How to Update Android to Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 Proven Ways + Error Solving

Xiaomi Redmi 9 remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even in 2026, but its performance and security are directly dependent on the relevance of firmware. If your phone has started to slow down, quickly discharge or does not support new applications, the problem may lie in an outdated version of MIUI or Android. In this guide, we will analyze all available ways to upgrade, from standard OTA to manual firmware through Fastboot, and also explain how to avoid the typical errors that plague users of Redmi 9 (codename lancelot).

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi officially ended support for Redmi 9 in 2023 — the last stable version of MIUI for this model was MIUI 13 based on Android 11. However, this does not mean that updates are impossible: there are custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), as well as unofficial newer MIUI ports from third-party developers. We will consider all options — from the safest to the most risky — so you can choose the best path based on your experience and goals.

1. Verification of the current firmware version and compatibility

Before you start the update, you need to know exactly which version of MIUI and Android is installed on your Redmi 9, which will help you avoid installing incompatible firmware or re-updating on the same version.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the lines MIUI Version and Android Version, such as MIUI Global 13.0.6 Stable and Android 11 RKQ1.200826.002.
3. Write down or take a picture of this data – it will be necessary to choose the right firmware.

Also check the firmware region (Global, EEA, Russia, India or China) critically: installing firmware for another region can cause problems with Google Play, NFC or mobile network.

• 🌍 Global — V13.0.6.0.QJQMIXM (ends MIXM)
• 🇪🇺 EEA — V13.0.6.0.QJQEUXM (ends EUXM)
• 🇷🇺 Russia — V13.0.6.0.QJQRUXM (ends RUXM)
• 🇮🇳 India — V13.0.6.0.QJQINXM (ends INXM)
• 🇨🇳 China — V13.0.6.0.QJQCNXM (ends CNXM)

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 9 was purchased in China CN), To install the global version, you will need to unlock the bootloader, which erases all data and requires waiting 7-15 days to obtain permission from Xiaomi.

2. Method 1: Air Update (OTA) - the safest method

If your Redmi 9 still receives official updates (albeit rarely), the easiest way is to use the built-in OTA (Over-The-Air) feature, which does not require a computer and saves all the data, but only works for transitions between stable versions of a single branch (for example, from MIUI 12.5 to MIUI 13.0).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to a stable Wi-Fi network (update via mobile internet may be interrupted).
2. Charge the battery to at least 60% - at low charge, the system will block the installation.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click Check Updates. If an update is available, download it (the file weight is usually 1.5-2.5 GB).
5. After downloading, click Reboot and install. The phone will reboot to Recovery mode and install the firmware automatically.

If the system says “No updates”, but you are sure that it should be, try:

• 🔄 Restart the phone and repeat the check.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes updates come in waves by region).
• 🕒 Wait 1-2 days – Xiaomi servers can be overloaded.

⚠️ Note: If after the update OTA phone is stuck on startup Redmi logo for longer than 10 minutes, don't panic. Forced reboot it by clamping Power + Volume up for 15 seconds.If the problem recurs, reset via Recovery will be required.

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OTA-The update is only suitable for transitions between official stable versions. To install custom firmware or downgrade, use the methods from the following sections.

Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery – if OTA does not work

If automatic updates are not available or if they give an error (e.g., “Failed to install the update”), you can download the firmware manually and install it through standard Recovery, which also saves user data, but requires careful selection of the firmware file.

Steps:

1. Download the official firmware for your region from MIUI Downloads. For Redmi 9 (lancelot), choose files with the.zip extension and the Recovery tag.
2. Transfer the file to the phone's root folder (not nested!).The file name should look like this: miui_LANCELOTGlobal_V13.0.6.0.QJQMIXM_xxxxxxxxxx_11.0.zip.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
5. Specify the downloaded file and confirm the installation. The phone will reboot to Recovery and start the process.

If the error "Couldn't verify update package" appears after the reboot, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔍 The firmware file is corrupted (download it).
• 🔀 The difference between the region (for example, trying to establish the EEA on the phone with Global).
• 🔒 The phone was unlocked or flashed by custom Recovery (for example, the phone was unlocked, TWRP).

Download the correct firmware version (Recovery, not Fastboot)

Check the region (Global/EEA/Russia)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Transfer the file to the root of the memory (not to the folder)

Disable the antivirus (can block the installation)-->

4. Method 3: Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool) Firmware for power users

If the first two methods didn’t work or you want to install custom firmware (like LineageOS 20 based on Android 13), you’ll need to run a firmware via Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool.This method erases all data on the phone and requires an unlocked bootloader.

Preparation:

• 🖥️ Install Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers on PC.
• 🔗 Download Fastboot firmware for Redmi 9 (file with.tgz or.zip extension).
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait up to 15 days).
• 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).

Firmware process:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\lancelot_fastboot).
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Press Select and specify the firmware folder. At the bottom, select Clean all or Clean all and lock. + loader-lock).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: Fastboot’s Clean all and lock option will block the bootloader back, and if you want to install custom firmware after that, you’ll have to wait another 7-15 days for a new unlock.

5. Install custom firmware: Android 12/13 on Redmi 9

Since Xiaomi is no longer releasing updates for Redmi 9, many users are switching to custom firmware, such as:

• 📱 LineageOS 20 (Android 13) – the cleanest Android without unnecessary applications.
• 📱 Pixel Experience (Android 13) – Google Pixel’s feature and design firmware.
• 📱 crdroid (Android 12/13) — Balance between productivity and customization.
• 📱 MIUI EU (unofficial port – weekly updates with advanced settings.

Requirements for installing custom firmware:

1. Unlocked boot loader (see section 4).
2. Installed custom Recovery (e.g. TWRP or OrangeFox)
3. Downloaded firmware files, GApps (if you need Google services) and Magisk (for root rights).

Step-by-step (as in LineageOS):

1. Download the firmware from the official website of LineageOS and GApps (for example, NikGapps or MindTheGapps).
2. Reboot your phone to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).
3. Backup → Select Storage → Swipe to Backup.
4. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, System, Data, Cache.
5. Install the firmware (Install → Select ZIP), then GApps and Magisk (if you need a root).
6. Reboot → System: The first launch can take 10 to 15 minutes.

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Before installing custom firmware, check reviews on the XDA Developers forum.Some builds may have camera, GPS or mobile network issues on Redmi 9.

Typical errors and their solutions

When updating Redmi 9, users often face the following problems:

Critical information: The Redmi 9 (model M2004J19C) cannot roll back from MIUI 13 to MIUI 12 because of the Anti-Rollback mechanism, and trying to do so will result in a device being "bricked"; the only way out is to flash a new version of MIUI or custom firmware.

7. How to save data before updating

Even if you upgrade through OTA or Recovery, there is always a risk of data loss.

• 📱 Contacts and Messages: Sync with your Google account or export to.vcf.
• 📷 Photo and video: Copy on PC or upload to Google Photos.
• 🎵 Music and documents: Use the cloud (Mi Cloud, Yandex Drive) or physical drive.
• 🎮 Game saves: Enable sync in game settings or use Helium for app backup.
• 🔑 Passwords and Settings: Save a Backup Through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

For a complete backup of the system (including applications and their data) you can use:

• TWRP Backup – creates a partition image /data (requires custom Recovery).
• Swift Backup (from Google Play) – backup of applications and their data (root required).
• Mi Mover is the official application from Xiaomi for transferring data to another phone.

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FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi updates 9