Update Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: 3 proven ways + error solving

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 (codenamed merlin) is still a popular device due to its balanced features and support for updates. However, with the release of new versions of MIUI and Android, owners are faced with the question: how to update the firmware to avoid losing data, avoiding errors and get the most out of the device?

In this article, we’ll look at all the current upgrades, from standard OTA to manual firmware via Fastboot and Recovery. You’ll learn how to prepare your phone, where to download official files, and what to do if the update has “hanged” or crashed, and the unique nuances for the Redmi Note 9 that don’t appear on the forums (for example, why 5G may disappear after upgrading to MIUI 14 and how to fix it).

Important: The instructions are suitable for all Redmi Note 9 modifications (including Redmi Note 9S, Redmi Note 9 Pro and Redmi Note 9 Pro Max), but with their features in mind. If you have a different model, check its code name in the settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version).

Preparation for the update: 5 mandatory steps

Before you start updating, follow these steps – they will save you hours on data recovery or flashing the “brick”.

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%. When upgrading via Recovery or Fastboot, the phone should not turn off - this will cause a failure.
• 📱 Back up. Use the settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset or third-party utilities like Swift Backup (requires root:
• 📡 Check the stability of the Internet. OTA-Update required Wi-Fi (mobile traffic may be interrupted) speed of at least 5 Mbps.
• 🔧 Find out the current version MIUI And Android. Path: Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Record or take a picture of the screen – this will help you choose the right firmware.
• 🛠️ Prepare tools (if you plan to manually upgrade):

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 9 has an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (such as LineageOS), the standard OTA-Update may result in the device being locked, in which case only use manual firmware via Fastboot.

For the Redmi Note 9 Pro (codenamed joyeuse) and Redmi Note 9S (curtana), check firmware compatibility. For example, firmware for merlin (regular Note 9) will not work for joyeuse, which will lead to hard brick (irreparable damage).

Battery charge ≥60% | Data backup created |Stable Wi-Fi connection | Current version of MIUI recorded | Handheld firmware tools ready (if needed)

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Method 1: Automatic Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and safest method is to upgrade over-the-air, which is suitable for most users if:

• 📲 The phone is not rooted and has no custom modifications.
• 🔄 Official Update for Your Region is Available.
• 📶 There is a stable connection to Wi-Fi.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on "Check Updates." If the update is available, a notification will appear.
3. Click Download and wait until it is completed (the file weighs 1.5-3 GB).
4. After downloading, click "Install". The phone will restart and start the update (it will take 5-15 minutes).

If the update is not available, try:

• 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
• 🌐 Change your region in settings (e.g. India or Europe) as updates are delayed in different regions.
• 📅 Wait 1-2 weeks – Xiaomi rolls out updates gradually.

⚠️ Attention: If after OTA-Update phone is stuck on the logo MI After 20 minutes, don't turn it off. Wait until it's done (it can take up to 40 minutes). If the screen is out, plug it in and wait another 10 minutes.

Once a month |Only when critical errors appear |Never update |Only through handheld firmware

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Method 2: Manual update via Recovery

If OTA doesn’t work or you want to install a specific version of MIUI, use Recovery.This method saves user data, but requires the right firmware selection.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official website: 🔗 Official portal MIUI (Choose Redmi Note 9 → Stable or Developer). 📁 The file must have a.zip extension and weigh ~2–3 GB, for example: miui_MERLINGlobal_V14.0.2.0.SJOMIXM_....
2. Rename the file to update.zip (required!) and move it to the root folder of the phone’s internal memory (not to the Download or MIUI folder).
3. Boot in Recovery: Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the MI logo and menu appear.

Recovery

• 🔧 «Install update.zip to System” (or similar paragraph).
• Confirm the installation and wait for completion (10-20 minutes).
• After the reboot, check the MIUI version in the settings.

If Recovery doesn't have an update.zip installation, you have Xiaomi's stock Recovery.

• 🔄 Try renaming the file to miui_block_ota.zip (Sometimes it works to circumvent restrictions).
• 🛠️ Install. TWRP Recovery (requires an unlocked bootloader).

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If after the update via Recovery, the phone stopped seeing SIM-maps, perform network reset: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network reset. This is due to the update of the modem part of the firmware.

4. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for experienced)

This method is used if:

• 🔧 We need to downgrade the version. MIUI (downgrade).
• 🚨 The phone is not switched on or got stuck in the bootloop.
• 📦 Requires a complete flashing (for example, after a failed update).

⚠️ Warning: Fastboot wipes all the data on your phone, and you'll also need to unlock the bootloader, which will reset the device to factory settings.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Apply for unlocking via Xiaomi's official website (Mi Account will be required). Link your account to your phone: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Link your device. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clutch Volume Down + Power) and unlock through Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Download the firmware for Fastboot: 🔗 The file has a.tgz or.zip extension and weighs ~3–4 GB. Unpack the archive in a folder. C:\miui_fastboot (cyrillic!).
3. Install drivers and Mi Flash Tool: Download Mi Flash Tool and Qualcomm drivers. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and check for device detection by the command: fastboot devices

Put your phone on.

• In the Mi Flash Tool, select a folder with unpacked firmware.
• Select the “Clean all” mode (complete clean) or “Save user data” mode (save data, but not recommended).
• Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).

⚠️ If the Mi Flash Tool is making an error 0x80070002 or 0x80070005, check:

• The correctness of the firmware selected (for your model!).
• No Cyrillic on the way to the firmware folder.
• The Mi Flash Tool (use the latest version)

5. Typical update errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the sound is lost after the update or the sensors are not working, do:

1. Reset settings (not data!): Settings → Additional → Reset settings.
2. Cleaning the cache in Recovery (Wipe → Wipe Cache).
3. Check firmware integrity through Mi Flash Tool (Clean All mode).

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If after the update the phone overheats or discharges quickly, wait for 2-3 cycles of full charging / discharging - the system optimizes the battery.

6. How to roll back to the previous version MIUI

Sometimes a new update brings bugs, such as lags, overheating, or camera problems, in which case you can return the old firmware version, but with reservations:

• ⏳ Downgrade is only possible within a single generation of Android. MIUI 14 (Android 12) can be rolled back to MIUI 13 (Android 12), but not on MIUI 12 (Android 11).
• 🔒 Requires an unlocked bootloader (see section about Fastboot).
• ⚠️ The risk of blocking due to the mechanism of Anti-Rollback (if the firmware is older than the acceptable version).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the required firmware version (.tgz for Fastboot or.zip for Recovery) from the official website.
2. If you use Recovery: Rename the file to update.zip. Install it via Recovery (see Section 3).

Fastboot

• Unpack the firmware and run through the Mi Flash Tool (Clean All mode).
• After the rollback, perform a data reset (Wipe Data in Recovery) to avoid conflicts.

For Redmi Note 9 Pro (joyeuse) and Redmi Note 9S (curtana) models, check the Anti-Rollback version in the firmware file before a downgrade. If it is lower than the current one, a rollback is impossible without the risk of hard brick.

7. Where to download the official firmware for Redmi Note 9

Use only verified sources to avoid viruses or corrupted files:

• 🔗 Official website MIUI: https://new.c.miui.com/global/miuidownload/index Choose a model. → Stable (Stable) or Developer (Developer).
• 📁 Xiaomi Forum (MIUI Community): XDA Developers (Redmi Note) 9). Look for tagged topics [Official] or [Stock ROM].
• 🌍 Regional Sites: For Europe: MIUI For India: Mi India.

Before downloading, check:

• 🆔 Model code name (should match your device).
• 📅 Date of release of firmware (current version).
• 🔢 Checksum (MD5) — Compare it to the one on the site.

For Redmi Note 9 Pro Max (excalibur) models, firmware may differ from the regular Note 9. Make sure the file name has excalibur, not merlin or joyeuse.

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If you can't find firmware for your model, try searching by region code. For example, for the global version, look for files with the global suffix, for Europe, for eea, for India, for in.

8 Frequent questions after update