Modifying the smartphone operating system opens up possibilities that are not available in standard mode. Installing a custom recavator is the first and most important step towards full control of the device. It is through a specialized recovery menu that you can install alternative firmware, make full backups and clear memory parts from system debris.
Owners of the popular Redmi Note 9 often face the limitations of the standard MIUI shell, which prevents you from removing system applications or fine-tuning kernel settings. Replacing the stock recovery menu with an advanced counterpart, such as the TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), solves these problems. However, the process requires caution, since interference in the boot sector carries certain risks.
This guide will help you safely go through all the steps of modifying your gadget’s software. We will look at tool preparation, unlocking the bootloader and direct firmware recovery image. Follow the instructions consistently to avoid errors and get the desired result without losing data.
Before you start any manipulation of system partitions, you need to make sure that you have all the required components. The basic requirement is to have a personal computer running Windows, Linux or macOS. USB-cable, preferably original, to avoid communication interruptions at a critical time of firmware.
The most important step is to create a complete backup of all important data. The process of unlocking the bootloader, which precedes the installation of the recover, leads to the complete removal of information from the device. Save contacts, photos and documents to the cloud storage or to an external hard drive, as it will be impossible to restore them after reset.
You'll need to download and install the ADB and Fastboot driver set on your computer. Without these components, your computer won't be able to recognize your smartphone in a special mode and send the necessary commands. You'll also need to download a current image of the recovery file, specially assembled for your model's code name, in this case, merlin.
- 📱 Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 with a battery charge of at least 60%
- 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot
- 🔌 Original or qualitative USB-data-line
- 📂 Downloaded image file of the Recaveri (.img format) for the merlin model
⚠️ Note: Using unoriginal or damaged cable can lead to interruption of the firmware process, which is fraught with software errors.
Unlocking the Mi Unlock bootloader
The standard protection of Xiaomi devices does not allow you to make changes to system partitions without special permission. To obtain such rights, you must unlock the bootloader using the official Mi Unlock Tool utility. This is a mandatory procedure without which installing third-party software is technically impossible.
First, link your Mi Account to your device. Go to your smartphone settings, find About Phone, and click on the MIUI version several times to activate the developer menu. In the Developer menu that opens, turn on the Factory Unlock option and link the device to your account.
Once you have your account tied, you have to wait a certain time, which is usually between 7 and 168 hours. Mi Unlock will show the remaining waiting time when you try to unlock, a security measure introduced by the manufacturer to prevent device theft and unauthorized flashing.
After the waiting time, turn the phone into Fastboot mode, holding the power and volume buttons on the switched-off device simultaneously. Connect the smartphone to the computer and start the Mi Unlock Tool. After successful authorization, press the Unlock button and wait for the process to complete, which will reset all data on the device.
What to do if the timer is not going?
Sometimes the unlock timer may freeze or show an incorrect time, in which case, try logging out of your Mi Account on your phone, waiting a couple of hours and logging in again, then re-assigning to the developer menu. SIM-A card with active mobile internet, not just Wi-Fi.> Installation TWRP When the bootloader is unlocked, you can go to the direct installation of the modified recovery menu. To do this, the smartphone must be in Fastboot mode, which is determined by connecting to the PC by a cable when the volume down button is pressed. The device will display a picture of a hare repairing an android. Open the command line or terminal on your computer in a folder where the downloaded file of the image of the recaveri is located. recovery.img For convenience, so as not to enter a long original name. This will make it easier to type commands and reduce the risk of a typo when performing critical operations. Type a command to check the connection to the device. If the drivers are installed correctly, you will receive the serial number of your smartphone in return. Make sure that fastboot is written at the end of the status, which confirms the readiness to receive commands. fastboot devices Next, the firmware command is executed. It is important to use the flash recovery command, which will write the new image to the corresponding memory section. After successful execution of the command, the phone will automatically restart to the new menu if there are no errors. recovery.img Setup and first launch of the custom menu First run TWRP It might take longer than usual, and it'll have a touch-controlled interface on the screen, where you can choose different sections to work with. The first priority is to check that the display and the touchscreen are correct in the new mode, and the first time you log in, the system can ask for permission to make changes, and then move the slider to the right to allow modifications. If this is not done, the recovery can be read-only, which will prevent you from installing firmware or making a backup, and you may need to enter a password or a pattern lock if the data has been encrypted. MIUI It tries to automatically restore the stock image when it boots, and to prevent this, immediately after you've run through Fastboot, you need to run a button combination called Volume Down. + Power before the Mi logo appears, then quickly switch to Volume Up + Power to enter recovery mode. fastboot rebootfastboot devices Action button combination / Team result Entering Fastboot Volume Down + Power Firmware Mode (Hare) Entrance to Recovery Volume Up + Power Recovery Menu Reboot Normal System Startup Communication Check Display Serial Number Making a full system backup One of the main advantages of using a custom recovery is the ability to create full copies of memory partitions known as Nandroid Backup: This feature allows you to save the current state of the system with all the applications, settings and data exactly to the bit. If you fail to modify, you can roll back in a few minutes. To create a backup, go to the Backup section in the main menu. TWRP. Select the partitions you want to save. It is recommended to mark Boot, System, Data and Vendor. The Data partition contains all your personal files, so it can be significant. Choose a copy storage location. Internal memory is the default, but it's better to connect an external one for reliability. USB-storage OTG-cable or copy the created archive to the computer immediately after the process is completed, this will ensure the safety of the data even in the event of a complete failure of the flash memory of the phone. ⚠️ Note: Do not store a single copy of the backup on your internal smartphone drive. In a critical system failure, access to this file may be lost forever. In the process of modifying the Redmi Note 9, users may encounter various problems. One of the common mistakes is "Error 7" when installing firmware or modules. This usually means that the installer version is incompatible with the recovery version, or the wrong date on the system. Another common problem is "Bootloop," where the phone is endlessly rebooted without reaching the desktop. This can happen if an incompatible firmware is installed or the system partition is damaged, and you need to go back to the recovery mode and clean the Data and Cache partitions, and then restore the system from the backup. If your computer stops seeing your device in Fastboot mode, try replacing it. USB-switching the cable to another port, preferably USB It also helps to reinstall drivers or use another port on the motherboard, as some ports may not give enough voltage. 🔄 Mistake. 7: Check the version. TWRP and the relevance of the date in the settings of the Recovery 🔁 Bootloop: Perform Wipe Data/Factory Reset and restore backup 🔌 No PC connection: Replace cable, use ports USB 2.0 back-bar 📉 Hash error: Recheck the integrity of the downloaded image file Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Will the warranty fly off after installing the custom recavator? Technically, unlocking the bootloader and modifying the software voids the manufacturer's warranty. However, if you can return the device to its original state (fill the stock firmware and lock the bootloader back), visually detecting the intervention in the service center will be difficult if there was no physical damage. TWRP? By default, having an unlocked bootloader and custom rekaveri violates the integrity of the security system, and applications like Google Pay or bank customers may not work. But this problem can be solved by installing Magisk patches that hide the fact of the modification from security systems. How do you get back to stock Recovery? To return to the factory state, it is enough to download the original image of the stock recovery for your model and flash it with the fastboot flash recovery team. stock_recovery.img. After that, it is recommended to perform a complete flashing of the device in the official way through the Mi Flash Tool. MIUI post-installation TWRP? Update “by air» (OTA) It can lead to loss of superuser rights or even a bootloop, as the new firmware will try to replace modified partitions. It is recommended to disable automatic updates and install new versions of MIUI manually using full firmware archives.