How to choose MIUI update to install

Choosing a firmware or MIUI update to install on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone consists of several steps, some of which can cause difficulties.

Following your numerous requests in the comments, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to choose Recovery ROM firmware, Fastboot ROM or OTA update for Xiaomi devices.

RAM or ROM capacity of your handset does not affect firmware choice. It is critical to select the correct model, check compatibility with the installed MIUI version, download and install the file.

Step 1: Search for your model on MIUIROM

Go to miuirom.org. There are collected links to all official firmware for Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO phones and tablets. All files are downloaded in their original form from Xiaomi servers.

Find your device in the directory and go to the list of flash files for it. To do so, enter the model number, name, or code of the product. The search displays all the information you need to identify your smartphone. It is difficult to mix up models.

On the model page you will see a list of the latest MIUI versions for each available region and a list of older versions (how to roll back to a previous MIUI version).

If there is an EOL sign next to the device, it means that the model is out of support and no updates are released.

Step 2: Check version compatibility

It is necessary to find out which MIUI version is installed on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone. After all, if you try to install the firmware with the wrong number, you will get an error and the installation process will be aborted.

Similarly, each PTA update is designed for a specific MIUI version (the version is listed next to each download link).

The easiest way to figure out which firmware to choose is to check the MIUI version installed on your phone.

How to find out the MIUI version and firmware number on your phone:

1. Launch the settings using the appropriate icon.
2. Please navigate to the About phone menu.
3. Tap Detailed info and specs.
4. In the MIUI version tile, find the necessary information.

What the firmware number numbers and letters mean:

What MIUI 14.0.0.2.SKGMIXM firmware number means:

• 14.0 — the first three digits indicate MIUI 14 version.
• 0.2 — this is the development version. The higher the number, the closer the release is.
• S — Android 12.
• KG — Redmi Note 10 model code. There are different codes for Xiaomi, Mi, Redmi, and POCO smartphones.
• MI — Global Firmware.
• XM — no operator binding.

You now know the region and version of the installed operating system on your device. This allows you to determine which firmware version you need to download for a successful update.

It is recommended to download the next version. If it does not be the latest, you will need to upgrade further. You can jump to the latest version by installing the Fastboot ROM.

Step 3: Select a region

Xiaomi currently releases firmware for the following regions: Global, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Russia, Taiwan, Japan, Turkey. You need to compare the region with the MIUI version installed on your phone and then download the updated firmware for this region (we learned how to identify the version in the previous step).

Regional differences are not only in pre-installed Google services or lack thereof, but also in firmware adaptation to the local legislation, support of certain frequencies and interface languages. You can read more about each region in the links above.

Keep in mind that MIUI China only has Chinese and English languages, and the Indonesian and Chinese versions lack pre-installed Google services. If you don’t want Google’s built-in apps, you want a caller with the MIUI contacts app, then install the Indonesian version of the firmware – it’s quite stable and supports different languages. Unlike the Chinese version, where only Chinese and English are available.

Any region’s Fastboot ROM can be downloaded. Recovery ROMs and OTA updates must match the original region!

If you don’t want to change anything, just download the ROM or OTA file for your MIUI region.

Step 4: OTA, Recovery or Fastboot

Now you need to decide how to install the update. This will determine which file to download:

• OTA updates are installed fastest using the standard MIUI features. It can only be installed on the specified MIUI version, it is not possible to change the region.
• Recovery ROM is used rarely and restores MIUI when the system cannot boot normally. It is impossible to change the version, nor the region.
• Fastboot ROM is a full-fledged firmware that allows you to install any MIUI, regardless of the installed version and region. Installing it involves additional steps.

Many experts recommend installing the full firmware through Fastboot – this way there are fewer conflicts after installation. But this method has inconveniences: you need to enable debugging via USB, unlock the bootloader, use a computer with Mi Flash Pro software installed. It is possible to install the OTA or Recovery ROM update without having to use a PC.

If you plan to change the region, only the Fastboot ROM must be used. OTA Update or Recovery ROM are not suitable for this.

Fastboot ROM, Recovery ROM, and OTA update are usually released with a new firmware. However, Xiaomi does not always release an OTA update and may delay Fastboot ROM release. The fact that some versions are not available at the moment is normal.

Step 5: Firmware installation

Installation procedure differs depending on the selected firmware type:

• If you’ve decided to install OTA, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install OTA.
• We’ve also detailed the process of installing Recovery ROM using Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO recovery mode.
• Before flashing the phone using Fastboot ROM, read the instructions on how to install ROM via Fastboot mode using a computer and Mi Flash Pro software.

Make a backup before installing the update! Even when installing an official OTA update, there is a risk of accidental errors that can lead to data loss.

Sometimes errors occur during firmware installation or update. Recovery ROM and Fastboot ROM errors are described in the firmware installation instructions in the links above. Possible problems with OTA updates are more numerous and we’ve dedicated a separate article to them: MIUI Update Errors.

You can also download the full firmware on Xiaomi through the MIUI menu. If you go into the settings and select “Download Full Firmware” from the menu, a clean version of the operating system “as from the factory” will be installed, and the user files will be saved.

How to download latest package Xiaomi:

1. Open Settings and select About Phone.
2. Tap on the MIUI Version tile.
3. Select the three dots in the top right corner of the screen and tap Download latest package. The download will start.
4. Once the download is complete, reboot your smartphone to continue installing the firmware.

When the update completes, you will have clean MIUI installed and your data saved.

If you have questions about the article subject, leave them in the comments. We’ll supplement the article based on them.