Xiaomi Mi 9T (known globally as Redmi K20) is widely regarded as one of the brand’s most popular smartphones due to its combination of performance and design. However, over time, official support for the device is discontinued, and users face a lack of new versions of Android or security, at which point the question of manually installing the latest firmware, which allows you to extend the life of the gadget and access new features, arises.
The Xiaomi Mi 9T flashing process requires careful and careful follow-up, as any error can lead to system failure. Unlike automatic “over-the-air” updates, manual installation gives full control over the software version, allowing you to switch between regional versions, for example, from Chinese to global, This is especially true for those who purchased a device from China and want full-fledged Russian language and Google services.
Before you take action, you need to understand the risks and prepare all the tools. Unlocking the bootloader is a must for changing the regional version, and this process involves completely deleting data. Therefore, backing up information is not just a recommendation, but a must before you start any manipulation of the system partition.
The success of the operation depends on 90% of the quality of the workplace and the software. USB-cable (preferably original) and the smartphone itself with a battery charge of at least 60%. ADB Fastboot, which allows the computer to interact with the system layer of the phone.
A critical step is to create a full backup of the data. Since unlocking the bootloader needed to change the region erases all user files, photos and contacts must be saved to an external medium or in the cloud. Use built-in MIUI tools or third-party solutions for backup applications and settings.
⚠️ Note: Make sure you use the original USB-Cheap charging cables often do not support data transmission, which will lead to a connection error in Fastboot mode.
For the work you will need the following components:
- 📱 Smartphone Xiaomi Mi 9T Unlocked loader (or readiness to unlock it).
- 💻 PC with Windows 10 or 11 operating system and installed drivers Qualcomm or Xiaomi.
- 📥 Firmware file (ROM), The same as your download type (Recovery or Fastboot).
- 🔌 Stable Internet connection for downloading tools and Mi Account.
Pay special attention to the choice of firmware type. For the Mi 9T, there are Recovery versions (update without loss of data if the region matches) and Fastboot versions (complete cleaning and partitioning re-marking). If you change region, for example, from China to Global, you will need a Fastboot ROM and unlocked bootloader.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Unlocking the bootloader is a gateway to a deep system modification, but for Xiaomi owners it is also a source of headaches due to the mandatory waiting period.The company has implemented a security mechanism that requires an account to be linked to the device and waits from 7 to 168 hours before obtaining permission to unlock.
The process begins with submitting an application via the Settings application → About Phone → MIUI version. You need to click on the version number several times to activate the developer menu, and then in advanced settings to enable debugging over USB and Mi Unlock status. After linking the account, you should wait for the SMS notification about readiness.
What to do if the timer is not going?
Sometimes the waiting timer can freeze or reset. Try logging out of your Mi Account on your phone, waiting 24 hours, logging in again and applying.> The process of unlocking occurs through the Mi Unlock Tool utility on the computer. The phone is transferred to Fastboot mode (clamping the volume button when connecting the cable), after which the program checks the status and, if authorized, unlocks the device. At this point, all data will be irretrievably deleted. ⚠️ Warning: After the first unlock of the bootloader, the device may have a time limit on re-blocking or changing the account. Do not immediately try to block the bootloader back, this may lead to the device locking on the device. ID. It is important to understand the differences between the loader states: 🔒 Locked: bootloader is blocked, only official signed firmware of the current region can be installed. 🔓 Unlocked: bootloader unlocked, custom recavator installation, ROOT-rights and firmware of other regions. ⚠️ Verification failed: Integrity check error, often occurs when trying to download unsigned code on a locked device.Select firmware version: Global, CN or EU The firmware market for Xiaomi Mi 9T The choice depends on your needs for stability and functionality (CN), Global (Global), Indian (IN) European (EEA). Chinese versions often get updates first and have more features, but stripped of some Google services out of the box and have Chinese software. Global version (Global) ROM) It is the best choice for most users outside of China, and is fully localized, has all the necessary licenses for operating worldwide frequencies, and does not have the pre-installed junk software typical of Asian markets. But the updates come later than the Chinese models, and there are also unofficial builds like Xiaomi.eu, which are modified versions of Chinese firmware that have been cut out of Chinese software, added languages, and optimized battery life. They require an unlocked bootloader, but offer the best user experience for advanced users.When choosing a file, pay attention to the extension and type: 📦.zip (Recovery): Intended to be updated via the recovery menu, does not require a PC, but is limited to changing regions. 💾.tgz (Fastboot): Archive for complete flashing through the computer, allows you to change the region and restore the system. 🔧 Recovery Image: Files to replace stock Recovery with custom (TWRP), Fastboot Firmware Instructions via Fastboot Fastboot Method is the most reliable way to install firmware on Xiaomi Mi 9T, Especially if you need to change region or recover from errors, you need to download the Mi Flash Tool from the official developer website, unpack the firmware archive in the root of the C disk so that the path does not contain Cyrillic characters. Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode, clamping the volume button and connecting the cable to the PC. In the Windows Device Manager should appear Android Bootloader Interface device. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, click the Refresh button and make sure your device’s serial number appears in the list. fastboot devices This command is in the command line (when installed) ADB) If the serial number is displayed, you can go to select the firmware file in the Mi Flash Tool. In the bottom menu, select Clean all mode to completely clear the memory and avoid file conflicts between the old and new system. Firmware mode Description of action Save data Clean all Clean all Installation No (everything removed) Recommended when changing Save user data Update with saving Yes Only for the same region Clean all + lock Cleanup and lock bootloader No Only for Global on Global After selecting the mode, press Flash. the process will take from 200 to 500 seconds. Do not interrupt the cable or touch the phone until the success message appears. If the process is up 90% Or there is an error, check the cable and try another one. USB-port. ⚠️ Please note: Never choose the “clean all” option. + lock, if you flash a Chinese firmware device on a global one, this will lead to a hard brick, because the signatures of the regions will not match, and the bootloader will block the start of the system. If unlocking the bootloader is not possible or necessary, you can use the built-in recovery. This method is suitable for updating within one region (for example, Global to Global) or rolling back to an earlier version if anti-recovery allows.-rollback Download the firmware file with the.zip extension (Recovery) ROM) And put it in the root of the phone's internal memory. Go to the Settings menu. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and click on three dots in the corner. Select "Select firmware file" and select the downloaded file. The system will check the integrity of the file. If the check is passed, the phone will suggest rebooting and starting installation. In the process, the screen may go out and turn on — that's okay. Don't interrupt the process until the desktop appears. If the standard menu doesn't see the file or gives an error, you can try to enter Recovery mode manually. To do this, press the volume button and the power button. From the menu that appears, select the language (if available) and Install. update.zip, It's worth noting the limitations of this method: 🚫 It is impossible to switch from China ROM Globally ROM loader-free. 🚫 You can’t downgrade Android if the anti-Rollback protection mechanism is working. 🚫 If there are errors in the firmware file, the installation will not start, which is safe for data. Even with careful preparation, unexpected situations can occur, and one of the most common problems is the Can't verify update error when trying to install firmware through Recovery. This means that the file signature is not the same as the current region or the bootloader version. The solution is one: unlock the bootloader and use the Fastboot method. MI (If the phone goes into a cyclical reboot after firmware, try resetting to factory settings (Wipe Data) via Recovery. If that doesn't work, you'll need to reflash through Fastboot with Clean all mode. Driver errors in Windows often manifest as the absence of a device in the Mi Flash Tool. In this case, you need to manually update the driver in the Device Manager, indicating the path to the folder. xiaomi_usb_driver. Also helps to disable the signature check drivers in Windows before connecting the phone. Problems with IMEI and network after the firmware of the Chinese version on the global can be associated with damage to the persist or modem partition. In this case, it helps to firmware the stock modem and save the backup of the EFS before any manipulations. Always backup these partitions through TWRP before experiments. Can I flash the Xiaomi Mi 9T without unlocking the bootloader? Yes, but only within one region (for example, update to a newer Global mode) and only through Recovery mode. Change of the region (China to the rare cases) without the Global system is allowed to unblock the time before the application (78) it takes 16 days to be released from the unblocking. Will the warranty disappear after the firmware? Formally unlocking the bootloader and installing custom software deprives the software of the warranty. However, if you return the stock firmware and lock the bootloader back, visually detecting the interference in the service will be difficult, although the log entry will remain. Which version of Android is the last for the Xiaomi Mi 9T? Officially the device received an update to Android 10 (MIUI 12). Further versions of Android (11, 12, 13+) are available only in the form of custom firmware, such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience. Is it safe to use Xiaomi firmware in the logs?