How to flash Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: official and unofficial methods with detailed instructions

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but even it isn’t immune to software failures, slowdowns, or the user’s desire to install custom firmware. The device’s firmware can solve performance problems, add new features, or even bring a brick back to life after a failed upgrade. However, this process requires accuracy, understanding risks, and preparation — a mistake at any stage can turn a smartphone into a useless piece of plastic and metal.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at all the current ways to run the Redmi Note 9 Pro (codenamed joyeuse), including official updates via MIUI, manual installation via Fastboot and Recovery, and the nuances of custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. Special attention will be paid to unlocking the bootloader, a must-have for most methods that many users overlook. If you’ve never flashed a Xiaomi smartphone before, start with official instructions and then move on to experimentation.

1. Firmware Preparation: What You Need to Know Before You Start

Redmi Note 9 Pro firmware is not something you can do on your knee in five minutes. Mistakes can lead to data loss, device lockdown, or even physical damage to hardware. Before you start, answer three key questions:

• 🔹 If the goal is to fix bugs or update the system, maybe the official one will suffice. OTA-Custom functions or root rights will require radical measures.
• 🔹 Are you prepared for the risks? Even official firmware on Fastboot can go wrong if you interrupt the process or use the wrong version of the software.
• 🔹 Is there a backup? The firmware erases all the data on the device. Without the backup, you'll lose photos, contacts and apps.

If you are determined to continue, prepare the following:

• 📱 Smartphone Redmi Note 9 Pro with a battery charge of at least 60% (better than 100%).
• 💻 Computer running Windows 10/11 (for Fastboot methods) or Linux/macOS (for advanced users).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap cables can cause connection errors).
• 🔐 Mi Account tied to the device (required to unlock the bootloader).
• 📁 Firmware that corresponds to the model of your device (download only from official sources!).

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 9 Pro is purchased in China (the domestic version), the firmware of the global or European version may block the network or cause problems with the module. NFC. Check the model in settings: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

2 Unlocking the bootloader: a mandatory step for most methods

The bootloader on Xiaomi devices is locked by default, a security measure that prevents uncertified software from being installed. To flash the Redmi Note 9 Pro by any method other than by default. OTA-Update, bootloader needs to be unlocked, except for the official firmware via the Mi Flash Tool in clean all mode, but there may be problems without unlocking.

The unlocking process takes 3 to 30 days (depending on Xiaomi’s policy) and requires the device to be linked to a Mi Account.

1. Activate USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI Version to enable Developer Mode. Then go back to Settings → Additional → Developer and enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlock.
2. Link the device to your account: In the same developer menu, find Mi Unlock Status and link the device to your Mi Account. Without this step, unlocking is impossible.
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool: The official utility is available on Xiaomi's website. Install it on your PC and log in under the same account as your phone.
4. Start unlocking: In Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock. If the device is tied for less than 7 days, you will receive a notification to wait.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the device will be erased! Also, some features, such as Find Device (phone search) and Mi Pay, may stop working.

3. Official firmware via Mi Flash Tool (Fastboot)

This method is suitable for installing MIUI stock firmware (for example, if the device "blinks" or requires a rollback to the factory version). It works even on a locked bootloader, but in this case, choose clean all mode. For an unlocked bootloader, clean all and lock modes are available (locks the bootloader back) or save user data (saves data, but does not always work stably).

Download the necessary files:

• 📁 Fastboot firmware – choose the version for your model (joyeuse for Redmi Note 9 Pro) on the official website.
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool is a firmware utility available at xiaomiflashtool.com.

Firmware instructions:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\joyeuse_global_images_...).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and run it on behalf of the administrator.
3. Turn off the phone and turn it into Fastboot mode (power button + volume reduction).
4. Connect the device to your PC. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh, it should appear. COM-port.
5. Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
6. Select firmware mode: clean all – complete cleaning (recommended for a blocked bootloader); clean all and lock – cleaning + locking the bootloader (only for unlocked devices); save user data – an attempt to save data (risky, can lead to failures).

Flash

4. Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.)

Custom firmware opens up new possibilities: pure Android without a MIUI shell, regular security updates, additional customization features. However, installing them requires an unlocked bootloader, custom recovery (usually TWRP) and understanding the risks. On the Redmi Note 9 Pro with a Snapdragon 720G processor, some custom firmware may not support all features (such as a camera or NFC).

The main stages of installing custom firmware:

1. Install. TWRP Recovery: Download the current version TWRP For joyeuse from the official website, run it through Fastboot with the command: fastboot flash recovery. twrp-3.7.0_9-0-joyeuse.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-joyeuse.img
2. Backup in TWRP: In the TWRP menu, select Backup and save the Boot, System, Data, and Vendor partitions to an external memory card.
3. Squeeze the firmware: Download ZIP-a custom firmware file (like LineageOS) and transfer it to your phone. TWRP Select Install, specify the file and confirm the installation.
4. Sneak Gapps (if you need it): Download Open Gapps for Google services (select arm64 → 11.0 → nano for Android 11). Install it immediately after you have firmware.
5. Clear the cache: Once installed, run Wipe → Format Data (if required) and restart.

The following are the best features for Redmi Note 9 Pro:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android with minimalist design.
• 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with the interface and features of Google Pixel.
• 📱 ArrowOS – Balance between productivity and customization.
• 📱 Havent OS — firmware with an emphasis on performance and battery.

⚠️ Note: Castom firmware may not support Widevine L1 (downgrad L3), Why Netflix, Disney?+ Other services will only work in SD-There may be problems with VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling.

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Before installing custom firmware, check the reviews on the XDA Developers forum for your model. Some builds may have critical bugs, such as overheating or fast battery discharge.

5. Firmware through Recovery (for official updates)

If you don’t want to unlock the bootloader or are afraid to work with Fastboot, you can install the official firmware through standard Recovery, which is suitable for updating the current version of MIUI or recovering from mild crashes.

• 🚫 The device is locked (for example, after a failed firmware).
• 🚫 Reduced version required MIUI (downgrade).
• 🚫 We need to run custom firmware.

Instructions for Firmware through Recovery:

1. Download the official firmware in.zip format for your region (for example, miui_JOYEUSEGlobal_V12.5.3.0.RJWMIXM_...).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and transfer it to the root of the phone’s internal memory.
3. Turn off the device and press the Power button + Volume Up to enter Recovery.
4. Select the language (if required), then go to Install update.zip to System.
5. Confirm the installation and wait until the process is completed (don’t interrupt!).
6. After the reboot, the device will be with a new firmware.

This method is the safest, but it has limitations, such as not flashing firmware for another region (e.g. Chinese on the global version of the phone), and it will not help if the system is so damaged that it cannot download Recovery.

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Firmware through Recovery is the only official method that does not require unlocking the bootloader, but it is only suitable for updating the current version of MIUI, not for radical changes.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even with the right instructions, the firmware process can go wrong, and here are some of the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If after firmware the device loads into an infinite loop (bootloop), try:

1. Log in to Recovery and reset the settings (Wipe Data).
2. Re-switch the same version of the firmware.
3. Install a different version of MIUI (e.g., older or newer).

If nothing helps, the boot partition may be damaged, in which case only the firmware through the Fastboot will help with complete cleaning.

7.How to bring the device back to life after a failed firmware

If the Redmi Note 9 Pro has stopped turning on or only loads in Fastboot/Recovery, don’t panic – in most cases it can be restored.

• 🔴 Hard brick - phone not responding to buttons, not being determined by PC. EDL-mode and special equipment (for example, Qualcomm) HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
• 🟡 Soft brick: The device is loaded into Fastboot or Recovery, but not into the system.
• 🟢 Bootloop -- the phone is constantly rebooting. Data resets often help.

To recover via Fastboot:

1. Download the latest version of MIUI Fastboot for your model.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode to your PC.
3. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select Clean All mode and flash.

If the device is not detected even in Fastboot, try to transfer it to the Fastboot. EDL-regime:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume Up + Volume Down and connect to the PC.
3. If the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver is installed, you can flash through the Mi Flash Tool in EDL mode (Xiaomi authorization is required).

⚠️ Attention: Recovery through EDL You may require authorization from Xiaomi, which is not always easy to obtain.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions