How to Install Android Updates on Xiaomi, Mi, Redmi, and POCO smartphones with MIUI

Stock ROM updates come for all Xiaomi, Mi, and Redmi smartphones in two formats: Recovery ROM and Fastboot ROM. As the name implies, Recovery ROMs need to be installed through the Recovery or through the Local Update method, while Fastboot ROMs need to be installed through Fastboot using the MiFlash Tool.

The instructions for all Xiaomi, Mi, Redmi, and even POCO smartphones are common. We’ve maintained Recovery ROM and Fastboot ROM database for Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 and MIUI 12.5, so you can get download links for all supported phone for all regions and versions from there.

Recovery ROM Installation

Recovery ROMs come with a .zip file extension and can be installed either through the Local Update method from within MIUI, or through the Xiaomi stock recovery. You can also use a custom recovery for installing these ROMs, though do note that device-specific instructions may differ in that case.

1. Local Update method:
   1. Transfer the download .zip file to your phone, and ensure you place the file in the “downloaded_rom” folder in the internal storage of your device. If no such folder exists, create one in your internal storage base directory.
   2. Within your phone, navigate to Settings > About Phone > System Update, and then press the three-dot icon in the top-right corner, and select “Choose Update Package”.
   3. If the “Choose Update Package” option is missing, tap on the MIUI logo 10 times to activate the option.
   4. Choose the downloaded .zip file.
   5. Wait for the update to install.
2. Recovery method:
   1. Rename the downloaded .zip file to update.zip and transfer it to the base directory of your phone’s internal storage.
   2. Reboot your phone into recovery mode by powering it off and then pressing both the Power and the Volume Up buttons together.
   3. Scroll to the “Install update.zip” option using the volume keys, and select the option using the power button.
   4. Wait for the update to install.
   5. Choose the “Reboot” option if your phone does not reboot by itself after installation is completed.

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Fastboot ROM Installation

Fastboot ROMs come with a .tgz file extension and require a Windows computer for the installation, as well as a phone with an unlocked bootloader. However, despite being comparatively more complicated to install than Recovery ROMs, Fastboot ROMs are sometimes the only way to boot into a working system. For instructions on unlocking the bootloader of your phone, check your device’s subforums on XDA.

1. Download MiFlash Tool on your Windows computer. The latest version can be found in Step 1 of this link. Once downloaded, extract the tool and install it. It is also advisable to have ADB and Fastboot installed, just in case you need it.
2. Reboot your phone into Download mode by powering it off and then pressing both the Power and Volume Down buttons together.
3. Connect your phone to the computer using the appropriate USB cable.
4. Download the Fastboot ROM .tgz file and extract it. Remember the extract location, as you will need to paste the address into MiFlash Tool.
5. Run MiFlash Tool on your Windows Computer and in the address bar within the tool, paste the extract location from Step 4.
6. Click “Refresh” within MiFlash and the app should automatically recognize your device.
7. Click “Run” within MiFlash to flash the ROM file to the device.
8. The progress bar within MiFlash will turn green, which indicates that the ROM was successfully installed. Your device should boot automatically to the new version.

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