Xiaomi MIUI 12 Update: Everything You Need to Know

Last year, Xiaomi launched the MIUI 11 global version for their devices worldwide, running on top of Android 9 and 10. We saw some visual and battery optimization changes as major changes. Now, Xiaomi has announced its next-generation MIUI 12 custom ROM. It has been just a few months since MIUI 11 was launched globally, and now the company has started offering MIUI 12 with some significant changes. This is a welcome change, as Xiaomi is always held accountable for slow updates on its wide variety of devices. The company has also given out the list of devices that will be receiving the new update, along with the dates for each one of them.

What is MIUI 12?

MIUI 12 is a custom skin based on the Android operating system for Mi and Redmi phones. In other words, MIUI 12 is a modified version of Android OS with infinite customization options. It brings several exciting features, including Dark Mode 2.0, Dynamic Always-on Display with over 1000+ custom animated styles, AI Calling, Navigation gestures, and more.

MIUI 12 Update Tracker

September 30:

• Poco India’s director Anuj Sharma has tweeted that the Poco M2 Pro MIUI 12 update is rolling out in batches in India.
• Xiaomi has started rolling out MIUI 12 for the Redmi Note 8 in China with software version 12.0.2.0.QCOCNXM.
• Redmi Y2 users are now getting the MIUI 12 update on top of Android 9 with version 12.0.2.0.PEFMIXM.

September 29: Xiaomi is pushing out MIUI 12 in India for the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max device with version 12.0.1.0.QJXINXM.

• Will your device get an Android 11 update? Check Here.

September 25: Xiaomi Indonesia said that the MIUI 12 would start rolling out for Redmi Note 9 Pro in October 2020.

September 22: MIUI 12 for the Global variants of the Mi MIX 3 is available over the air with the software version 12.0.1.0.PEMMIXM.

September 21: Xiaomi has started rolling out the MIUI 12 update for the Mi 8 Lite and Mi Note 3 with the software version 12.0.3.0.QDTMIXM and V12.0.1.0.PCHMIXM respectively.

September 3: Xiaomi has confirmed that the final MIUI 12 beta update for Mi 8, Mi 8 Lite, Mi 8 Pro, Mi MIX 2S, and Mi Max 3 is rolling out.

August 26: Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 global units (Mi Pilot program members only) are now getting MIUI 12 beta updates with version V12.0.1.0.QEEMIXM.

August 24: In India, Redmi 6 Pro users who participated in the Mi Pilot program now receive MIUI 12 beta updates. Regular Redmi 6 Pro users will have to wait for a few days to receive a stable update.

August 12: Xiaomi has confirmed that it will start pushing out the MIUI 12 update in India for some devices starting this month, which includes Mi 10, Redmi Note 9/ 9 Pro, Redmi Note 8/ 8 Pro, and Redmi Note 7/ Note 7 Pro. As of now, Redmi Note 9 has started getting updated in India.

August 11: Xiaomi has now released MIUI 12 Global Beta Stable for Poco F1 users who registered into the Mi Pilot program.

August 8: Xiaomi has pulled back the Poco X2 MIUI 12 update rollout due to some bugs and glitches. The rollout will begin in a few days.

August 7: Xiaomi starts seeding Android 10-based MIUI 12 update to the Poco X2 smartphone.

August 6: Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 and Mi MIX 2S Chinese users now receive the MIUI 12 stable update. Global and other regional units may get the update in the coming weeks.

August 1: Indonesia MIUI website has shared a list of several Xiaomi Mi, Redmi, and Poco smartphones that will receive the latest stable MIUI update in August 2020. The list includes Mi 10, Mi Note 10/ Note 10 Pro, Mi 8 Lite, Redmi Note 6 Pro, Redmi Note 5, Pocophone F1, Poco F2 Pro, Redmi Note 9/ Note 9 Pro, Redmi Note 8/ Note 8 Pro, Redmi Note 7, Redmi 8/ 8A/ 8A Pro, Redmi 9, Redmi 7/ 7A, Redmi 6/ 6A, Redmi 6 Pro, and Redmi S2.

July 31: After Redmi Note 7 Pro, the MIUI 12 update is out for Redmi Note 7 and Note 7S units in India with version V12.0.0.2 QFGINXM. It looks like the update is currently available for Indian users who joined the Mi Pilot program. Also, Mi 8 users in China are getting the latest Xiaomi skin with the updated version V12.0.1.0.QEACNXM.

July 30: After the Redmi 10X Pro 5G and Redmi 10X 5G MIUI 12 update on July 22, Xiaomi has rolled out the MIUI 12 update for the 4G version, i.e. Redmi 10X 4G in China with version V12.0.4.0.QJOCNXM. It also packs the July security patch.

July 29: A limited number of Redmi Note 9 users are getting a new software update with version v12.0.2.0.QJOMIXM. It is based on Android 10 OS.

July 27: After the Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite 5G and Mi 10 Lite Zoom MIUI 12 stable update, Xiaomi Mi 10 and Mi 10 global units reportedly receive the next iteration of MIUI’s skin.

July 25: Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi 9, Mi 9 SE, and Mi CC9 Pro device owners are reportedly getting the MIUI 12 Global Stable update.

July 15: Poco F2 Pro owners in the EU have started receiving stable build V12.0.1.0.QJKEUXM of MIUI 12. It weighs around 1.1GB in size. Furthermore, In China, Redmi K30 Pro Zoom Edition users are also getting the latest MIUI Build with version V12.0.2.0.QJKCNXM.

July 7: Stable MIUI 12 is hitting Redmi K30i 5G units in China with version 12.0.3.0.QGICMXM. We can expect a wider rollout in a week. You can check manually for updates by heading over the “System Update” section from the device settings page.

July 1: Xiaomi has announced officially via Twitter that the stable MIUI 12 update is now widely rolling out across the globe to Mi 9, Mi 9T, Mi 9T Pro, Redmi K20, and Redmi K20 Pro devices.

July 1: MIUI 12 Global stable beta update (weighing 632MB) with software version V12.0.0.4 QGGMIXM is hitting the Redmi Note 8 Pro units. You will receive an update if your Note 8 Pro has been selected during the recruitment program. The wider rollout to all users will be live after a successful beta test.

June 19: The Chinese OEM Xiaomi is pushing out the MIUI 12 stable update to Redmi K30 with 12.0.2.0.QGHCNXM version and Redmi K30 Pro with 12.0.1.0.QJKCNXM version. The update is currently available for Chinese users. Two other K30 variants, which include “K30 Pro Zoom Edition” and “Redmi K30 5G (version V11.1.25.0.QGICNXM)“, are also getting the update.

June 17: Mi 10 Lite Zoom users with firmware version 12.0.2 have received the latest iteration of the MIUI update.

June 16:  MIUI 12 stable update is seeding to Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G and Mi 9 users in China. The former comes with V12.0.1.0.QFACNXM version and the latter have a build number of V12.0.1.0.QFXCNXM.

June 15: Xiaomi Mi CC9e (closed beta testers only) has received an Android 10 OS update with MIUI 12.

June 11: Xiaomi Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro users in China started getting stable MIUI 12 with version MIUI V12.0.1.0.QJBCNXM. The update weighs around 820MB in size.

June 10: MIUI 12 Global Pilot Testing Program started for Pocophone F1, Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi Note 7 Pro, Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Note 7S users. If you (Indian Users) want to test Global Beta Stable ROM (Pre-release build), then you can apply here. If you are from another country and willing to test Beta ROM, then apply here.

June 8: Xiaomi customer support confirms that Mi Mix 3 5G will receive an MIUI 12 update in October 2020. The Mi Mix 3 5G currently runs on Android Pie with MIUI 10 on top of it. So, Xiaomi may skip MIUI 11 and will push MIUI 12 directly. But, it looks like Android 10 remains an improbability.

May 26: Xiaomi Mi 9, Mi 9T, and Mi 9T Pro select users have started getting the MIUI 12 global beta stable update with build version V12.0.0.8.QFAMIXM, V12.0.0.11 QFJMIXM, and V12.0.0.8 QFKMIXM, respectively.

May 6: Xiaomi has announced the Pilot Testing Program, where they have started recruiting people to test the MIUI 12 Global ROM (pre-release build). In the Pilot Testing Program for India, only Redmi K20 and Redmi K20 Pro users can apply via Google form. The program has also been announced globally, where Mi 9, Mi 9T, and Mi 9T Pro users can apply for the Global pre-release build.

May 3: Xiaomi.eu team has released MIUI 12 EU Custom ROM based on the Chinese MIUI 12 beta build for 20+ Xiaomi devices. This modified version of the Chinese build is applicable in the EU region for Xiaomi fans.

When will MIUI 12 be released?

Xiaomi announced its next User Interface, MIUI 12, globally on May 19, 2020, via an online launch event. Initially, it was released for the Chinese market, but now Xiaomi has shared Global rollout details via Twitter.

As of now, Xiaomi has released the MIUI 12 closed beta program for its Chinese users to receive early feedback on the ongoing development. The stable MIUI 12 build will be released in June 2020 for both the Global and Chinese markets. The newer/flagship phones will initially receive an MIUI 12 build based on Android 10. Once Google’s stable Android 11 starts rolling out to Pixel devices, Xiaomi will also work to roll out MIUI 12 based on Android 11 for a couple of devices.

Talking about the global release timeline for the MIUI 12 update, Round 1 devices, which include the Mi 9 series and Redmi K20 series, will get the update in June 2020. Round 2 devices will receive the update gradually, probably from July 2020.

List of phones confirmed to receive the MIUI 12 update

• Xiaomi Mi 10
• Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
• Xiaomi Mi 10 Youth Edition
• Mi Mix 2s
• Mi Max 3
• Redmi K30 4G
• Redmi K30 5G
• Redmi K30 Pro
• Redmi K30 Pro Zoom Edition
• Redmi K30i 5G
• Redmi K30 5G Racing
• Redmi K20 Pro Premium Edition
• Redmi K20 Pro
• Redmi K20
• Mi 8
• Mi 8 SE
• Mi 8 Screen Fingerprint Edition
• Mi 8 Explorer Edition
• Mi 8 Youth Edition
• Mi 8 Pro
• Mi 8 Lite
• Mi Mix 3
• Mi Mix 2
• Mi Note 3
• Redmi Note 8 Pro
• Redmi Note 8
• Redmi Note 5
• Redmi Note 7 Pro
• Redmi Note 7
• Xiaomi Mi CC9 Pro
• Xiaomi Mi CC9
• Xiaomi Mi CC9e
• Mi CC9 Meitu Custom Edition
• Mi 6 (Only Beta Confirmed in China)
• Mi 6X
• Xiaomi Mi 9
• Xiaomi Mi 9 SE
• Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer Edition
• Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G
• Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite
• Redmi S2
• Redmi 7A
• Redmi 7
• Redmi 8
• Redmi 8A
• Redmi 6
• Redmi 6 Pro
• Redmi 6A
• Redmi Note 6 Pro
• Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite 5G
• Mi 9T Pro
• Mi 9T
• Redmi Note 9 Pro
• Redmi Note 9S
• Redmi Note 9 Pro Max
• Redmi Note 9
• Redmi Note 8T
• Redmi Note 7S
• Poco F1
• Pocophone F1
• Poco X2
• Poco F2 Pro
• Redmi 8A Dual
• Redmi Y2
• Redmi Y3
• Redmi Note 5 Pro
• Mi Note 10
• Mi Note 10 Lite
• Mi Note 10 Pro
• Redmi 10X 5G
• Redmi 10X Pro 5G
• Redmi 9
• Poco M2 Pro
• Redmi 9A
• Redmi 9C
• Redmi 9 Prime
• Mi 10 Ultra
• Redmi K30 Ultra

The list shows MIUI 12 ROM-eligible devices for both Global and Chinese users. The best thing is that Xiaomi phones released over the last two years are also included in the list. If you want to check whether your Xiaomi device will receive Android 11 or not, then find it here. Once Xiaomi starts rolling out a stable build, you will be able to download MIUI 12 Global ROM from the Community page.

Note: Despite being included in the beta program in China, Xiaomi has not confirmed whether the Mi 6 will receive a stable MIUI 12 update or not. Also, MIUI 12 for Mi MIX 3 5G seems distant as the device is still running on MIUI 10 and missing from the global roadmap.

These Xiaomi devices may not get the next MIUI Custom ROM

• Redmi Note 5A
• Redmi Note 5A Prime
• Redmi Y1
• Mi Max 2
• Redmi Note 5 Plus
• Xiaomi MI A3
• Xiaomi Mi A2
• Xiaomi Mi A1
• Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite
• Mi 5X
• Mi Play
• Redmi 5
• Redmi 5 Plus
• Redmi 5A
• Redmi Note 4
• Redmi Note 4X
• Redmi 4A
• Redmi 4 Prime
• Redmi 4 (4X)

As you might have noticed, popular devices like Mi A3, A2, A1, etc., are missing from the eligible list. The reason behind it is that they run on stock Android. It is not possible to install the official MIUI on an Android One device. Also, three years old entry-level and mid-range Xiaomi devices are not included in the eligible list. That means they will not receive the next-generation MIUI 12 update.

Here is the list of features of MIUI 12

• Super wallpapers & animated AOD
• New system animations
• Perfect dark mode 2.0
• Improved privacy controls
• Better multitasking
• AI phone assistant
• Classic themes in super-quality
• Health tracker

Now, let’s speak at length about how amazing the MIUI 12 is and its unique features

Super wallpapers & animated AOD

Wallpaper is nothing to mention, but MIUI 12 brings a new ‘Super wallpaper’ option where users can set certain planets as their wallpaper. They can even examine and keep any part of a planet as their live wallpaper and animated AOD (Always on Display). Currently, Mars and Earth are only available at the moment, but we can expect further planets with future updates. The feature is somewhat similar to Google Earth.

New system animations

Users are always attracted to design and animations in a smartphone. Xiaomi developed its Framework called ‘MIUI Light Cone Motion Effect Architecture.’ This framework has two engines viz. Rendering Engine and Physical Engine.

The ‘Rendering Engine’ allows real-world light and shadow, smooth rounded corners, G2 curvature, advanced interface color mixing, real-time blur, and dynamic rounded corners all over the UI.

Coming to the ‘Physical Engine’ is responsible for enhanced system animations. The animations are realistic and smooth, which offers a satisfying experience. Users can close an app even halfway through opening it. Hence, this brand-new animation experience helps in opening or closing apps according to the userspace. Sometimes, while rotating the screen, flashing or ghosting occurs, which is solved by ‘Dynamic Form’ with smoother animations. Almost everything in the system is remastered with exciting animations like the screen rotation, control center, battery app, and much more.

Perfect dark mode 2.0

Xiaomi’s Dark Mode 2.0 offers standard dark mode features, including high color saturation, automatic brightness, reduced contrast, and font adjustments to reduce eye strain during the night. MIUI 11 already has a dark mode, but it has left its users wanting as it feels somewhat unpolished. But with the new MIUI 12, we see a big change as system applications will have a better optimized dark mode.

Improved privacy controls

Privacy in any smartphone is the most important part. Xiaomi kept in mind the security and privacy of users. Whenever an app wants to access a location or camera, a message will pop up whether you want to access or deny it. Earlier, Android 10 developer mode had its feature, but Xiaomi tweaked it a little and made it a bit more secure. On top of it, the permissions needed by an app will be shown to you and the system’s phone usage history.

Also, an out-of-the-box idea for Android phones, Xiaomi added a feature where the system would provide blank data to any apps requesting access in MIUI 12. This idea is similar to that of Apple’s ‘Sign-in with Apple’ feature. The system provides a fake identity to those apps which users can customize at any time. This prevents users from sharing their original info with vicious apps.

Better multitasking

MIUI 12 now brings better multitasking support. Various apps or games still don’t support split-screen features. To solve this, Xiaomi enabled floating apps (picture-in-picture / PiP). This feature will allow users to use apps in float mode. It also comes with gesture features, and it can adapt to different usage scenarios.

AI phone assistant

AI phone assistant is another feature that is added to MIUI 12, which is similar to Google screen calls. This feature is specially designed for hearing abilities. Various numbers of AI-generated responses are there to keep the conversation going for hearing or vocal disabilities. According to Xiaomi, the AI has responded to over 4 million calls and helped them in the last 6 months.

Classic themes in super-quality

To celebrate the 10th anniversary, Xiaomi is re-releasing old generation classic themes in super quality along with new themes and a separate section for AOD (Always on Display) for over 1000+ third-party animated AOD styles.

Health tracker

Xiaomi is also introducing a health app that will record how much walking, climbing stairs, cycling, and running is done. For this, you have to keep the phone in your pocket at all times. It will only consume 1% of the device battery. The app will also monitor your sleep record, your snore, and the words spoken during dreaming. The app will store the data in the device and not in the cloud for privacy purposes.

Conclusion

Nowadays, most smartphone users always want a phone with an elegant OS and many features. Even some of the users compromise hardware for a better-looking UI. As we all know, the software is the soul of a smartphone. A bugless, beautiful UI is all a user craves. After the successful global spread of MIUI 11, Xiaomi has introduced its brand new MIUI 12 Android skin. Currently, Chinese users are getting a taste of the new UI. In India, we will have to wait for a few weeks to receive the update on our Xiaomi devices.