How to flash Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G: official and custom methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G (The codename gaia remains a popular smartphone even years after its release, but its owners often face the need to reflash the device. MIUI You may want to install custom firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS, but the wrong firmware can turn your phone into a brick, especially when it comes to models with a high-end phone. 5G-A modem where errors in the radio module cause network loss.

In this guide, we will analyze all the current methods of firmware for the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G: from official updates via OTA to manual installation via Fastboot and TWRP. Particular attention will be paid to unlocking the bootloader without waiting 168 hours (relevant to new devices) and the nuances of working with firmware for the Chinese (China ROM) and global (Global ROM) versions. If you are a beginner, start with the Preparation section, if an experienced user, immediately go to the desired method.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Redmi Note 9 Pro firmware 5G It doesn’t just require a downloaded file. ROM, Missing at least one step can lead to data loss, failure in the process or even hardware damage (for example, when you work with a device incorrectly). EDL-regime).

First, check the current version of MIUI in settings: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This will help you choose the right firmware (for example, switching from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14 may require an interim update). Second, make sure that the phone has enough charge - at least 60%, as long-term firmware through the Fastboot drains the battery.

• 📱 Save data: firmware erases internal memory (except in cases where the data is stored) OTA-Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive or physical backup on your PC.
• 🔌 Prepare the cable: the original USB-C Xiaomi cable (not cheap analogues!) and port USB 2.0 on PC (USB 3.0 can cause firmware errors).
• 🖥️ Install drivers: download Mi Flash Tool and drivers for Fastboot/EDL official website.
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (if necessary): Custom firmware or manual installation via Fastboot requires unlocking (see Section 3).

⚠️ If you want to use Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G bought in China (version with the suffix C in the model name), firmware global ROM block 5G-Check compatibility on the forum XDA Developers.

2. Selection of firmware: official vs custom

The type of firmware depends not only on the functionality, but also the stability of the smartphone. Official firmware from Xiaomi is divided into:

• Stable ROM: A proven version with a minimum number of bugs, updated every 1-2 months.

Custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience, LineageOS, Havoc-OS) gives more freedom, but has risks:

• 🚫 There may be problems with the camera (all modules are not working) or 5G (Because of Qualcomm's proprietary drivers).
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption due to unoptimized core.
• 📱 Loss of official warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).

Where to download firmware:

• 🌍 Official: Xiaomi website (choose version for gaia).
• 🛠️ Castomy: XDA Developers or Telegram channels (for example, MIUI Russia).

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Before downloading the firmware, check its hash amount (MD5) using the WinMD5Free utility. This will save you from downloading corrupted files.

3. Unlock the bootloader: bypass the 168-hour timer

To install firmware via Fastboot or TWRP on the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, you need to unlock the bootloader.The official way from Xiaomi involves binding the Mi Account and waiting 7 days (168 hours), however, there are workarounds to speed up the process.

Official method (with waiting):

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Activate USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times), then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the phone to the PC, confirm the debugging permission.
4. Download the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your account and follow the instructions. The timer will start after the first connection.

Informal method (no waiting time):

Use the timer to bypass the timer EDL-Emergency Download Mode with Mi Flash Pro and an authorized Xiaomi account (for example, through services such as MIUI.SU). This method requires physical access to testpoints on the board and is only suitable for power users.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets the phone to factory settings. If you used Find My Device, unplug it beforehand, otherwise, once unlocked, the phone will require the old password from your Mi Account.

4. Firmware through Fastboot: step-by-step instructions

Fastboot is the most reliable method for installing official firmware, especially if the phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo. For the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, Fastboot firmware with the.tgz extension is suitable.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows PC (Linux/macOS Require additional drivers).
• 📁 Fastboot firmware (for example, gaia_global_images_V12.5.1.0.RJSCNXM_20230315.0000.00_11.0_global.tgz).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool (version 2020.3.14.0 or later).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\ROM\gaia).
2. Turn off the phone, press the power. + Vol− for the entrance to the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Click Select, point the way to the firmware folder.
5. Select Clean All or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after you have been firmware).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ If the Mi Flash Tool is an error flash_not_allow_in_lock_state, So the bootloader is locked. Unlock it (see section) 3) Or use the firmware through Recovery.

5. Install custom firmware through TWRP

To install Pixel Experience, LineageOS or other custom firmware will require custom recavers – TWRP. the Official version for the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, but there are unofficial builds from the community (for example, from the developer Woa).

Steps of TWRP installation:

1. Download the latest version TWRP for gaia (e.g, twrp-3.7.0_12-0-gaia.img).
2. Rename the file to recovery.img and place it in the folder with the platform-tools (from Android SDK).
3. Turn on Fastboot on your phone (Power + Vol−).
4. Run the command at the terminal: fastboot flash recovery.img fastboot boot recovery.img

Installation of custom firmware:

1. V TWRP Make a backup of the persist section (important for work) 5G-modem!).
2. Wipe out the Dalvik, Cache, System, Data sections (do not touch Internal Storage unless you want to lose files).
3. Install. ZIP-Firmware file and (if necessary) GApps.
4. Reboot. The first launch can take up to 15 minutes.

Popular custom firmware for Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G:

• 📱 Pixel Experience (Android 13) – pure Android with chips from Pixel.
• 🔄 LineageOS 20 - stable build based on the AOSP.
• ⚡ Havoc-OS - customizable firmware with many settings.

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After installing custom firmware, be sure to check the work 5G-modem in network settings. If the network is not catching, return the backup of the persist partition via TWRP.

6. Solving firmware errors

Even if you follow the instructions, you can get errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions for the Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G.

If the phone doesn’t respond to buttons and doesn’t boot, try EDL emergency mode:

1. Download Mi Flash Pro with EDL support.
2. Connect the phone when it is off by pressing the Vol+ and Vol− buttons (to log in to EDL).
3. Select firmware in.mbn format and start firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Use EDL Without an authorized Xiaomi account, it can lead to blocking IMEI. To unlock you will need to contact the service center.

7. Update via OTA: a secure way

If you don’t need custom firmware, the easiest way to upgrade the Redmi Note 9 Pro is to get a new one. 5G — built-in OTA-This method does not require unlocking the bootloader and saves all data.

How to update through OTA:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check Updates. If the update is available, download it.
3. After downloading, click Reboot and install.

If OTA-No updates are available, you can install it manually:

1. Download Recovery firmware (file with.zip extension) from the official website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory.
3. Press Power + Vol+ to log in to Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip and confirm the installation.

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If so, OTA-updates phone began to slow down, make a reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and reset. This will delete user data, but return performance.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note firmware 9 Pro 5G