How to roll back the Xiaomi Redmi 9 update: the full guide

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where, after the arrival of the next update, the device begins to work unstable, discharge faster or lose its usual functionality. The question of how to roll back the update of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 becomes especially relevant when the new version of MIUI brings more bugs than improvements. The process of returning to the previous version of the operating system is technically called downgrade, and it requires careful approach.

It is worth warning that standard methods through the settings menu to make a rollback will not work. Redmi security policy prohibits installing older versions of software on top of new without prior preparation. You will need not only a firmware file, but also perform a number of specific actions that affect system partitions memory. Ignoring the rules can lead to the inoperability of the gadget.

In this article, we will go through all the steps of the procedure, from unlocking the bootloader to the final installation of the archive with the system, you will learn what tools you will need, how to prepare the computer and what to do if the process does not go according to plan. Attention: all the actions you perform at your own risk, so carefully follow each step of the instructions.

Why you need to go back to the old version

Often users rush to install a fresh update, hoping for improved autonomy or new features. However, in practice, alpha and beta versions of MIUI can contain critical errors that affect the operation of communication modules or the camera. In the case of Redmi 9, which is based on the MediaTek processor, incorrect driver performance after the update is common.

Another reason is to change the interface or remove the usual options. The new shell can run slower on the not very young hardware, causing micro-freezes and heating of the case. If you notice that after the upgrade the phone began to behave strangely, the logical solution is to return to the tested build.

There are several main scenarios when a downgrade is really necessary:

• 📉 A sharp drop in battery life and fast discharge in standby mode.
• 📶 Network signal loss or unstable operation of Wi-Fi module.
• 📸 Deteriorating Photo Quality and Camera Application Failure.
• ⚙️ The appearance of system errors, spontaneous reboots and freezes.

⚠️ Note: If your smartphone is warranty-free, self-flashing and unlocking the bootloader can be grounds for denial of service.

Preparation of the device and necessary tools

Before you start taking action, you need to carefully prepare the workspace and software. You need a Windows computer that is working properly. USB-cable (preferably original) and stable Internet connection. Without a high-quality cable, the connection to the device in firmware mode can be interrupted, which is critical for the process.

The first step is to find and download the correct firmware version, and the archive must be in.zip format and be specific to your model (codenamed lancelot for global Redmi 9), and it is important that the version you want to install is older than the one on your phone, otherwise the system will give you an error.

You also need a Xiaomi account tied to the device, and to unlock the bootloader, the SIM card must be inserted into the smartphone and the mobile Internet is enabled, a mandatory manufacturer's security requirement.

Remember to make a full backup of all important data. The downgrade process involves a complete reset of the device, and all photos, contacts and applications will be permanently deleted. Use cloud services or copy files to your computer.

Unlocking the loader: a mandatory stage

The most difficult and longest step is unlocking the bootloader. Without this step, you can't install the old firmware, because the signature verification system will block the installation. First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI build number.

Once the notification "You became a developer" appears, go to the advanced settings and find the "Developer" option. There you need to turn on the "OEM unlocking" and "Debugging by USB." Then you need to link your account: in the "Mi Unlock Status" menu, click the add button, first logging into your profile.

Now you can move on to the process of unlocking. Download the official Mi Unlock Tool to your computer. Turn off your smartphone and enter Fastboot mode, holding both the power and volume buttons, plug your phone into your PC and press the Unlock button in the program.

If you have been linking to your account less than 7 days ago, the program will tell you to wait. After the deadline, repeat the procedure and the bootloader will be unlocked, at which point all data on the phone will be erased.

Search and preparation of firmware archive

The quality of the firmware file directly affects the success of the operation. You should only download archives from proven resources, such as the official Xiaomi forum or specialized portals like XiaomiFirmware. You need a version of Recovery ROM, not Fastboot ROM, since we will use the standard recovery mode.

The file must have the.zip extension. If you downloaded an archive with the.tgz or.rar extension, it must be pre-unpacked. There must be no nested archives inside, you should immediately see the folders and files of the system.

The table below will help you understand the differences between the types of firmware:

Once you upload a file, copy it to the root of your smartphone's internal memory. Don't put it in deep folders, it's best to put it right in the file list so it's easy to find. You don't have to rename the file, but you can shorten the name for convenience, like rom.zip.

💡

Use a root file manager or connect your phone to your PC as a media device to make sure the firmware file is actually written to memory and not corrupted when you copy it.

Instructions for installation of the old version of MIUI

Once you're done, you can start the main process. Go to the system update menu via Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Select firmware file." Find the previously downloaded archive and confirm the selection.

The system will check the file. If you try to roll back the version without the bootloader unlocked, an error message will appear. If the bootloader is unlocked, the phone will prompt you to reboot to Recovery Mode.

Once you reboot, you'll see the Recovery menu. The interface language can be English or Chinese, depending on the firmware version. Choose a language (if available), then click Wipe Data to clean up the data. This is a must-have step to switch between different versions of Android or MIUI.

• 🔄 Select Wipe All Data and confirm the action.
• 📂 Go back to the main menu and select Connect with MIAssistant (if you use a PC) or look for Install (if the file is in memory).
• ✅ Find your archive. rom.zip and launch the installation.

The installation process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, the progress bar will be displayed on the screen, during which time you should not interrupt the power or turn off the cable, and after completion, the phone will automatically restart to the new (old) system.

⚠️ Note: If your phone goes into a bootloop after installation, you may have chosen an incompatible firmware version (e.g. China over Global) or violated file integrity.

Solving errors and problems in downgrade

Redmi 9 users may encounter various difficulties during the rollback process, one of the most common errors is “Can’t verify update.” This occurs if the firmware file is damaged or does not match the device model. Check the code name of your model (in the settings or on the box) and check the name of the firmware file.

Another problem is hanging on the MI logo. If the phone doesn't boot for more than 10 minutes, try entering Recovery mode (clamping Power + Volume Up) and performing a full reset (Wipe Data). If this doesn't help, you'll need to flash through Fastboot mode using your computer and the Mi Flash Tool utility.

Sometimes users forget the Mi Account password after reset. Because when you unlock the bootloader, Mi Account protection is activated, it will be impossible to log in without entering the correct data. Make sure you remember the login details before starting all manipulations.

💡

A successful downgrade is possible only with an exact match of the device model and the firmware version, as well as with an unlocked bootloader.

If you encounter an error called "Error 7" or something similar when you install it through Recovery, it could mean that Android versions are incompatible. For example, you can't just roll back from Android 11 to Android 10 without completely cleaning partitions and specific patches. In such cases, it's better to use the Fastboot firmware method on a PC that ignores some version checks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)