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 through the Local Update method from within MIUI. You can also use a custom recovery for installing these ROMs, though do note that device-specific instructions may differ in that case.

Fastboot ROM Installation

Fastboot ROMs come with a .tgz file extension and require a Windows computer for the installation with MiFlash tool, 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. You can perform the flashing process using the Fastboot binary itself, in which case the Fastboot ROM can be used on Windows, Linux, as well as on macOS.

XDA » How to Install Official Android Software Updates » How to Install Android Updates on Xiaomi, Mi, Redmi, and POCO smartphones with MIUI

I am a journalist with XDA since 2015, while being a qualified business-litigation lawyer with experience in the field. A low-end smartphone purchase in 2011 brought me to the forums, and it's been a journey filled with custom ROMs ever since. When not fully dipped in smartphone news, I love traveling to places just to capture pictures of the sun setting. You can reach out to me at [email protected] or on Twitter (@aamirsidd94).