Smartphone Xiaomi Mi 9T, also known as the Redmi K20 In the Chinese market, it is still a popular device due to its frameless AMOLED-But over time, the standard shell has become the standard shell. MIUI It may stop satisfying the user’s needs: bugs appear, security updates stop, or you just want to try a “pure” Android. In such situations, the help comes the firmware procedure, which allows you to return the device to life or radically change its software.
The process of updating system software requires careful adherence to the algorithm of actions. Wrong actions can lead to software errors, although modern equipment Xiaomi has several levels of protection against complete failure. Before starting any manipulation, you need to clearly understand the difference between the types of firmware and methods of installation to choose the best path for your particular situation.
In this guide, we will go through all the steps from tool preparation to the final launch of the system. We will look at both upgrade methods and more advanced ways through the Fastboot and Recovery modes. It is important to understand that any actions with the software you perform at your own risk, so carefully reading each paragraph of the instructions is a prerequisite for success.
Preparation of the device and collection of necessary tools
The first step is to back up all the important data. The firmware process, especially with full memory cleanup, permanently deletes contacts, photos, messages and installed applications. Use Google or Xiaomi Cloud cloud services, or copy files to your computer manually. Make sure the battery is at least 60 percent charged, as a sudden power outage during memory writing can lead to serious disruptions.
You will need quality work to do. USB-A cable, preferably original, that came bundled with the device, or a certified analog with data support. Cheap charging cables often do not provide stable connection, which can interrupt the firmware process at a critical stage. You also need a Windows computer (preferably version 10 or 11) because drivers and utilities work best in this environment.
The key to the preparation is unlocking the bootloader. Without this step, installing custom recoveries or global firmware versions on Chinese versions of devices is impossible. To unlock, you need to apply through the MIUI Unlock Tool app, linking your Mi Account account to the device. Once the application is approved (which can take 3 to 7 days), you can proceed to unlock through the same utility in Fastboot mode.
The final stage of preparation is to install the necessary drivers: the computer must be installed ADB Drivers and Fastboot Drivers, as well as drivers for QDLoader mode in case of disaster recovery. Without properly installed drivers, the computer will not see the smartphone in the desired mode, and the firmware will give out connection errors.
Choosing the right firmware version for Mi 9T
Understanding firmware types is key to a successful upgrade. There are different software options for the Xiaomi Mi 9T, each with its own features and use cases. Choosing the wrong version can cause the phone to stop receiving updates over the air or cause problems with certain communication modules.
The main types of firmware are divided by installation method and region. Recovery ROM is designed to be installed through a built-in update menu or custom recovery, it has the extension.zip. Fastboot ROM has the extension.tgz and is designed for clean installation through a computer with full data cleaning. Also firmware is divided into Global (global), China (Chinese), EEA (for Europe) and Russia (for Russia).
What is the difference between the Developer and Stable versions?
When choosing a version, it is important to consider the region of the device. If you have a Chinese version of the Redmi K20, installing a global firmware will require an unlocked bootloader and using the Fastboot method with a cleaning command. Trying to install a global Recovery ROM on a Chinese bootloader without unlocking will lead to a verification error. Always check the model code name - for the Mi 9T it is davinci, firmware for other models (davinciin, davicn) will not work.
| Type of firmware | File extension | Method of installation | Data retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery ROM | .zip | Through the Update Menu/TWRP | Possibly (no cleaning) |
| Fastboot ROM | .tgz | Through the MiFlash Tool (PC) | Only with a full cleanup. |
| OTA Update | .zip (systemic) | Automatically over the air. | Yes (data retained) |
| Recovery (Clean) | .zip | Through the update menu | No (reset required) |
Update method through built-in Recovery menu
The easiest and safest way to upgrade or reinstall a system is to use a regular recovery menu, which doesn’t require a computer connection or complex utilities, but it requires that the current version of the system be functional. You need to download the Recovery ROM file for your model and put it in the root of the device’s internal memory.
After downloading the file, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Click on three dots in the upper right corner and select Select firmware file. The system will prompt you to find the archive on the device. Once you select the.zip file, the package integrity check process will begin. If the file is damaged or not suitable for this model, the process will stop.
⚠️ Note: If you are trying to revert to an older version MIUI (Downgrade, the system will issue a warning. In some cases, it may be necessary to completely clean the data, even if you have chosen the save option.
After successful verification, the phone will request a reboot to start the installation.The screen will go out and the Xiaomi logo will appear with a progress indicator.This process can take from 5 to 15 minutes.Do not interrupt the power or press buttons during installation, as this can damage the partitions of the system memory.
☑️ Checklist before installing Recovery ROM
Firmware through Fastboot and MiFlash utility
Fastboot is the most powerful tool in the user’s arsenal, allowing you to completely rewrite all memory partitions, which is useful in the treatment of software errors, viruses or changing the firmware region (for example, from China to Global). ROM (archive.tgz, unpack it on your computer and use the MiFlash Tool.
Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode, holding both the power and volume buttons when the device is turned off. The screen will show an image of a rabbit repairing an android, or the inscription FASTBOOT. Connect the phone to your computer. The Windows Device Manager should show the Android Bootloader Interface. Launch MiFlash, press the refresh button to detect the device and select the path to the unpacked firmware folder.
flash_all_except_data_storage.batIn MiFlash, it’s important to choose the right firmware mode in the bottom right corner.The clean all option cleans the phone completely and unlocks the bootloader (if it’s already unlocked).The save user data option will try to save data, but it doesn’t always work correctly when changing Android versions.The clean all and lock option will sew the phone and re-lock the bootloader – use this only if you’re putting the original firmware for the same region, otherwise you’ll get Hard Brick.
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Use it. USB-Port 2.0 (black) instead of 3.0 (blue) on the motherboard if there are connection issues or communication breaks during firmware.Ports 3.0 sometimes conflict with older Qualcomm drivers.
Installation of custom Recovery and third-party OS
For advanced users who want to install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or get full Root rights, you will need to replace the regular bootloader with TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). This custom recovery menu allows you to make full partition backups, install modified cores and patches. Installation TWRP on Xiaomi Mi 9T boot is done through Fastboot command fastboot twrp.img for temporary launch, and then from the TWRP environment is the final installation.
Once you install TWRP, the first thing you need to do is encrypt the data, or, conversely, unencrypt the encryption if you plan to install custom firmware. From the Wipe menu, select Format Data and type in yes. This action will delete all files and passwords. After that, you can go to Install mode and select zip archives with firmware, Google Apps (GApps) and Magisk for root rights.
⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware and obtaining root rights will void the warranty (if it is still valid) and disrupt banking applications.
It is important to monitor the compatibility of Android versions and basic firmware (Firmware). Critically, before installing custom firmware based on Android 11 or 12, make sure that the device has the latest official MIUI firmware of the corresponding version. Installing the new OS on the old base partitions of the modem can lead to a broken IMEI and no connection.
Solving common mistakes and problems
There are a number of bugs that can occur in the firmware process, and one of the most common is Error 7 when installed via Recovery, which means a firmware version mismatch or file corruption. Solution: double-check the hash amount of the downloaded archive and make sure it's for davinci. It can also occur when you try to upgrade to a version that's newer than the installed version but has a different partition structure.
If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo, try going to Recovery (clamping the power and volume up) and doing Wipe Data. If that doesn't work, you'll need to flash it through Fastboot with full cleaning. In the worst case, if the phone doesn't respond to buttons and isn't identified in Fastboot, but is visible in Device Manager as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008, you'll need to use paid author services or deep flashing through EDL Mode.
- 🔍 Problem: MiFlash writes "Flash All Lock" and the phone doesn't turn on. Solution: You've blocked a bootloader with firmware from another region. You need to reflash in Fastboot mode with the unlock command or use an authorized Mi Account to unblock the lock.
- 📶 Problem: After the firmware does not work 4G or LTE. Solution: Modem settings are lost. Try switching the network mode from the original regional firmware in the engineering menu (#4636##) or reflashing the modem from the original regional firmware.
- 🔋 Problem: The phone drains quickly after the update.Solution: After a major Android update, the system takes time (up to) 2-3 If the problem persists, do a full reset (Wipe All Data).
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Most of the errors when firmware Xiaomi Mi 9T associated with inattention when choosing the file type (Recovery vs Fastboot) or trying to block the bootloader on someone else’s version of the software.