How to flash Xiaomi Redmi 9A: all the ways from official updates to custom firmware

Xiaomi Redmi 9A — One of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it requires an upgrade or a complete flashing over time. OTA-updates, or you want to install custom firmware for advanced features. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of firmware for Redmi. 9A (codename dandelion, including formal and informal methods, as well as nuances of unlocking the bootloader and solving typical errors.

Smartphone firmware is a responsible process, but not as complex as it seems, and the key is to understand what exactly you want: stable work on the official MIUI, clean Android through the caste or restore the brick after a failed update, and we will describe each step in detail so that even a beginner can cope without risking damage to the device.

Preparation for firmware: what you need to know before you start

Before you start the firmware Xiaomi Redmi 9A, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to data loss, locking the device or even its “bricking”.

• 📱 Save all the data: contacts, photos, messages. Clear flash will remove everything from internal memory. Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive or physical backup on your PC.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60%. interruption of the process due to battery discharge can make the smartphone inoperable.
• 🔗 Install drivers: to work with Fastboot and ADB on the PC you need drivers Xiaomi (download from the official site) and Google USB Driver.
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (if you plan custom firmware). Official updates via MIUI Updater doesn't require it.

Pay special attention to the firmware version. The Redmi 9A has several modifications:

• 🌍 Global (MIUI Global - for the international market;
• 🇨🇳 Chinese (MIUI China – without Google services;
• 🇪🇺 EEA — for Europe (c) GDPR-restraint);
• 🇷🇺 Russian – with pre-installed local services.

Installing the wrong version can lead to network or language pack problems.

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 9A bought in China and has firmware China Stable, after firmware global version may stop working LTE in some regions due to differences in modem settings!

Method 1: Official update via MIUI Updater (no PC)

The easiest and most secure method is to upgrade over the air (OTA) or through the built-in System Update app, which is suitable if:

• 📲 The device is stable, but there are available updates;
• 🔄 You do not want to lose data (update is done without resetting);
• 🔒 bootloader is locked (no unlock required).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select Service Pack.
3. If an update is available, download it (file weight ~1.5-2.5 GB).
4. After downloading, click Reboot and Update.

If the update doesn’t come automatically, you can download the full Recovery ROM from MIUI Downloads and install it manually through the same menu, and it’s important to choose the right version for your model and region.

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If the update has hung during the verification phase, try clearing the System Update app cache in the settings or restarting the phone.

Method 2: Fastboot Firmware (full reset)

The Fastboot method is used to completely flash the device when:

• 🔄 You need to return the smartphone to the “factory” state;
• 🐌 The phone is slowing down a lot, and OTA-Update doesn't help;
• 🔧 Requires a change of firmware region (for example, from Chinese to global).

This will require a PC with the Mi Flash Tool installed and Xiaomi drivers.

Download Fastboot ROM for dandelion from the official website |

Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic |

Install Mi Flash Tool (version no lower than 2020.3.14.0)|

Disable driver signatures in Windows (if OS blocks installation)|

Charge the phone to 100%-->

1. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power to enter the Fastboot (there will be a hare in a hat-eared hat on the screen).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware folder.
4. At the bottom, select Clean All (Full Reset) or Clean All and Lock (Reset + Lock bootloader).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can take up to 15 minutes -- that's okay.

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool is an anti-rollback error, you are trying to install an older version. MIUI, It irreversibly blocks the bootloader! Always flash only new versions or those that are allowed to roll back (check on the forum). XDA Developers).

Method 3: Install custom firmware (TWRP + LineageOS/Pixel Experience)

Custom firmware such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience allows you to get a pure Android without the branded MIUI shell, as well as more recent versions of the OS (for example, Android 13 instead of the standard Android 10 for Redmi 9A).

• 🔓 Unlocked loader;
• 🛠️ Established TWRP Recovery;
• 📦 Compatible firmware for the dandelion model.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and a wait of 7-15 days for new devices).
2. Install TWRP for Redmi 9A via Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. In TWRP, make a full backup (Backup → select Boot, System, Data).
4. Sweat the custom firmware (Install) → choose ZIP-File) and GApps (if you need Google services).
5. Clean the cache (Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache + Cache) and reboot.

The following are the Redmi 9A firmware:

• 📱 LineageOS 20 (Android 13) – stable, but without some camera features;
• 📱 Pixel Experience (Android 12) – as close as possible to Google’s “pure” Android;
• 📱 Havoc-OS is flexible, but may be less stable.

Unlocking the bootloader: a step-by-step guide

Without unlocking the bootloader, you can’t install custom recavers or firmware. Xiaomi officially allows this, but with some restrictions:

• 📅 New devices require 168 hours (7 days) of account retention;
• 🔗 You should use the Mi Unlock Tool;
• 📱 Mi Account should be linked to the phone in settings.

Instructions:

1. Enable OEM Unlock in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → Developers → Unlock OEM).
2. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website and install it on PC.
3. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Power).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool. Sign in to your Mi Account.
5. Press Unlock and wait until it is completed (if a waiting message appears, try again once a day).

⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data will be deleted from the phone, as well as security settings (including fingerprints and pattern lock) will be reset.In addition, some banking applications (for example, SberBank Online) may stop working due to the SafetyNet trigger.

Solving typical firmware errors

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the phone has turned into a brick (no buttons, no PC), try:

1. Press Volume up + Power for 20-30 seconds for forced reboot.
2. Connect to a PC and check if Device Manager defines Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (EDL mode).
3. If yes, flash through the Mi Flash Tool in EDL mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

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If the phone doesn't respond to any manipulation, don't panic. In 90% of cases, it can be recovered through a phone. EDL-mode, but this will require access to an authorized Xiaomi account (for example, through a service center).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi firmware 9A