Xiaomi publishes firmware in three formats. Choosing the right one saves time and avoids mistakes. Here is the plain-language difference.
OTA (Over-The-Air)
The incremental update your phone downloads automatically. Smallest in size, applied through the Updater app, no data loss. Best for routine updates when they are offered to you.
Recovery ROM
A full, signed firmware .zip you install from the phone via the Updater app’s “Choose update package” option — no PC, no unlocked bootloader. Best for updating manually to a build that has not reached you yet. See the recovery ROM guide.
Fastboot ROM
A complete image flashed from a computer with Mi Flash Tool while the phone is in Fastboot mode. Requires an unlocked bootloader. Best for clean installs, region changes, downgrades and recovering a bricked phone. See the fastboot flashing guide.
Quick comparison
| Need | Use |
|---|---|
| Routine update | OTA |
| Manual update, no PC | Recovery ROM |
| Clean install / region change / downgrade | Fastboot ROM |
| Fix a bootloop / bricked phone | Fastboot ROM |
Find every firmware type for your model on the device pages, or browse by brand: Xiaomi · Redmi · POCO.