Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face situations when the standard update by air does not work or the device begins to function incorrectly, in such cases, the only right solution is to manually install the operating system through a personal computer. This method allows not only to restore the performance of the gadget, but also to roll back to a more stable version of the software or, conversely, to upgrade to the current build, which is the most reliable version of the software. OTA-The channel does not offer.
The firmware process requires careful and precise sequence, because there are risks involved in interfering with the system partition. However, if you follow the algorithm and prepare all the necessary files in advance, the procedure will be successful even for the inexperienced user. The key here is to properly prepare the work environment and ensure a stable connection between the mobile device and the PC.
In this article, we will look at all the steps from downloading the right utilities to the final boot of the system. We will look at the work in Fastboot mode, which is the main tool for deep flashing devices based on the MediaTek and Qualcomm processors used in the Redmi line. Preparedness for unforeseen situations and having a backup of data is the base from which any interference with the smartphone software begins.
Preparation of software and drivers
The first step to successfully installing a new version of Android is to build the necessary tools. Without specialized software, the computer simply will not be able to recognize the phone in the right mode or transfer system image files. The main tool for Xiaomi owners is the Mi Flash Tool, which is officially supported by the developer and provides correct memory partitions.
But installing a software firmware alone is not enough. USB-Drivers that allow the Windows operating system to identify the connected device. Often users encounter an error when the computer makes a connection sound, but in the Device Manager, the smartphone is not displayed or marked with an exclamation mark. This suggests that drivers ADB Fastboot is not installed or is not working properly.
⚠️ Note: Using drivers from unverified sources can lead to hardware conflict. download the Mi Flash Tool and drivers only from official resources or trusted forums.
To ensure the stability of the process, it is also recommended to check the integrity of the firmware file itself.The downloaded archive should be unpacked into the root folder with a short path so that the program does not lose its address when trying to write. Long paths with Cyrillic characters in folder names often cause a failure, so it is better to use the Latin alphabet and place files directly on the disk. C:\rom\.
Choosing the right firmware version for Redmi 9
Choosing the right version of the operating system is not just a matter of preference, it is a technical necessity. Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot) has different regional builds: Global, EEA (Europe), Russia and CN (China), Installing an inappropriate version can lead to broken banking applications, lack of frequency bands for local operators or notification problems.
The most important parameter when choosing is the type of firmware: Recovery or Fastboot. For firmware through the computer, we need a Fastboot variant, which usually has an extension of the.tgz archive, unlike Recovery versions with the extension.zip. Inside the Fastboot firmware archive, the launch script and images of all system partitions are contained, which allows you to perform the so-called “clean” installation.
When downloading a file, pay attention to the release date and version number of MIUI or HyperOS. Sometimes it makes sense to download an older but stable build if the new version contains known bugs. Also, it is worth considering that switching between different regions (for example, from China to Global) requires unlocking the bootloader, as will be discussed below.
How to distinguish Fastboot from Recovery?
Unlocking the loader: a mandatory stage
Before you start the data writing process, you need to make sure that the bootloader of your Xiaomi Redmi 9 is unlocked. The bootloader is a program that loads the operating system, and by default it is blocked by the manufacturer for security purposes. Without unlocking, the Mi Flash Tool will give an error when you try to write, since the signatures of the system files will not match the expected ones.
Unlocking requires you to link your Mi Account to your device and wait for a certain period of time, which can be from 7 to 168 hours (usually 168 hours for new accounts), to enable developer mode, activate the Factory Unlock item and send a request through the Mi Unlock app on your computer, ignoring this step will make it impossible to install custom recaps or change region.
Keep in mind that unlocking the bootloader results in the complete removal of all data from the internal drive. reset to factory settings occurs automatically at the time of unlocking, so backing up photos, contacts and documents is a must before any manipulations begin.
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Before sending an unlock request, make sure that the date and time settings are set to automatic mode. Time mismatch on the phone and server can lead to an acc--WIDGET:tip binding error.
Enter Fastboot Mode and Connect to PC
To start the firmware process, the phone needs to be switched to a special diagnostic mode known as Fastboot. In this mode, the device does not load the operating system, but waits for commands from the computer for low-level memory management. On Redmi 9, this mode is entered by a keyboard combination when the gadget is turned off.
To enter mode, turn off the smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button (Loudness Down) and the power button. Hold them until the image of a hare in an android hat appears on the screen and the words FASTBOOT in orange or blue, after the appearance of this logo, the buttons can be released.
Connect the device to the computer using the original USB-It's advisable to use the port. USB 2.0 on the motherboard, as they often provide a more stable firmware connection than ports USB 3.0 In the Windows Device Manager under Android Devices, or «QHSUSB_BULK» (If the driver is not up, Xiaomi Android should appear.
☑️ Pre-firmware check
The process of firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
Now, we're going to go directly to install the system. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator to avoid problems with port rights. In the interface, click "Select" and specify the path to the pack where you previously unpacked the firmware archive. It is important to choose the folder where the file is located. flash_all.bat, Not the archive.
Once you have selected a path, the program will scan the folder and, if the firmware is suitable for the connected device, display its serial number in the list. At the bottom of the window, select firmware mode. For complete data cleanup and clean installation, select the clean all option. If you want to save data (not recommended when changing regions or Android versions), you can choose save user data, but this can lead to errors in the system.
Press the Flash button to start the process. The progress bar will start filling up and the log will be filled with messages about the status of the partition recording. The entire process takes 200 to 600 seconds. It is strictly forbidden to disconnect the cable or turn off the computer at this point, since interrupting the recording can lead to a "bricking" of the device, after which only paid repairs to the service will help.
| Firmware mode | Description of action | Impact on data | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| clean all | Complete cleaning and installation | All data is deleted | Recommended for stability |
| save user data | Updating with preservation | Data is retained | Only for updating the version |
| clean all + lock | Cleaning and locking the loader | All data is deleted | Only for the original region |
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
There may be various bugs in the firmware process that are displayed in the program log, and one of the most common is the Missmatching image and device error, which means a firmware/device mismatch, which occurs if you try to flash Redmi 9 with the Redmi 9A or 9C firmware, or if the version of the software you choose does not match the current bootloader state.
Another common problem is the Can not find device error or connection timeout, which indicates a driver or driver problem. USB-Try replacing the cable, using another. USB-port or reinstall drivers by pre-deleting old drivers through Device Manager. Sometimes it helps to simply reconnect your phone in Fastboot mode.
If the process is complete but it gives an error at the end (like when you lock the bootloader), don't panic. Often it means the firmware has already signed on but the lock command hasn't passed, so you can try to reflash again by choosing clean all mode without locking, the main thing is not to interrupt the process forcefully while the partitions are written.
⚠️ Warning: If after firmware the phone goes into an endless restart (bootloop), try to perform a full reset (Wipe Data) through Recovery mode, clamping the power and volume button up.
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90% of the firmware errors in Xiaomi are due to the wrong choice of firmware file or the absence of an unlocked bootloader.
First start and set up system
Once the process is completed successfully, the indicator in the Mi Flash Tool will turn green and the phone will automatically restart. The first run after the firmware takes much longer than usual - from 5 to 15 minutes. The MI or Xiaomi logo can appear on the screen, which will hang for a long time. This is a normal system optimization, and you do not need to interfere with the device at this point.
When the system boots up, you have the standard setup procedure: language selection, Wi-Fi connection and login to Google account. If you have flashed a device with an unlocked bootloader, a warning may appear on the download screen that the software is not checked, this is the standard behavior for unlocked Xiaomi devices and does not affect functionality.
It is recommended to check the system version in the settings ("About the phone") immediately to make sure that the build you planned is installed, and it is also worth checking the main modules: the camera, sound, touch screen and communication modules to exclude hardware malfunctions that may be masquerading as software failures.