On December 11, Xiaomi unveiled its MIUI 14 firmware, and the very next day a dedicated enthusiast managed to port it to a 2017 device. The Gizmochina portal first reported the note about this unusual development.
MIUI 14 for the Xiaomi Mi 6 is described as based on Android 11, while the official firmware track remains aligned with Android 13. Even though Xiaomi has not rolled out the update for this model, a curious developer managed to transfer some of the key MIUI 14 changes to the older phone ahead of an official release. The move demonstrates the persistence of custom software communities and their interest in older hardware, as noted by Gizmochina.
As part of the port, the build gained several notable additions: a setting for app shortcuts with adjustable sizes, a Tamagotchi-style widget on the home screen, and the Photon Engine among the enhancements. The port also includes newly ported privacy features and the option to remove many built-in apps, leaving only five system applications intact—Phone, Messages, Camera, Settings, and the Xiaomi app store. These tweaks underline how enthusiasts push the boundaries of what a 2017 device can run, even if these changes are not officially sanctioned, according to Gizmochina.
Additionally, a feature labeled Memory Expansion appears in the port, providing a way to allocate part of the device’s internal storage to emulate additional RAM. This technique is not officially supported by Xiaomi and comes with potential trade-offs in performance and stability, particularly on aging hardware. The stability of such a setup remains uncertain, especially since the Mi 6’s latest official firmware was MIUI 11 based on Android 9, and long-term support for this model has historically been more limited.
Historically, the Mi 6 represents a generation that predates modern MIUI cycles, and community ports often serve as experiments rather than reliable upgrades. While some users may enjoy access to newer features on a legacy device, they should be mindful of issues such as battery life, driver compatibility, and overall system stability. The recent port illustrates both the ingenuity of the modding community and the caution required when evaluating unofficial builds on aging hardware, as reported by Gizmochina.
Earlier reports from various outlets hinted at Xiaomi introducing a forthcoming flagship lineup, a rumor that has circulated in tech circles and drawn attention to the company’s ongoing device strategy and software ambitions. This broader context helps explain why such ports gain attention even when official updates do not reach older devices, with Gizmochina continuing to track these developments.