How to flash Xiaomi Mi9T through MiFlash: A complete guide with warnings and tips

Why is MiFlash firmware not always the best choice?

Xiaomi Mi9T firmware (aka Redmi K20) via MiFlash is a radical method that completely erases data and installs a “clean” version of MIUI. This method is relevant if the smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not turn on after a failed update “over the air” or requires a transition to a global / Chinese version of the software. However, MiFlash does not support firmware locked downloaders without first unlocking through Mi Unlock – this is a key limitation that many forget.

Unlike the update via Settings → About Phone → System Update, firmware via MiFlash:

• 🔧 Erase all data (including internal memory photos and accounts)
• 🔄 Allows you to downgrade the version MIUI (for example, 14 to 12)
• 🌍 Changes the firmware region (c) CN on Global/EU back and forth)
• ⚡ Restores "bricks" after unsuccessful modifications (for example, after ruta or custom recaveri)

But there are risks: the wrong choice of firmware or interruption of the process can turn the smartphone into a “brick”, which will not even turn on in the Fastboot mode.

This manual is suitable for Xiaomi Mi9T (codename davinci) and its modifications (Mi9T Pro/Redmi K20 Pro with raphael code). If you have another model, check the compatibility of the firmware by device code!

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the start

Before connecting your smartphone to your PC, follow the mandatory steps:

• 📱 Check the device model and code: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap 7 times on the "Core" line. In the menu that opens, look for the Hardware model (must be davinci for the "Correate") Mi9T).
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (unless unlocked previously!
• 💾 Save data: firmware erases internal memory. Use Mi Mover or manual copying on PC.
• 🔋 Charge the battery at least 60 percent. = brick-and-mortar.

Also prepare:

⚠️ Note: If you have flashed a smartphone before and installed custom recavers (for example, TWRP), Before using MiFlash, you need to return the stock Recovery through the fastboot flash recovery command. recovery.img. Otherwise, the firmware will end in error.

I downloaded the firmware for the davinci model|Unlocked bootloader (Unlocked status in Fastboot)|Save data from internal memory|Charged the phone. >60%|Installed MiFlash and drivers|Prepared the original USB-cable

-->

Unlock the bootloader: without it, MiFlash does not work

The Xiaomi Mi9T bootloader is locked by default, and to flash the device through MiFlash, you need to unlock it in the official way:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account. Enable sync and confirm the link via SMS/email.
2. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Tap 7 times on the line "Version" MIUI", Notice: “You have become a developer".

Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging:

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Activate OEM Unlock and USB Debugging switches.

Now connect the phone to your PC, turn it into Fastboot mode (turn it off, then press Power + Volume Down) and launch the Mi Unlock Tool. The program will request a login to Mi Account and begin the unlocking process. This usually takes between 72 and 360 hours of latency (depending on Xiaomi policy).

⚠️ Note: If you unlock a "Couldn't unlock" error with code 86006 or 86012, it means: Mi Account is not tied to the phone (check sync). >24 hours after you have your account linked, you are using the unofficial version of the Mi Unlock Tool. Solution: wait 24-48 hours and try again with the official utility.

💡

If unlocking is delayed, try to link another Mi Account (such as one created on another Xiaomi device) and sometimes this reduces the waiting time.

Select firmware: which version of MIUI to download for Mi9T

For Xiaomi Mi9T (davinci) there are several types of firmware available:

Key rules of choice:

• 🔹 If you need Russian, use Global or EEA.
• 🔹 For maximum stability, choose Stable (not Weekly!).
• 🔹 If you want to remove Chinese services, download it. EEA or Global.
• 🔹 To recover from bricks – you need a Fastboot version (file.tgz).

Note the firmware version of Android. Mi9T officially supports Android 12 (MIUI 14). Installing firmware on Android 13+ is only possible through custom builds (like LineageOS), but that's beyond the scope of this instruction.

Step-by-step: Xiaomi Mi9T firmware via MiFlash

When you are ready, follow the algorithm:

1. Unpack firmware: Download the archive.tgz or.zip unpack in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Mi9T_Flash\). There's gotta be a file inside. flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
2. Put your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off your smartphone. + Reduce the volume before the appearance of the Fastboot logo (robot with the inscription) FASTBOOT).
3. Launch MiFlash: Open the program on behalf of the administrator. Press Select and specify the path to the unpacked firmware. At the bottom, select firmware mode: clean all (recommended when changing the firmware region). clean all and lock - clean + lock the bootloader (only if you are sure that you will not stitch!). user data save (not always works correctly).

Start the firmware:

• Press Refresh – your Mi9T should appear in the list of devices.
• Click Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).
• At the end of the phone will automatically restart.

The first run after firmware can take up to 15 minutes - don't interrupt the process! If the smartphone has been stuck on the logo for longer than 20 minutes, repeat the firmware in clean all mode.

💡

If MiFlash gives an error critical partition flashing is not allowed, then the bootloader is locked. Unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool and try again.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the exact following of the instructions, problems can arise. Let's consider the typical errors and how to fix them:

If after the firmware the smartphone loads, but:

• 📵 No network – the wrong regional version (e.g., no network, CN Solution: I want to flash the correct version.
• 🔒 Requested Mi Account password, account linked to device Solution: enter data or wait 72 hours to reset.
• 🔄 The boot animation looped, the system files were corrupted. Solution: Repeat the firmware in clean all mode.

⚠️ Note: If the Fastboot displays Locked status after the firmware, the bootloader is locked automatically (for example, when selecting clean all and lock mode). Unlock it again through the Mi Unlock Tool, otherwise the next firmware will not be possible.

Alternative ways to install Mi9T

MiFlash is not the only way to upgrade or restore the Xiaomi Mi9T.

• 📲 Update by air (OTA): Suitable for transitions between minor versions MIUI (for example, 14.0.1 → 14.0.2) Does not erase data, but does not allow you to change the region of the firmware. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔧 Firmware through TWRP: Requires an established custom recaveri (TWRP). Allows custom firmware installation (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience) Risk: Unofficial firmware may contain bugs or hardware problems (camera, NFC).
• 🖥️ Firmware through ADB Sideload: Suitable for installation of official OTA-Hand-held packages. Command: adb sideload update.zip Does not erase data, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

When to choose an alternative to MiFlash:

• If you need to update without losing data → OTA or ADB Sideload.
• If you want custom firmware → TWRP + fitting ZIP.
• If MiFlash makes mistakes → Try flashing through fastboot manually (commands below).

Example of manual firmware via fastboot (if MiFlash doesn't work):

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img




fastboot reboot

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions