The Xiaomi Redmi 9A is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from wanting to upgrade an outdated MIUI to having to restore the brick after a failed experiment. Despite its budget status, this model supports both official updates through MIUI Recovery and custom firmware installation through Fastboot or TWRP. However, the process has nuances related to unlocking the bootloader and file compatibility.
Unlike the flagship models Xiaomi, Redmi 9A (dandelion codename is equipped with MediaTek Helio processor G25, So this is a very limited firmware option, and for example, custom cores are not supported here, and some versions are not supported. GSI-In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of firmware, from a standard update through Settings to manual installation through Settings. SP Flash Tool – and how to avoid common mistakes like Invalid image or hanging on the Mi logo.
⚠️ Note: Firmware via Fastboot or SP Flash Tool resets data on your phone unless you have backed up through Mi Cloud or TWRP, Photos, contacts and messages will be lost without recovery. Also note that unlocking the bootloader will void the Xiaomi warranty in most regions.
1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting
Before you start firmware, make sure that all the preliminary steps are followed, and ignoring them can make it impossible to restore the phone through standard methods (for example, if the bootloader is locked and you are trying to install custom firmware).
First, check the current MIUI version and device model. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone. In the MIUI version bar, you'll see something like 12.5.3.0 (QCQRUXM), where:
- 🔢 12.5.3.0 - firmware version;
- 🌍 Q is the Android codebase (Q) = Android 10);
- 🇷🇺 RUXM — region (RU = Russia, XM = global).
If your Redmi 9A has a China (CN) version, firmware for the Global version may not be the right fit!
Second, download the necessary tools:
- 📱 Official firmware from en.miui.com (select dandelion in the model filter);
- 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool (for Fastboot firmware) or SP Flash Tool (for firmware via MediaTek);
- 🔓 Unlock Tool (if the bootloader is blocked);
- 🔌 Cable USB (It is desirable to be original, since cheap cables can cause data transmission errors).
Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, SMS)
Check the battery power (minimum 60%)
Download firmware for the correct model (dandelion)
Install MediaTek drivers on PC
Disable the antivirus (it can block the Mi Flash Tool)
-->
⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi 9A If you have a locked bootloader, you first need to unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool. Without this, installing custom firmware or even the official Fastboot will end up with an error Anti-rollback check fail.
2. Method 1: Update via Recovery (without PC)
The easiest and safest method is to upgrade through stock Recovery, which is suitable if:
- 📲 The phone is turned on and loaded into the system;
- 🔄 You want to upgrade to a new version. MIUI data-free;
- 🔒 bootloader is locked (no unlock required).
Instructions:
- Download the official firmware in.zip format (for example, dandelion_global_images_V12.5.3.0.QCQRUXM_20211012.0000.00_10.0_global_1234567890.zip) and rename the file to update.zip.
- Move the file to the root directory of the phone’s internal memory (not to folders!).
- Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
- From the Recovery menu, select Install update.zip to System (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation).
- Wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.
✅ Advantages of the method:
- 🔄 All data and settings are stored;
- 🛡️ Minimum risk of “bricking";
- 📱 No PC required.
❌ Deficiencies:
- 🚫 You can’t go back to an older version. MIUI (Anti-Rollback protection is working);
- 🔒 Not suitable for installing custom firmware.
Through Recovery (no PC)
Through Fastboot (from PC)
SP Flash Tool (for MediaTek)
Custom firmware (TWRP)
Never stitched it.
-->
3. Method 2: Fastboot Firmware (from PC)
If the phone is not turning on or you want to install a clean version of MIUI (for example, after a reset), use the firmware via Fastboot.This method requires an unlocked bootloader and is suitable for official firmware in.tgz or.zip format (with the extension images).
Step-by-step:
- Unpack the downloaded firmware (for example, dandelion_global_images_V12.5.3.0.QCQRUXM_20211012.0000.00_10.0_global.tgz) PC-folder.
- Install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
- Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
- Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
- In the program, press Select and specify the path to the unpacked firmware. Then select the firmware mode: 🔄 Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended when changing region or Android version); 🗃️ Clean all and lock - cleaning + bootloader lock (use if you want to return the warranty); 📦 Save user data – data retention is not always stable).
Flash
⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool gives a critical partition flashing error is not allowed, it means that you are trying to flash the firmware with a lower version of Anti-Rollback than the current one!).
How to get around Anti-Rollback protection?
📌 Tip: If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo after you've done the firmware, try going to Recovery and doing Wipe data. If that doesn't work, repeat the firmware with the Clean all option.
4. Method 3: Firmware via SP Flash Tool (for MediaTek)
Xiaomi Redmi 9A is built on the chip MediaTek Helio G25, so it is suitable firmware via SP Flash Tool.
- 🔧 The phone does not respond to the buttons (full brick");
- 🔄 Restore the original firmware after a failed experiment;
- 📱 You need to re-cover custom recovery (TWRP).
Instructions:
- Download. SP Flash Tool (version) 5.2026 or newer) and firmware in format MT6765_Android_scatter.txt (This is a file card for MediaTek).
- Unpack the firmware and launch the SP Flash Tool. From the menu, select Scatter-loading File and specify the path to the scatter.txt file.
- Check all sections (except for preloader if you are not sure of its compatibility!).
- Turn off the phone, disconnect the battery (if possible) and connect to the PC without pressing buttons.
- In the SP Flash Tool, click Download and wait for the green circle to appear (successful firmware).
⚠️ Note: If you are flashing a preloader from another firmware version, the phone may turn into a brick without being able to recover through standard methods!
| Firmware section | Description | Can I stitch it? |
|---|---|---|
| preloader | Primary loader | ❌ Only if it is exactly the same as the current version. |
| lk | Secondary loader | ✅ Yes, but carefully) |
| boot | Core and loader | ✅ Yes. |
| recovery | Section Recovery | ✅ Yes (can be replaced by TWRP) |
| system | Main firmware | ✅ Yes. |
5. Install custom firmware (TWRP + GSI)
If you don't like standard MIUI, you can install alternative firmware, such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience, but Redmi 9A is limited by the MediaTek processor and lack of official TWRP support.
What will be required:
- 🔓 Unlocked loader;
- 📱 Custom recovery (TWRP Or OrangeFox);
- 🖥️ Firmware in.img or.zip format (for example, GSI Android 10/11);
- 🔧 Fastboot and Adb tools.
Step-by-step:
- Download the unofficial TWRP for Redmi 9A (look for XDA or Telegram channels).
- Recovery is available in Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp-3.6.0_dandelion.img fastboot reboot recovery
- In TWRP, backup boot, system and data partitions (in case of rollback).
- Sweat the custom firmware (for example, PixelExperience_dandelion-11.0-20230515.zip) via Install menu in TWRP.
- Clear the cache (Wipe → Format Data) and restart the phone.
⚠️ Attention: Castom firmware for Redmi 9A often have bugs:
- 📷 Main camera is not working (due to closed MediaTek drivers);
- 🔊 Problems with sound in headphones;
- 📶 Unstable mobile network performance (especially VoLTE).
Before installing, check the reviews on the forums!
💡
If after installing custom firmware, the phone overheats or discharges quickly, return to the stock MIUI. To do this, swipe the official firmware through Fastboot with the Clean all option.
6. Unlock the bootloader on the Redmi 9A
Without unlocking the bootloader, you won’t be able to flash custom firmware or even official through Fastboot.The process takes 72 hours (by Xiaomi rules) and requires you to link your Mi Account to the device.
Instructions:
- Enable Developer Options: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and activate: 🔗 OEM-unlock; 🔌 Debugging by USB.
Mi Account
Settings → Xiaomi account
Loudness down + Nutrition
Fastboot
Mi Unlock Tool
Xiaomi
Unlock
❗ Important: After unlocking the bootloader, all data on the phone will be erased! Also note that some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) may stop working due to the SafetyNet trigger.
7.Typical errors and their solution
Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Invalid image in Mi Flash | Inconsistency of the firmware model | Download the firmware specifically for dandelion |
| The phone is stuck on the Mi logo | Incompatibility of kernel or recovery | Fastboot Firmware with Clean All option |
| BROM ERROR: S_FT_ENABLE_DRAM_FAIL into SP Flash Tool | Incorrect scatter.txt or driver | Check the SP Flash Tool and reinstall MediaTek drivers |
| Anti-rollback check fail error | Reverse to the old version of MIUI | Sweeve a newer firmware or reset the ARB through a modified script |
If your error is not listed in the table, try:
- 🔍 Find a solution 4PDA or XDA;
- 📸 Take a picture of the screen with an error and ask a question in Telegram chats;
- 🔧 Try flashing your phone through another PC (sometimes the driver problem).
💡
If the phone doesn't turn on after firmware, don't panic! 90% of the time it can be restored via the SP Flash Tool or Fastboot. The main thing is not to stitch the preloader from another version!