Updating to a new version is not just a change in the number in the settings, but a fundamental change in operation processor and distribution of memory resources. Many owners of phones produced in 2020-2021 are still waiting for the arrival of new firmware, fearing that their device will be left without the attention of developers. It is important to understand the difference between the global version of the firmware and the Chinese one, since release schedules may differ significantly.
The materials below provide a comprehensive list of compatible devices, divided by series, as well as instructions for forcibly checking for updates. We will also touch on the topic of system stability after an upgrade and possible pitfalls that users encounter when switching to a new architecture kernels.
Official support status and release schedule
The company Xiaomi has introduced the practice of gradually distributing updates to minimize the load on servers and promptly identify critical errors. The flagship series Mi and top models are always the first to get access to the new OS, after which the turn comes to the middle segment. For the operating system Redmi K, after which the turn comes to the middle segment. For operating system Android 12 this process took several months, starting at the end of 2021 and continuing throughout 2022.
It is worth noting that receiving an update directly depends on the region where the device is sold and the type of firmware. Global versions (Global ROM) often receive updates with a delay relative to their Chinese counterparts due to the need for service certification Google and interface localization. Owners of Chinese versions of smartphones sometimes have to manually update the device to the global version in order to gain full access to the application store and language packs.
⚠️ Attention: The update release schedule is flexible. The date the firmware is received by a specific device depends on many factors, including the region, telecom operator and the current load on the update servers.
The update process affects not only the software part, but also requires checking the status of the drive device. Before starting the download, it is recommended to make sure that you have at least 5-7 GB of free space on your internal drive. This is necessary to unpack firmware archives and create backup copies of system partitions in case of failure.
List of compatible devices of the Redmi Note series
Series Redmi Note is the most popular line of budget and mid-budget smartphones, so supporting these models is a priority for the company. Most devices released in 2021 based on Snapdragon i MediaTekprocessors received a guaranteed update to Android 12. Owners of older models released in 2019 can count on the update only if the device was originally supplied with a new version Android.
The list of confirmed devices includes models with the index Pro and 5G, which have sufficient RAM for comfortable operation of the new multitasking functions. For example, Redmi Note 10 Pro and Redmi Note 10S began to receive stable firmware versions at the beginning of the update cycle. Younger models, such as the regular Redmi Note 10were also included in the support list, although with a slight delay.
Before updating the Note series, be sure to back up your contacts and photos to the Mi Cloud or Google Drive, since when you change the Android version, application permissions are sometimes reset.
Below is a table with the main models of the series Note that have officially received or should have received an update to Android 12 within the shell MIUI 13:
| Device model | Processor | Update status | MIUI version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10 Pro | Snapdragon 732G | Received | MIUI 13 |
| Redmi Note 10 5G | Dimensity 700 | Received | MIUI 13 |
| Redmi Note 10S | Helio G95 | Received | MIUI 13 |
| Redmi Note 9 Pro | Snapdragon 720G | Received | MIUI 13 |
| Redmi Note 9S | Snapdragon 720G | Received | MIUI 13 |
Sometimes you need to manually initiate a check or wait for a push notification from the server. For some regions, the release may have been temporarily suspended due to the discovery of critical bugs in early builds.
Updates for the basic Redmi line and K series
Basic line of smartphones Redmi (digital series) and flagship series K (known globally segment as Poco F) are also covered by the support app. Devices of the Redmi 10 and Redmi 11 series were initially shipped with new versions Android or received an update in the first months after release. The flagship series K40 (global Poco F3) received one of the most stable updates thanks to powerful hardware.
The process of obtaining firmware for these models is usually faster than for the Note series, due to fewer hardware modifications. Users note that after installation Android 12 on K series devices, the performance of animations and the speed of opening applications significantly improves. This is due to the optimization of the task scheduler in the new version of the operating system.
Why do some Redmi K not receive the update?
Sometimes global versions of Redmi K (Poco F) smartphones are delayed in updating due to differences in radio modules and frequency bands, which require separate certification for each region.
For owners devices Redmi 9 and older models, you should be prepared for the fact that official support may be limited to version Android 11. The company's policy implies updating major versions of the OS for 2 years for most devices, with the exception of flagships. However, security patches may also arrive on older devices for another year.
Technical requirements and installation features
Installing a new version of the operating system requires compliance with certain technical conditions. The main requirement is a stable network connection Wi-Fi, since the size of the firmware image can reach 3-4 GB. Using a mobile network is not recommended due to the high risk of download interruptions and traffic consumption.
Before starting the process, the system will automatically check the battery level. The device must be charged at least 60%, and it is better to connect it to the charger throughout the entire procedure. Interrupting the process of writing data to flash memory due to a low battery may make it impossible to boot the system ("brick").
☑️ Preparing to update Android
After clicking the "Download and install" button on the phone will go into recovery mode (Recovery), where the files will be unpacked and written to the system partition. At this point, the screen may turn off and on several times - this is normal behavior. Do not try to reboot the device manually, even if the process seems stuck on the logo for more than 5 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: Never unplug the power cable or press the control buttons during the "Installing the update" stage. This may compromise the integrity of the bootloader.
Sometimes after the first startup, the system may run slower than usual. This is due to the process of optimizing applications and re-indexing files in the background. Let the phone work for 15-20 minutes without active use to complete the internal settings.
How to check for an update manually
If the automatic notification does not arrive, you can independently initiate a search for a new firmware version through the device settings. This method works 90% of the time if the update is already available for your region and specific device serial number. The path to the menu may vary slightly depending on the shell version MIUI.
You need to go to the section Settings → About phone → MIUI Version. In the window that opens, click on the large system logo icon. The server verification process will start. If a new version is found, a Download button will appear. If the system reports that you are using the latest version, but you are sure otherwise, you can try changing the region in the settings.
Changing the region in the phone settings to "India" or "Indonesia" sometimes allows you to see the update before it arrives in your main region, but use this method with caution.
For advanced users, it is possible to download the firmware manually from the official website and install it through the Recoverymode. To do this, you need to download the file with the extension .zip, rename it to update.zip and place it in the root of the internal memory. Then in the update menu, click on the three dots in the corner of the screen and select “Select firmware file.”
Possible problems after the update and their solutions
The transition to Android 12 may be accompanied by a number of software glitches, especially in the first weeks after installation. The most common problem is increased battery consumption. This is due to the fact that new energy saving algorithms have not yet adjusted to your usual usage scenario, and some applications do not work correctly in the background.
Users may also experience unstable operation of communication modules or Bluetooth. In such cases, a full reset to factory settings helps (Factory Reset). Before this procedure, it is critical to save all personal data, since during the reset process all information from the device will be deleted without the possibility of recovery.
⚠️ Attention: A full reset deletes all data, including photos, contacts and installed applications. Be sure to create a backup copy before performing this operation.
If after the update your phone starts to overheat or slow down a lot, check the list of installed applications. Some older versions of apps may not be compatible with new operating system APIs. Update all applications via Google Play Market to the latest versions. In extreme cases, you may need to roll back to the previous version of the firmware through a computer and a utility Mi Flash Tool, but this requires an unlocked bootloader.
Will Redmi Note 8 receive an update to Android 12?
Officially, the Redmi Note 8 series has settled on Android 11 (MIUI) 12.5). Although enthusiasts are releasing custom ROMs, there is no official support from Xiaomi for upgrading to Android 12 for this model due to processor limitations and support policies.
What to do if the update is stuck at the download stage?
If the download is stuck for more than an hour, try rebooting the device into safe mode or performing a force reboot (hold the power button for 10 seconds). If the problem persists, download the firmware manually and install it through the Recovery menu.
Will the Android 12 update delete my data?
When updating over the air (OTA), user data is saved. However, when manually installing the firmware via Recovery or a computer, there is a risk of data loss, so always make a backup copy before starting any manipulations with the system.
Is it possible to refuse the update and stay on Android 11?
Yes, you can simply not press the install button in the update menu. However, the system may periodically remind you that a new version is available. You can officially roll back to the old version only through a complete flashing of the device with data loss.
Why is there no button to check for updates on my Redmi?
The button is always in the "About phone" menu. If it is inactive or missing, your device may be used on a corporate network with restrictions, or a modified (custom) firmware is installed where access to update servers is blocked.