Updating the operating system on smartphones Xiaomi to Android 11 can significantly improve performance, add new features and increase the security of the device. However, the process has nuances: not all models officially support this version, and some will require installing custom firmware. In this article we will analyze all the current methods - from standard OTA update to manual firmware via fastboot and TWRP, taking into account the features of the lines Redmi, Poco and Mi.

It is important to understand that the transition to Android 11 is not always justified: on weak devices (for example, Redmi 4X or Mi A1) the new version may work slower due to increased hardware requirements. On the other hand, owners of flagships like Mi 10 or Poco F3 will have access to features like split notifications, improved permission management and built-in screen recording. Before you start, check whether your model supports the update - this will save time and avoid bricking the phone.

Article content:

  • 🔍 How to check the current Android version and compatibility
  • 📲 Official update via OTA and Mi Flash Tool
  • 🛠️ Installing custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)
  • ⚙️ Preparing the device: unlocking the bootloader and TWRP
  • ⚠️ Possible errors and how to fix them
  • 🔄 Rollback to previous version of Android
📊 Which Xiaomi model are you updating?
Redmi Note 8/9/10
Poco X3/F3
Mi 9/10/11
Other model
I don’t know

1. Checking compatibility and current version of Android

Before you try to install Android 11make sure that your device supports it. Official updates from Xiaomi depend on the model and region. For example, Redmi Note 9 Pro in the global version (joyeuse) received Android 11 via MIUI 12.5, and Poco X3 NFC (surya- via MIUI 13. To check the relevance:

Open Settings → About phone → MIUI version. If the line Android version indicates 11 or higher, the update has already been installed. If the version is lower (for example Android 10), proceed to the next step. Pay attention to model code name (for example, curtana for Redmi Note 9S) - you will need it to search for firmware.

  • 📋 Officially supported models (full list on MIUI website):
    • Mi 10/10 Pro/10 Ultra (umi, cmi)
    • Poco F2 Pro (lmi)
    • Redmi K30 Pro (lmi — yes, same as Poco F2)
    • Redmi Note 9 Pro/Pro Max (joyeuse, excalibur)
  • ❌ Models without official support:
    • Redmi 8/8A (maximum Android 10)
    • Mi A2/A3 (settled on Android 11, but without security updates)
    • Poco F1 (beryllium - only custom firmware)
⚠️ Attention: If your model is not on the list of official support, try to install Android 11 via OTA will result in an error. In this case, custom firmware will be required, but this will void the warranty and may cause problems with Widevine L1 (no HD on Netflix/Disney+).
Xiaomi Model Code Name Official Android 11 Custom Android 11
Redmi Note 9 Pro joyeuse ✅ (MIUI 12.5+) ✅ (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)
Poco X3 NFC surya ✅ (MIUI 13) ✅ (ArrowOS, HavocOS)
Mi 9T Pro raphael ❌ (max. Android 10) ✅ (unofficial builds)
Redmi 4X santoni ❌ (max. Android 7) ⚠️ (lags are possible)

2. Official update via OTA or Mi Flash Tool

If your model supports Android 11, the safest way is to update over the air (OTA) or through a proprietary utility Mi Flash Tool. Both methods retain the warranty and do not require unlocking the bootloader.

Method 1: Over-the-air (OTA) update

This method is suitable if Xiaomi an update has already been released for your region. Check this:

  1. Go to Settings → About phone → System update.
  2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Update package (if available).
  3. If an update is found, download it (weight ~1.5–2.5 GB) and confirm installation.

The device will reboot and install the update automatically. Process time: 10–20 minutes. If OTA does not arrive, try:

  • 🔄 Change region to Settings → Advanced → Region to India or Russia (sometimes updates are released there earlier).
  • 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network or use mobile data.
  • ⏳ Wait 1–2 weeks - updates are rolled out gradually.

Method 2: Manual update via Mi Flash Tool

If OTA is not available, but the firmware for your model exists, download it from official website and install via Mi Flash Tool. Instructions:

Download Mi Flash Tool from the Xiaomi website|Download the firmware (choose the "Fastboot" version)|Install Qualcomm/MTK drivers for your chip|Enable USB debugging in the developer settings|Charge the phone at least 50%-->

  1. Unpack the downloaded archive with the firmware into a folder without Cyrillic (for example, C:\MIUI\joyeuse_fastboot).
  2. Turn off the phone and hold down Volume down + Powerto enter the mode Fastboot (a hare in a hat with earflaps will appear).
  3. Connect the device to the PC and run Mi Flash Tool (as administrator).
  4. In the app, click Select, specify the folder with the firmware, then Refresh —the device must be detected.
  5. Select mode Clean all (saves data) or Clean all and lock (full reset + bootloader lock) and press Flash.
⚠️ Attention: Mode Clean all and lock return phone to factory settings and will lock the bootloader. Use it only if you are sure that the firmware is stable. Otherwise, select Clean all - this will save the data, but leave the bootloader unlocked.

The process will take 5-10 minutes. Once completed, the phone will reboot. bugs have appeared (for example, the camera or mobile network does not work), try:

  • 🔄 Reset the settings to factory settings (Settings → Advanced → Reset).
  • 📥 Reflash the device again, selecting a different firmware region (for example, EEA instead Global).
💡

An official update via the Mi Flash Tool is the only way to get Android 11 without losing the warranty. However, it is not available for all models and regions.

3. Installing custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)

If there is no official update, but the hardware of the device is not available. pulls Android 11, you can install custom firmware. Popular options:

  • 📱 LineageOS 18.1 - pure Android without unnecessary applications.
  • 🎨 Pixel Experience - firmware with interface and functions Google Pixel.
  • ⚡ ArrowOS - balance between performance and customization.
  • 🛡️ HavocOS —maximum appearance customization.

Before you start, consider the risks:

  • ❌ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
  • ❌ Possible problems with Widevine L1 (no HD in streaming services).
  • ❌ Risk of "brick" (inoperability) if there is an error during the firmware.

Step 1: Unlocking the bootloader

Xiaomi locks the bootloader on all devices To unlock it:

  1. Link your account Mi to the device (Settings → Xiaomi Account).
  2. Go to Settings → About phone and click on MIUI version7 times to activate Developer mode.
  3. Return to Settings → Advanced → For Developers and enable OEM Unlocking i USB Debugging.
  4. Download Mi Unlock Tool, log in your account Mi and connect your phone in mode Fastboot.
  5. Start unlocking. Waiting time: from 72 hours (for new accounts) to 360 hours (7 days) - this is an anti-spam measure Xiaomi.
⚠️ Attention: After unlocking the bootloader, the phone will perform a full reset (factory reset). Back up important data to your PC or cloud in advance. Also check that the account Mi is not linked to another device - this may increase the waiting time.

Step 2: Installing TWRP Recovery

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) - a custom recovery required for installing unofficial firmware. Instructions:

  1. Download the current version TWRP for your model from the website twrp.me (search by device code, for example, surya for Poco X3 NFC).
  2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with platform-tools (from Android SDK).
  3. Connect the phone in mode Fastboot and run the command: 
    fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
  4. Immediately after flashing the firmware, go to TWRP, holding Volume up + Power. If you skip this step, the standard recovery will overwrite TWRP.

In TWRP it is recommended:

  • 🔄 Make a backup of the current firmware (Backup → Select partitions → Swipe to Back Up).
  • 🧹 Format Data (if you are switching from another version of Android).

Step 3: Installing custom firmware

When TWRP is ready, download the firmware (for example, LineageOS 18.1) and GApps (Google services package) from the site OpenGAppsSelect option arm64 and Android 11.

Erase Dalvik, Cache, System, Data|Install ZIP with firmware|Install ZIP with GApps|Reboot into system-->

After the first boot (it may take 10-15 minutes), configure the system as a new device. If problems occur:

  • 🔄 Reflash. firmware, having previously formatted Data.
  • 📥 Try another assembly (for example, instead of LineageOS take ArrowOS).
  • 🔧 Check that the version TWRP is compatible with the firmware.
What to do if phone stuck on the logo?

If after installing the firmware the device does not boot beyond the logo Xiaomi or boot animation:

1. Press Volume up + Powerto enter TWRP.

2. Run Wipe → Format Data (enter yes).

3. Re-flash the firmware and GApps.

4. If that doesn’t help, try the firmware on the base MIUI (for example, MIUI EU), and then repeat the custom installation.

4. Solving common errors

When upgrading to Android 11 users Xiaomi often encounter typical problems. corrections.

Error: "Cannot load Android system. Your data may be corrupt"

This error appears when the partition is damaged Data or the firmware is incompatible Solution:

  1. Boot into TWRP.
  2. Execute Wipe → Format Data (do not Factory Reset!).
  3. Reflash the firmware and GApps.

Error: "This package is for "joyeuse" devices; this is a ""

Means that you are trying to install firmware that is not intended for your model. Check:

  • 📋 Device code name (for example, joyeuse for Redmi Note 9 Pro).
  • 🔍 Firmware version (for example, Global, EEA, India).
  • ⚠️ Compatibility with the Android version (some firmware for Android 10 not suitable for Android 11).

Problem: Mobile network or Wi-Fi does not work

Often arises due to the lack of modules firmware for the modem Solution:

  • 📥 Download firmware for your model from the forum XDA Developers.
  • 🔧 Flash it through TWRP like a regular ZIP.
  • 🔄 Reboot the device.

Problem: Low performance after update

Android 11 is more demanding on resources, so on weak devices (for example, Redmi Note 7 s Snapdragon 660) What to do:

  • ⚡ Disable animation: in Settings → For developers install Animation scale to Off.
  • 🧹 Clear cache c TWRP (Wipe → Cache/Dalvik).
  • 🔄 Try firmware with optimizations (for example, DerpFest for weak devices).
💡

If the battery runs out after the update, disable the "Adaptive Battery" function in the settings In Android 11, it sometimes conflicts with MIUI optimizations.

5. Rollback to a previous version of Android

If Android 11 it is unstable or you don’t like the changes, you can return to the previous version. However, this process has nuances:

  • 🔙 When rolling back from Android 11 on Android 10 a full reset will be required (factory reset).
  • ⚠️ On some devices (for example, Poco X3), a rollback may lead to problems with Widevine (no HD on Netflix).
  • 🔧 For custom firmware, use a backup made in TWRP before the update.

Instructions for rollback

  1. Download the firmware of the previous version from official website.
  2. If you are using custom firmware, download the stock Fastbootfirmware for your model.
  3. For stock firmware:
    • Flash it through Mi Flash Tool in mode Clean all.
  • For custom firmware:
    • Boot into TWRP.
    • Run Wipe → Format Data.
    • Install ZIP with the previous firmware version.
    ⚠️ Attention: Rollback to an older version MIUI may block the bootloader if the firmware is older than the one that was originally installed. In this case, you will need an official unlock via Mi Unlock Tool.

    6. Alternative ways to get Android 11 features

    If your device does not support Android 11, but you need its functions, consider alternatives:

    • 🔄 Updating MIUI without changing Android: New versions MIUI 12.5+ adopt some features of Android 11 (for example, notifications by category).
    • 📱 Launchers with Android 11 interface: Install Nova Launcher or Lawnchair and customize them to the new style.
    • 🛠️ Magisk modules:
      • Android 11 Features Port - transfers individual functions.
      • QuickSwitch — adds navigation gestures as in Android 11.
    • 🔒 Applications for permissions: AppOps or Bouncer allow you to flexibly manage application rights, as in the new version.

    For example, to get separated notifications (one of the key innovations of Android 11) on MIUI 12:

    1. Install Magisk and module MIUI Notification Ticker.
    2. Activate it in Magisk Manager and restart the phone.
    3. Now notifications will be grouped by category (for example, "Messages" and "System").

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about updating Xiaomi to Android 11

    ❓ Is it possible to install Android 11 on Redmi Note 8 Pro?

    Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia) Android has not officially received 11, since Xiaomi is limited to Android 10. However, there are unofficial firmwares like LineageOS 18.1 or Pixel Experience. Please note that due to the chip Mediatek Helio G90T there may be problems with performance and camera.

    ❓ Why doesn't Google Pay work after the update?

    This is due to an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware. Google Pay requires a certified device with a locked bootloader and Widevine L1Solutions:

    • 🔒 Return stock firmware and block the bootloader.
    • 💳 Use alternatives like Revolut or Samsung Pay (if supported).
    • 🛠️ Install module MagiskHide Props Config and replace the device fingerprint.

    ❓ How to update Poco F1 to Android 11?

    Poco F1 (beryllium) has not officially received Android 11, but there are stable custom firmwares:

    1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool.
    2. Install TWRP for beryllium.
    3. Download LineageOS 18.1 or Pixel Experience 11 s XDA.
    4. Flash the firmware + GApps (recommended option NikGApps for better compatibility).
    Important: On Poco F1 some camera functions may not work due to proprietary drivers Xiaomi.

    ❓ How long does it take to update via Mi Flash Tool?

    The firmware process via Mi Flash Tool usually takes:

    • 🕒 5-10 minutes for the firmware itself.
    • 🕒 10-15 minutes for the first boot (if it is custom firmware).

    If the process took more than 20 minutes, check:

    • 🔌 USB cable (better use the original one).
    • 🖥️ USB port on PC (try USB 2.0 instead of 3.0).
    • 🔄 Version Mi Flash Tool (current version on official website).

    ❓ Is it possible to update Xiaomi without a computer?

    Yes, but with limitations:

    • 📲 Official OTA: If the update is available, it will be installed without a PC.
    • 📱 Custom firmware: You can flash it via TWRPif it is already installed. To do this:
      1. Download ZIP firmware to your phone.
      2. Boot into TWRP (Volume up + Power).
      3. Install the firmware and GApps.
      • Limitation: Unlocking the bootloader and installation TWRP in any case require a computer.