How to upgrade Android to Xiaomi Redmi 9A: All the ways from OTA to Fastboot

Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its owners often face the question of how to upgrade an outdated version of Android (originally Android 10 with MIUI 12) to the latest firmware. Unlike flagship models, budget devices rarely receive long-term support, but there are still opportunities for upgrades.

In this article, we’ll look at all the available upgrades, from standard OTA (over the air) to manual firmware via Fastboot and Recovery. We’ll focus on the nuances of Redmi 9A (codenamed dandelion), including bootloader version restrictions, custom firmware compatibility, and the risks of informal methods. If your smartphone is stuck on an older version or you want to install MIUI 14/15, here you’ll find step-by-step instructions warning you about possible problems.

1. Check the current version of Android and MIUI

Before you update Redmi 9A, make sure your current firmware is really outdated.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone.
• 🔍 Find the lines of the version MIUI and the Android version.
• 📝 Write down the exact designations (for example, MIUI Global 12.0.18 | Android 10 QKQ1.191222.002).

For Redmi 9A, the official version for 2026 is:

Important: Xiaomi officially ended support for the Redmi 9A in 2022 — new MIUI/Android versions are not coming out for this model.

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 9A Purchased in China (version of China) ROM), attempt to establish a global ROM via Fastboot can lead to locking the bootloader. Check the firmware region in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (for example, V12.0.1.0.QCDCNXM — china-fix).

Official Update via OTA (over the air)

The easiest and safest way to do this is to check for updates through the built-in OTA system, but for the Redmi 9A, it only works if:

• 🔄 Your current firmware is not modified (no root rights, custom recaveri).
• 🌍 The firmware region is the same as the purchase region (e.g. Global). ROM Europe).
• 📶 The device is connected to stable Wi-Fi (updates weigh) ~1.5–2 GB).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If you find an update, download it and confirm the installation.
4. Wait for the reboot (the process will take 10-15 minutes).

If the system says “Updates are not available”, it means that your version is not available. MIUI — The last one for your region. OTA-method will not work.

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If the update is stuck in the download phase, try changing the router’s DNS to 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare), which helps with locking Xiaomi servers in some regions.

Manual update via Recovery (official firmware)

If OTA does not work, but you want to install the official firmware (for example, switch from Indian to global), you can use the Recovery method. This method is only suitable for firmware in the same region or newer versions within the same MIUI branch (for example, from MIUI 12.0.10 to MIUI 12.5.8).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 9A (dandelion code) from Xiaomi Firmware. Choose the Recovery ROM version (file with.zip extension).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root folder of internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
4. In the Recovery menu, select Install update.zip to System (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
5. Confirm the installation and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).

Download the correct version of Recovery ROM for dandelion|

Check battery power (minimum 50%) |

Rename the file to update.zip|

Make sure the file is at the root of the memory |

Shut it down. PIN-Passwords/codes (may be affected after updating)-->

⚠️ Note: If you are trying to install firmware for another region (e.g. Global on a Chinese phone), after rebooting, the device may require a link to your Mi Account from the same country».

Update via Fastboot (advanced method)

The Fastboot method allows you to install any official firmware, including downgrade or region change. However, it requires unlocking the bootloader and working with the command line. For Redmi 9A, this method is relevant if:

• 🔓 You want to change your firmware region (for example, from India to Global).
• 🔄 Restore your phone after a crash (for example, after a failed update).
• 🛠️ You need to install a firmware that is not in OTA or recovery.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📦 Fastboot Firmware Archive ROM (file.tgz or.zip).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool (download from official website).

Instructions:

1. Unblock Fastboot firmware into a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\dandelion_fastboot).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-out-of-the-box will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC. The Device Manager should display the Android Bootloader Interface.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after you have firmware).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

The following are the key features of the Redmi 9A:

• 🔒 If the bootloader is blocked, it must be officially unlocked (Mi Account binding and waiting 7-15 days is required).
• 📉 Downgraid (downgrading version) MIUI) This can lead to locking the device if you do not use special scripts (anti-rollback).
• 🚫 Do not interrupt the firmware process – this can make the phone inoperable (the “brick»).

5. Unofficial firmware: Android 11/12 via custom Recovery

Since Xiaomi didn’t release Android 11/12 for the Redmi 9A, the only way to upgrade is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Havent OS).This method requires an unlocked bootloader and installing TWRP Recovery.

Advantages:

• 🆙 Update to Android 11/12 function-aware.
• 🔧 Ability to fine-tune the system (root, core, Magisk modules).
• 📱 Improved performance (some firmware is optimized better than standard firmware) MIUI).

Risks:

• 🚨 Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• 🔋 Battery problems (some custom firmware consumes charge faster).
• 📵 Possible bugs (not working) NFC, Problems with the camera or mobile network).

Instructions for installing TWRP and custom firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Download. TWRP For dandelion (for example, from the official website) and run it through Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-dandelion.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-dandelion.img
3. In TWRP, make a backup of the NVRAM partition (responsible for IMEI!).
4. Download custom firmware (e.g. Havent OS 4.6 for Redmi 9A) and GApps (Google services).
5. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
6. Install firmware and GApps, then restart.

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Custom firmware for the Redmi 9A often requires additional patches to run the main camera (due to the closed source code of Xiaomi drivers).

⚠️ Note: Install custom firmware on Redmi 9A With a blocked bootloader, you will get a "brick." Before you run the firmware, be sure to check the bootloader status with the command: fastboot oem device-info Look for Device unlocked: true.

6.Alternative methods: through ADB Sideload and local packages

If the standard methods don’t work, try updating Redmi 9A via ADB Sideload or local service packs.

• 📡 There is no stable internet for downloading OTA.
• 🔧 You need to install firmware without Recovery or Fastboot.
• 🔄 Requires to bypass the limitations of regional updates.

Method 1: ADB Sideload

1. Download the Recovery ROM firmware (as in Section 3) and rename it to update.zip.
2. Connect your phone to your PC, enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then Settings → Additional → For Developers).
3. Enter the command line: adb devices adb sideload update.zip
4. On the phone, confirm the installation.

Method 2: Local Service Packages

Some enthusiasts gather informal OTA-redmi 9A, You can install them through the standard update menu, like firmware from the Xiaomi.eu community or MIUI Mix, to find them:

1. Visit the XDA-Developers or 4PDA forums.
2. Find the Redmi 9A (dandelion) theme and the firmware section.
3. Download the.zip package and install it through Settings → System Update → Three Points → Select the Service Pack.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When updating Redmi 9A, users often encounter typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

Additional advice:

• 🔋 If after the update the phone discharges quickly, reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).
• 📶 Wi-Fi or Bluetooth problems are often solved by installing a custom core (e.g., FrancoKernel).
• 🔒 If you need a Mi Account after firmware, but you don’t remember it, try bypassing the lock through the lock. EDL Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions