How to update Android to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: 5 proven ways + error solving

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro remains one of the most popular smartphones of the brand even years after its release. However, with the release of new versions of Android and MIUI, owners are faced with the question: how to safely update the firmware to get fresh features, security fixes and improved performance? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to update — from standard OTA to manual firmware through Fastboot, and also tell you how to avoid errors and what to do if something goes wrong.

It's important to understand that the upgrade process on the Redmi Note 9 Pro (codenamed joyeuse) is nuanced by Xiaomi's policy of device support. For example, the smartphone originally came out with Android 10 and MIUI 11, but at the time of 2026 officially supports Android 12 (MIUI 14) - and that's the limit. However, enthusiasts are finding workarounds to install more recent versions. We'll look at both official methods and alternatives, taking into account the risks and benefits of each.

1.Preparing the phone for the update: 7 mandatory steps

Before you start the update, make sure your Redmi Note 9 Pro is ready for the procedure.Neglecting the preparation can lead to a blink (breaking the firmware), loss of data or hanging on the MI logo.

• 🔋 Charge the battery to minimum. 60%. Optimally — 80-100%. With a low charge, the phone can turn off during the upgrade, which is fraught with serious consequences.
• 📱 Back up your data. The update can reset settings or delete files. Use Settings. → The phone. → Backup or third-party services like Google Drive.
• 🌐 Connect to stable Wi-Fi. Downloading firmware via mobile Internet can be interrupted or take up a lot of traffic (file weighs 1.5-3 GB).
• 🔄 Check the current version MIUI. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Write down the build number - it will be useful for choosing the right firmware.

It is also worth releasing at least less 4–5 GB of internal memory — the firmware requires space to unpack. If there's not enough memory, transfer the files to a microSD card or computer. And remember to turn off the protection with a pattern lock./PIN-code for the time of the update – this will make it easier to access Recovery if something goes wrong.

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 9 Pro is purchased in China (suffix version) CN In the model, official global firmware may not work, and this will require unlocking the bootloader and installing custom Recovery.

Battery charge ≥ 60%|Backup of data|Stable Wi-Fi connection|Free seat ≥ 4GB|Recorded the number of the current firmware|pattern lock disabled|The device model (global / Chinese) was tested)-->

2. Method 1: Air Update (OTA) is the easiest method

OTA (Over-The-Air) is the standard upgrade method that doesn't require a PC connection or manual manipulation. Xiaomi regularly sends out notifications about new versions of MIUI, but you can check for updates manually as well.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the icon. ⋮ (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Update Package.
3. If the update is available, click Download and wait for the download to complete.
4. After downloading, tap Install and confirm the reboot.

It takes 10 to 20 minutes. The phone will reboot several times, which is normal. If there are bugs after the upgrade (for example, the battery is quickly running down or sensors are not working), reset to the factory settings through Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.

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If the update doesn’t come automatically, try changing the region in the Mi Account settings to India or Russia. Sometimes Xiaomi sends updates to regions with a delay.

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

If the automatic update does not find a new firmware or if it gives an error, you can install it manually through Recovery, which is suitable for official firmware in.zip format and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

Steps:

1. Download the correct version MIUI Redmi Note 9 Pro (joyeuse) from the official website. ROM (not Fastboot!).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and transfer it to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not folders!).
3. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. From the Recovery menu, select the language, then tap Install update.zip.
5. After installation, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after the reboot, don’t panic — wait 10-15 minutes. If nothing changes, repeat the procedure or try another method.

⚠️ Note: Never install firmware for another model (e.g. Redmi Note) 9S or POCO M2 Pro, even if they look similar, it will lead to a hard brick).

4. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware for Power Users

If the first two methods didn't work, you can flash your phone through Fastboot with a PC, which is more reliable, but requires an unlocked bootloader and drivers installed, and is suitable for rebuilding bricks or forcing another version of MIUI to be installed.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (For the Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or qualitative analogue).
• 📦 Fastboot ROM Redmi Note 9 Pro (download from official website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not unlocked, follow the instructions below).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the downloaded Fastboot ROM into a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\joyeuse).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a rabbit will appear with the inscription Fastboot).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select, and point the path to the firmware folder.
4. Select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Lock bootloader).
5. Press Flash and wait for completion (5-10 minutes). the phone will reboot automatically.

If the Mi Flash Tool is an error 0x80070002 or 0x80070005, Check the drivers or try another one. USB-The port. 0x8007010b This means that the bootloader is locked – it must be unlocked.

5. Method 4: Install custom firmware (TWRP + LineageOS)

Xiaomi’s official support for the Redmi Note 9 Pro is limited to Android 12, but enthusiasts port the latest versions through custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, a method that requires an unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP Recovery.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 Android 13/14 last-rate.
• 🔒 No built-in Xiaomi software (bloat).
• 🔄 Regular security updates.
• 🎨 Ability to fine-tune the interface.

Risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• ⚠️ Possible camera bugs, NFC sensory.
• ⚠️ Unstable banking applications (due to lack of Widevine) L1).

Instructions for installing LineageOS:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see section below).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for joyeuse via fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
3. Download the firmware for LineageOS and GApps (Google services) from lineageos.org.
4. Boot up to TWRP (Loud Up + Power), make Wipe → Advanced Wipe (tag Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
5. Install the firmware, then GApps, and restart.

The first boot can take up to 15 minutes. If the system does not start, repeat the installation or check the firmware compatibility with your model.

6. How to unlock the bootloader on the Redmi Note 9 Pro

To install custom firmware or use Fastboot with full cleaning, you need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi allows you to do this officially, but the process takes up to 7 days due to account verification.

Step-by-step:

1. Link your phone to your Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlock in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
4. Launch the utility on your PC, log in to your Mi Account and connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
5. Press Unlock and wait for confirmation (it may take 168 hours).

Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the phone will be erased! Also note that some banking applications (such as Sberbank Online) may stop working due to the lack of SafetyNet certification.

⚠️ Note: If you unlocked the bootloader, but then stitched the official MIUI With the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean all and lock option, the bootloader will lock again. To avoid this, use Clean all without locking.

7.Typical Update Errors and How to Fix Them

Even if you follow the instructions, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

• 🔄 "Cannot verify update" error in Recovery: Reason: corrupted firmware file or model mismatch. Solution: Re-download firmware and check that it is suitable for joyeuse.
• 🚫 Mistake. 0x80070005 Mi Flash Tool: Reason: Locked bootloader or incorrect drivers Solution: Unlock the bootloader or install drivers manually through Device Manager.
• 🔋 Phone does not turn on after firmware: Reason: incompatible firmware or interrupted process Solution: Try flashing through Fastboot official version MIUI.
• 📱 Hanging on the logo MI: Reason: module conflict or incomplete installation Solution: Go to Recovery and make Wipe Cache if it doesn't work - a complete reset.

If none of the methods worked, contact Xiaomi’s service center – possibly a hardware problem (e.g., damaged eMMC memory).

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Before you go to the service, try flashing your phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean all option, which restores performance after a failed update in 80% of cases.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 9 Pro update