Xiaomi Mi 8 & Mi 8 Pro July security updates improve sync across multiple devices

Xiaomi has this tendency of releasing multiple variants of the same device, that sometimes never make it to all of its markets. Most recently, Xiaomi has unveiled multiple variants of the Mi 9, some even going as far as adopting different names to stand out in other markets.

The Redmi 20, as it is known in India, goes by the name Xiaomi Mi 9T in Europe and other markets. Even more interesting is that Xiaomi recently unveiled the Mi 9T Pro in Europe as the global version of the Redmi K20 Pro released in India alongside the standard K20.

The story was partially the same back in 2018. At the time, the flagship device in the market was Xiaomi Mi 8. To stay true to its tradition, the company followed the standard Mi 8 with a myriad of variants that included the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, among others.

The standard Mi 8 and Mi 8 Pro have more similarities than differences. But nonetheless, Xiaomi would like us to think of the pair as two unrelated smartphones, which is why their ROMs are maintained separately.

Speaking of ROMs, these two – the standard Mi 8 and Mi 8 Pro – are receiving new software updates over the air as I write this. Where the former’s update is arriving as MIUI 10.3.4, the latter’s version is MIUI 10.3.5. The core of the updates is the July 2019 security patch, but there’s more.

Below is the full changelog as provided by Xiaomi:

[System optimization]
-Updated Android security patch to July 2019.
-Increased system security.

[Mi Cloud optimization]
-Improved sync across multiple devices.

On top of installing the updated July Android security patches to the duo, the updates also improve syncing across multiple devices. After the update, both phones should easily sync with other devices signed in using the same Mi Cloud account.

As noted earlier, Xiaomi Mi 8 and Mi 8 Pro have different ROMs, however, the incoming updates have the same changelog for both devices. So, if you have the Mi 8 Pro, the update to MIUI 10.3.5 carries the same changes as the MIUI 10.3.4 update for Mi 8 users.

The fact that we already have the download links for the two ROMs is testament enough that the updates have been around for a while now. However, OTA updates hardly reach all devices at once. Thus, it’s possible that your friend has already received the download notification while you haven’t.

There’s nothing wrong here, so don’t go calling Xiaomi names for pushing a software update to your pal’s Mi 8 while yours hasn’t gotten the same update yet. It will only be a matter of days before you get it too. Alternatively, you can grab the ROM for your respective device below.

Download links

• Device: Xiaomi Mi 8
• Codename: dipper
• Channel: Global Stable
• Version: V10.3.4.0.PEAMIXM
• Android: 9.0
  • Type: Recovery
    • Download: Link
    • MD5: 51a7ff309deb4891680436a14b7d6ff7

• Device: Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro
• Codename: equuleus
• Channel: Global Stable
• Version: V10.3.5.0.PECMIXM
• Android: 9.0
  • Type: Recovery
    • Download: Link
    • MD5: 6f56abd7d3efe64dc5437f4dd7815804

Once you download the recovery ROM above, save it on your device’s memory and update manually. To do this, go to Settings > About phone > System update > 3-dot menu in the top right corner > Choose update package > Select the ROM you downloaded above and install it. That’s it.

Meanwhile, those using the newer Xiaomi Mi 9 and the sensational Redmi K20 Pro can already switch to the latest Android Q update albeit in beta. The update was made available for the Mi 9 yesterday before the K20 Pro picked it up today. There’s more to these two stories here and here.

If interested in more of our coverage related to Xiaomi products like the upcoming Xiaomi Mi MIX 4, Mi 9S 5G, and more, click here.

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