Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot) often face the need to reflash the device - whether it is a recovery from a crash, updating to the current version of MIUI or installing custom firmware. The main obstacle: the official policy of Xiaomi requires unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, which takes up to 720 hours of waiting (30 days) and connects the account to the device. But what to do if there is no time to wait or unlock for some reason is not available?
There are workarounds that allow you to flash Redmi 9 without unlocking the bootloader, but all of them have limitations and risks. In this article, we will discuss three proven methods (taking into account current versions of MIUI 14/15 and Android 12/13), their pros, cons and potential consequences. Importantly, none of them guarantees 100% success, and the wrong actions can lead to a “brick” of the device without the ability to recover through standard tools.
Before you go to the instructions, make sure your Redmi 9 meets the following criteria:
- 📱 Model: Redmi 9 (Lancelot – check in Settings → The phone. → Model. For other models (e.g. Redmi) 9A/9C/9T) The methods may not work.
- 🔋 Battery charge: at least 60% – interruption of the process due to discharge is fraught with hardware damage.
- 💻 PC: Windows 10/11 with Windows Defender disabled and drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
- 🔗 Cable: original USB Type-C: Cheap cables can cause data transmission errors.
1. Firmware through Fastboot bypassing loader check (the "EDL" method)
The Emergency Download Mode (EDL) method allows you to flash your device in emergency mode without locking the bootloader, which is suitable for restoring bricks or forcing the installation of official firmware, but it requires a special auth file for your model, which Xiaomi does not distribute publicly.
How does it work? In EDL mode, the phone connects to the PC via the Qualcomm 9008 port, which allows you to use utilities like Mi Flash Tool or QFil to firmware stock ROM. The main nuance: without an authorized auth file (unique for each device), the firmware will end up with a Sahara Communication Failed error.
- ✅ Pros: Restores the device even with a damaged boot partition.
- ❌ Cons: Requires an auth file that can only be obtained through Xiaomi service centers (cost) ~1500–3000 ₽). The risk of turning your phone into a brick if you interrupt the process.
Step-by-step:
- Download the official firmware for Redmi 9 (select the Fastboot ROM version).
- Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\lancelot).
- Install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers (can be found in the Mi Flash Tool package).
- Turn off the phone, press the volume up. + Volume down and connect to the PC – the device will be determined as QHSUSB_BULK.
- Run the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh. If the phone is detected, press Flash.
⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a Couldn't find device error, check the drivers or try another one. USB-port, use of hubs or USB 3.0 can cause problems.
Where to get an auth file for EDL?
2. Install Custom Recovery (TWRP) through vulnerability in ADB
This exploits vulnerability in ADB, which allows you to temporarily gain rights to write to the recovery partition. It only works on MIUI firmware older than 12.5.3 (on new versions, the vulnerability is closed). If your Redmi 9 has not yet been updated, the chance of successfully flashing TWRP is ~70%.
What you need:
- 🔧 TWRP for Redmi 9 (version 3.7.0_12-0 or newer).
- 🖥️ Utilities. ADB and Fastboot (download to Android) SDK).
- 📁 Firmware in.zip format (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
Instructions:
adb shell
su
dd if=/sdcard/twrp.img of=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/recovery
reboot recoveryOnce you reboot to TWRP, you can flash custom firmware, but the bootloader will remain locked.
- ✅ You can install.zip-firmware through TWRP.
- ❌ You can’t modify the boot section (leads to bootloop).
- ❌ You can’t install Magisk for root rights (requires patching) boot.img).
⚠️ Attention: If after installation TWRP The phone is loaded into stock recovery, so the vulnerability is closed by the update.
Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (7 clicks) → For Developers
Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer
Download TWRP and firmware to a memory card (not internal memory!)
Disable data encryption in TWRP (Wipe → Format Data → yes)-->
3.Use of the utility "Mi Unlock (Alternative)" to bypass the waiting
There are modified versions of the Mi Unlock Tool that allow you to unlock the bootloader without 720 hours of waiting, such as the XiaomiTool V2 utility or Python-based scripts that mimic the responses of Xiaomi servers.
- 🚫 Blocking your Mi Account on suspicion of fraud.
- 🚫 Warranty loss (if the device is linked to the account).
- 🚫 "Soft Brick (device loads but fails anti-rollback check).
Algorithm of action:
- Download XiaomiTool V2 and unpack.
- Sign in to Mi Account on your phone and tool.
- Connect Redmi 9 in Fastboot mode (clamp Volume Down + Power).
- Select Bypass Mi Account (if required) and Unlock Bootloader.
- If you see a Couldn't unlock error, try again in 24 hours.
| Method | Requires unlocking. | Risk of a brick | Support for custom firmware |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDL with an auth file | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Medium. | ✅ Yes, stock only. ROM) |
| TWRP via ADB | ❌ No. | ⚠️⚠️ High-pitched | ✅ Yes (no boot modification) |
| Mi Unlock Alternative | ✅ Partially. | ⚠️⚠️⚠️ Very tall. | ✅ Complete. |
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If the phone doesn't turn on after you've run through EDL, try clamping Volume Up + Power for 20 to 30 seconds, which sometimes helps you get out of the soft breech by resetting the cache.
4.Alternative methods: firmware via OTA with modified package
If your goal is simply to update MIUI Before the latest version, you can try the modified version. OTA-Some developers create firmware that bypasses the loader check by changing the structure. update.zip. For example, the project MIUI bootloader offers "clean" versions MIUI without Bloatware, which can be installed through stock recovery.
How it works:
- Download. OTA-bundle for your model (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
- Rename the file to update.zip and copy it to the root of the internal memory.
- Go to stock recovery (Loudness up + Power), select Install update.zip.
- After the reboot, you get an updated MIUI without unlocking.
Limitations:
- 🔄 Works only for updates (not for downgrades or region changes).
- 🔒 It does not allow you to install custom firmware (only official). MIUI).
- 🛡️ Anti-rollback protection can work if the firmware version is older than the current one.
💡
Modified OTA-Packages are the safest way to update MIUI without unlocking, but they do not give freedom custom firmware and require strict adherence to versions.
5 Risks and how to minimize them
Any firmware without unlocking the bootloader is a game of roulette.
- 💀 "Hard brick: Device not turned on, not detected by PC. Restore only through EDL auth file (cost) ~3000 ₽ service).
- 🔒 Lockdown IMEI — If you get the Modem Module Firmware wrong, the phone loses the network. EDL.
- 🚨 Anti-rollback – if you run the version MIUI older supported, the device is locked at the bootloader level.
How to reduce the risks:
- 📌 Use only firmware designed for lancelot (check the model name in the build.prop file).
- 🔋 Switch from a charged battery (minimum 80%) and with a connected cable.
- 💾 Make a NANDroid backup in TWRP (if we can install it).
- 🛠️ Have an auth file on hand for EDL fail-in.
⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 9 is purchased on credit or tied to an operator (for example, MTS / Beeline), the firmware can reset the connection to the network.
6. What to do if nothing works?
If all the methods fail, you have three options:
- Official unlock: Sign up for Mi Account. Link your account to your phone at Settings → Xiaomi Account. Download Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions (waiting 720 hours).
- Service center: The cost of unlocking the bootloader: ~1500–2500 ₽. Cost of recovery after the brick: ~3000–5000 ₽.
Sale of spare parts
- You can get help on Avito or Yula. ~3000–5000 ₽ Redmi 9 (if the screen and body are intact).
If you decide to give up and wait for the official unlock, remember: 720 hours is 30 days of active waiting.
- You untie your Mi Account from your phone.
- There was a re-flash through Fastboot.
- The device was reset to factory settings.