How to Install Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update (N2G47H.7.12.7)

•Written by Dhananjay Bhardwaj
Install Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update

The Xiaomi Mi A1 December update is now rolling out worldwide. You can follow this tutorial to update your Android One device right now.

The Mi A1, based on the Android One program is following the same footsteps like its elders – Nexus and Pixel devices. Just as promised, the phone is now receiving regular security updates every month. For an end user, these updates hold a lot of importance, since they bring the latest Android security patches to the device. If the update has not yet rolled out to your A1, then you might just follow the instructions here to install Xiaomi Mi A1 December update.

Install Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update
Install Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update (N2G47H.7.12.7)
Table of Contents

Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update – N2G47H.7.12.7

The Android One program was created keeping in mind that the device built shall be supported with latest Android version and security enhancements. Google felt like updates and a secure mobile environment should not just be the privilege of the high-end devices. After three generations of various devices from different manufacturers, the 4th generation came up with the Xiaomi Mi A1. It is probably one of the best and most popular Android One handsets.

Install Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update - About phone

Before we squeeze in towards the instructions to install Xiaomi Mi A1 December update, let us go through the details first. The new update is still based on Android Nougat 7.1.2. The build number is now N2G47H.7.12.7 and majorly focuses on bringing the December security patches to the device. It also includes overall performance and interface improvements.

To check if the OTA update has arrived on your device, go to ‘Settings’ » ‘About phone’ » ‘System update’ and tap on ‘Check for update’.

Check OTA notification for Mi A1 December Update

In case the OTA notification has not yet reached your region, you can manually install Xiaomi Mi A1 December update right now.

Prerequisites

  • Charge your Mi phone to at least 50-60% battery level to avoid any shutdowns during the process.
  • Manually updating your device could lead to data loss, if the procedure is not followed as stated. So make sure to back up your A1 completely. You may follow our guide on how to fully backup Android phones.
  • If you’re going to follow method 1, you must install ADB and Fastboot tools on your PC.
  • If you choose method 2, you must first download and install MiFlash tool on your PC.

Download Mi A1 December Update

Instructions to Install December Update on Xiaomi Mi A1

Now there are two ways to get this update on your phone right now. You can either manually sideload the OTA package to upgrade from previous November update to the current one. Or, in case you have rooted or have TWRP installed, you may choose the latter method and flash the Fastboot ROM using MiFlash tool.

Method 1: Sideload OTA Package

The most direct way to get the Xiaomi Mi A1 December update is by sideloading it. But this would only work if you have the previous stock firmware installed.

  1. Now boot your Mi A1 into stock recovery mode:
    • Power down the phone completely.
    • Press and hold the Volume Up + Power button altogether till you see the Mi logo.
    • On the ‘No command’ screen, hold the Power button and tap the Volume Up key once.
      Install Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update - No Command Screen
      Reboot into stock recovery to install Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update
  2. When your A1 is in recovery mode, connect it to the PC via the USB cable.
  3. Use the Volume keys to highlight ‘Apply update from ADB’ and press the Power button to select it.
    Install Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update - Apply Update from ADB
    Apply update from ADB to install Mi A1 December Update
  4. Download the OTA zip file from the links above.
  5. Copy the downloaded file to the C:\adb folder where the SDK tools are present (Prerequisites, #3).
  6. Press and hold the SHIFT key and right-click on an empty space inside the same folder.
  7. Select ‘Open PowerShell window here’ or ‘Open command window here’ option.
  8. Finally, enter the command in the PowerShell/CMD window to install Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update: 
    adb sideload f61a1dd4dffbc45dc2f3cea41d3aa69855499755.zip
  9. The update shall be installed on your phone. Once it is complete, select the ‘Reboot system now’ option in stock recovery.

Method 2: Flash Fastboot ROM using MiFlash

  1. Boot your Mi A1 into Fastboot mode. To do so, power off the phone first. Then press and hold the Volume Down + Power buttons altogether until you see the Fastboot screen.
    Install Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update - Fastboot Mode
    Reboot into Fastboot mode to install Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update
  2. Connect your device to the PC.
  3. Run the MiFlash tool and click on the ‘refresh’ button inside the tool window.
  4. Download the Fastboot ROM and extract its content to an easily accessible location on your PC. Example: C:\MIUI\ROM.
    Install Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update using MiFlash 1
  5. Click on the ‘select’ button in the MiFlash tool. Browse and select the folder where the extracted Fastboot ROM is present.
  6. Then, select the ‘Save user data’ option at the bottom of the tool window.
  7. Finally, click on the ‘flash’ button to install Mi A1 December Update.
    Install Xiaomi Mi A1 December Update using MiFlash 2

Once the ROM has been installed, your phone will reboot automatically. You will need to complete the initial setup and then start using the updated firmware. Your Mi A1 should now be running the latest December security firmware.

If you have any problems updating your device, then let us know by commenting below.

Comments

  1. Hi, can you please tell me if the fastboot ROM that you have mentioned in your post, is in BETA or a stable one? I would like to roll back from Oreo to December Nougat. But Xiaomi has removed the nougat rom from their website. Hence, I would like to your December rom to flash Nougat. So, please let me know if it’s the original ROM or just a BETA?

    Reply

    1. Hello. Yes, the one linked here is the stable Fastboot ROM. You can use it to rollback to the Nougat. If you’re not familiar with the flashing process, kindly let me know.

  2. 1 more thing. we flash the fastboot rom but what about that OTA zip file ? when i should flash it?

    Reply

    1. Hi, kindly avoid the OTA zip. There is some suspected hiccup in Mi A1’s stock recovery that prevents the users from sideloading the OTA. Simply flash the Fastboot ROM using MiFlash tool. With that, you can directly update from October patch to December.

    1. Which means the Fastboot ROM (.tgz) file is not correctly downloaded. First, try using an archive tool like 7zip’ to extract. If that fails too, then I am 100% sure it is a case of an incomplete download.

    1. Hello, kindly provide more information about the error you got (possibly a screenshot). This will give us a better chance to help you.

    2. When I extract .tgz file. I received “this file is corrupt”error message.

  6. Greetings,

    I’m new here and some questions if you don’t mind. I obtained December update via official means, through OTA. If I were to root my phone now, should I get the Dec boot IMG that is linked above ornany boot IMG would be fine?

    Will rooting my phone now prevent me from getting future OTA updates and have to use fastboot method all the time? Thank you

    Reply

    1. Hello,

      I will put that in order for you.
      1) Yes, if you root, you won’t be able to install OTA updates. But, there’s a very neat workaround to that.
      2) The trick is to just flash the stock boot.img (kernel) corresponding to the firmware build you have installed. So, if you have December update (build: N2G47H.7.12.7), then you will need the specific boot image. Any other boot image will result in a bootloop.
      3) Once you have flashed the required boot, you can install the OTA, and simply root back again.

      I hope it is clear? If not, kindly let me know. I will also soon be covering a tutorial on how to apply OTA updates on root Mi A1. So keep an eye for that.

  7. Okay. So it is confirmed that the OTA has a problem, not just particularly for one, but for everybody. The good news is, the Fastboot ROM is finally available through MIUI. The link has been updated, so you shall opt for that method instead.

    Reply

    1. Do I have to re-install TWRP and Magisk again after the (fastboot method) update?

  8. fastboot set_active x

    even after performing this operation, ota sideload failed.

    Upon reboot, my phone’s security patch downgraded to october.

    Any ideas?

    Reply

    1. I have researched a bit on the same and it seems like apparently everyone is facing the same issue. I will keep a tab if there’s a fix available for the problem.

      And Adi just set the other slot active once again and your phone will be back on November security patch.

  9. I got the same error as well, Bootloader is locked. Do i need to unlock bootloader before sideloading?

    Reply

    1. Hi Mayank, kindly type in the following command to see which slot is currently active.
      -> fastboot getvar all
      The current slot should be either “a” or “b”.
      Now, try activating the corresponding inactive slot using the following:
      -> fastboot set_active x
      Here is x is the inactive slot.
      After that is done, you can try sideloading again and kindly report back again.

    2. just did all this and still getting same error, E:unknown volume for path [/cache/recovery/uncrypt_status], bootloader is unlocked, we’re you even able to sideload successfully?

    3. Current slot is B…. Unfortunately fastboot set_active a doesn’t work in cmd…. Though the proper error while sideloading is this

      Installing update…
      E:Failed to parse build number in post-build-incremental=7.12.7.
      E: Failed to parse build number in post-build-incremental=7.11.18
      E: Error in /sideload/package.zip (status 255)
      E: unknown volume for path /cache/recovery/uncrypt_status

    4. Still not working?

      I set the active slot to the inactive one in the bootloader.

      After that reboot to recovery and tried to flash ota via recovery.

      Still getting the same error

    1. Are you using the latest ADB and Fastboot tools? Also, is the phone’s bootloader unlocked?

    2. I gog the same error as well, Bootloader is locked. Do i need to unlock bootloader before sideloading?

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