models still have their own distinctive features even in operating systems and pre-installed software.

In general, the manufacturer releases updates for its smartphones by default, and if you have only recently purchased a device, you can still count on support and stable updates to the operating system for several more years. For this purpose, international firmware versions are specially released, available immediately for updating within the system or on the official MIUI website.

There are also devices that are produced only for the Chinese market, so you won’t see the release of international versions. This is where the dance with updates and firmware begins!

How to update

The manufacturer provides an official software update. Smartphones receive a notification via the Internet, then the user accepts the offer or saves the base operating system. The design of smartphones allows for unofficial update methods that allow you to install modified shells that differ in appearance and list of capabilities.

When updating, please note that the manufacturer does not intend to use improved versions of the operating system on some models. For example, it is impossible to install Android version higher than 7.0 on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4. The user can add additional functions by installing firmware from third-party developers (custom software products). It should also be taken into account that installing a new modification of the Miui utility does not mean automatically installing a new version of the Android shell.

Standard system update

If you have a smartphone that was created for the international market, then the update process is quite simple.

1. Download the firmware for your smartphone from the official website of the version you need;
2. Next, copy this file in zip format to the root of your smartphone, making sure to place it in the downloaded_rom directory;
3. Now in the smartphone settings, find the “Update” tab and click on it to launch the installer;
4. In the window that opens, you need to click on the tab with three dots, and there click on the item “Select firmware file”;
5. Specify the path to the archive that you just uploaded to the system and confirm your actions;
6. Once the process is completed, the system will automatically reboot and you will see the updated firmware version on the screen.

Before installation, the operating system always checks your version and the correctness of its files, so you can be sure of the stable operation of the device. Just download the firmware from the official website.

Official way

To check for a new software version in your Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X or Xiaomi Mi 5S smartphone, you need to activate the menu and then go to the product settings section. The menu has a separate paragraph that allows you to update components. If the smartphone finds an available version of the program, a number on a red background appears next to the section name. After entering the section, the user selects the desired program option, indicates the location of the file on the drive, and then presses the start button.

The firmware distribution is pre-downloaded from the technical support section on the smartphone manufacturer’s website. When selecting, you need to indicate the phone model, then a list of firmware will be displayed on the screen, which indicates the version of the basic Android system and the modification of the Miui shell. To save the file to a storage device or hard drive, you need to click on the start download button.

The size of the distribution is 1.5-2 GB, the download duration is 30-200 minutes (depending on the communication channel bandwidth). When downloading, you should select global firmware. The Developer version is used by software developers and testers.

The manufacturer has provided the ability to automatically install new software versions. In the update settings menu, you must select the item that allows automatic downloading and installation of files. It is possible to transfer program components via Wi-Fi or a combined method (via Wi-Fi and a 4G wireless Internet connection). The user can block the download by checking the box next to the “do not update” option.

To install Android 7 on a Xiaomi Redmi 3 or 3S smartphone, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Go to the technical support section on the manufacturer's website, and then find in the list of equipment the model of the smartphone that you need to update.
2. In the window that opens with available firmware versions, select the global modification (indicated by Global Stable).
3. The distribution package is downloaded to the phone's storage device. If the user used a computer, then the files are transferred to the smartphone using a memory card or via a connecting cord.
4. Go to the phone settings menu, and then go to the section containing information about the equipment.
5. Click on the start update button - a field with 3 dots will appear in the upper right corner of the display. Press the screen touchpad located near the dots.
6. An additional dialog box indicates the path to the firmware distribution.
7. After checking the integrity of the files, a button appears on the display allowing you to begin the installation process.
8. Wait for the procedure to complete, which lasts from 5 to 10 minutes. During the update process, the smartphone may reboot itself several times.

Firmware update via Recovery mode

The steps described below are not suitable for all Xiaomi phones. If your smartphone is equipped with an MTK series processor and also has a locked bootloader, then you can safely skip this step. Well, for those whose model still fits, we advise you to read further.

Attention! When updating the firmware, sometimes you will need to perform a factory reset, so read each step carefully when changing the firmware or updating it.

1. You need to download the firmware version that you want to install on your smartphone. Again, download from official sites or trusted sources;
2. Place this file into the internal memory of your phone, after giving it the name update.zip. Be sure to drop it to the root of the smartphone, and not to a directory;
3. Go to the “Update” application and click on the icon with three dots. Next, select the item “Reboot to Recovery”;
4. Turn off the phone and simultaneously press the “Volume Up” and “Power” keys, holding them for about 5 seconds until the phone goes into recovery mode;
5. As soon as the smartphone enters this mode, you will need to select a foreign language in the settings and click on the “Install update.zip” tab;
6. Control between menu items is carried out using the volume keys. Remember this;
7. After the update is complete, reboot your smartphone by clicking on the Reboot tab. That's it, the firmware update process is complete and you can begin the initial setup of the device.

As we said earlier, on certain models the bootloader is locked by default, so you need to unlock it to access updates and firmware. Previously on our website we have already described detailed instructions on how to unlock the bootloader using different methods with all the details. We recommend that you read this material and strictly follow the instructions described.

Important! Whichever firmware update method you choose, the battery charge on your smartphone should be at least 30%! And it is best that the battery is fully charged, since the wear and tear of the battery varies greatly among users over the course of its service life.

Who received the update to Android 8 and 9

Xiaomi's product lines are divided into segments: budget models and flagships. During 2022, the owners of all the phones listed below were supposed to receive Android 8. The first among the Oreo models was sent to the Mi A1, but the transition process was suspended due to flaws in the system.

Android 8 was supposed to come to all phones released by the company in 2022 - if this does not happen, then try to update your smartphone manually.

Global firmware MIUI 10, based on Android 8.1, was sent to Redmi phones:

• 5;
• 5 Plus;
• Note 5A;
• Note 5A Prime.

The same MIUI 10 for third and fourth generation Redmi phones is built on Android 7.1. The information regarding these phones was correct and they will not be provided with an update. However, some custom firmware versions still allow users to enjoy innovations.

According to the company's statements, not all phones will be updated to Android 9, but the majority of models released between 2016 and 2022. The list of contenders also includes Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus.

Firmware update (version) over the air

If you just need to update the version of your operating system, you can do this through OTA updates, which are regularly released by the developer for several years after the release of a certain smartphone model.

The main feature of OTA is that all your data will be safe and sound, and the system will only load those modules that have been updated. And at the same time, you don’t need to do any resets, download third-party firmware or connect the phone to the computer.

As a rule, you do not need any special skills in working with a smartphone to update the firmware version of your Xiaomi.

So, here's what you need to do:

1. Go to the “Settings” of the device and click on the “About phone” tab;
2. Next, find the “System updates” item and go to the “Check now” item;
3. You must have a smartphone connected to a wireless network - 3G, Wi-Fi, so that the system module can request updates;
4. Once the reconciliation process is completed, an update notification will appear on the screen. Click “Update” and wait until the procedure is completed;
5. When the update is complete, the smartphone will reboot and you can enjoy working in the new operating system.

Important! A wireless Wi-Fi connection is recommended for updating, as the firmware usually weighs about 1 GB. For a correct update, the battery charge must be at least 30-60%.

What is important to know

In most cases, to install the update, your smartphone battery must be more than half charged, and in some cases at least 80%. The size of the update files can reach several gigabytes, so it is recommended to download using a fast Wi-Fi connection. On many smartphones, the system update settings have an option that prohibits downloading the latest firmware over a mobile network.

Also, before each update, do not forget to make backups and synchronize important files with cloud services.

Firmware update via computer

To update your smartphone via a computer, you will need to download the MiFlash program to your PC and also disable signature verification in Windows.

The MiFlash program is downloaded from the official website using the latest version link. Follow this link and download the program and install it on your computer.

1. Download the required firmware file from the official MIUI website to the computer’s file system;
2. Pre-unlock the bootloader mode on your smartphone if it is suddenly locked. Again, we have a separate article on unlocking with all the details;
3. Put your smartphone into FastBoot or Bootloader mode;
4. Connect your smartphone via a USB cable to your computer, after charging it to full level;
5. Open the MiFlash program, wait until the system detects a new device and in the program window, specify the path to the firmware;
6. Click on the Refresh tab and confirm by clicking on Flash;
7. As soon as the process is completed, the smartphone will reboot with the new firmware.

Method 1: Official

Updating the operating system version using standard means can be done in three ways: obtaining the firmware over the air, using the “three-point method” and using proprietary MiFlash software.

Option 1: OTA update

Installing the new version of Android using the Over The Air (OTA) method works like this:

Open “Settings” – “About phone” – “System update”.

If any are found, click “Update”, after which they will begin downloading and then installation. Do not use the phone during the installation process and do not cancel it.

When the operation is completed, the phone will reboot. The first launch may take a long time, so be prepared for this. If the application reports that a new version of Android has not been found, but one definitely exists and is available for download, use the menu: click on the three vertical dots, then “Settings”.

Scroll through the list of options and turn on the “Early updates” switch.

Repeat steps from step 2.

As you can see, installation using the OTA method is a simple procedure.

Option 2: “Three-point method”

The next type of Android update on Xiaomi is known as the “three-point method”, in which the firmware file is downloaded separately and selected through a special item in the updater.

Repeat steps 1 and 4 of the previous option, but now use the “Download full firmware” item.

Wait while the required files are downloaded to your device. When the download is complete, the “Reboot” button will appear, tap on it.

• A restart will occur, after which the device will begin the update process. Wait for it to finish.

Option 3: MiFlash

The last official way to get a fresh OS is to use special software called MiFlash. This companion application for Windows allows you to update your device in a few clicks. Detailed instructions on how to use it and an example of firmware can be found in the article at the link below.

Flashing devices that do not support the new Android

Not all Xiaomi smartphones have officially received support for Android 8 and 9, not to mention version 10. However, it is still possible to install firmware on an outdated device, although there are many risks associated with this. For example, no one guarantees that after updating the gadget will work without errors. But if this point does not put you off, then you can use custom (unofficial) firmware.

Links to download such updates are posted on specialized forums like 4pda. Installation occurs in the same way as with the official firmware.