How to Update Android to Xiaomi Redmi 9: All Ways With Instructions

Why it’s important to update your firmware on Redmi 9

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2020, but even 4 years after its release, it continues to receive updates. Regular firmware updates don’t just add new features — they close security vulnerabilities, optimize battery life, and fix bugs that can slow down the system. MIUI 14 for Redmi 9 improved energy efficiency, added support for new gestures and fixed connection problems to the 5G-Networks (for modifications with the appropriate modem).

However, not all users know that Redmi 9 can install not only official updates through Settings, but also manually through Recovery or Fastboot. This is true if the automatic update is hanging, the smartphone does not see the new firmware or you want to roll back to the previous version. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, including the nuances for the Redmi 9 (lancelot), Redmi 9C (angelica) and Redmi 9A (dandelion).

Before you start, check the current version of MIUI: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If your smartphone is still running MIUI 12 or lower, upgrading to the latest version can significantly improve performance. But remember: some custom firmware (such as Pixel Experience or LineageOS) require unlocking the bootloader, which resets all data.

Method 1: Automatically Update through Settings

It's the simplest and most secure method, and it's the most suitable for 90 percent of users, and it'll find the actual firmware, download it, and suggest installing it.

1. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (update via mobile Internet may be interrupted).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Check Updates. If a new version is available, a Download button will appear.
4. After download, click Set and wait for the reboot (usually takes 5-10 minutes).

If the Download button is inactive or the update is not available, it is possible to:

• 🔄 Your version. MIUI It is already relevant (check out the official Xiaomi website).
• 📶 Internet connection problems (try switching to another network).
• 🔒 Update suspended for your region (manual installation via Recovery).

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If the update takes too long to load, try clearing the System Update app cache in the settings. Go to Settings → Apps → App Management → System Update → Storage → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Warning: If your smartphone shows an error during installation, "Failure to install the update", do not try to reboot it forcibly. Wait 15-20 minutes - sometimes the process is completed longer than usual. If the error repeats, go to manual methods.

Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery

If the automatic update doesn’t work, you can download the firmware yourself and install it through stock recovery, a method that doesn’t require unlocking the bootloader and saves user data, but is only suitable for official MIUI firmware.

Instructions:

1. Download the right firmware for your model: 📱 Redmi 9 (lancelot: reference 📱 Redmi 9C/9A (angelica/dandelion): link

Choose the Recovery ROM version (file with.zip extension).

Move the downloaded file to the root directory of internal memory (not to folders!). Rename it to update.zip for convenience.

Turn off your smartphone. Press Volume up + Power to enter Recovery.

In the recovery menu, select Install update.zip to System (manage by volume buttons, confirmation by power button).

After you complete the process, select Reboot to System.

Download the correct firmware for your model |Rename the file to update.zip|Copy the file to the memory root | Charge the phone at least 50% | Make a backup of important data-->

If you have a Redmi logo after the reboot, wait 10-15 minutes. If nothing happens, reset via Recovery (Wipe Data → Wipe All Data), but note that this will delete all data.

⚠️ Warning: Never install firmware from other models (e.g. Redmi Note 9 instead of Redmi 9) - this will lead to a brick (complete failure) of the device. → The phone. → Model).

Method 3: Update via Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

This method is suitable for power users and requires an unlocked bootloader, and is useful if the smartphone is not turned on or you need to install custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.EU or Global ROM on the Chinese version).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows PC (Mi Flash Tool is not officially supported) macOS/Linux).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format (choose Fastboot) ROM).
• 🔓 Unlocked boot loader (instruction below).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi9_Fastboot).
3. Turn off your smartphone. Press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a bunny that says Fastboot will appear on the screen).
4. Connect your phone to your PC. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the firmware folder.
5. Select Clean All (saves data) or Clean All and Lock (full reset + lock bootloader).

It takes 5-10 minutes. When you're done, the phone automatically restarts. If you have an anti-rollback error, you're trying to install an older version. MIUI, And then you can use the firmware that's already there. EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

Method 4: Install custom firmware (TWRP + Custom ROM)

If you want to install unofficial firmware (like Pixel Experience for pure Android or Xiaomi.EU without ads), you will need TWRP Recovery and an unlocked bootloader.This method is suitable for advanced users and can be unwarranted.

What needs to be done:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see spoiler above).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for the new model: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_lancelot.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_lancelot.img (Replace the lancelot with your model code).
3. Download custom firmware (for example, with XDA Developers) and GApps (if you need Google services).
4. In TWRP, make Wipe → Format Data (required!), then install firmware and GApps.

Installing custom firmware on Redmi 9 can cause problems with the NFC module (if your model has one) and the camera due to the lack of proprietary drivers. Before installing, check on the forums if your modification is supported (for example, Redmi 9 NFC or Redmi 9 Prime).

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) do not support Widevine L1, Netflix and other services will only work in the future. 480p. If critical, choose firmware marked "Official" or "Widevine Fix".

How to check the success of the update

After installing the new firmware, you need to make sure everything goes right.

1. Check out the MIUI version: Settings → About Phone → The MIUI version. It should match the one you installed.
2. Run a performance test (e.g., AnTuTu or Geekbench) if the performance is significantly lower than expected, the firmware may not be installed correctly.
3. Check the operation of key functions: 📶 Mobile network and Wi-Fi. 🔋 Charging (especially wireless if supported). 📷 Camera (all modules, including macro and wide-angle). 🔊 Speakers and microphone.

If something doesn’t work, try resetting to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).

If the smartphone is running out faster after the upgrade, give it 2-3 days to optimize the battery – MIUI calibrates power consumption in the background. Also check Settings → Battery → Battery Use to find applications that consume too much power.

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If after the update there are lags or overheating, try to turn off animation in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then Settings → Additional → For developers → Animation).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if installed correctly, there can be problems, and here are the most common errors on Redmi 9 and how to fix them:

• 🔄 Hanging on the logo MI/Redmi: Reason: Incompatible firmware or interrupted installation Solution: log in to Recovery and do Wipe Data, then repeat installation.
• 📵 No network after the update: Reason: the settings are lost IMEI Or modem. Solution: enter IMEI Refuse Engineer Mode (#4636###) or reflash modem via Fastboot.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: Reason: background processes of the new firmware. Solution: calibrate the battery (discharge to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruption) or disable unnecessary functions (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving regime).
• 📱 Gestures or sensors do not work: Reason: firmware error or version incompatibility MIUI. Solution: roll back to the previous version or install Magisk with the module "Fix Touch".

If none of the methods helped, try flashing your smartphone through EDL-This will require an authorized Xiaomi account and the Mi Flash Pro program. Instructions can be found on the Xiaomi.EU forum.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions