Many users of Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro face a situation when after the automatic arrival of the new version of MIUI smartphone begins to work unstable, the battery runs out faster, there are artifacts in the interface or applications stop running correctly, in such cases, the only right solution is to return to the previous, more stable build of the operating system.
The rollback procedure is not a standard feature available in the usual settings menu. Recovering the old version requires a number of specific actions, including unlocking the bootloader and using the computer. Errors at any stage can lead to the device being inoperable, so it is important to follow the algorithm of actions described in this guide clearly.
Before you take action, you need to understand the risks. Any interference with system files is always a potential threat of data loss or turning the phone into a brick. However, with the right approach and the original firmware version below the current one, the process is successful and returns the device to its previous performance.
Preparation for rollback procedure
The initial phase is critical to the success of the entire operation: you will need to prepare not only the smartphone itself, but also the workplace. Make sure you have a PC or laptop running Windows, as the firmware tools most often work in this environment. The USB cable must be original or certified to ensure stable data transfer without connection breaks.
The most important thing is to keep your personal data safe. The rollback process will inevitably entail a complete cleanup of internal memory, backup of photos, contacts and documents must be done in advance, you can use the cloud services Mi Cloud, Google Drive or just copy files to your computer.
You also need to check the battery power. The device needs to be charged at least 60-70%. If the system partitions are suddenly drained, it's going to be extremely difficult to restore the phone, and in some cases impossible without a programmer. Don't ignore this safety requirement.
☑️ Checking readiness
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Without an unlocked bootloader, you can't install a lower version of the system than you currently have. Xiaomi's security policy prohibits downgrade on locked devices. You need to apply for the official MIUI Unlock Tool app and link your Mi Account to the device.
⚠️ Note: After submitting the application, you will have to wait from 7 to 168 hours (usually 168 hours), before this time you will not be able to unlock the device, even if the button in the program becomes active.
After you get permission, turn on Developer Mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on MIUI Version. Then, in the Additional → For Developers menu, activate Debugging by USB and Unlocking the bootloader. Enter your Mi Account details for confirmation.
The unlocking process itself is Fastboot. Turn off the phone, then press the power and volume buttons at the same time. Connect the cable to the computer and start the unlock utility. The erasure process will begin automatically, so make sure that the backup is done again.
What to do if the status of the account “failed”
Finding and Choosing the Right Firmware
The key is to find the right system image file. You need Fastboot ROM, not Recovery. Recovery files have the.zip extension and are designed to be installed via the recovery menu, whereas Fastboot firmware has the.tgz extension and is stitched through your computer. It is important for Redmi Note 9 Pro (codename curtana) not to confuse the global version with the Chinese or Indian version.
The firmware version you plan to install should be strictly lower than the one you have installed now. If you try to put the same version or a newer version, the tool will give an error or refuse to start the process. You can find the right files on official forums or trusted firmware aggregators.
Pay attention to the region of the device. Global firmware can be installed on global versions, but cross-regional firmware (for example, Chinese firmware on Global) will require additional manipulation of regions in Mi Account, which can be blocked by the server.
| Parameter | Recovery ROM | Fastboot ROM |
|---|---|---|
| File format | .zip | .tgz (archive) |
| Method of installation | Through the phone menu | Through PC and Mi Flash |
| Downhraid possibility | No (without TWRP) | Yes (unlocked BL) |
| Data retention | Complete removal |
Installation of drivers and Mi Flash programs
To communicate your computer and smartphone in deep firmware mode, you need special software. Download the official Xiaomi Mi Flash Tool from a trusted source. The latest stable version is preferable, since older versions may not work correctly with new Snapdragon processor models.
Beyond the program itself, the ADB and Fastboot drivers are critical. Without them, the computer won't see the phone in the right mode. Often they come with the Mi Flash installer, but sometimes they have to be installed separately. Once the drivers are installed in the Device Manager, when you connect your phone in Fastboot mode, the Android Bootloader Interface should appear.
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If your computer can’t see your phone in Fastboot mode, try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 at the rear of the system unit) and replace the cable. Cheap cables often only work to charge.
Unpack the downloaded firmware. The path to the folder should not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces, otherwise the program may give an error when reading the paths, C:\MIUI_Rom.
The process of firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button to make sure the program sees the connected device. The list should show the serial number of the phone. If the number shows text or status "Waiting" instead of the number, then the drivers are installed incorrectly or the cable is defective.
Press the Select button and point the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware. The program will automatically check the integrity of the files. Now pay attention to the bottom of the window: there are three options. For a clean rollback and guarantee system operation, you need to choose the clean all option. It completely erases all partitions and installs a fresh (old) system.
⚠️ Warning: Do not choose the "clean all and lock" option if you are flashing the global version on a global phone but have previously changed region. Locking the bootloader in the custom region can lead to a perpetual bootloop).
Once you select the mode, press Flash, start a recording process that takes 200 to 600 seconds, at which time it is strictly forbidden to touch the cable or turn off the computer, and the progress bar will be filled with green.
Solving mistakes and problems
In the process of rollback, users often encounter error codes. The most popular is error: can't find mismatch or flash error. This usually means that the bootloader version in the new (old) firmware is lower than in the current system, and Anti-Rollback protection does not allow you to downgrade the version, in which case the rollback is impossible without flashing through EDL mode, which requires paid accounts of authorized services.
Another problem is that you're stuck on the Mi logo after you've been firmware, and if the phone's been hanging on the logo for more than 10 minutes, try a forced reboot (slam the power for 15 seconds). If that doesn't work, it's possible that the firmware file was corrupted when you downloaded it, and you need to repeat the procedure from a trusted source.
Sometimes, when a rollback stops working banking applications or Google Pay, this is because the unlocked bootloader violates the integrity of the security system, to solve the problem may require re-assigning a Google account or using Magisk patches, if the rights of the superuser were obtained.
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Successful rollback is only possible if the version of Anti-Rollback in the old firmware matches or is higher than the current one. Check this setting on the forums before downloading the file.
First start and setup after rollback
Once installed successfully, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can last longer than usual, up to 5-7 minutes. This is normal, as the system optimizes applications and recreates system caches. Be patient and don't try to interrupt this process.
After you say hello, you'll be greeted by a clean system. Since the data has been deleted, you'll need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password and your Google account. When you restore data from a Google backup or Mi Cloud, take your time to restore all the apps at once. You'll want to manually install them to make sure they work correctly on this version of the software.
Be sure to turn off automatic system updates so you don't get a problem update again. Go to the update settings and uncheck Auto Update. It's also helpful to hide the Update app from the app list so you don't accidentally run the check.