HyperOS 3.1 Android 16 Update Draws a Clear Line for Xiaomi Users

Xiaomi has begun rolling out HyperOS 3.1 Android 16, starting January 22, 2026, and the update makes one thing clear: only devices running Android 16 are eligible. This decision immediately divides Xiaomi’s user base between supported newer hardware and older devices that will remain on HyperOS 3.0. With a strong focus on animations, interactivity, and visual polish, Xiaomi is prioritising performance consistency over broad backward compatibility.

HyperIsland becomes a real command centre

The biggest highlight of HyperOS 3.1 Android 16 is the evolution of HyperIsland. What began as a notification-style pill now functions as a fully interactive command centre. Users get a dedicated settings page, called “Super Island,” where they can control which apps are allowed to appear. New lighting effects sync with media playback, while rewritten animation logic aims to eliminate the stutter seen in earlier versions, delivering smoother, physics-based transitions.

A stacked approach to multitasking

Xiaomi is also changing how recent apps are displayed. The traditional grid view is replaced by a horizontal stacked layout. This approach shows larger app previews and supports more natural thumb gestures, making multitasking feel more fluid, especially on larger screens.

Desktop-style home screen density

HyperOS 3.1 Android 16 pushes the home screen toward a desktop-like feel. Users can resize folders using drag-and-drop, with support for 2×1 and 1×2 layouts. Folders now support page turning, allowing more apps to be stored inside while keeping the main home screen cleaner and more organised.

Lock screen as a visual layer

The lock screen becomes a more expressive visual surface in this update. HyperOS 3.1 adds built-in photo editing tools for lock screen customisation and deeper depth effects. Wallpaper subjects can overlap the clock, and widgets can be positioned more precisely, turning the lock screen into a visual canvas rather than just a functional layer.

System-level quality of life fixes

Under the hood, Xiaomi is addressing long-standing issues. Bluetooth Memory remembers how specific devices connect, reducing reconnection friction. A redesigned Unified Volume Hub brings media, ringer, and alarm controls into a single, cohesive panel, improving everyday usability.

HyperOS 3.1 rollout roadmap: who gets it and when

Xiaomi has already started its enhanced beta rollout in China. Devices receiving HyperOS 3.1 Android 16 are divided into two waves.

Wave 1 (started January 22):

• Xiaomi 17 Series (Ultra, Pro, Standard)
• Redmi K90 Series
• Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro, Xiaomi Pad 8

Wave 2 (starts January 30):

• Xiaomi 15 Series (Ultra, Pro, Standard)
• Xiaomi 14 Series (Ultra, Pro, Titanium Edition)
• Xiaomi MIX Flip 2
• Redmi K80 Series
• Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra

For global users, stable OTA updates typically arrive four to six weeks later, placing wider availability between late February and March 2026.

With HyperOS 3.1 Android 16, Xiaomi is making a calculated trade-off. By limiting the update to Android 16 devices, the company ensures smoother animations and better performance on newer hardware, while leaving older devices behind on HyperOS 3.0. The move draws a firm boundary for Xiaomi’s next generation of software support and reinforces its focus on experience quality over broad compatibility.