The current Xiaomi global Android 12 update allegedly bricking phones

Quickly after Google announced the release of Android 12 by pushing the source to Android Open Source Project, Xiaomi started pushing the “Stable Beta” build to registered users. The global Android 12 update is available for the Xiaomi Mi 11, Mi 11 Ultra, and Mi 11i. However, going by reports, the update seems to be bricking phones after installation. 

The global Android 12 update is exclusive to the 600 people that registered for the stable beta tests. Xiaomi recruited 200 testers for each of the phones currently running the Android 12 update globally. The reason is probably to manage the current situation if it arises. Of course, as expected, given the company’s track record, some phones have been bricked after the upgrade to Android 12.

Meanwhile, visiting the Mi community thread that announced the update release, we are yet to see any news of hard-brick. However, on social media like telegram, there are complaints of such. And while it seems people who installed manually are reporting a bricked phone, some that upgraded via OTA have their phone dead, as well.

It’s important to say that currently, there’s no official TWRP recovery to install Android 12. Hence, anyone that tried to flash the recovery ROM will have a dead phone. For those that upgraded via OTA and still have their device bricked, it’s on Xiaomi to fix those phones. However, given the rules for becoming a “Stable Beta” tester, the company isn’t entirely to be blamed.

One of the requirements of Mi Stable Beta testers is to “have the ability to recover phone when flashing failed, willing to take risks about failed updating.” By agreeing to be a beta tester, you gave consent. Perhaps that is the whole idea of beta testing – to limit the damage of a buggy build. Nevertheless, we suggest anyone yet to download the global Android 12 update not do so. Hopefully, Xiaomi will comment on the issue and provide a fix for the affected users.