Owners of the legendary Xiaomi Mi 9T, also known as the Redmi K20 in China, often wonder about extending the life of their device. Despite the fact that the smartphone was released several years ago, its powerful Snapdragon 730 processor allows you to comfortably work with modern interfaces. MIUI 14 brings not only visual changes, but also significant optimization of memory, which is critical for devices of previous generations.
But the transition to a new shell doesn't always go smoothly out of the box. OTA-Notifications may be delayed or not appear at all depending on the firmware region. Users often have to resort to manually installing archives to access the latest security features and new widgets.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to update software, how to prepare a gadget, where to look for verified files, and what to do if the installation is interrupted halfway, and data security and the right sequence of actions are key factors in the success of this process.
Compatibility and Upgrade Status for Mi 9T
Before you start taking action, you need to clearly understand the current support status of your model. Xiaomi Mi 9T originally came out with Android 9, received subsequently updates to Android 10 and Android 11. Official support for major Android updates for this device is completed, however, the company continues to release security patches and interface improvements within the shell MIUI.
It is important to distinguish between the global (Global) and Chinese (China) versions. Global versions often get updates later, as they undergo additional certification in different regions. Chinese versions may have a more recent Android, but they lack Google services pre-installed, which requires additional customization.
⚠️ Note: Installing firmware from another regional version (e.g. China on Global) without unlocking the bootloader will result in a device lock (Hard Brick) or cyclic reboot.
MIUI 14 is based on Android 12 or 13 depending on the version, which is the last level available for this processor. Attempting to install newer versions of Android through custom firmware is possible, but it goes beyond official support and requires deep knowledge.
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Officially, Xiaomi Mi 9T receives updates only within the MIUI branch, based on Android 11/12, further development is possible only through custom solutions.
Preparation of the device for flashing
Quality training is 90 percent of the success of an entire operation. Ignoring the preparatory stages often results in loss of identity or software failures. The first step should always be to create a complete backup of all important information.
Use built-in backup or cloud services. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore. Select the backup type (Mi Cloud or locally per device) and tick the necessary items: contacts, messages, call log and application data.
- 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60% as the process can take a long time.
- 💾 Release at least 5-6 GB of internal memory to accommodate the installation package.
- 📶 Make sure the Wi-Fi connection is stable when downloading files.
It is also recommended to remove third-party launchers and antiviruses before the procedure to avoid system process conflicts.
☑️ Readiness for renewal
Method 1: Official OTA-update
The simplest and most secure method, which does not require a computer or special skills, the system independently checks for new versions of the software on the manufacturer's servers, and if a new build is released for your region and specific device, it will appear in the update menu.
To check, go to Settings → About → MIUI version. Click on the system logo or the “Check Updates” button. If the server says there are no updates but you know they exist, you can try changing the region in settings (Settings → Additional Settings → Region) to Indonesia or India, where releases often come out earlier.
In some cases, manually running the check through the engineer's hidden menu helps, by quickly pressing the MIUI version number 10 times in the About menu, and then in the upper right corner, a three-dot menu will appear, where you can select "Select firmware file."
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If OTA doesn’t come, try clearing the Software Update app cache through the application management menu, sometimes it gets stuck with old version data.
This method is ideal for those who are afraid of losing their warranty or do not want to risk data, but it is not always available immediately after the release of the firmware for all users.
Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery (Recovery ROM)
If the automatic update doesn’t work, you can use the manual installation method. You will need to download the full firmware archive (Recovery ROM) from an official website or a proven resource such as Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
Copy the downloaded archive to the root of the device's internal memory. Don't put it in folders, use the root directory to make it easier to find. Then go back to the system update menu and click three dots (or the MIUI logo 10 times) to open the additional menu.
Select "Select firmware file" and specify the downloaded archive. The system will check the integrity of the file and, if the version is newer than the current one, prompt you to start updating. The process will take from 10 to 20 minutes, during which the phone will be rebooted several times.
⚠️ Note: When you manually install, you can't downgrade the Android version. MIUI 12 on Android 11 base on top MIUI 14 based on Android 13, installation will be interrupted by an error.
This method allows you to update, even if OTA-The server "does not see" your device. The main thing is to download the firmware strictly for your model (codename davinci for Mi). 9T).
Comparison of update methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a comparative table of the main characteristics of each method, which will help you to weigh the risks and labor costs.
| Parameter | OTA (Automatically) | Recovery (Manually) | Fastboot (via PC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Data retention | Yes. | Yeah (usually) | No (full reset) |
| PC requirement | No. | No. | Yes. |
| Change of region | Impossible. | Impossible. | Possibly (unlocked) |
As you can see from the table, the second method that is best for the average user is to manually install Recovery ROM, which combines data security with the ability to bypass server constraints.
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
Unforeseen situations can occur during the upgrade process, and one of the most common errors is the message “Can’t verify update”, which often happens when you try to install global firmware on top of Chinese or vice versa, and when you damage the download file.
Another problem is getting stuck on the MIUI logo (Bootloop). If the phone doesn't boot for more than 10 minutes after the upgrade, try resetting via Recovery. To do this, turn off the phone and press the Up Volume + Power button combination. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data.
- 📉 Lack of space: Clear the app cache or remove heavy videos before installing.
- 🔌 Charging Interrupt: If the phone is turned off while you are firmware, connect it to charging and try logging in to Recovery again.
- 🌍 Region mismatch: Make sure the firmware file is specifically for your region (RU, EU, Global).
If nothing helps, the only way out is to use Fastboot mode and the Mi Flash Tool program on your computer, but this requires an unlocked bootloader.