Xiaomi has officially concluded the era of MIUI, its proprietary Android skin, which originally emerged as a custom firmware for third-party smartphones and eventually boasted over 500 million monthly active users at its peak. Following the introduction of HyperOS, the company began migrating millions of its devices to the new OS, concurrently adding many models to the list of discontinued support. Nevertheless, two specific devices, the Redmi A2 and Redmi A2+, continued to receive MIUI updates even into 2026. These models initially received Android 13 as their major OS upgrade, followed by security patches and minor fixes. Their final update arrived in December 2025, bearing the firmware version V14.0.44.0.TGOMIXM, despite the official website indicating a support end date of March 24, 2026. That date has now passed, marking the official cessation of all software updates for the last MIUI-running devices, signifying the complete closure of the MIUI legacy.
How MIUI Became One of the Most Popular Android Skins
MIUI was essentially Xiaomi’s debut product, launched even before the company offered any hardware. It was unveiled in August 2010, built upon Android 2.2 Froyo. Initial versions were distributed as custom firmware for various third-party Android handsets. MIUI rapidly gained traction among enthusiasts thanks to its weekly beta releases, aggressive feature implementation, and ports made available for non-Xiaomi devices. This background cemented the skin’s reputation for being “mod-friendly” with excellent root access support. MIUI prioritized visible customization over the minimalist aesthetic of stock Android. Soon after, it integrated its own applications for core functionalities, alongside a robust theme engine capable of altering icons, fonts, sounds, and interface elements. Signature features that later defined the MIUI identity include Second Space, Dual Apps, App Lock, Hidden Apps, and built-in call recording. Capitalizing on the skin’s popularity, Xiaomi entered the hardware market, launching smartphones under the Mi brand in China, and subsequently expanding into India and other territories. By November 2021, MIUI had surpassed the milestone of 500 million monthly active users around the globe.
Why Xiaomi Discontinued MIUI
In October 2023, Xiaomi officially declared that MIUI would be superseded by its new operating system, Xiaomi HyperOS. This decision was driven by significant factors. Despite MIUI’s immense success, the company faced challenges in unifying hundreds of millions of devices spread across 200 product categories—ranging from smart speakers to air conditioners and automobiles. At that time, Xiaomi utilized a fragmented collection of software stacks, hindering unified development and the creation of a cohesive user experience across its portfolio. The transition to HyperOS was not sudden; the company initiated foundational R&D in 2014 and commenced full-scale R&D efforts in 2017, with the goal of supporting its entire device ecosystem via a single system platform.
HyperOS Takes the MIUI Experience to the Next Level
Xiaomi HyperOS is presented as a human-centric operating system, structured around the integration of a deeply evolved Android base and Xiaomi’s proprietary IoT system, Vela. It requires less storage than MIUI, delivers improved performance, and offers a more unified user journey. HyperOS stands as a cornerstone of Xiaomi’s “Human x Car x Home” strategy, aimed at seamlessly connecting personal devices, smart homes, and electric vehicles onto a coherent platform. A crucial component of the new OS is “HyperConnect,” which facilitates real-time connectivity and device discovery. For instance, a phone could function as a car key, stream its camera feed to a television, or control smart home gadgets without requiring traditional application-based setup. While HyperOS retains much of MIUI’s interface language, it promises superior resource utilization, enhanced security, and greater experiential consistency. Rutab.net
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