Smartphone Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro (also known as Redmi) K20 Pro) remains one of the most popular devices based on the Snapdragon processor 855, But over time, the software may no longer meet the needs of the user. The need to flash flash often arises from accumulated system errors, a desire to change region (for example, from Global to China or vice versa), or the need to upgrade to a more recent version of Android when you want to change your region (for example, from Global to China or vice versa). OTA-The process of restoring functionality or installing custom assembly requires care, but with the right approach takes no more than a few steps. 30-40 minute.
Before taking action, you need to be aware of the risks associated with interfering with the system partition of memory, any interruption of power supply or disconnection. USB-The cable at a critical moment can make it impossible to load the device, known as a “brick.” However, if you follow the algorithm and use proven firmware files, Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro easily returns its functionality and performance.
In this article, we will look at all the preparation stages, the necessary tools and the step-by-step algorithm of actions for different scenarios. We will not touch on the complex methods of unlocking the bootloader using paid services, but will focus on the official and semi-official methods available to each user. USB-cable capable of transmitting data, not just charging the battery.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary files
Starting any recovery or upgrade process should be accompanied by careful environment preparation: you will need a computer running Windows (preferably versions 10 or 11, as Windows 7 may have driver problems), a stable Internet connection and the smartphone itself with a battery charge of at least 60%. Ignoring the charge requirement can lead to the device turning off at the most inopportune moment.
The first step is to download specialized software. The main tool for working with Xiaomi devices is the Mi Flash Tool. It must be downloaded exclusively from official resources or trusted forums to exclude the presence of malicious code. You will also need ADB and Fastboot drivers, which often come with tools, but may require separate installation through the Device Manager.
⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulations, make sure to make a full backup of all important data (photos, contacts, correspondence). The firmware process involves full formatting of internal memory, and it will be impossible to recover data without a backup.
For the Redmi K20 Pro/Mi 9T Pro model, it is important not to confuse the versions: there are modifications for the Chinese market (CN) and global version (Global), as well as differences in the type of processor (although this model is one). The file must have the.tgz extension for the method through Fastboot. Archives with the.zip extension are designed to be installed through Recovery and are not suitable for the method described in this article.
📊 What version of the firmware you are interested in?
Global (Global)
Chinese (CN)
European (EEA)
Indian (IN)
Custom ROM (Custom ROM)
After downloading all components, create a folder with a simple name on the computer’s root disk (for example, C:). mi9tpro_flash, And you can unpack the contents of the firmware archive, and the path to the folder should not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces, otherwise the firmware may not see the files or make an error when you try to write them down.
Unlocking the bootloader: is this stage necessary?
One of the most common questions is whether to unlock a bootloader. If your goal is simply to reinstall the official firmware of the same region (for example, update Global to Global) or roll back to an earlier version within one region, unlocking is often not required. However, if you plan to change region (from China to Global) or install custom recovery, unlocking is mandatory.
The unlocking procedure requires permission from Xiaomi. You need to log into your Mi Account on your smartphone, link the device to your Developer Menu account and apply through the Mi Unlock Tool on your PC. After submitting an application, you usually have a waiting period of 7 to 168 hours (3-7 days), during which you will not be able to unlock the device.
It is worth noting that the unlocked bootloader reduces the security level of the device and makes it impossible to use some banking applications without additional manipulation (for example, hiding root rights or using Magisk), and when unlocked, all data on the phone will also be irretrievably deleted.
- 🔓 Unlocking allows you to install custom Recovery (TWRP) and obtain the rights of the superuser.
- 🌍 Change of region is possible only on unlocked device (Cross-flashing).
- 📉 Unlocked Bootloader Can Affect Wide-angle Camera and Certain Functions MIUI.
What to do if the application for unblocking is not approved?
If after 168 hours of the Mi Unlock utility says that permission is not obtained, try logging into your Mi Account on your phone, turning off mobile Internet, leaving only Wi-Fi, logging out and logging in again, sometimes by re-associating the device in the developer menu. In rare cases, waiting up to 30 days is required.> Fastboot Firmware with Mi Flash Tool is the main and most reliable method of recovery Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro. It allows you to completely clean your phone's memory and record a fresh copy of your system. Make sure the drivers are installed, the firmware file is unpacked, and the phone is charged. Close all the redundant programs on your computer to avoid interruption conflicts. USB. Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode. To do this, turn off the device completely, then press the power and volume buttons at the same time. On the screen should appear a bunny in an orange cap, repairing the android, and the inscription FASTBOOT. Connect your phone to your computer with a cable. In Windows Device Manager, under Devices USB» Android Bootloader Interface will be available. ☑️ Checklist before running firmware Drivers ADB/Fastboot Phone installed in Fastboot mode (bunny) Firmware files unpacked in the root of the disk 60%Mi Flash Tool launched on behalf of the administrator: 0 / 5 Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button and your device's serial number should appear in the list. If the number doesn't show, check the cable or reinstall the drivers. Next, click "Select" and specify the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware. It is important to choose the right firmware mode at the bottom of the window: 🧹 Clean all – complete data cleanup and firmware installation (recommended for stable operation). 💾 Save user data – a data-saving installation (may cause errors if Android versions vary greatly). 🔄 Clean all and lock - Complete cleaning and re-locking of the bootloader (only if you are installing the original firmware for this region). After selecting "Clean all" mode, press the "Flash" button. The process will take 200 to 600 seconds. When completed, the status will be marked "Success", and the phone will automatically reboot. Alternative method: Update via Recovery If access to your computer is limited or you want to simply upgrade without completely clearing the data (although backup is still desirable), you can use built-in recovery. This method is suitable for installing updates in.zip format. Download the firmware file (recovery required) ROM, Not Fastboot, and rename it to update.zip Put the file in the root of the phone's internal memory (not in the folder, just in the main storage» → «The phone» → click on the version MIUI. Click on three dots in the corner and select "Select firmware file." Find yours. update.zip And you can confirm the action. The phone will restart and start installing. In case the phone doesn't turn on, but Recovery mode is available, you can try booting into it by clamping down the power buttons and increasing the volume. However, standard Recovery Xiaomi often does not allow you to install firmware from other regions. TWRP, The Recovery method is less reliable in the presence of system errors, since it does not format service partitions as deeply as Fastboot. If the system is “buzzing” or goes into a cyclic restart (bootloop), using Recovery may not help, and you will have to return to the computer. For ease of choosing a recovery strategy, we will give a comparative table of the main methods available to owners of Xiaomi Mi 9T Each of them has its advantages and limitations depending on the current state of the device. Fastboot (Mi Flash) Recovery (Official) EDL (9008 Mode: Need for PC Necessarily Not Required Data Saving No (Clean all) Possibly No Region Change Possible (with SK. BL) Impossible Possible (account) Difficulty Average Low High In the process of firmware users often encounter errors. android_info This usually means that the path to the firmware files contains Cyrillic or the files are too deep in the folders. android_info If Mi Flash gives you error: send image failure, try it. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0) cable. ⚠️ Warning: A Flash All and Lock error on a device with Chinese firmware and a global account (or vice versa) can lock the phone during the boot phase, requiring authorization for the Mi Account that was previously on the device. Be careful about blocking the bootloader when changing regions. Sometimes the process hangs on a certain percentage (for example, for example, the process is not possible, 3% or 98%). Don't rush to interrupt the process immediately, if progress is worth more 5-10 You can try to turn off the cable and repeat the procedure, often by restarting adb in Task Manager or reinstalling drivers, after firmware and optimization, after successfully installing a new system and first booting, you will be greeted by the initial setup screen. Don't rush to restore all apps from Google backup at once.Let the system "stay" for a while 15-20 Wait a minute. 9T The Pro has powerful hardware, but background file indexing and application optimization can temporarily reduce performance. Check the main modules: camera, microphone, speakers and fingerprint sensor. Pay special attention to the proximity sensor, as in this model it is software and after firmware may require calibration. To do this, enter the code ##6484## in the dial menu to enter the engineering menu and test the corresponding item. 💡After the first download, be sure to update all system apps through Google Play Market and check for security updates in your phone settings. If you have changed a region or Android version, it is recommended to reset your network settings. → Connection and sharing → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth will help eliminate possible problems with unstable Internet or connection breaks, which often occur after migration between different versions of the software. Make sure the update frequency is set to 60 Hz (unless you use custom kernels with support) 90 Hz for this model, which requires additional settings, as the screen normally works on the 60 Hz. Also check the power saving settings for frequently used applications. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can I ask you about Mi? 9T Pro without unlocking the bootloader? Yes, if you install the official firmware of the same region and version (or newer) through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode or through Recovery. CN Global, you can't officially unlock it. What if your phone goes into an infinite reboot? 10-15 If it doesn't work, go to Recovery Mode. + Powering up) and make Wipe Data. If that doesn't work, you'll need to have a full-cleaning firmware through Fastboot. Will the unlock counter reset after flashing? No, the bootloader unlock counter is stored in a secure memory area and not reset by flashing. The only way to remove the unlocked bootloader mark is to officially lock it back through the Mi Flash Tool (only for original firmware). Is it safe to put Chinese firmware on a global version? Technically possible, but not recommended for ordinary users. Chinese firmware does not have Google Play Services by default (they need to be installed in Chinese), there are many applications in your region (you can use).