How to reflash Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all the ways and instructions

Reflashing of the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 (codename merlin) may be necessary to update to the current version MIUI, However, the process requires care: incorrect actions lead to a "brick" (complete inoperability) of the device or loss of warranty. In this article, all the current methods of firmware, from official to alternative, taking into account the features of the 2020 model.

Firmware through MIUI Updater is the safest method, but it is limited to versions approved by Xiaomi. To install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), you will need to unlock the bootloader and use Fastboot or TWRP We will go through each step in detail, including preparing drivers, downloading the correct version of firmware and solving typical errors.

⚠️ Note: Firmware through unofficial methods voids the Xiaomi warranty. Before you start, check if the bootloader of your Redmi Note 9 is blocked - this can be done by the command fastboot oem device-info in the terminal. If you are Locked, you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (the process takes up to 720 hours of waiting for new accounts).

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start firmware, make sure that all the preliminary steps are followed, which minimizes the risk of data loss or system damage.

First, back up all your important data. Fastboot or Recovery firmware erases your device's internal memory. Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or physical copying on your PC.

• 📱 Contacts (export to.vcf)
• 📸 Photos and videos (check folders) DCIM and Pictures)
• 🔑 App passwords (use Google Smart Lock or password manager)
• 🎮 Save games (synchronize through Google Play or Mi Account)

Second, check out the model of the device. Redmi Note 9 has several modifications:

• Merlin - Global version (4/64 GB, 4/128 GB)
• merlin_in — Indian
• merlin_eea — European

A malfunction of the firmware model will lead to errors or a broken fingerprint sensor. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Last line) or the command fastboot getvar product.

Third, charge your smartphone at least 60 percent, interrupting the process due to battery discharge can render the device inoperable.

• 🖥️ Windows PC 7/10/11 (for Fastboot)
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (faulty cable is a common cause of errors)
• 🛠️ Qualcomm drivers and ADB (Download from the official Xiaomi website)

2. Official firmware through MIUI Updater

The easiest and safest way is to update through the built-in application MIUI Updater. It's suitable for stable and beta installations. MIUI, The main plus: no bootloader unlocking is required and no warranty is lost.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the icon "⋮" (three dots) in the upper right corner and select Select Service Package.
3. Specify the path to the downloaded firmware file (.zip format, the name should contain the version, for example, miui_MERLINGlobal_V12.5.3.0.RJOMIXM_...).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the restart (it will take 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If you see a message that says “This version is not for your device” when checking for an update, you have downloaded the firmware for another Redmi Note modification. 9 (for example merlin_in Check the model and try again.

Where to download the official firmware:

• 🌍 Official website MIUI (Choose the Redmi Note 9 section → Stable or Beta)
• 📥 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (archive of all versions, including old ones)

Download the firmware for your modification (merlin/merlin_in/merlin_eea)

Charge your phone ≥60%

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi

Release. ≥3GB of memory on the device

Disable the antivirus (can block the.zip file)

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3. Firmware through Fastboot: step-by-step instructions

Fastboot method is used to install official firmware when it is impossible to update through the MIUI Updater (for example, if the device does not turn on or hovers on the logo) is also the only way to return stock firmware after custom, if warranty repairs are required.

To run through Fastboot, you will need:

• 🖥️ PC with installed drivers ADB and Fastboot
• 🔗 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original)
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz format (unpack it into a folder with the MiFlash tool)
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if you install an informal firmware)

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the MiFlash Tool.
2. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder C:\MiFlash\ (path should not contain Cyrillic!).
3. Turn off the Redmi Note 9 and press the Volume down + Food to enter Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
4. Connect your phone to your PC. The Device Manager should display Android Bootloader Interface.
5. Launch MiFlash.exe, click Select and specify the firmware folder.
6. At the bottom, select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Lock bootloader).
7. Press Refresh, then Flash, and it takes 5-10 minutes.

⚠️ If MiFlash is a “cannot receive hello packet” error, try it:

• 🔌 Reconnect. USB-cable to another port (preferably) USB 2.0)
• 🔄 Reinstall Qualcomm drivers manually through Device Manager
• 🖥️ Run MiFlash on behalf of the administrator

4. Unlocking the bootloader: a mandatory step for custom firmware

For installation TWRP Recovery or custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) must unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi blocks it by default to protect against unauthorized changes. The process consists of two stages: linking the Mi Account to the device and actually unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone: Settings → Xiaomi account → Synchronization.
2. Activate USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to become a developer), then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the program under the same Mi Account.
4. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Power).
5. Connect the device to your PC and press Unlock in the Mi Unlock Tool.

⚠️ Note: Since 2021, Xiaomi has tightened its unlock rules. New accounts require 720 hours of wait (30 days) after the device is tied. If you see a message saying "Couldn't unlock. Wait for 719 hours," wait until the deadline expires.

Once successfully unlocked, the bootloader status will change to Unlocked. TWRP Recovery or custom firmware. But remember:

• 🔒 Unlocking resets all data on the device.
• 🚫 Xiaomi warranty is canceled (but you can return the stock firmware and block the bootloader back).
• 🛡️ Some features (such as Mi Pay or Widevine) L1 for Netflix HD) They may stop working.

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If the phone doesn’t turn on after unlocking the bootloader, try flashing the stock firmware through Fastboot (see Section 3). This often solves the “bootloop” problem.

5. Installation TWRP Recovery and custom firmware

TWRP Recovery is an alternative recovery menu that allows you to install custom firmware, backup and get root rights. For Redmi Note 9 (merlin), use informal builds, as official support TWRP for this device is not.

Instructions for installing TWRP:

1. Download the current version TWRP for merlin with XDA Developers (such as this build).
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with the platform-tools (where adb and fastboot are installed).
3. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot.
4. Connect the device to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
5. Immediately after that, go to TWRP, clamping up + Food (otherwise, stock firmware will re-write) TWRP).

For custom firmware installation (e.g. LineageOS 20):

1. Download firmware (.zip format) and GApps (Google services) from the OpenGApps website (choose the option). arm64 → 11.0 → pico).
2. Transfer the files to your phone or SD-map.
3. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
4. Press Install, select the firmware file, then GApps.
5. After installation, run the Reboot System.

⚠️ Note: Castom firmware may have bugs:

• 📷 Failing main camera module (fixed with patch) ANX Camera)
• 🔊 Problems with sound in headphones (check the AudioFX settings)
• 📶 Absence VoLTE/VoWiFi (build-dependent)

Before installing, study the reviews on the forum XDA or 4PDA.

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Installation of custom firmware requires an unlocked bootloader and TWRP Recovery. Without these steps, you can't flash an alternative OS.

6. Solving firmware errors

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can still get errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions for the Redmi Note 9.

If after firmware Redmi Note 9 stuck on the logo MI or restarts in a loop (bootloop), follow the following steps:

1. Enter Recovery (Loudness Up + Nutrition).
2. Select Wipe Data → Factory reset.
3. If it doesn’t work, run the stock firmware through Fastboot.

Use logs to diagnose custom firmware problems. TWRP You can get them through Advanced. → Copy Log. when accessing forums (e.g, 4PDA or XDA) Log it up, it will speed up the problem.

7.How to return the warranty after firmware

If you have installed custom firmware, but now you need to contact the Xiaomi service center, you will need to return the stock firmware and block the bootloader.This hides traces of changes, but does not guarantee a 100% restoration of warranty (some service centers check the unlock history).

Instructions for re-run:

1. Download the official firmware for your modification of the Redmi Note 9 (.tgz format).
2. Unpack the archive and swipe through MiFlash by selecting Clean all and lock mode (this will block the bootloader).
3. After the firmware, reset the settings: Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting settings.

⚠️ Note: Even after locking the bootloader, some service centers can determine whether the device has been unlocked by logs. If the warranty case is related to a hardware malfunction (for example, a broken screen or a broken camera), the firmware will not affect the repair. But with software failures in warranty repair may be denied.

To check the status of the bootloader after blocking, follow the command:

fastboot oem device-info

If Device unlocked: false, the bootloader is locked, but the Device critical unlocked: true line indicates that the device has previously unlocked, which can be seen in the service center.

8. Alternative methods of firmware

In addition to standard methods, there are alternative firmware options Redmi Note 9, which can be useful in specific situations.

1. Firmware through ADB Sideload

If the Recovery works, but installing it through MIUI Updater is not possible, use it. ADB Sideload:

1. Download the firmware (.zip) and place it in the folder with the platform-tools.
2. Log in to Recovery and select Apply update → Apply from ADB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb sideload name file.zip

2. Firmware via EDL (Emergency Download Mode)

Regime. EDL It is used to restore "bricked" devices when the Fastboot is not available:

• 🖥️ PC with Qualcomm QDLoader and MiFlash installed
• 🔧 Authorized Xiaomi account (new devices required) EDL Authorization)
• 📁 Firmware in.mbn format (downloaded from official sources)

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Without authorization, it can lead to a complete lockdown. IMEI (This device will become a brick without recovery, and this method is recommended only for experienced users.

3.Installation via OrangeFox Recovery

OrangeFox - The Alternative TWRP supportive MIUI. Unofficial builds are available for the Redmi Note 9. The installation is similar. TWRP, but with additional functions:

• 🔄 Automatic partition mounting
• 📁 Built-in file manager
• 🔧 Support for aroma scripts for custom firmware

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note firmware 9