HyperOS 3 Update Bricks Some Redmi Note 13 Pro and POCO M6 Pro Devices with Unofficial Firmware

• January 26, 2026

Xiaomi’s latest operating system upgrade, HyperOS 3 based on Android 16, has been reported to cause significant issues for Redmi Note 13 Pro and POCO M6 Pro units running unofficial global firmware. This problem affects devices that were purchased through unofficial channels and had non-sanctioned ROMs installed by third-party sellers.

Users attempting to update to HyperOS 3 on these devices discovered that the software installation leads to a system boot failure, rendering the phones unusable. The root cause is tied to the unauthorized nature of the global firmware on these devices, which is not fully compatible with the new OS version. Xiaomi has acknowledged the issue but clarified it will not be releasing a fix for affected units.

This development highlights the risks associated with acquiring smartphones through unofficial vendors that often install custom or unauthorized software to appeal to broader markets. Officially purchased devices running standard firmware have not been reported to encounter this issue, underscoring the importance of verified software ecosystems for updates.

Industry and Market Context

Software update complications are a common challenge in the Android smartphone segment, especially in cases involving unofficial or modified firmware. Other OEMs in the market also face similar concerns, where updates occasionally lead to bricking or major malfunctions on devices with unsupported software versions. The issue is part of a broader trend emphasizing the need for secure and controlled software distribution channels in mobile ecosystems.

Xiaomi customers and smartphone users considering purchasing through unofficial routes should be aware of potential complications like these. The incident serves as a reminder for the growing importance of maintaining device software integrity in the face of major platform updates.

Going forward, it will be crucial to monitor whether Xiaomi issues further warnings or policy updates to address the impact on affected users and the handling of unauthorized firmware installations in relation to future HyperOS iterations.

Installing HyperOS 3 causes boot failures on Redmi Note 13 Pro and POCO M6 Pro devices running unauthorized global firmware.