How to flash Xiaomi Redmi 9A: official and custom methods

The Xiaomi Redmi 9A remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even years after its release. But over time, owners face the need to reflash the device — whether it’s to update an outdated version of MIUI, eliminate software bugs or install custom firmware for advanced features. Unlike flagship models, the Redmi 9A has a number of nuances: a closed bootloader by default, limited support for TWRP and the risk of “bricking” if you do wrong.

This article covers all the current ways of firmware, from official updates via MIUI Updater to manual installation via Fastboot and Recovery.We will discuss how to prepare a smartphone, where to download proven firmware for Redmi 9A (codename dandelion), and what to do if something went wrong, special attention is paid to typical beginner mistakes, such as trying to flash global firmware on the Chinese version of the device or ignoring unlocking the bootloader.

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start

Redmi 9A firmware without preparation can cause data loss, failure or complete failure of the device. First of all, check the model and region of your smartphone: for this, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If the firmware name has the letters CN, IN or RU - this indicates the Chinese, Indian or global version, respectively. Installing firmware in an inappropriate region can block the network or cause errors in the operation of sensors.

Also mandatory:

• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 60% – a sudden shutdown during firmware will lead to serious consequences.
• 📱 Make a backup of the data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or manually copy files to PC.
• 🔐 Unlock the bootloader (if you plan to install custom firmware). 9A It takes up to 7 days to wait for confirmation from Xiaomi.
• 💻 Install Mi Flash Tool drivers on PC and ADB/Fastboot (references in the following section).

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 9A purchased in China (suffixed version) CN), Global firmware may disable support for Google Services. in this case, additional installation of GApps will be required.

Where to download official and custom firmware for Redmi 9A

The official firmware for Redmi 9A is distributed by region and type:

• 🌍 Global (Global) - for the international market (suffix) MI file-name).
• 🇨🇳 Chinese (China) – without Google Services, with branded Xiaomi services (suffix) CN).
• 🇪🇺 European (EEA) — correspondently GDPR, pre-established EU-service.
• 🇮🇳 Indian (India) – optimized for the local market (suffix) IN).

Download official firmware can be from resources:

• 🔗 Official website MIUI — Choose a Redmi model 9A (dandelion).
• 🔗 Xiaomi Firmware Updater – archive of all versions with angelogs.
• 🔗 XDA Developers - custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) and modified Recovery.

⚠️ Note: Firmware from third party sites (for example, 4PDA) They may contain modified kernels or pre-installed applications. Check the hash sums of the files before installing them (MD5 or SHA-1) with original Changelog meanings.

Unlocking the bootloader on Redmi 9A: step-by-step instructions

The bootloader on Redmi 9A is locked by default. To install custom firmware or TWRP, it must be unlocked through the official Mi Unlock Tool. The process takes up to 168 hours (7 days) of waiting after linking the Xiaomi account to the device.

Steps to unlock:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on PC.
2. Turn on the developer mode on the phone (7 times click on the version) MIUI in settings) and activate OEM-unlocking and debugging USB.
3. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
4. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
5. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your account and follow the instructions, and after you submit your request, it starts counting down to 168 hours.

Xiaomi account linked to phone|On. OEM-unlock|Drivers installed ADB/Fastboot|Phone in Fastboot mode|Mi Unlock Tool of the latest version-->

If the phone does not turn on after unlocking or freezes on the MI logo, reset via Fastboot:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot reboot

Fastboot Firmware: The Most Reliable Method

Fastboot is suitable for installing official firmware and recovering the device after a crash. It requires a PC with drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool utility. The main advantage is the low risk of errors, since the firmware is installed directly into the memory partition.

Instructions:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for Redmi 9A (file with.tgz or.zip extension).
2. Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\fastboot).
3. Turn off the phone and turn to Fastboot (Loudness down + Power).
4. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, click Select, specify the path to the firmware folder, then select Clean all (full cleaning) or Clean all and lock (with bootloader lock).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

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If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a can't find fastboot error, try running it on behalf of the administrator or update the drivers using Mi Flash Pro (an alternative version of the utility).

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. The first turn on can take up to 15 minutes - don't interrupt the process!

Firmware through Recovery: When this method is suitable

Installation via Recovery is convenient for updating the current version of MIUI without losing data (if you choose the Update option instead of Wipe). However, this method is not suitable for changing the firmware region or installing custom builds - this requires TWRP.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Recovery firmware (file called update.zip).
2. Move the file to the root of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off the device and press Volume up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Select a language (if available), then go to Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait for completion.

⚠️ Note: If there is no Install option in Recovery update.zip, Your firmware doesn't support this method. In this case, use Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool.

Installation of custom firmware: TWRP and alternative OS

Custom firmware such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience opens up new possibilities for Redmi 9A: pure Android without a MIUI shell, advanced performance settings and support for current OS versions. However, their installation requires an unlocked bootloader and TWRP (Castom Recovery).

Important: Unofficial TWRP builds are available for Redmi 9A, as there is no official support. Use versions from trusted developers (e.g., XDA).

Installation steps:

1. Download TWRP for dandelion (for example, from here).
2. Install TWRP via Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot reboot recovery
3. In TWRP, make a backup of the current firmware (Backup → Select Partitions → Swipe to Backup).
4. Flip custom firmware (e.g. lineage-18.1-20230610-UNOFFICIAL-dandelion.zip) through Install.
5. If necessary, install GApps (for firmware without Google Services).
6. Run Wipe → Format Data (required for first installation!).

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Custom firmware may not support all of Redmi 9A's features, such as NFC or some sensors. Before installing, check the list of working components in the firmware theme on XDA.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If the phone doesn’t turn on after firmware (black screen, no button response), try:

• 🔌 Connect to charging for 30 minutes - sometimes helps with battery discharge.
• 💻 Connect to PC and execute in Fastboot: fastboot oem edl Then flash through Mi Flash Tool in mode EDL (Authorized account required).
• 📱 Contact the service center if the problem is hardware (for example, damaged eMMC chip).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi firmware 9A